Upon one battle all our liberties. This morning are they fled away, and gone; Our army lies, ready to give up the ghost. Cas. I but believe it partly; Now, most noble Brutus, Cas. our former ensign-] Former is foremost, 9 The very last time we shall speak together: What are you then determined to do?] i, e. I am resolved in such a case to kill myself. What are you determined of? of that philosophy,] There is certainly an apparent contradiction between the sentiments which Brutus expresses in this, and in his subsequent speech; but there is no real inconsistency. Brutus had laid down to himself as a principle, to abide every chance and extremity of war; but when Cassius reminds him of the disgrace of being led in triumph through the streets of Rome, By which I did blame Cato for the death For fear of what might fall, so to prevent 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 That ever Brutus will go bound to Rome; know The end of this day's business, ere it come! [Exeunt. he acknowledges that to be a trial which he could not endure. Nothing is more natural than this. We lay down a system of conduct for ourselves, but occurrences may happen that will force us to depart from it. 2 arming myself with patience, &c.] Dr. Warburton thinks, that in this speech something is lost; but there needed only a parenthesis to clear it. The construction is this: I am determined to act according to that philosophy which directed me to blame the suicide of Cato; arming myself with patience, &c. JOHNSON. SCENE II. The same. The field of Battle. Alarum. Enter BRUTUS and MESSALA. Bru. Ride, ride, Messala, ride, and give these bills 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. [Exeunt. SCENE IIL 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 PINDARÚS. 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, Titi nius; Are those my tents, where I perceive the fire? Tit. They are, my lord. Cas. Titinius, if thou lov'st me, Mount thou my horse, and hide thy spurs in him, Till he have brought thee up to yonder troops, And here again; that I may rest assur'd, Whether yond' troops are friend or enemy. Tit. I will be here again, even with a thought. [Exit. 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 I shall 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; now, Titinius!Now some 'light:-O, he 'lights too:-he's ta'en;and, hark! [Shout. They shout for joy. 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, Come hither, sirrah: In Parthia did I take thee prisoner; And then I swore thee, saving of thy life, That whatsoever I did bid thee do, Thou should'st attempt it. Come now, keep thine oath! Now be a freeman; and, with this good sword, [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. \ Tit. 1 All disconsolate, With Pindarus his bondman, on this hill. Tit. 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 |