Octa. Now Antony, our hopes are answered, You said the Enemy would not come downe, But keepe the Hilles and vpper Regions: It proues not so: their battailes are at hand, They meane to warne vs at Philippi heere: Answering before we do demand of them.
Ant. Tut I am in their bosomes, and I know Wherefore they do it: They could be content To visit other places, and come downe With fearefull brauery: thinking by this face To fasten in our thoughts that they haue Courage; But 'tis not so.
Enter a Messenger.
Mes. Prepare you Generals, The Enemy comes on in gallant shew: Their bloody signe of Battell is hung out, And something to be done immediately.
Ant. Octauius, leade your Battaile softly on Vpon the left hand of the euen Field.
Octa. Vpon the right hand I, keepe thou the left.
Ant. Why do you crosse me in this exigent.
Octa. March.I do not crosse you: but I will do so.
Drum. Enter Brutus, Cassius, & their Army.
Bru. They stand, and would haue parley.
Cassi. Stand fast Titinius, we must out and talke.
Octa. Mark Antony, shall we giue signe of Battaile?
Ant. No Cæsar, we will answer on their Charge. Make forth, the Generals would haue some words.
Oct. Stirre not vntill the Signall.
Bru. Words before blowes: is it so Countrymen?
Octa. Not that we loue words better, as you do.
Bru. Good words are better then bad strokes Octauius.
An. In your bad strokes Brutus, you giue good words Witnesse the hole you made in Cæsars heart, Crying long liue, Haile Cæsar.
Cassi. Antony, The posture of your blowes are yet vnknowne; But for your words, they rob the Hibla Bees, And leaue them Hony-lesse.
Ant. Not stinglesse too.
Bru. O yes, and soundlesse too: For you haue stolne their buzzing Antony, And very wisely threat before you sting.
Ant. Villains: you did not so, when your vile daggers Hackt one another in the sides of Cæsar: You shew'd your teethes like Apes, And fawn'd like Hounds, And bow'd like Bondmen, kissing Cæsars feete; Whil'st damned Caska, like a Curre, behinde Strooke Cæsar on the necke. O you Flatterers.
Cassi. Flatterers? Now Brutus thanke your selfe, This tongue had not offended so to day. If Cassius might haue rul'd.
Octa. Come, come, the cause. If arguing make vs swet, The proofe of it will turne to redder drops: Looke, I draw a Sword against Conspirators, When thinke you that the Sword goes vp againe? Neuer till Cæsars three and thirtie wounds Be well aueng'd; or till another Cæsar Haue added slaughter to the Sword of Traitors.
Brut. Cæsar, thou canst not dye by Traitors hands. Vnlesse thou bring'st them with thee.
Octa. So I hope: I was not borne to dye on Brutus Sword.
Bru. O if thou wer't the Noblest of thy Straine, Yong-man, thou could'st not dye more honourable.
Cassi. A peeuish School-boy, worthles of such Honor Ioyn'd with a Masker, and a Reueller.
Ant. Old Cassius still.
Octa. Come Antony: away: Defiance Traitors, hurle we in your teeth. If you dare fight to day, come to the Field; If not, when you haue stomackes. Exit Octauius, Antony, and Army
Cassi. Why now blow winde, swell Billow, And swimme Barke: The Storme is vp, and all is on the hazard.
Bru. Ho Lucillius, hearke, a word with you. Lucillius and Messala stand forth.
Luc. My Lord.
Cassi. Messala.
Messa. What sayes my Generall?
Cassi. Messala, this is my Birth-day: at this very day Was Cassius borne. Giue me thy hand Messala: Be thou my witnesse, that against my will (As Pompey was) am I compell'd to set Vpon one Battell all our Liberties. You know, that I held Epicurus strong, And his Opinion: Now I change my minde, And partly credit things that do presage. Comming from Sardis, on our former Ensigne Two mighty Eagles fell, and there they pearch'd, Gorging and feeding from our Soldiers hands, Who to Philippi heere consorted vs: This Morning are they fled away, and gone, And in their steeds, do Rauens, Crowes, and Kites Fly ore our heads, and downward looke on vs As we were sickely prey; their shadowes seeme A Canopy most fatall, vnder which Our Army lies, ready to giue vp the Ghost.
Messa. Beleeue not so.
