Julius Caesar

Julius Caesar

Act V

Scene I The plains of Philippi.

[Enter OCTAVIUS, ANTONY, and their army]
OCTAVIUS Now, Antony, our hopes are answered:
You said the enemy would not come down,
But keep the hills and upper regions;
It proves not so: their battles are at hand;
They mean to warn us at Philippi here,
Answering before we do demand of them.
ANTONY Tut, I am in their bosoms, and I know
Wherefore they do it: they could be content
To visit other places; and come down
With fearful bravery, thinking by this face
To fasten in our thoughts that they have courage;
But 'tis not so.
[Enter a Messenger]
Messenger Prepare you, generals:
The enemy comes on in gallant show;
Their bloody sign of battle is hung out,
And something to be done immediately.
ANTONY Octavius, lead your battle softly on,
Upon the left hand of the even field.
OCTAVIUS Upon the right hand I; keep thou the left.
ANTONY Why do you cross me in this exigent?
OCTAVIUS I do not cross you; but I will do so.
[March]
[Drum. Enter BRUTUS, CASSIUS, and their Army;
LUCILIUS, TITINIUS, MESSALA, and others]
BRUTUS They stand, and would have parley.
CASSIUS Stand fast, Titinius: we must out and talk.
OCTAVIUS Mark Antony, shall we give sign of battle?
ANTONY No, Caesar, we will answer on their charge.
Make forth; the generals would have some words.
OCTAVIUS Stir not until the signal.
BRUTUS Words before blows: is it so, countrymen?
OCTAVIUS Not that we love words better, as you do.
BRUTUS Good words are better than bad strokes, Octavius.
ANTONY In your bad strokes, Brutus, you give good words:
Witness the hole you made in Caesar's heart,
Crying 'Long live! hail, Caesar!'
CASSIUS Antony,
The posture of your blows are yet unknown;
But for your words, they rob the Hybla bees,
And leave them honeyless.
ANTONY Not stingless too.
BRUTUS O, yes, and soundless too;
For you have stol'n their buzzing, Antony,
And very wisely threat before you sting.
ANTONY Villains, you did not so, when your vile daggers
Hack'd one another in the sides of Caesar:
You show'd your teeth like apes, and fawn'd like hounds,
And bow'd like bondmen, kissing Caesar's feet;
Whilst damned Casca, like a cur, behind
Struck Caesar on the neck. O you flatterers!
CASSIUS Flatterers! Now, Brutus, thank yourself:
This tongue had not offended so to-day,
If Cassius might have ruled.
OCTAVIUS Come, come, the cause: if arguing make us sweat,
The proof of it will turn to redder drops. Look;
I draw a sword against conspirators;
When think you that the sword goes up again?
Never, till Caesar's three and thirty wounds
Be well avenged; or till another Caesar
Have added slaughter to the sword of traitors.
BRUTUS Caesar, thou canst not die by traitors' hands,
Unless thou bring'st them with thee.
OCTAVIUS So I hope;
I was not born to die on Brutus' sword.
BRUTUS O, if thou wert the noblest of thy strain,
Young man, thou couldst not die more honourable.
CASSIUS A peevish schoolboy, worthless of such honour,
Join'd with a masker and a reveller!
ANTONY Old Cassius still!
OCTAVIUS Come, Antony, away!
Defiance, traitors, hurl we in your teeth:
If you dare fight to-day, come to the field;
If not, when you have stomachs.
[Exeunt OCTAVIUS, ANTONY, and their army]
CASSIUS Why, now, blow wind, swell billow and swim bark!
The storm is up, and all is on the hazard.
BRUTUS Ho, Lucilius! hark, a word with you.
LUCILIUS [Standing forth] My lord?
[BRUTUS and LUCILIUS converse apart]
CASSIUS Messala!
MESSALA [Standing forth] What says my general?
CASSIUS Messala,
This is my birth-day; as this very day
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
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.
MESSALA Believe not so.
CASSIUS I but believe it partly;
For I am fresh of spirit and resolved
To meet all perils very constantly.
BRUTUS Even so, Lucilius.
CASSIUS 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?
BRUTUS 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.
CASSIUS Then, if we lose this battle,
You are contented to be led in triumph
Thorough the streets of Rome?
BRUTUS 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.
CASSIUS 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.
BRUTUS 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]

Scene II The same. The field of battle.

