Hill's political obituary?

anamnua

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Sat May-10-08 10:59 AM
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Hill's political obituary?

From Mark Antony's eulogy for Julius Caesar in the Shakespeare play of the same name. For imperial Rome read the USA. For Caesar read Hillary. For Cassius read Dean or maybe Olbermann (who almost literally called for her murder). For the 'envious Casca' read Pelosi. For Brutus read Richardson.

I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him. The evil that men do lives after them. The good is oft interred with their bones. So let it be with Caesar. The noble Brutus hath told you Caesar was ambitious. If it were so, it was a grievous fault, and grievously hath Caesar answered it……….
When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept. Ambition should be made of sterner stuff………
You all did see that on the Lupercal I thrice presented him a kingly crown -- which he did thrice refuse. Was this ambition?............

I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke. But here I am to speak what I do know. You all did love him once, not without cause. What cause withholds you, then, to mourn for him? Oh, Judgment, thou art fled to brutish beasts, and men have lost their reason. …….
But yesterday the word of Caesar might have stood against the world. Now lies he there and none so poor to do him reverence. Oh masters, if I were disposed to stir your hearts and minds to mutiny and rage, I should do Brutus wrong, and Cassius wrong -- who, you all know, are honourable men…………

If you have tears, prepare to shed them now. You all do know this mantle. I remember the first time ever Caesar put it on. 'Twas on a summer's evening in his tent, that day he overcame the Nervii. Look, in this place ran Cassius' dagger through. See what a rent the envious Casca made. Through this the well-beloved Brutus stabbed, and as he plucked his cursed steel away, mark how the blood of Caesar followed it, as rushing out of doors, to be resolved if Brutus so unkindly knocked, or no. For Brutus, as you know, was Caesar's angel. Judge, oh ye gods, how dearly Caesar loved him. This was the most unkindest cut of all. For when the noble Caesar saw him stab, ingratitude, more strong than traitors' arms, quite vanquished him. Then burst his mighty heart. And in his mantle muffling up his face, even at the base of Pompey's statue, which all the while ran blood, great Caesar fell. Oh, what a fall was there, my countrymen. Then I, and you, and all of us fell down, whilst bloody treason flourished over us. ……..
Now you weep. And I perceive you feel the dint of pity. These are gracious drops. Kind souls, what weep you when you but behold our Caesar's vesture wounded? Look you here. Here is himself, marred, as you see, with traitors……..
They that have done this deed are honourable. What private griefs they have, alas, I know not that made them do it. They are wise and honourable, and will, no doubt, with reasons answer you………
I only speak right on. I tell you that which you yourselves do know. Show you sweet Caesar's wounds………..and bid them speak for me. But were I Brutus, and Brutus Antony, there were an Antony would ruffle up your spirits and put a tongue in every wound of Caesar that should move the stones of Rome to rise and mutiny.

St. Hillary, 1993Watercolor and gouache over graphiteon illustration boardPublished in the New York Times Magazine,May 23, 1993 (8)

St. Hillary, 1993
Watercolor and gouache over graphite
on illustration board
Published in the New York Times Magazine,
May 23, 1993 (8)