Cassi. I but beleeue it partly, For I am fresh of spirit, and resolu'd To meete all perils, very constantly.
Bru. Euen so Lucillius.
Cassi. Now most Noble Brutus, The Gods to day stand friendly, that we may Louers in peace, leade on our dayes to age. But since the affayres of men rests still incertaine, Let's reason with the worst that may befall. If we do lose this Battaile, then is this The very last time we shall speake together: What are you then determined to do?
Bru. Euen by the rule of that Philosophy, By which I did blame Cato, for the death Which he did giue himselfe, I know not how: But I do finde it Cowardly, and vile, For feare of what might fall, so to preuent The time of life, arming my selfe with patience, To stay the prouidence of some high Powers, That gouerne vs below.
Cassi. Then, if we loose this Battaile, You are contented to be led in Triumph Thorow the streets of Rome.
Bru. No Cassius, no: Thinke not thou Noble Romane, That euer Brutus will go bound to Rome, He beares too great a minde. But this same day Must end that worke, the Ides of March begun. And whether we shall meete againe, I know not: Therefore our euerlasting farewell take: For euer, and for euer, farewell Cassius, If we do meete againe, why we shall smile; If not, why then this parting was well made.
Cassi. For euer, and for euer, farewell Brutus: If we do meete againe, wee'l smile indeede; If not, 'tis true, this parting was well made.
Bru. Why then leade on. O that a man might know The end of this dayes businesse, ere it come: But it sufficeth, that the day will end, Exeunt.And then the end is knowne. Come ho, away.
Alarum. Enter Brutus and Messala.
Bru. Ride, ride Messala, ride and giue these Billes Vnto the Legions, on the other side. Lowd Alarum. Let them set on at once: for I perceiue But cold demeanor in Octauio's wing: And sodaine push giues them the ouerthrow: Exeunt.Ride, ride Messala, let them all come downe.
Alarums. Enter Cassius and Titinius.
Cassi. O looke Titinius, looke, the Villaines flye: My selfe haue to mine owne turn'd Enemy: This Ensigne heere of mine was turning backe, I slew the Coward, and did take it from him.
Titin. O Cassius, Brutus gaue the word too early, Who hauing some aduantage on Octauius, Tooke it too eagerly: his Soldiers fell to spoyle, Whilst we by Antony are all inclos'd.
Enter Pindarus.
Pind. Fly further off my Lord: flye further off, Mark Antony is in your Tents my Lord: Flye therefore Noble Cassius, flye farre off.
Cassi. This Hill is farre enough. Looke, look Titinius Are those my Tents where I perceiue the fire?
Tit. They are, my Lord.
Cassi. Titinius, if thou louest me, Mount thou my horse, and hide thy spurres in him, Till he haue brought thee vp to yonder Troopes And heere againe, that I may rest assur'd Whether yond Troopes, are Friend or Enemy.
Tit. Exit.I will be heere againe, euen with a thought.
Cassi. Go Pindarus, get higher on that hill, My sight was euer thicke: regard Titinius, And tell me what thou not'st about the Field. This day I breathed first, Time is come round, And where I did begin, there shall I end, My life is run his compasse. Sirra, what newes?
Pind. Aboue. O my Lord.
Cassi. What newes?
Pind. Titinius is enclosed round about With Horsemen, that make to him on the Spurre, Yet he spurres on. Now they are almost on him: Now Titinius. Now some light: O he lights too. Showt.Hee's tane. And hearke, they shout for ioy.
Cassi. Come downe, behold no more: O Coward that I am, to liue so long, To see my best Friend tane before my face. Enter Pindarus. Come hither sirrah: In Parthia did I take thee Prisoner, And then I swore thee, sauing of thy life, That whatsoeuer I did bid thee do, Thou should'st attempt it. Come now, keepe thine oath, Now be a Free-man, and with this good Sword That ran through Cæsar's bowels, search this bosome. Stand not to answer: Heere, take thou the Hilts, And when my face is couer'd, as 'tis now, Guide thou the Sword———Cæsar, thou art reueng'd, Euen with the Sword that kill'd thee.
Pin. So, I am free, Yet would not so haue beene Durst I haue done my will. O Cassius, Farre from this Country Pindarus shall run, Where neuer Roman shall take note of him.
Enter Titinius and Messala.
Messa. It is but change, Titinius: for Octauius Is ouerthrowne by Noble Brutus power, As Cassius Legions are by Antony.