[Alarum. Enter BRUTUS and MESSALA]
BRUTUS 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 demeanor in Octavius' wing,
And sudden push gives them the overthrow.
Ride, ride, Messala: let them all come down.
[Exeunt]

Scene III Another part of the field.

[Alarums. Enter CASSIUS and TITINIUS]
CASSIUS 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.
TITINIUS 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]
PINDARUS Fly further off, my lord, fly further off;
Mark Antony is in your tents, my lord
Fly, therefore, noble Cassius, fly far off.
CASSIUS This hill is far enough. Look, look, Titinius;
Are those my tents where I perceive the fire?
TITINIUS They are, my lord.
CASSIUS 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.
TITINIUS I will be here again, even with a thought.
[Exit]
CASSIUS Go, Pindarus, get higher on that hill;
My sight was ever thick; regard Titinius,
And tell me what thou notest about the field.
[PINDARUS ascends the hill]
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?
PINDARUS [Above] O my lord!
CASSIUS What news?
PINDARUS [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.
CASSIUS Come down, behold no more.
O, coward that I am, to live so long,
To see my best friend ta'en before my face!
[PINDARUS descends]
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 Caesar'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]
Caesar, thou art revenged,
Even with the sword that kill'd thee.
[Dies]
PINDARUS 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]
MESSALA It is but change, Titinius; for Octavius
Is overthrown by noble Brutus' power,
As Cassius' legions are by Antony.
TITINIUS These tidings will well comfort Cassius.
MESSALA Where did you leave him?
TITINIUS All disconsolate,
With Pindarus his bondman, on this hill.
MESSALA Is not that he that lies upon the ground?
TITINIUS He lies not like the living. O my heart!
MESSALA Is not that he?
TITINIUS 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.
MESSALA 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!
TITINIUS What, Pindarus! where art thou, Pindarus?
MESSALA 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.
TITINIUS Hie you, Messala,
And I will seek for Pindarus the while.
[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,
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]
[Alarum. Re-enter MESSALA, with BRUTUS, CATO,
STRATO, VOLUMNIUS, and LUCILIUS]
BRUTUS Where, where, Messala, doth his body lie?
MESSALA Lo, yonder, and Titinius mourning it.
BRUTUS Titinius' face is upward.
CATO He is slain.
BRUTUS O Julius Caesar, thou art mighty yet!
Thy spirit walks abroad and turns our swords
In our own proper entrails.
[Low alarums]
CATO Brave Titinius!
Look, whether he have not crown'd dead Cassius!
BRUTUS 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 more 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.
[Exeunt]

Scene IV Another part of the field.

[Alarum. Enter fighting, Soldiers of both armies;
then BRUTUS, CATO, LUCILIUS, and others]
BRUTUS Yet, countrymen, O, yet hold up your heads!
CATO What bastard doth not? Who will go with me?
I will proclaim my name about the field:
I am the son of Marcus Cato, ho!
A foe to tyrants, and my country's friend;
I am the son of Marcus Cato, ho!
BRUTUS And I am Brutus, Marcus Brutus, I;
Brutus, my country's friend; know me for Brutus!
[Exit]
LUCILIUS O young and noble Cato, art thou down?
Why, now thou diest as bravely as Titinius;
And mayst be honour'd, being Cato's son.
First Soldier Yield, or thou diest.
LUCILIUS Only I yield to die:
There is so much that thou wilt kill me straight;
[Offering money]
Kill Brutus, and be honour'd in his death.
First Soldier We must not. A noble prisoner!
Second Soldier Room, ho! Tell Antony, Brutus is ta'en.
First Soldier I'll tell the news. Here comes the general.
[Enter ANTONY]
Brutus is ta'en, Brutus is ta'en, my lord.
ANTONY Where is he?
LUCILIUS Safe, Antony; Brutus is safe enough:
I dare assure thee that no enemy
Shall ever take alive the noble Brutus:
The gods defend him from so great a shame!
When you do find him, or alive or dead,
He will be found like Brutus, like himself.
ANTONY This is not Brutus, friend; but, I assure you,
A prize no less in worth: keep this man safe;
Give him all kindness: I had rather have
Such men my friends than enemies. Go on,
And see whether Brutus be alive or dead;
And bring us word unto Octavius' tent
How every thing is chanced.
[Exeunt]

Scene V Another part of the field.

