answer: Not that I lov'd Caesar less, but that I lov'd Rome
more. Had you rather Caesar were living, and die all slaves,
than that Caesar were dead, to live all free-men? As Caesar
lov'd me, I weep for him; as he was fortunate, I rejoice at
it; as he was valiant, I honour him: but as he was ambitious,
I slew him. There is tears for his love; joy for his
fortune; honour for his valour; and death for his ambition.
Who is here so base that would be a bondman? If
any, speak; for him have I offended. Who is here so rude
that would not be a Roman? If any, speak; for him have
I offended. Who is here so vile that will not love his
country? If any, speak; for him have I offended.
I pause for a reply. 33

ALL. None, Brutus, none.

BRUTUS. Then none have I offended. I have done no more to
Caesar than you shall do to Brutus. The question of his
death is enroll'd in the Capitol; his glory not extenuated,
wherein he was worthy, nor his offences enforc'd, for which
he suffer'd death. 39

[Note 26: /is/ Ff | are Pope.]

[Note 13: /lovers/. Pope changed this to 'friends.' But in the
sixteenth century 'lover' and 'friend' were synonymous. In l.
44 Brutus speaks of Caesar as 'my best lover.' So 'Thy lover'
in II, iii, 8.]

[Note 16: /censure/: judge. The word may have been chosen for
the euphuistic jingle it makes here with 'senses.']

[Note 26: /There is tears/. So in I, iii, 138. See Abbott,
Sect. 335.]

[Note 36-39: The reason of his death is made a matter of
solemn official record in the books of the Senate, as showing
that the act of killing him was done for public ends, and not
from private hate. His fame is not lessened or whittled down
in those points wherein he was worthy. 'Enforc'd' is in
antithesis to 'extenuated.' Exactly the same antithesis is
found in _Antony and Cleopatra_, V, ii, 125.]

[Page 102]

_Enter_ ANTONY _and others, with_ CAESAR'S _body_

Here comes his body, mourn'd by Mark Antony; who, though he
had no hand in his death, shall receive the
benefit of his dying, a place in the commonwealth; as which
of you shall not? With this I depart,--that, as I slew my
best lover for the good of Rome, I have the same dagger for
myself, when it shall please my country to need my death. 46

ALL. Live, Brutus! live, live!

1 CITIZEN. Bring him with triumph home u