ACT V. SCENE I. The plains of Philippi. Enter Octavius, Antony, and their army. Oct. Now, Antony, our hopes are answered: Ant. Tut, I am in their bosoms, and I know With fearful bravery, thinking, by this face, Mess. Enter a Messenger. Prepare you, generals: The enemy comes on in gallant show; Their bloody sign of battle is hung out, Ant. Octavius, lead your battle softly on, Upon the left hand of the even field. Oct. Upon the right hand I, keep thou the left. [March. Drum. Enter Brutus, Cassius, and their army; Bru. They stand, and would have parley. • Summon. Oct. Mark Antony, shall we give sign of battle? Ant. No, Cæsar, we will answer on their charge. Make forth, the generals would have some words. Oct. Stir not until the signal. Bru. Words before blows: Is it so, countrymen ? Oct. Not that we love words better, as you do. Bru. Good words are better than bad strokes, Octavius. Ant. In your bad strokes, Brutus, you give good words: Witness the hole you made in Cæsar's heart, Cas. Antony, The posture of your blows are yet unknown; But for your words, they rob the Hybla bees, And leave them honeyless. Ant. Not stingless too. Bru. O, yes, and soundless too; For you have stol'n their buzzing, Antony, And, very wisely, threat before you sting. Ant. Villains, you did not so, when your vile daggers Hack'd one another in the sides of Cæsar: You show'd your teeth like apes, and fawn'd like hounds, And bow'd like bondmen, kissing Cæsar's feet; Cas. Flatterers!-Now, Brutus, thank yourself: This tongue had not offended so to-day, If Cassius might have rul'd. Oct. Come, come, the cause: If arguing make us sweat, The proof of it will turn to redder drops. I draw a sword against conspirators; When think you that the sword goes up again?— Bru. Cæsar, thou can'st not die by traitors, Unless thou bring'st them with thee. Oct. So I hope; I was not born to die on Brutus' sword. Bru. O, if thou wert the noblest of thy strain, Young man, thou could'st not die more honourable. Cas. A peevish schoolboy, worthless of such ho nour, Join'd with a masker and a reveller. Ant. Old Cassius still! Oct. Defiance, traitors, hurl we in your teeth: you dare fight to-day, come to the field; Come, Antony: away. If If not, when you have stomachs. [Exeunt Octavius, Antony, and their army. Cas. Why now, blow, wind; swell, billow; and swim, bark! The storm is up, and all is on the hazard. This is my birth-day; as this very day Was Cassius borg. 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, This morning are they fled away, and gone; * Throw. ↑ Foremost. + Accompanied. And in their steads, do ravens, crows, and kites, Our army lies, ready to give up the ghost. Cas. I but believe it partly; For I am fresh of spirit, and resolv'd Now, most noble Brutus, Cas. Bru. Even by the rule of that philosophy, For fear of what might fall, so to prevent The time of life:-arming myself with patience, 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 Ro man, That ever Brutus will go bound to Rome; If we do meet again, we'll smile indeed; If not, 'tis true, this parting was well made. 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! SCENE II. The same. The field of battle. [Exeunt. Alarum. Enter Brutus and Messala. Bru. 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 Ride, ride, Messala: let them all come down. [Exeunt. SCENE III. The same. Another part of the field. Alarum. 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; Directions for the officers. |