Cas. Messala!

Mes.

Cas.

What says my general?

This is my birth-day; as this very day

Messala,

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 1
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 army lies, ready to give up the ghost.
Mes. Believe not so.

Cas.

I but believe it partly ;

For I am fresh of spirit, and resolved

To meet all perils very constantly.

Bru. Even so, Lucilius.

Cas.

Now, most noble Brutus,

The gods to-day stand friendly; that we may,

1 Foremost standard.

2 Accompanied.

Lovers, in peace, lead on our days to age!

But, since the affairs of men rest still uncertain,
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, 'tis true, this parting was well made.

Bru. Why then, lead on.

know

O, that a man might

The end of this day's business, ere it come!

But it sufficeth, that the day will end,

And then the end is known. Come, ho! away!

[Exeunt.

SCENE II.

The same. The field of battle.

Alarum. Enter BRUTUS and MESSALA.

Bru. Ride, ride, Messala, ride, and give these

bills 1

Unto the legions on the other side:

Let them set on at once; for I perceive
But cold demeanor in Octavius' wing,

[loud alarum.

And sudden push gives them the overthrow.
Ride, ride, Messala; let them all come down.

[Exeunt.

SCENE III.

The same.

Alarum.

Another part of the field.

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.

Billets containing directions for the officers.

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 enclosed.

Enter PINDarus.

Pin. Fly farther off, my lord, fly farther 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.

Titinius, if thou lovest me,

Cas. 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 assured, Whether yond' troops are friend or enemy. Fit. I will be here again, even with a thought.

Cas. Go, Pindarus, get higher on that hill; My sight was ever thick; regard Titinius, And tell me what thou notest about the field.

[Exit.

[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

Wita 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 shouldst attempt it. Come now, keep thine oath!

Now be a freeman; and, with this good sword,
That ran through Cæsar's bowels, search this bosom.
Stand not to answer: here, take thou the hilts;
And, when my face is cover'd, as 'tis now,
Guide thou the sword.-Cæsar, thou art revenged,
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,