Oct. Come, come, the cause: If arguing make us The proof of it will turn to redder drops. Look; I draw a sword against conspirators; When think you that the sword goes up again?— Never, till Cæsar's three-and-thirty wounds Be well aveng'd; or till another Cæsar Have added slaughter to the sword of traitors. Bru. Cæsar, thou canst not die by traitors' hands, Unless thou bring'st them with thee.

Oct. So I hope; I was not born to die on Brutus' sword.

Bru. O, if thou wert the noblest of thy strain, Young man, thou couldst not die more honourable. Cas. A peevish schoolboy, worthless of such Join'd with a masker and a reveller. [honour,

Ant. Old Cassius still! Oct. Come, Antony; away.Defiance, traitors, hurl we in your teeth: If you dare fight to-day, come to the field; If not, when you have stomachs.

[Exeunt Octavius, Antony, and their Army. Cas. Why now, blow, wind; swell, billow; and swim, bark!

The storm is up, and all is on the hazard.
Bru. Ho! Lucilius; hark, a word with you.
Luc.
My lord.
[Brutus and Lucilius converse apart.
Cas. Messala,- Mes. What says my general?
Cas.
Messala,

This is my birthday; as this very day
Was Cassius born. Give me thy hand, Messala:
Be thou my witness that, against my will,
As Pompey was, am I compell'd to set
Upon one battle all our liberties.
You know that I held Epicurus strong,
And his opinion: now I change my mind,
And partly credit things that do presage.
Coming from Sardis, on our former ensign
Two mighty eagles fell; and there they perch'd,
Gorging and feeding from our soldiers' hands,
Who to Philippi here consorted us;

This morning are they fled away, and gone;
And in their steads do ravens, crows, and kites,
Fly o'er our heads, and downward look on us,
As we were sickly prey; their shadows seem
A canopy most fatal, under which

Our ar ny lies, ready to give up the ghost.
Mes. Believe not so,

Cas.
For I am fresh of spirit, and resolv'd
To meet all perils very constantly.
Bru. Even so, Lucilius.
Cas.

I but believe it partly ;

Now, most noble Brutus, The gods to-day stand friendly; that we may, Lovers in peace, lead on our days to age! But, since the affairs of men rest still incertain, Let's reason with the worst that may befall. If we do lose this battle, then is this The very last time we shall speak together: What are you then determined to do?

Bru. Even by the rule of that philosophy
By which I did blame Cato for the death
Which he did give himself:-I know not how,
But I do find it cowardly and vile,

For fear of what might fall, so to prevent
The time of life :-arming myself with patience,
To stay the providence of some high powers,
That govern us below.

Cas.

Then, if we lose this battle, You are contented to be led in triumph Thorough the streets of Rome ?

Bru. No, Cassius, no: think not, thou noble
Roman,

That ever Brutus will go bound to Rome;
He bears too great a mind. But this same day
Must end that work the ides of March begun ;
And whether we shall meet again I know not.
Therefore our everlasting farewell take :-
For ever, and for ever, farewell, Cassius!
If we do meet again, why, we shall smile;
If not, why then this parting was well made.

Cas. For ever, and for ever, farewell, Brutus !
If we do meet again, we 'll smile indeed;
If not, 't is true this parting was well made.

Bru. Why then, lead on.-O, that a man might
The end of this day's business ere it come: [know
But it sufficeth that the day will end,
And then the end is known.-Come, ho! away!
[Exeunt.

Unto the legions on the other side: [Loud alarum.
Let them set on at once; for I perceive
But cold demeanour in Octavius' wing,
And sudden push gives them the overthrow.
Ride, ride, Messala : let them all come down. [Exe.

SCENE III. The same. Another part of the Field.
Alarum. Enter Cassius and Titinius.
Cas. O, look, Titinius, look, the villains fly!
Myself have to mine own turn'd enemy :
This ensign here of mine was turning back;
I slew the coward, and did take it from him.
Tit. O Cassius, Brutus gave the word too early:
Who, having some advantage on Octavius,
Took it too eagerly; his soldiers fell to spoil,
Whilst we by Antony are all enclos'd.

Enter Pindarus.

Pin. Fly further off, my lord, fly further off; Mark Antony is in your tents, my lord!

