_"O pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth, That I am meek and gentle with these butchers; Thou art the ruins of the noblest man That ever lived in the tide of times. Woe to the hand that shed this costly blood! Over thy wounds now do I prophesy-- Which like dumb mouths, do ope their ruby lips To beg the voice and utterance of my tongue; A curse shall light upon the limbs of men; Domestic fury and fierce civil strife Shall cumber all the parts of Italy; Blood and destruction shall be so in use, And dreadful objects so familiar, That mothers shall but smile when they behold Their infants quartered with the hands of war; All pity choked with custom of fell deeds; And Caesar's spirit, ranging for revenge, With Ate by his side, come hot from hell, Shall in these confines, with a monarch's voice, Cry, 'Havoc!' and let slip the dogs of war!"_ The wild citizens of Rome clamored for the reason of Caesar's death, and Brutus mounted the rostrum in the Forum and delivered this cunning and bold oration in defense of the conspirators: "Romans, countrymen and lovers, hear me for my cause, and be silent that ye 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! "Had you rather Caesar were living, and die all slaves, than Caesar were dead, to live all free men? "As Caesar loved me, I weep for him; as he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was valiant, I honor him, but as he was ambitious I slew him! "There is tears for his love; joy for his fortune; honor for his valor, 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 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." And then the rabble, vacillating, fool citizens said, "None, Brutus, none," and continue to yell, "Live, Brutus, live! live!" Brutus leaves the Forum and requests the human cattle to remain and hear Antony relate the glories of Caesar! Finally Antony is persuaded to take the rostrum, and delivers this greatest funeral oration of all the ages: