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And, in their steeds, do ravens, crows and kites
Fly o'er our heads; and downward look on us,
As we were fickly prey; their fhadows feem
A canopy moft fatal, under which

Our army lyes ready to give the ghost.
Mef. Believe not fo.

Caf. I but believe it partly;

For I am fresh ot fpirit, and refolved
To meet all peril very conftantly.
Bru. Even fo, Lucilius.

Caf Now, moft noble Brutus,

The Gods to-day stand friendly; that we may,
Lovers in peace, lead on our days to age!
But fince th' affairs of men reft ftill uncertain,
Let's reafon with the worst that may befall.
If we do lofe this battle, then is this

The very last time we fhall fpeak together.
What are you then determined to do?

Bru. Even by the rule of that philofophy, (32) 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, fo to prevent

His

(32) Bru. Even by the rule] This fpeech from Plutarch, our Shakespeare has extremely foftened in all the offenfive parts of it, as any one may fee, who confults the original; and with no lefs caution has omitted his famous exclamation against virtue: "Virtue! I have worshipped thee as a real good, but find thee only an unfubftantial name.' great judgment in this is very remarkable, on two accounts. First, in his caution, not to give offence to a moral audience; and, fecondly, as he has hereby avoided a fault, in drawing his hero's character. For to have had Brutus gone off the ftage in the manner Plutarch reprefents it, would have fuppreffed all that pity (especially in a Chriftian audience) which it was the Poet's bufinefs to raise. So that as Shakespeare has managed this character, here is as perfect a one for the flage as Oedipus, which the critics fo much admire. Mr Warburton.

The time of life; arming myself with patience,
Toftay the providence of fome high powers,
That govern us below.

Caf. Then if we lofe this battle,

You are contented to be led in triumph
Thorough the ftreets of Rome?

Bru. No, Caffius, no; think not, thou noble
Roman,

That ever Brutus will go bound to Rome;
He bears too great a mind. But this fame day
Muft end that work the Ides of March begun ;
And whether we fhall meet again, I know not;
Therefore our everlasting farewel take;
For ever, and for ever, farewel, Caffius!
If we do meet again, why, we shall smile;
If not, why, then this parting was well made.
Caf. For ever, and for ever, farewel Brutus!
If we do meet again, we'll fimile 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 fufficeth that the day will end;

And then the end is known. Come, ho, away.

[Exeunt.

Alarum. Enter BRUTUS and MESSALA.

Bru. Ride, ride, Meffala; ride, and give thefe bills Unto the legions on the other fide. [Loud Alarum. Let them fet on at once; for I perceivę But cold demeanour in Octavius' wing; A fudden push gives them the overthrow. Ride, ride, Meffala; let them all come down. [Exe. Alarum. Enter CASSIUS and TITINIUS.

Caf. O look, Titinius, look, the villains fly! Myfelf have to mine own turned enemy;

This enfign here of mine was turning back,
I flew the coward, and did take it from him.
Tit. O Caffius, Brutus gave the word too early;
Who having fome advantage on Octavius,
Took it too eagerly; his foldiers fell to spoil,
Whilft we by Antony were all inclofed.

Enter PINDARUS.

Pin. Fly further off, my Lord, fly further off; Mark Antony is in your tents, my Lord; Fly therefore, noble Caffius, fly far off.

Caf. This hill is far enough. Look, look, Titinius, Are thofe my tents, where I perceive the fire? Tit. They are, my Lord.

Caf. Titinius, if thou lovest me,

Mount thou my horfe, and hide thy fpurs in him,
'Till he have brought thee up to yonder troops,
And here again; that I may rest assured
Whether yond troops are friend or enemy.
Tit. I will be here again, even with a thought.

[Exit.
Caf. Go, Pindarus, get higher on that hill,
My fight was ever thick; regard Titinius,
And tell me what thou noteft 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 its compafs. Now, what news?
Pind. above.] Oh, my Lord!

Caf. What news?

Pind. Titinius is inclofed round about

With horsemen, that make to him on the fpur;
Yet he fpurs on. Now they are almost on him;
Titinius! now fome light-oh, he lights too-
He's ta'en-and hark, they fhout for joy. [Shout.
Caf. Come down, behold no more;

Oh, coward that I am, to live fo long,
To fee my best friend ta'en before my face!

Enter PINDARUS.

Come hither, firrah.

In Parthia did I take thee prifoner;
And then I fwore thee, faving of thy life,

That whatfoever I did bid thee do,

Thou should't attempt it. Come, now keep thine oath,

Now be a freeman; and with this good sword, That ran through Cæfar's bowels, fearch this bofom. Stand not to anfwer; here, take thou the hilt; And when my face is covered, as 'tis now,

Guide thou the fword.-Cæfar, thou art revenged, Even with the fword that killed thee

[Kills himfelf. Pind. So, I am free; yet would not so have been,

Durst I have done my will. Oh, Caffius!

Far from this country Pindarus fhall run,

Where never Roman fhall take note of him. [Exit. Enter TITINIUS and MESSALA.

Mef. It is but change, Titinius; for Octavius Is overthrown by noble Brutus' power,

As Caffius' legions are by Antony.

Tit. Thefe tidings will well comfort Caffius.
Mef. Where did you leave him?

Tit. All difconfolate,

With Pindarus his bondman, on this hill.

Mef. Is not that he that lyes upon the ground? Tit. He lyes not like the living. Oh, my heart! Mef. Is not that he?

Tit. No, this was he, Meffala;

But Caffius is no more! Oh, fetting Sun!
As in thy red rays thou doft fink to-night,
So in his red blood Caffius' day is fet;
The fun of Rome is fet! our day is gone;

Clouds, dews, and dangers come; our deeds are

done;

Miftruft of my fuccefs hath done this deed.

Mef. Miftruft of good fuccefs hath done this deed. Oh hateful Error, Melancholy's child!

Why dost thou fhew to the apt thoughts of men
The things that are not? Error, foon conceived,
Thou never comeft unto a happy birth,

But killeft the mother that engendered thee.
Tit. What, Pindarus? where art thou, Pindarus?
Mef. Seek him, Titinius, whilft I go to meet
The noble Brutus, thrusting this report
Into his ears; I may fay, thrufting it,
For piercing fteel, and darts envenomed,
Shall be as welcome to the ears of Brutus,

As tidings of this fight.

Tit. Hie you, Meffala,

And I will feek for Pindarus the while. [Exit Mef.
Why didft thou fend me forth, brave Caffius!
Did I not meet thy friends, and did not they
Put on my brows this wreath of victory,

And bid me give it thee? didft thou not hear their fhouts?

Alas, thou haft misconstrued every thing.

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 fee how I regarded Caius Caffius.
By your leave, Gods

This is a Roman's part.

[Stabs himself:

Come, Caffius' sword, and find Titinius' heart.

[Dies.

Alarum. Enter BRUTUS, MESSALA, young CATO, STRATO, VOLUMNIUS, and LUCILIUS.

Bru. Where, where, Meffala, doth his body ly? Mef. Lo, yonder, and Titinius mourning it.

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