Titin. These tydings will well comfort Cassius.
Messa. Where did you leaue him.
Titin. All disconsolate, With Pindarus his Bondman, on this Hill.
Messa. Is not that he that lyes vpon the ground?
Titin. He lies not like the Liuing. O my heart!
Messa. Is not that hee?
Titin. No, this was he Messala, But Cassius is no more. O setting Sunne: As in thy red Rayes thou doest sinke to night; So in his red blood Cassius day is set. The Sunne of Rome is set. Our day is gone, Clowds, Dewes, and Dangers come; our deeds are done: Mistrust of my successe hath done this deed.
Messa. Mistrust of good successe hath done this deed. O hatefull Error, Melancholies Childe: Why do'st thou shew to the apt thoughts of men The things that are not? O Error soone conceyu'd, Thou neuer com'st vnto a happy byrth, But kil'st the Mother that engendred thee.
Tit. What Pindarus? Where art thou Pindarus?
Messa. Seeke him Titinius, whilst I go to meet The Noble Brutus, thrusting this report Into his eares; I may say thrusting it: For piercing Steele, and Darts inuenomed, Shall be as welcome to the eares of Brutus, As tydings of this sight.
Tit. Hye you Messala, And I will seeke for Pindarus the while: Why did'st thou send me forth braue Cassius? Did I not meet thy Friends, and did not they Put on my Browes this wreath of Victorie, And bid me giue it thee? Did'st thou not heare their showts? Alas, thou hast misconstrued euery thing. But hold thee, take this Garland on thy Brow, Thy Brutus bid me giue it thee, and I Will do his bidding. Brutus, come apace, And see how I regarded Caius Cassius: By your leaue Gods: This is a Romans part, DiesCome Cassius Sword, and finde Titinius hart.
Alarum. Enter Brutus, Messala, yong Cato Strato, Volumnius, and Lucillius.
Bru. Where, where Messala, doth his body lye?
Messa. Loe yonder, and Titinius mourning it.
Bru. Titinius face is vpward.
Cato. He is slaine.
Bru. O Iulius Cæsar, thou art mighty yet, Thy Spirit walkes abroad, and turnes our Swords Low Alarums.In our owne proper Entrailes.
Cato. Braue Titinius, Looke where he haue not crown'd dead Cassius.
Bru. Are yet two Romans liuing such as these? The last of all the Romans, far thee well: It is impossible, that euer Rome Should breed thy fellow. Friends I owe mo teares To this dead man, then you shall see me pay. I shall finde time, Cassius: I shall finde time. Come therefore, and to Tharsus send his body, His Funerals shall not be in our Campe, Least it discomfort vs. Lucillius come, And come yong Cato, let vs to the Field, Labio and Flauio set our Battailes on: 'Tis three a clocke, and Romans yet ere night, Exeunt.We shall try Fortune in a second fight.
Alarum. Enter Brutus, Messala, Cato, Lucillius and Flauius.
Bru. Yet Country-men: O yet, hold vp your heads.
Cato. What Bastard doth not? Who will go with me? I will proclaime my name about the Field. I am the Sonne of Marcus Cato, hoe. A Foe to Tyrants, and my Countries Friend. I am the Sonne of Marcus Cato, hoe. Enter Souldiers, and fight. And I am Brutus, Marcus Brutus, I, Brutus my Countries Friend: Know me for Brutus.
Luc. O yong and Noble Cato, art thou downe? Why now thou dyest, as brauely as Titinius, And may'st be honour'd, being Cato's Sonne.
Sold. Yeeld, or thou dyest.
Luc. Onely I yeeld to dye: There is so much, that thou wilt kill me straight: Kill Brutus, and be honour'd in his death.
Sold. We must not: a Noble Prisoner.
Enter Antony.
2. Sold. Roome hoe: tell Antony, Brutus is tane.
1. Sold. Ile tell thee newes. Heere comes the Generall, Brutus is tane, Brutus is tane my Lord.
Ant. Where is hee?
Luc. Safe Antony, Brutus is safe enough: I dare assure thee, that no Enemy Shall euer take aliue the Noble Brutus: The Gods defend him from so great a shame, When you do finde him, or aliue, or dead, He will be found like Brutus, like himselfe.
