I come not, friends, to steal away your hearts; But, as you know me all, a plain, blunt man My countrymen, I have no power to move you: I show you Cæsar's wounds, poor, poor, dumb mouths, THE VARIOUS CHARACTER AND SIMILAR FATE OF THOSE WHO TOOK PART IN CESAR'S DEATH INDICATED BY SCENES SUPPOSED TO OCCUR IN THE CAMP OF BRUTUS AT SARDIS; AND ON THE PLAINS OF PHILIPPI. HISTORICAL MEMORANDA. The death of Cæsar was almost immediately followed by the flight of the conspirators from the city, in order to avoid the dangers which menaced them through the excited indignation of the people. Brutus and Cassius hastened to take the command of provinces to which the senate, before Cæsar's death, had appointed them. But while Antony, remaining in the city, was raising himself, by every means of art and force, to the high station from which Cæsar had been precipitated, he met with a rival in the young Octavius, nephew and adopted son of the late Cæsar. Rendered enemies by their common ambition, these two men, after various efforts to circumvent and overthrow each other, were at length reconciled by the mediation of Lepidus; and with him, forming the second triumvirate, agreed to make common cause against Brutus and Cassius, who were at the head of powerful armies in Syria, and preparing to march into Europe. These events occupied the space of about two years; and a few months more saw the tragedy concluded "which the ides of March began," the fate which befel the principal conspirators, with some little variation of circumstances, following all, as far as history has traced their lives, who had taken part in the transaction of that memorable day. The only exception seems to have been Messala, who, although included in one of the proscriptions, contrived to escape. We are to imagine the camp of Brutus at Sardis in Asia Minor: Brutus is in conversation with Titinius, who has just returned from Cassius, and brought with him the bondman of the latter. The two camps had hitherto been at some distance apart. [Brutus.] Now say, Titinius, is Cassius near? [Titinius.] He is at hand; and here is Pindarus you salutation from his master. To do [Brutus.] Your master, Pindarus, hath given me cause A word, Titinius;-let me be resolv'd [Titinius.] With courtesy and with respect enough; Nor with such free and friendly conference, [Brutus.] Thou hast describ’d A hot friend cooling. Ever note, Titinius, There are no tricks in plain and simple faith: [Titinius.] Yes; this night at Sardis will they quarter Are come with Cassius: hark, those are his trumpets : Bear him this way. [Brutus.] I'll wait till he shall speak. [a pause.] [Cassius.] Most noble brother, you have done me wrong. [Brutus.] Judge me, ye gods!-wrong I mine enemies? And if not so, how should I wrong a brother? [Cassius.] Brutus, that sober form of yours hides wrongs, And when you do them, [Brutus.] Cassius, be patient: Speak your griefs softly,-I do know you well: Let us not wrangle: bid them move away; [Cassius.] Pindarus, Bid our commander's lead their charges off [Brutus.] Titinius, do the like; and let no man Come to my tent till we have done our conference. Cassius follows Brutus to the interior of the tent: [Cassius.] That you have wrong'd me, doth appear in this; You have condemn'd and noted Lucius Pella, For taking bribes here of the Sardians; Because I knew the man, were slighted off. [Brutus.] You wrong'd yourself to write in such a case. [Cassius.] In such a time as this, it is not meet That every nice offence should bear its comment. To undeservers. [Cassius.] I an itching palm! You know that you are Brutus that speak this, Or, by the gods, this speech were else your last! [Brutus.] The name of Cassius honours this corruption, And chastisement doth therefore hide its head. [Cassius.] Chastisement! [Brutus.] Remember March,-the ides of March remember: Did not great Julius bleed for justice' sake? What, shall one of us That struck the foremost man of all the world, [Cassius.] Brutus, bay not me; I'll not endure it: I a'm a soldier, I, [Brutus.] Go to! you are not Cassius. [Cassius.] I am. [Brutus.] I say you are not. [Cassius.] Urge me no more; I shall forget myself; Have mind upon your health; tempt me no further. [Brutus.] Away, slight man! [Cassius.] Is 't possible? [Brutus.] Hear me, for I will speak. Must I give way and room to your rash choler? [Cassius.] Ye gods! ye gods!-must I endure all this? [Brutus.] All this ?-ay, more: fret till your proud heart [Cassius.] Is it come to this? [Brutus.] You say, you are a better soldier: Let it appear so ;-make your vaunting true, [Cass.] You wrong me every way, you wrong me, Did I say better? [Brutus.] If you did, I care not. Brutus ; [Cass.] When Cæsar liv'd, he durst not thus have mov'd me. [Brutus.] Peace, peace! you durst not so have tempted him. [Cassius.] I durst not? [Brutus.] No. [Cassius.] What! durst not tempt him? [Brutus.] For your life, you durst not. [Cassius.] Do not presume too much upon my love: I may do what I shall be sorry for. [Brutus.] You have done what you should be sorry for. There is no terror, Cassius, in your threats; |