And, in their steeds, do ravens, crows and kites Our army lyes ready to give the ghost. Caf. I but believe it partly; For I am fresh ot fpirit, and refolved Caf Now, moft noble Brutus, The Gods to-day stand friendly; that we may, The very last time we fhall fpeak together. 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, Caf. Then if we lofe this battle, You are contented to be led in triumph Bru. No, Caffius, no; think not, thou noble That ever Brutus will go bound to Rome; 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, 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, [Exit. Caf. What news? Pind. Titinius is inclofed round about With horsemen, that make to him on the fpur; Oh, coward that I am, to live fo long, Enter PINDARUS. Come hither, firrah. In Parthia did I take thee prifoner; 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. 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! 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 But killeft the mother that engendered thee. As tidings of this fight. Tit. Hie you, Meffala, And I will feek for Pindarus the while. [Exit Mef. 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. 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. |