Ant. This is not Brutus friend, but I assure you, A prize no lesse in worth; keepe this man safe, Giue him all kindnesse. I had rather haue Such men my Friends, then Enemies. Go on, And see where Brutus be aliue or dead, And bring vs word, vnto Octauius Tent: Exeunt.How euery thing is chanc'd.
Enter Brutus, Dardanius, Clitus, Strato and Volumnius.
Brut. Come poore remaines of friends, rest on this Rocke.
Clit. Statillius shew'd the Torch-light, but my Lord He came not backe: he is or tane, or slaine.
Brut. Sit thee downe, Clitus: slaying is the word, It is a deed in fashion. Hearke thee, Clitus.
Clit. What I, my Lord? No, not for all the World.
Brut. Peace then, no words.
Clit. Ile rather kill my selfe.
Brut. Hearke thee, Dardanius.
Dard. Shall I doe such a deed?
Clit. O Dardanius.
Dard. O Clitus
Clit. What ill request did Brutus make to thee?
Dard. To kill him, Clitus: looke he meditates.
Clit. Now is that Noble Vessell full of griefe, That it runnes ouer euen at his eyes.
Brut. Come hither, good Volumnius, list a word.
Volum. What sayes my Lord?
Brut. Why this, Volumnius The Ghost of Cæsar hath appear'd to me Two seuerall times by Night: at Sardis, once; And this last Night, here in Philippi fields: I know my houre is come.
Volum. Not so, my Lord.
Brut. Nay, I am sure it is, Volumnius. Thou seest the World, Volumnius, how it goes, Low Alarums.Our Enemies haue beat vs to the Pit: It is more worthy, to leape in our selues, Then tarry till they push vs. Good Volumnius, Thou know'st, that we two went to Schoole together: Euen for that our loue of old, I prethee Hold thou my Sword Hilts, whilest I runne on it.
Vol. That's not an Office for a friend, my Lord. Alarum still.
Cly. Fly, flye my Lord, there is no tarrying heere.
Bru. Farewell to you, and you, and Volumnius. Strato, thou hast bin all this while asleepe: Farewell to thee, to Strato, Countrymen: My heart doth ioy, that yet in all my life, I found no man, but he was true to me. I shall haue glory by this loosing day More then Octauius, and Marke Antony, By this vile Conquest shall attaine vnto. So fare you well at once, for Brutus tongue Hath almost ended his liues History: Night hangs vpon mine eyes, my Bones would rest, That haue but labour'd, to attaine this houre.
Alarum. Cry within, Flye, flye, flye.
Cly. Fly my Lord, flye.
Bru. Hence: I will follow: I prythee Strato, stay thou by thy Lord, Thou art a Fellow of a good respect: Thy life hath had some smatch of Honor in it, Hold then my Sword, and turne away thy face, While I do run vpon it. Wilt thou Strato?
Stra. Giue me your hand first. Fare you wel my Lord.
Bru. Farewell good Strato. ———Cæsar, now be still, Dyes.I kill'd not thee with halfe so good a will.
Alarum. Retreat. Enter Antony, Octauius, Messala, Lucillius, and the Army.
Octa. What man is that?
Messa. My Masters man. Strato, where is thy Master?
Stra. Free from the Bondage you are in Messala, The Conquerors can but make a fire of him: For Brutus onely ouercame himselfe, And no man else hath Honor by his death.
Lucil. So Brutus should be found. I thank thee Brutus That thou hast prou'd Lucillius saying true.
Octa. All that seru'd Brutus, I will entertaine them. Fellow, wilt thou bestow thy time with me?
Stra. I, if Messala will preferre me to you.
Octa. Do so, good Messala.
Messa. How dyed my Master Strato?
Stra. I held the Sword, and he did run on it.
Messa. Octauius, then take him to follow thee, That did the latest seruice to my Master.
Ant. This was the Noblest Roman of them all: All the Conspirators saue onely hee, Did that they did, in enuy of great Cæsar: He, onely in a generall honest thought, And common good to all, made one of them. His life was gentle, and the Elements So mixt in him, that Nature might stand vp, And say to all the world; This was a man.
Octa. According to his Vertue, let vs vse him Withall Respect, and Rites of Buriall. Within my Tent his bones to night shall ly, Most like a Souldier ordered Honourably: So call the Field to rest, and let's away, Exeunt omnes.To part the glories of this happy day.
