The Fight is well begun, moft noble BRUTUS.
And may the rest be still so favourable,

That we may lengthen out our Lives to Age,
In all the peaceful Joys of Love and Friendship.
But, fince the Chance of War is moft uncertain,
'Tis Wisdom to provide against the worst:
Which is, our Parting, if we lose the Battel,
Never to meet again: In fuch a Cafe
What is my deareft Friend refolv'd to do?

BRUTUS.

I am, alas, so weary of a World,

All full of Faults and Follies, I would leave it:
But that to me it seems a Want of Spirit
To fhrink from Life for fear of future Ill.
'Tis to distrust the Justice of the Gods,
Or else their Pow'r; and is in my opinion,
Not Courage, but a bold Disguise for Fear.
With Patience arm'd, I'll bear the Blows of Fortune.

CASSIUS.

Then, dearest BRUTUS, you can be content

To wear a Chain; nay, what is yet much worse,
To fee great Rome as much a Slave as you?

VOL. I.

Cc

BRU

BRUTUS.

O never, never come that fatal Day!

The very

Sound offends. Oh you have nam'd

The only thing, ye Gods, I cannot bear.
Whene'er ye fend that Summons, 'tis my last.
And therefore, left we ne'er should meet again,
Here let us take our everlasting Leave.

CASSIUS.

For ever, and for ever, farewel BRUTUS!
After this famous Day we shall be Victors,
Or elfe, beyond the sense of being vanquish'd.
BRUTUS.

For ever, and for ever, farewel CASSIUS!
"Twill be with Pleasure if we meet hereafter;
If not, this Parting is our greatest Pain.

[Exeunt feverally.

SCENE III.

Just as CASSIUS is going off, enter TITINIUS haftily, and flops him.

TITINIUS.

The Army of MARC ANTONY appears,

Fearless, and forward to attempt your Camp.

CAS

CASSIUS.

Sure 'tis impoffible: Tho' brave to Rashness,
He is a Soldier of too great Experience;

I cannot hope for such a Fault in him.
'Tis fafer to beftride the angry Occan,
Than offer to affault a Roman Camp.
We'll foon correct this infolent ANTONIUS,

And crush the bold Attempt.

A Charge is founded.

[Exit CASSIUS.

Re-enter CASSIUS, with TITINIUS, PINDarus, and other Officers.

CASSIUS.

Their profp'rous Rashness terrifies our Men,

Who never fear'd before: I doubt all's loft;
The Liberty of Rome is gone for ever.

I'll perish with it, or redeem the Day.

TITINIUS, oh make hafte, fly tow'rd those Troops; Discover quickly if they are our Friends.

[Exit TITINIUS.

Go, PINDARUS, get on the rifing Ground,

(My Sight thou know'ft is fhort) and take a view Quite round the Field.

PINDARUS goes up the Hill, then calls to CASSIUS.

PINDARU S.

Hoa, my good Lord!

Cc 2

CAS

CASSIUS.

What now?

PINDAR US.

TITINIUS is feiz'd on by the Foc.

CASSIUS.

Oh, he is taken, and they shout for Joy.

[CASSIUS goes alfo to view.

Come down, come down;

Oh, I have liv'd to see my best Friend loft!
And by my own Procurement! PINDARUS,
I took thee Pris'ner once, and spar'd thy Life;
All the return I ask, is, now take mine.

[PINDARUS turns away weeping.

I am thy General, and Master too;

Yet I have us'd thee as becomes a Friend:
A Friend will not deny my laft Request.
Kill me with this; with this I flew the Tyrant.

[CASSIUS prefents him his Dagger.

Is there Neceffity?

PINDARU S.

CASSIUS.

Thou fee'ft there is.

Dispatch it quickly, while I turn my Face.

PINDARU S.

Then farewel, worthy CASSIUS.

[PINDARUS kills himself.

CAS

a

CASSIUS.

What, gone before me? Did I need Example?
For fhame now CASSIUS do thy own laft work;
PINDARUS leads the Honourable Way.

[Falls on his Sword.

SCENE IV.

Enter TITINIUS, meeting one of CASSIUS's Officers juft entring at the other Door.

TITINIUS.

BRUTUS with chearful News greets CAIUS CASSIUS;
And, having broke the Forces of OCTAVIUS,
Is hafting hither to relieve his Friend.

OFFICER.

Alas! he comes too late, fee there lies CASSIUS!

Enter BRUTUS with Officers.

BRUTUS.

IS CASSIUS on the Ground? O my dear Friend!

[Runs to CASSIUS. I came to fill thy Ears with pleafing News;

But fuch a Sight has turn'd my Joy to Grief.

CASSIUS.

What, has my feeble Hand made me be taken?