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Enter BRUTUS and
CASSIUS with the PLEBEIANS
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BRUTUS and CASSIUS
enter with a throng of
PLEBEIANSPlebeians = the common people of Rome PLEBEIANS . |
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PLEBEIANS We will be satisfied! Let us be satisfied!
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PLEBEIANS We want answers. Give us answers.
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BRUTUS Then follow me and give me audience, friends.
—Cassius, go you into the other street
And part the numbers.
5—Those that will hear me speak, let 'em stay
here.
Those that will follow Cassius, go with him,
And public reasons shall be renderèd
Of Caesar’s death.
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BRUTUS Then follow me and listen to my speech, friends. Cassius, go to
the next street and divide the crowd. Let those who will hear me
speak stay. Lead those away who will follow you, and we’ll
explain publicly the reasons for Caesar’s death.
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FIRST PLEBEIAN I will hear
Brutus speak.
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FIRST PLEBEIAN I’ll listen to Brutus.
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ANOTHER PLEBEIAN I will hear Cassius and compare their reasons
10When severally we hear them renderèd.
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SECOND PLEBEIAN I’ll listen to Cassius, and we will compare their
reasons.
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Exit CASSIUS with some of the
PLEBEIANS
BRUTUS goes into the pulpit
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CASSIUS exits with some of the
PLEBEIANS. BRUTUS gets up on the
platform.
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THIRD PLEBEIAN The noble Brutus is ascended. Silence!
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THIRD PLEBEIAN Quiet! Noble Brutus has mounted the platform.
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BRUTUS Be patient till the last.
Romans, countrymen, and lovers! Hear me for my cause,
and be silent that you may hear. Believe me for mine honor,
and have respect to mine honor that you may believe.
Censure me in your wisdom, and awake your senses that
you may the better judge. If there be any in this assembly,
any dear friend of Caesar’s, to him I say that
Brutus' love to
Caesar was no less than his. If then that friend demand why
Brutus rose against Caesar, this is my answer: not that I
loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more.
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BRUTUS Be patient until I finish. Romans, countrymen, and friends! Listen
to my reasons and be silent so you can hear. Believe me on my honor
and keep my honor in mind, so you may believe me. Be wise when you
criticize me and keep your minds alert so you can judge me fairly.
If there’s anyone in this assembly, any dear friend of
Caesar’s, I say to him that my love for Caesar was no less
than his. If, then, that friend demands to know why I rose up
against Caesar, this is my answer: it’s not that I loved
Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more.
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