"Brutus"

William Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar"

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 honour and have respect to mine honour,
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 that Caesar were dead, to live all freemen?
As Caesar loved me, I weep for him; as he was fortunate,
I rejoiced 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.