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,
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?

90

100

Bru. No, Cassius, no: think not, thou noble Roman, 110 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.

120

Bru. Why, then, lead on. O, that a man might know

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.

Alarum. Enter BRUTUS and MESSALA.

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

Unto the legions on the other side.

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.

[Loud alarum.

SCENE III. Another part of the field.

Alarums. 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 enclosed.

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.

[Exeunt.

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

Tit. They are, my lord.

Cas.

Titinius, if thou lovest 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 assured
Whether yond troops are friend or enemy.

Tit. 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.

20

[Pindarus ascends the bill.

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. [Above.] 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. [Shout.] And, hark!

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!

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,

30

[Pindarus descends.

Thou shouldst attempt it. Come now, keep thine oath; Now be a freeman: and with this good sword,

41

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. [Pindarus stabs him.] Cæsar, thou

art revenged,

Even with the sword that kill'd thee.

Pin. So, I am free; yet would not so have been,

Durst I have done my will. O Cassius!

[Dies.

Far from this country Pindarus shall run,
Where never Roman shall take note of him.

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;

Clouds, dews, and dangers come; our deeds are done!
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 conceived,
Thou never comest 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.

51

60

70

[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,

80

And bid me give it thee? Didst thou not hear their shouts? Alas, thou hast misconstrued every thing!

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. [Kills himself.

Re-enter MESSALA, with BRUTUS, young Cato,
STRATO, VOLUMNIUS, and LUCILIUS.

Alarum.

Mes.
Bru.

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

91

He is slain.

Cato.

Bru. O Julius Cæsar, thou art mighty yet! Thy spirit walks abroad, and turns our swords In our own proper entrails.

[Low alarums.

Brave Titinius!

Cato.
Look, whether he have not crown'd dead Cassius !

Bru. Are yet two Romans living such as these?
The last of all the Romans, fare thee well!
It is impossible that ever Rome

Should breed thy fellow. Friends, I owe moe tears
To this dead man than you shall see me pay.

I shall find time, Cassius, I shall find time.
Come, therefore, and to Thasos send his body:
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:
'Tis three o'clock; and, Romans, yet ere night
We shall try fortune in a second fight.

100

[Exeunt.