[Enter BRUTUS, DARDANIUS, CLITUS, STRATO, and
VOLUMNIUS]
BRUTUS Come, poor remains of friends, rest on this rock.
CLITUS Statilius show'd the torch-light, but, my lord,
He came not back: he is or ta'en or slain.
BRUTUS Sit thee down, Clitus: slaying is the word;
It is a deed in fashion. Hark thee, Clitus.
[Whispers]
CLITUS What, I, my lord? No, not for all the world.
BRUTUS Peace then! no words.
CLITUS I'll rather kill myself.
BRUTUS Hark thee, Dardanius.
[Whispers]
DARDANIUS Shall I do such a deed?
CLITUS O Dardanius!
DARDANIUS O Clitus!
CLITUS What ill request did Brutus make to thee?
DARDANIUS To kill him, Clitus. Look, he meditates.
CLITUS Now is that noble vessel full of grief,
That it runs over even at his eyes.
BRUTUS Come hither, good Volumnius; list a word.
VOLUMNIUS What says my lord?
BRUTUS Why, this, Volumnius:
The ghost of Caesar hath appear'd to me
Two several times by night; at Sardis once,
And, this last night, here in Philippi fields:
I know my hour is come.
VOLUMNIUS Not so, my lord.
BRUTUS Nay, I am sure it is, Volumnius.
Thou seest the world, Volumnius, how it goes;
Our enemies have beat us to the pit:
[Low alarums]
It is more worthy to leap in ourselves,
Than tarry till they push us. Good Volumnius,
Thou know'st that we two went to school together:
Even for that our love of old, I prithee,
Hold thou my sword-hilts, whilst I run on it.
VOLUMNIUS That's not an office for a friend, my lord.
[Alarum still]
CLITUS Fly, fly, my lord; there is no tarrying here.
BRUTUS Farewell to you; and you; and you, Volumnius.
Strato, thou hast been all this while asleep;
Farewell to thee too, Strato. Countrymen,
My heart doth joy that yet in all my life
I found no man but he was true to me.
I shall have glory by this losing day
More than Octavius and Mark Antony
By this vile conquest shall attain unto.
So fare you well at once; for Brutus' tongue
Hath almost ended his life's history:
Night hangs upon mine eyes; my bones would rest,
That have but labour'd to attain this hour.
[Alarum. Cry within, 'Fly, fly, fly!']
CLITUS Fly, my lord, fly.
BRUTUS Hence! I will follow.
[Exeunt CLITUS, DARDANIUS, and VOLUMNIUS]
I prithee, Strato, stay thou by thy lord:
Thou art a fellow of a good respect;
Thy life hath had some smatch of honour in it:
Hold then my sword, and turn away thy face,
While I do run upon it. Wilt thou, Strato?
STRATO Give me your hand first. Fare you well, my lord.
BRUTUS Farewell, good Strato.
[Runs on his sword]
Caesar, now be still:
I kill'd not thee with half so good a will.
[Dies]
[Alarum. Retreat. Enter OCTAVIUS, ANTONY, MESSALA,
LUCILIUS, and the army]
OCTAVIUS What man is that?
MESSALA My master's man. Strato, where is thy master?
STRATO Free from the bondage you are in, Messala:
The conquerors can but make a fire of him;
For Brutus only overcame himself,
And no man else hath honour by his death.
LUCILIUS So Brutus should be found. I thank thee, Brutus,
That thou hast proved Lucilius' saying true.
OCTAVIUS All that served Brutus, I will entertain them.
Fellow, wilt thou bestow thy time with me?
STRATO Ay, if Messala will prefer me to you.
OCTAVIUS Do so, good Messala.
MESSALA How died my master, Strato?
STRATO I held the sword, and he did run on it.
MESSALA Octavius, then take him to follow thee,
That did the latest service to my master.
ANTONY This was the noblest Roman of them all:
All the conspirators save only he
Did that they did in envy of great Caesar;
He only, in a general honest thought
And common good to all, made one of them.
His life was gentle, and the elements
So mix'd in him that Nature might stand up
And say to all the world 'This was a man!'
OCTAVIUS According to his virtue let us use him,
With all respect and rites of burial.
Within my tent his bones to-night shall lie,
Most like a soldier, order'd honourably.
So call the field to rest; and let's away,
To part the glories of this happy day.
[Exeunt]

