ACT V. SCENE I.-The Plains of Philippi. Enter OCTAVIUS, ANTONY, and their Army. It proves not so: their battles are at hand; They mean to warn us at Philippi here, Answering before we do demand of them. Ant. Tut, I am in their bosoms, and I know With fearful bravery, thinking, by this face, Enter a Messenger. Mess. Prepare you, generals: The enemy comes on in gallant show; Ant. Octavius, lead your battle softly on, Upon the left hand of the even field. Oct. Upon the right hand I, keep thou the left. Oct. I do not cross you; but I will do so. [March. Drum. Enter BRUTUS, CASSIUS, and their Army ; LUCILIUS, TITINIUS, MESSALA, and Others. Bru. They stand, and would have parley. Cas. Stand fast, Titinius: We must out and talk. Oct. Mark Antony, shall we give sign of battle? Ant. No, Cæsar, we will answer on their charge. Make forth, the generals would have some words. Oct. Stir not until the signal. Bru. Words before blows: Is it so, countrymen? Ant. In your bad strokes, Brutus, you give good words: Witness the hole you made in Cæsar's heart, Crying, Long live! hail, Cæsar! Cas. Antony, The posture of your blows are yet unknown; But for your words, they rob the Hybla bees, Ant. Not stingless too. Bru. O, yes, and soundless too; For you have stol'n their buzzing, Antony, And, very wisely, threat before you sting. Ant. Villains, you did not so, when your vile daggers Hack'd one another in the sides of Cæsar : You show'd your teeth like apes, and fawn'd like hounds, And bow'd like bondmen, kissing Cæsar's feet; Whilst damned Casca, like a cur, behind, Struck Cæsar on the neck. O flatterers ! Cas. Flatterers !---Now, Brutus, thank yourself: This tongue had not offended so to-day, If Cassius might have rul'd. Oct. Come, come, the cause: If arguing make us sweat, The proof of it will turn to redder drops. Look; I draw a sword against conspirators; When think you that the sword goes up again?- Have added slaughter to the sword of traitors. Oct. So I hope; I was not born to die on Brutus' sword. Bru. O, if thou wert the noblest of thy strain, Young man, thou could'st not die more honourable. Cas. A peevish schoolboy, worthless of such honour, Join'd with a masker and a reveller. Ant. Old Cassius still! Oct. Come, Antony; away. Defiance, traitors, hurl we in your teeth : 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 converse 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 : Be thou my witness, that, against my will, As Pompey was, am I compell'd to set You know, that I held Epicurus strong, This morning are they fled away, and gone; 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 Bru. Even so, Lucilius. Cas. Now, most noble Brutus, The gods to-day stand friendly; that we may, But, since the affairs of men rest still uncertain, Let's reason with the worst that may befall. Bru. Even by the rule of that philosophy, For fear of what might fall, so to prevent Cas. Then, if we lose this battle, You are contented to be led in triumph Through the streets of Rome? Bru. No, Cassius, no: think not, thou noble Ro man, That ever Brutus will go bound to Rome; If we do meet again, we'll smile 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! |