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. Come, Antony: away. Defiance, traitors, hurl* we in your teeth: [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 born. Give me thy hand, Messala: As Pompey was, am I compell'd to set 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 Cas. Now, most noble Brutus, The gods to-day stand friendly; that we may, Bru. Even by the rule of that philosophy, For fear of what might fall, so to prevent 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! [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: [Loud alarum. Let them set on at once; for I perceive [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, aud did take it from him. Tit. O Cassius, Brutus gave the word too early; Directions for the officers. Who having some advantage on Octavius, Enter Pindarus. Pin. Fly further off, my lord, fly further off; Cas. This hill is far enough. Look, look, Titi nius; Are those my tents, where I perceive the fire? 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, Cas. What news? Pin. Titinius is Enclosed round about with horsemen, that 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! Enter Pindarus. 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 should'st attempt it. Come now, keep thine oath: Now be a freeman; and, with this good sword, Guide thou the sword.-Cæsar, thou art reveng'd, 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. Re-enter Titinius, with Messala. [Exit. Mes. It is but change, Titinius; for Octavius Tit. These tidings will well comfort Cassius. Til. 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, The sun of Rome is set! Our day is gone; Clouds, dews, and dangers comne; our deeds are done! Mistrust of my success hath done this deed. |