Fly, therefore, noble Cassius, fly far off.

Cas. This hill is far enough. Look, look, Titinius ; Are those my tents where I perceive the fire? Tit. They are, my lord.

Cas. Go, Pindarus, get higher on that hill : My sight was ever thick; regard Titinius, And tell me what thou not'st about the field.[Exit Pindarus. This day I breathed first time is come round, And where I did begin there shall I end; My life is run his compass.-Sirrah, what news? Pin. [Above]. O my lord! Cas. What news? Pin. Titinius is enclosed round about With horsemen that make to him on the spur; Yet he spurs on.-Now they are almost on him;

403

Now, Titinius-Now some 'light :-O, he 'lights

too :

He's ta'en :--and hark! they shout for joy. [Shout. Cas. Come down, behold no more.

O, coward that I am, to live so long,

To see my best friend ta'en before my face.

Enter Pindarus.

Guide thou the sword.-Cæsar, thou art reveng'd,
Even with the sword that kill'd thee.
[Dies.
Pin. So, I am free; yet would not so have been,
Durst I have done my will. O Cassius!
Far from this country Pindarus shall run,
Where never Roman shall take note of him. [Exit.

Re-enter Titinius, with Messala.

Mes. It is but change, Titinius; for Octavius Is overthrown by noble Brutus' power,

As Cassius' legions are by Antony.

Tit. These tidings will well comfort Cassius.
Mes. Where did you leave him?
Tit.

All disconsolate,
With Pindarus his bondman, on this hill.
Mes. Is not that he that lies upon the ground?
Tit. He lies not like the living. O my heart!
Mes. Is not that he?

Tit.

No, this was he, Messala, But Cassius is no more.-O setting sun! As in thy red rays thou dost sink to night, So in his red blood Cassius' day is set; The sun of Rome is set! Our day is gone; [done! Clouds, dews, and dangers come; our deeds are Mistrust of my success hath done this deed.

Mes. Mistrust of good success hath done this deed. O hateful error, melancholy's child!

Why dost thou show to the apt thoughts of men The things that are not? O error, soon conceiv'd, Thou never com'st unto a happy birth,

But kill'st the mother that engender'd thee.

Tit. What, Pindarus! Where art thou, Pindarus? Mes. Seek him, Titinius: whilst I go to meet

:

The noble Brutus, thrusting this report Into his ears I may say, thrusting it; For piercing steel, and darts envenomed, Shall be as welcome to the ears of Brutus As tidings of this sight.

Tit.

Hie you, Messala, And I will seek for Pindarus the while.

[Exit Messala.

Why didst thou send me forth, brave Cassius?
Did I not meet thy friends? and did not they
Put on my brows this wreath of victory,
And bid me give 't thee? Didst thou not hear their
Alas, thou hast misconstrued everything. [shouts?
But hold thee, take this garland on thy brow;
Thy Brutus bid me give it thee, and I
Will do his bidding.-Brutus, come apace,
And see how I regarded Caius Cassius.-
By your leave. gods :-This is a Roman's part:
Come, Cassius' sword, and find Titinius heart. [Dies.
Alarum. Re-enter Messala, with Brutus, young
Cato, Strato, Volumnius, and Lucilius.

Bru. Where, where, Messala, doth his body lie?
Mes. Lo, yonder; and Titinius mourning it.
Bru. Titinius' face is upward.

His funerals shall not be in our camp,
Lest it discomfort us.-Lucilius, come ;-
And come, young Cato; let us to the field.—
Labeo, and Flavius, set our battles on:-
'T is three o'clock; and, Romans, yet ere night
We shall try fortune in a second fight. [Exeunt.

SCENE IV. Another part of the Field.
Alarum. Enter, fighting, Soldiers of both Armies;
then Brutus, Cato, Lucilius, and others.
Bru. Yet, countrymen, O yet hold up your heads!
Cato. What bastard doth not? Who will go with
I will proclaim my name about the field :—- [me?
I am the son of Marcus Cato, ho!

A foe to tyrants, and my country's friend;

I am the son of Marcus Cato, ho! [Charges the enemy. Bru. And I am Brutus, Marcus Brutus, I; Brutus, my country's friend; know me for Brutus. [Exit, charging the enemy. Cato is overpowered, and falls.