	[Enter OCTAVIUS, ANTONY, and their army]
OCTAVIUS	Now, Antony, our hopes are answered: You said the enemy would not come down, But keep the hills and upper regions; It proves not so: their battles are at hand; They mean to warn us at Philippi here, Answering before we do demand of them.
ANTONY	Tut, I am in their bosoms, and I know Wherefore they do it: they could be content To visit other places; and come down With fearful bravery, thinking by this face To fasten in our thoughts that they have courage; But 'tis not so.
	[Enter a Messenger]
Messenger	Prepare you, generals: The enemy comes on in gallant show; Their bloody sign of battle is hung out, And something to be done immediately.
ANTONY	Octavius, lead your battle softly on, Upon the left hand of the even field.
OCTAVIUS	Upon the right hand I; keep thou the left.
ANTONY	Why do you cross me in this exigent?
OCTAVIUS	I do not cross you; but I will do so.
	[March]
	[Drum. Enter BRUTUS, CASSIUS, and their Army; LUCILIUS, TITINIUS, MESSALA, and others]
BRUTUS	They stand, and would have parley.
CASSIUS	Stand fast, Titinius: we must out and talk.
OCTAVIUS	Mark Antony, shall we give sign of battle?
ANTONY	No, Caesar, we will answer on their charge. Make forth; the generals would have some words.
OCTAVIUS	Stir not until the signal.
BRUTUS	Words before blows: is it so, countrymen?
OCTAVIUS	Not that we love words better, as you do.
BRUTUS	Good words are better than bad strokes, Octavius.
ANTONY	In your bad strokes, Brutus, you give good words: Witness the hole you made in Caesar's heart, Crying 'Long live! hail, Caesar!'
CASSIUS	Antony, The posture of your blows are yet unknown; But for your words, they rob the Hybla bees, And leave them honeyless.
ANTONY	Not stingless too.
BRUTUS	O, yes, and soundless too; For you have stol'n their buzzing, Antony, And very wisely threat before you sting.
ANTONY	Villains, you did not so, when your vile daggers Hack'd one another in the sides of Caesar: You show'd your teeth like apes, and fawn'd like hounds, And bow'd like bondmen, kissing Caesar's feet; Whilst damned Casca, like a cur, behind Struck Caesar on the neck. O you flatterers!
CASSIUS	Flatterers! Now, Brutus, thank yourself: This tongue had not offended so to-day, If Cassius might have ruled.
OCTAVIUS	Come, come, the cause: if arguing make us sweat, The proof of it will turn to redder drops. Look; I draw a sword against conspirators; When think you that the sword goes up again? Never, till Caesar's three and thirty wounds Be well avenged; or till another Caesar Have added slaughter to the sword of traitors.
BRUTUS	Caesar, thou canst not die by traitors' hands, Unless thou bring'st them with thee.
OCTAVIUS	So I hope; I was not born to die on Brutus' sword.
BRUTUS	O, if thou wert the noblest of thy strain, Young man, thou couldst not die more honourable.
CASSIUS	A peevish schoolboy, worthless of such honour, Join'd with a masker and a reveller!
ANTONY	Old Cassius still!
OCTAVIUS	Come, Antony, away! Defiance, traitors, hurl we in your teeth: If you dare fight to-day, come to the field; If not, when you have stomachs.
	[Exeunt OCTAVIUS, ANTONY, and their army]
CASSIUS	Why, now, blow wind, swell billow and swim bark! The storm is up, and all is on the hazard.
BRUTUS	Ho, Lucilius! hark, a word with you.
LUCILIUS	[Standing forth] My lord?
	[BRUTUS and LUCILIUS converse apart]
CASSIUS	Messala!
MESSALA	[Standing forth] What says my general?
CASSIUS	Messala, This is my birth-day; as this very day 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 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.
MESSALA	Believe not so.
CASSIUS	I but believe it partly; For I am fresh of spirit and resolved To meet all perils very constantly.
BRUTUS	Even so, Lucilius.
CASSIUS	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?
BRUTUS	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.
CASSIUS	Then, if we lose this battle, You are contented to be led in triumph Thorough the streets of Rome?
BRUTUS	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.
CASSIUS	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.
BRUTUS	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]
BRUTUS	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 demeanor in Octavius' wing, And sudden push gives them the overthrow. Ride, ride, Messala: let them all come down.
	[Exeunt]

