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But, since the affairs of men rest still uncertain,
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?

Bru. 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:-

The very last time we shall speak together :

What are you then determined to do?] i. e. I am resolved in such a case to kill myself. What are you determined of?

1 of that philosophy,] There is certainly an apparent contradiction between the sentiments which Brutus expresses in this, and in his subsequent speech; but there is no real inconsistency. Brutus had laid down to himself as a principle, to abide every chance and extremity of war; but when Cassius reminds him of the disgrace of being led in triumph through the streets of Rome, he acknowledges that to be a trial which he could not endure. Nothing is more natural than this. We lay down a system of conduct for ourselves, but occurrences may happen that will force us to depart from it.

2

arming myself with patience, &c.] Dr. Warburton thinks, that in this speech something is lost; but there needed only a parenthesis to clear it. The construction is this: I am determined to act according to that philosophy which directed me to blame the suicide of Cato; arming myself with patience, &c. JOHNSON.

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.

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.

SCENE II.

The same. The Field of Battle.

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,

[Loud Alarum.

And sudden push gives them the overthrow.

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:

Who having some advantage on Octavius,

Took it too eagerly; his soldiers fell to spoil,
Whilst we by Antony are all enclos'd.

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.

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 lov'st 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 assur'd,

Whether yond' troops are friend or enemy.

Tit. I will be here again, even with a thought. [Exit.
Cas. Go, Pindarus, get higher on that hill;

My sight was ever thick; regard Titinius,
And tell me what thou not'st about the field.-

[Exit PINDARUS.

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. Titinius is

Enclosed round about with horsemen, that

spur;-yet he

spurs on.

Make to him on the
Now they are almost on him; now, Titinius!—

Now some 'light:-O, he 'lights too:-he's ta'en;

and, hark!

They shout for joy.

Cas.

[Shout

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 :

Enter PINDARUS.

In Parthia did I take thee prisoner;

And then I swore thee, saving of thy life,
That whatsoever I did bid thee do,

Thou should'st attempt it. Come now, keep thine oath !
Now be a freeman; and, with this good sword,

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.-Cæsar, thou art reveng'd,
Even with the sword that kill'd thee.

[Dies. Pin. 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.

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.
But Cassius is no more.-O setting sun!
As in thy red rays thou dost sink to-night,

No, this was he, Messala,

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 conceiv'd,
Thou never com'st 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 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 giv't 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.

[Dies.

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

Bru. Where, where, Messala, doth his body lie?
Mes. Lo, yonder; and Titinius mourning it.

Bru. Titinius' face is upward.

Cato.

He is slain.

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

In our own proper entrails.

+ "give it thee ?"-MALONE.

[Low Alarums.

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