Mes. That by proscription and bills of outlawry, Octavius, Antony, and Lepidus, Have put to death an hundred senators. Bru. Therein our letters do not well agree; And by that order of proscription. Had you your letters from your wife, my lord? Mes. Nor nothing in your letters writ of her? Mes. 175 180 That, methinks, is strange. Bru. Why ask you? hear you aught of her in yours? Mes. No, my lord. Bru. Now, as you are a Roman, tell me true. 185 Mes. Then, like a Roman, bear the truth I tell : For certain she is dead, and by strange manner. Bru. Why, farewell, Portia.—We must die, Messala With meditating that she must die once, I have the patience to endure it now. 190 Mes. Even so great men great losses should endure. Cas. I have as much of this in art as you, But yet my nature could not bear it so. Bru. Well, to our work alive.-What do you think Of marching to Philippi presently? Cas. I do not think it good. Bru. Cas. 195 Your reason? This it is: 'Tis better that the enemy seek us: So shall he waste his means, weary his soldiers, 200 Bru. Good reasons must, of force, give place to better. The people, 'twixt Philippi and this ground, For they have grudg'd us contribution : The enemy, marching along by them, By them shall make a fuller number up, If at Philippi we do face him there, These people at our back. Cas. 205 210 Bru. Under your pardon.—You must note beside, Hear me, good brother. That we have tried the utmost of our friends, Our legions are brim-full, our cause is ripe : We, at the height, are ready to decline. 215 Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune; Cas. Then, with your will, go on; And nature must obey necessity; Which we will niggard with a little rest. There is no more to say? 220 225 Good night: [Exit 230 O my dear brother! Early to-morrow will we rise, and hence. Cas. This was an ill beginning of the night : Never come such division 'tween our souls! Farewell, every one. [Exeunt all but Brutus. Tit. Mes. Good night, Lord Brutus. Bru. Re-enter LUCIUS, with the gown. Give me the gown. Where is thy instrument? Bru. What, thou speak'st drowsily Poor knave, I blame thee not; thou art o'er-watch'd. Call Claudius and some other of my men ; 240 I'll have them sleep on cushions in my tent. Enter VARRO and CLAUDIUS. Var. Calls my lord? Bru. I pray you, sirs, lie in my tent and sleep; It may be I shall raise you by and by On business to my brother Cassius. 245 Var. So please you, we will stand, and watch your pleasure. Bru. I will not have it so: lie down, good sirs; It may be I shall otherwise bethink me. Look, Lucius, here's the book I sought for so; 250 I put it in the pocket of my gown. [Varro and Claudius lie down. Luc. I was sure your lordship did not give it me. Bru. Bear with me, good boy, I am much forgetful. Canst thou hold up thy heavy eyes awhile, And touch thy instrument a strain or two? Bru. 255 It does, my boy: I trouble thee too much, but thou art willing. Luc. It is my duty, sir. 260 Bru. I should not urge thy duty past thy might; I know young bloods look for a time of rest. Luc. I have slept, my lord, already. Bru. It was well done; and thou shalt sleep again ; I will not hold thee long: if I do live, I will be good to thee. [Music, and a song. 265 This is a sleepy tune.-O murderous slumber, Enter the Ghost of CESAR. How ill this taper burns !-Ha! who comes here ? 269 That shapes this monstrous apparition. It comes upon me.-Art thou any thing? Art thou some god, some angel, or some devil, That mak'st my blood cold, and my hair to stare? Speak to me what thou art. 275 Ghost. To tell thee thou shalt see me at Philippi. Bru. Well; then I shall see thee again? Ghost. Ay, at Philippi. Bru. Why, I will see thee at Philippi, then. [Exit Ghost. 1 Cæsar wore a tunic with long sleeves, with fringes at the wrists; not 'gatherings,' as Knight renders it. |