	[Alarums. Enter CASSIUS and TITINIUS]
CASSIUS	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.
TITINIUS	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]
PINDARUS	Fly further off, my lord, fly further off; Mark Antony is in your tents, my lord Fly, therefore, noble Cassius, fly far off.
CASSIUS	This hill is far enough. Look, look, Titinius; Are those my tents where I perceive the fire?
TITINIUS	They are, my lord.
CASSIUS	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.
TITINIUS	I will be here again, even with a thought.
	[Exit]
CASSIUS	Go, Pindarus, get higher on that hill; My sight was ever thick; regard Titinius, And tell me what thou notest about the field.
	[PINDARUS ascends the hill]
	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?
PINDARUS	[Above] O my lord!
CASSIUS	What news?
PINDARUS	[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.
CASSIUS	Come down, behold no more. O, coward that I am, to live so long, To see my best friend ta'en before my face!
	[PINDARUS descends]
	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 Caesar'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]
	Caesar, thou art revenged, Even with the sword that kill'd thee.
	[Dies]
PINDARUS	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]
MESSALA	It is but change, Titinius; for Octavius Is overthrown by noble Brutus' power, As Cassius' legions are by Antony.
TITINIUS	These tidings will well comfort Cassius.
MESSALA	Where did you leave him?
TITINIUS	All disconsolate, With Pindarus his bondman, on this hill.
MESSALA	Is not that he that lies upon the ground?
TITINIUS	He lies not like the living. O my heart!
MESSALA	Is not that he?
TITINIUS	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.
MESSALA	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!
TITINIUS	What, Pindarus! where art thou, Pindarus?
MESSALA	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.
TITINIUS	Hie you, Messala, And I will seek for Pindarus the while.
	[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, 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]
	[Alarum. Re-enter MESSALA, with BRUTUS, CATO, STRATO, VOLUMNIUS, and LUCILIUS]
BRUTUS	Where, where, Messala, doth his body lie?
MESSALA	Lo, yonder, and Titinius mourning it.
BRUTUS	Titinius' face is upward.
CATO	He is slain.
BRUTUS	O Julius Caesar, thou art mighty yet! Thy spirit walks abroad and turns our swords In our own proper entrails.
	[Low alarums]
CATO	Brave Titinius! Look, whether he have not crown'd dead Cassius!
BRUTUS	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 more 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.
	[Exeunt]

	[Alarum. Enter fighting, Soldiers of both armies; then BRUTUS, CATO, LUCILIUS, and others]
BRUTUS	Yet, countrymen, O, yet hold up your heads!
CATO	What bastard doth not? Who will go with me? I will proclaim my name about the field: I am the son of Marcus Cato, ho! A foe to tyrants, and my country's friend; I am the son of Marcus Cato, ho!
BRUTUS	And I am Brutus, Marcus Brutus, I; Brutus, my country's friend; know me for Brutus!
	[Exit]
LUCILIUS	O young and noble Cato, art thou down? Why, now thou diest as bravely as Titinius; And mayst be honour'd, being Cato's son.
First Soldier	Yield, or thou diest.
LUCILIUS	Only I yield to die: There is so much that thou wilt kill me straight;
	[Offering money]
	Kill Brutus, and be honour'd in his death.
First Soldier	We must not. A noble prisoner!
Second Soldier	Room, ho! Tell Antony, Brutus is ta'en.
First Soldier	I'll tell the news. Here comes the general.
	[Enter ANTONY]
	Brutus is ta'en, Brutus is ta'en, my lord.
ANTONY	Where is he?
LUCILIUS	Safe, Antony; Brutus is safe enough: I dare assure thee that no enemy Shall ever take alive the noble Brutus: The gods defend him from so great a shame! When you do find him, or alive or dead, He will be found like Brutus, like himself.
ANTONY	This is not Brutus, friend; but, I assure you, A prize no less in worth: keep this man safe; Give him all kindness: I had rather have Such men my friends than enemies. Go on, And see whether Brutus be alive or dead; And bring us word unto Octavius' tent How every thing is chanced.
	[Exeunt]

