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To stay the providence of some high powers

That govern us below.

Cas.

Then, if we lose this battle, 108

You are contented to be led in triumph

Thorough the streets of Rome?

112

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: 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;

116

121

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 Two

[The Same. The Field of Battle]

Alarum.

Enter Brutus and Messala.

124

Exeunt.

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,

107 stay await, submit to

1 bills: written orders

Loud alarum.

[blocks in formation]

4 cold demeanour: faint-heartedness

And sudden push gives them the overthrow.
Ride, ride, Messala: let them all come down.

Exeunt.

Scene Three

[Another part of the Field]

Alarums. 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.

8

Cas. This hill is far enough. Look, look, Titinius;

Are those my tents where I perceive the fire?

Tit. They are, my lord.

12

Cas. Titinius, if thou lovest 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.

2 mine own: my own troops
4 coward: i.e., the standard-bearer

17

Exit.

19 even with: quick as

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.

21

[Pindarus ascends the hill.]

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?

24

Pin. [Above.] Titinius is enclosed round about 28 With horsemen, that make to him on the spur; Yet he spurs on. Now they are almost on him: Now, Titinius! Now some light; O, he lights too: He's ta'en.

Shout.

And hark, they shout for joy. 32

Cas. 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 [below].

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 shouldst attempt it.

oath;

36

Come now, keep thine

Now be a freeman; and with this good sword,

40

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,

21 thick: dull, imperfect

25 is. compass: has completed its cycle

31 light: alight, dismount

37 Parthia: in Crassus' disastrous campaign, in 53 B. C. 38 swore thee: made thee swear

44

saving of: in return for my sparing

41 freeman: Cassius' death will free him from slavery 42 search: probe

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.

Enter Titinius and 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.

48

Exit.

52

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.

No, this was he, Messala.

O setting sun,

As in thy red rays thou dost sink to night,

So in his red blood Cassius' day is set.

The sun of Rome is set. Our day is gone;

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60

Clouds, dews, and dangers come; our deeds are

done.

Mistrust of my success hath done this deed.

64

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 68 The things that are not? O error, soon conceiv'd, Thou never com'st unto a happy birth,

50 take note of: see

64 our ... done: all is over

65 Mistrust

51 change: exchange

success: misgivings about the outcome of my errand

67 melancholy's child: result of despondency 68 apt: impressionable

But kill'st the mother that engender'd thee. Tit. What, Pindarus! Where art thou, Pindarus?

72

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.

76

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,

81

And bid me give it thee? Didst thou not hear their

shouts ?

Alas, thou hast misconstru'd everything.

84

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.

88

Dies.

Alarum. Enter Brutus, Messala, Young Cato, Strato, Volumnius, and Lucilius.

Bru. Where, where, Messala, doth his body lie? 91 Mes. Lo, yonder: and Titinius mourning it.

Bru. Titinius' face is upward.

Cato.

He is slain.

Bru. O Julius Cæsar, thou art mighty yet!

85 hold thee: wait a moment

89 By

87 apace: quickly

gods: a proud apology for taking his fate into his own

hands

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