The Art of Public Speaking by Dale Carnegie and J. Berg Esenwein onlineXXV INFLUENCING THE CROWD
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_1 Plebeian._ Methinks there is much reason in his sayings.
_2 Ple._ If thou consider rightly of the matter,
Cæsar has had great wrong.
_3 Ple._ Has he, masters?
I fear there will a worse come in his place.
_4 Ple._ Mark'd ye his words? He would not take the crown;
Therefore, 'tis certain, he was not ambitious.
_1 Ple._ If it be found so, some will dear abide it.
_2 Ple._ Poor soul, his eyes are red as fire with weeping.
_3 Ple._ There's not a nobler man in Rome than Antony.
_4 Ple._ Now mark him, he begins again to speak.
_Ant._ But yesterday, the word of Cæsar might
Have stood against the world: now lies he there,
And none so poor to do him reverence.
Oh, masters! if I were dispos'd to stir
Your hearts and minds to mutiny and rage,
I should do Brutus wrong, and Cassius wrong,
Who, you all know, are honorable men.
I will not do them wrong; I rather choose
To wrong the dead, to wrong myself, and you,
Than I will wrong such honorable men.
But here's a parchment, with the seal of Cæsar;
I found it in his closet; 'tis his will:
Let but the commons hear this testament--
Which, pardon me, I do not mean to read--
And they would go and kiss dead Cæsar's wounds,
And dip their napkins in his sacred blood;
Yea, beg a hair of him for memory,
And, dying, mention it within their wills,
Bequeathing it as a rich legacy
Unto their issue.
_4 Ple._ We'll hear the will: Read it, Mark Antony.
_All._ The will! the will! we will hear Cæsar's will.
_Ant._ Have patience, gentle friends: I must not read it;
It is not meet you know how Cæsar lov'd you.
You are not wood, you are not stones, but men;
And, being men, hearing the will of Cæsar,
It will inflame you, it will make you mad:
'Tis good you know not that you are his heirs;
For if you should, oh, what would come of it!
_4 Ple._ Read the will; we'll hear it, Antony!
You shall read us the will! Cæsar's will!
_Ant._ Will you be patient? Will you stay awhile?
I have o'ershot myself, to tell you of it.
I fear I wrong the honorable men
Whose daggers have stab'd Cæsar; I do fear it.
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