	[Enter BRUTUS, DARDANIUS, CLITUS, STRATO, and VOLUMNIUS]
BRUTUS	Come, poor remains of friends, rest on this rock.
CLITUS	Statilius show'd the torch-light, but, my lord, He came not back: he is or ta'en or slain.
BRUTUS	Sit thee down, Clitus: slaying is the word; It is a deed in fashion. Hark thee, Clitus.
	[Whispers]
CLITUS	What, I, my lord? No, not for all the world.
BRUTUS	Peace then! no words.
CLITUS	I'll rather kill myself.
BRUTUS	Hark thee, Dardanius.
	[Whispers]
DARDANIUS	Shall I do such a deed?
CLITUS	O Dardanius!
DARDANIUS	O Clitus!
CLITUS	What ill request did Brutus make to thee?
DARDANIUS	To kill him, Clitus. Look, he meditates.
CLITUS	Now is that noble vessel full of grief, That it runs over even at his eyes.
BRUTUS	Come hither, good Volumnius; list a word.
VOLUMNIUS	What says my lord?
BRUTUS	Why, this, Volumnius: The ghost of Caesar hath appear'd to me Two several times by night; at Sardis once, And, this last night, here in Philippi fields: I know my hour is come.
VOLUMNIUS	Not so, my lord.
BRUTUS	Nay, I am sure it is, Volumnius. Thou seest the world, Volumnius, how it goes; Our enemies have beat us to the pit:
	[Low alarums]
	It is more worthy to leap in ourselves, Than tarry till they push us. Good Volumnius, Thou know'st that we two went to school together: Even for that our love of old, I prithee, Hold thou my sword-hilts, whilst I run on it.
VOLUMNIUS	That's not an office for a friend, my lord.
	[Alarum still]
CLITUS	Fly, fly, my lord; there is no tarrying here.
BRUTUS	Farewell to you; and you; and you, Volumnius. Strato, thou hast been all this while asleep; Farewell to thee too, Strato. Countrymen, My heart doth joy that yet in all my life I found no man but he was true to me. I shall have glory by this losing day More than Octavius and Mark Antony By this vile conquest shall attain unto. So fare you well at once; for Brutus' tongue Hath almost ended his life's history: Night hangs upon mine eyes; my bones would rest, That have but labour'd to attain this hour.
	[Alarum. Cry within, 'Fly, fly, fly!']
CLITUS	Fly, my lord, fly.
BRUTUS	Hence! I will follow.
	[Exeunt CLITUS, DARDANIUS, and VOLUMNIUS]
	I prithee, Strato, stay thou by thy lord: Thou art a fellow of a good respect; Thy life hath had some smatch of honour in it: Hold then my sword, and turn away thy face, While I do run upon it. Wilt thou, Strato?
STRATO	Give me your hand first. Fare you well, my lord.
BRUTUS	Farewell, good Strato.
	[Runs on his sword]
	Caesar, now be still: I kill'd not thee with half so good a will.
	[Dies]
	[Alarum. Retreat. Enter OCTAVIUS, ANTONY, MESSALA, LUCILIUS, and the army]
OCTAVIUS	What man is that?
MESSALA	My master's man. Strato, where is thy master?
STRATO	Free from the bondage you are in, Messala: The conquerors can but make a fire of him; For Brutus only overcame himself, And no man else hath honour by his death.
LUCILIUS	So Brutus should be found. I thank thee, Brutus, That thou hast proved Lucilius' saying true.
OCTAVIUS	All that served Brutus, I will entertain them. Fellow, wilt thou bestow thy time with me?
STRATO	Ay, if Messala will prefer me to you.
OCTAVIUS	Do so, good Messala.
MESSALA	How died my master, Strato?
STRATO	I held the sword, and he did run on it.
MESSALA	Octavius, then take him to follow thee, That did the latest service to my master.
ANTONY	This was the noblest Roman of them all: All the conspirators save only he Did that they did in envy of great Caesar; He only, in a general honest thought And common good to all, made one of them. His life was gentle, and the elements So mix'd in him that Nature might stand up And say to all the world 'This was a man!'
OCTAVIUS	According to his virtue let us use him, With all respect and rites of burial. Within my tent his bones to-night shall lie, Most like a soldier, order'd honourably. So call the field to rest; and let's away, To part the glories of this happy day.
	[Exeunt]