Ant. Old Cassius still. Oct. 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. Cas. Why now, blow wind, swell billow, and swim bark! The storm is up, and all is on the hazard. Bru. Ho! Lucilius; hark, a word with you. Luc. My lord. [BRUTUS and LUCILIUS talk apart. Cas. Messala, Mes. What says my general? Cas. Messala, This is my birth-day; as this very day Was Cassius born. Give me thy hand, Messala: You know, that I held Epicurus strong, This morning are they fled away, and gone, And in their steads do ravens, crows, and kites, Our army lies ready to give up the ghost. Mes. Believe not so. Cas. I but believe it partly, For I am fresh of spirit, and resolv'd To meet all perils very constantly. Bru. Even so, Lucilius. Cas. Now, most noble Brutus, 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, To stay the providence of some high powers, arming myself with patience, Then, if we lose this battle, That govern us below. Cas. 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 If not, 't is 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, Ride, ride, Messala: let them all come down. The Same. Alarum. SCENE III. [Loud Alarum. Another Part of the Field. 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, Enter PINDarus. Pin. Fly farther off, my lord, fly farther off; Mark Antony is in your tents, my lord: Fly, therefore, noble Cassius, fly far off. [Exeunt. 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, Tit. I will be here again, even with a thought. [Exit. Cas. Go, Pindarus, get higher on that hill: This day I breathed first: time is come round, [Exit PINDARUS. Sirrah, what news? Pin. [Above.] O my lord! Pin. Titinius is enclosed round about With horsemen, that make to him on the spur; Come down; behold no more. He's ta'en: and, hark! [Shout.] they shout for joy. Cas. O, coward that I am, to liye 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. And when my face is cover'd, as 't is now, Guide thou the sword. Cæsar, thou art reveng'd, [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 Tit. These tidings will well comfort Cassius. Tit. All disconsolate, Mes. Is not that he, that lies upon the ground? Mes. Is not that he? Tit. But Cassius is no more. No, this was he, Messala, As in thy red rays thou dost sink to-night, Clouds, dews, and dangers come; our deeds are done. 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 Thou never com'st unto a happy birth, But kill'st the mother that engender'd thee. Tit. What, Pindarus! Where art thou, Pindarus? The noble Brutus, thrusting this report Into his ears: I may say, thrusting it; For piercing steel, and darts envenomed, Tit. Hie you, Messala, Why didst thou send me forth, brave Cassius? Put on my brows this wreath of victory, [Exit MESSALA. And bid me give it thee? Didst thou not hear their shouts? But hold thee; take this garland on thy brow: Thy Brutus bid me give it thee, and I Will do his bidding. |