Luc. O young and noble Cato, art thou down? Why, now thou diest as bravely as Titinius ; And mayst be honour'd, being Cato's son. 1 Sold. Yield, or thou diest. Luc. Only I yield to die: There is so much that thou wilt kiil me straight; [Offering money.

Kill Brutus, and be honour'd in his death. 1 Sold. We must not.--A noble prisoner! 2 Sold. Room, ho! Tell Antony, Brutus is ta'en. 1 Sold. I'll tell the news.--Here comes the

general :

I'll rather kill myself. Bru. Hark thee, Dardanius.-Whispers him. Dar. Shall I do such a deed? Cli. O, Dardanius! Dar. Cli. What ill request did Brutus make to thee? Dar. To kill him, Clitus. Look, he meditates. Cli. Now is that noble vessel full of grief, That it runs over even at his eyes,

Stra. Give me your hand first: Fare you well, my lord.

Bru. Come hither, good Volumnius : list a word.
Vol. What says my lord?
Bru.

Why, this, Volumnius :
The ghost of Cæsar hath appeared to me
Two several times by night at Sardis, once;
And, this last night, here in Philippi fields.
I know my hour is come.

Vol.

Not so, my lord.

Bru. Nay, I am sure it is, Volumnius. Thou seest the world, Volumnius, how it goes; Our enemies have beat us to the pit : It is more worthy to leap in ourselves, Than tarry till they push us. Good Volumnius, Thou know'st that we two went to school together; Even for that our love of old, I prithee, Hold thou my sword-hilt, whilst I run on it. Vol. That's not an office for a friend, my lord. [Alarum still. Cli. Fly, fly, my lord; there is no tarrying here. Bru. Farewell to you-and you;-and you, VolumStrato, thou hast been all this while asleep; [nius.Farewell to thee too, Strato.-Countrymen, My heart doth joy that yet, in all my life, I found no man but he was true to me.

I shall have glory by this losing day,

More than Octavius and Mark Antony
By this vile conquest shall attain unto.

So, fare you well at once; for Brutus' tongue
Hath almost ended his life's history:

Night hangs upon mine eyes; my bones would rest,
That have but labour'd to attain this hour.
[Alarum. Cry within; Fly, fly, fly,!
Cli. Fly, my lord, fly!
Bru.

Hence; I will follow.
[Exeunt Clitus, Dardanius, and Volumnius.
I prithee, Strato, stay thou by thy lord:
Thou art a fellow of a good respect;
Thy life hath had some smatch of honour in it :
Hold then my sword, and turn away thy face,
While I do run upon it. Wilt thou, Strato?

Bru. Farewell, good Strato.--Cæsar, now be still : I kill'd not thee with half so good a will.

[He runs on his sword, and dies. Alarum. Retreat. Enter Octavius, Antony, Messala, Lucilius, and their Army.

Oct. What man is that?

Mes. My master's man.-Strato, where is thy master?

Stra. Free from the bondage you are in, Messala;
The conquerors can but make a fire of him;
For Brutus only overcame himself,

And no man else hath honour by his death.
Luc. So Brutus should be found.-I thank thee,
Brutus,

That thou hast prov'd Lucilius' saying true.
Oct. All that serv'd Brutus, I will entertain them.
Fellow, wilt thou bestow thy time with me?
Stra. Ay, if Messala will prefer me to you.
Oct. Do so, good Messala.

Mes.
How died my master, Strato?
Stra. I held the sword, and he did run on it.
Mes. Octavius, then take him to follow thee,
That did the latest service to my master.

Ant. This was the noblest Roman of them all :

All the conspirators, save only he,

Did that they did in envy of great Cæsar;
He only, in a general honest thought,
And common good to all, made one of them.
His life was gentle; and the elements
So mixed in him that Nature might stand up,
And say to all the world,' This was a man!

Oct. According to his virtue let us use him,
With all respect and rites of burial.
Within my tent his bones to-night shall lie,
Most like a soldier, order'd honourably.-
So, call the field to rest and let's away,
To part the glories of this happy day.

[Exeunt.

Officers, Soldiers, Messengers,and other Attendants.

SCENE.-Dispersed; in several parts of the Roman Empire.