ACT V.
Scene I. The plains of Philippi.[3521]
Enter Octavius, Antony, and their army.
You said the enemy would not come down,
But keep the hills and upper regions;
It proves not so: their battles are at hand;
They mean to warn us at Philippi here,[3522] 5
Answering before we do demand of them.
Enter a Messenger.
The enemy comes on in gallant show;
Their bloody sign of battle is hung out,
And something to be done immediately.[3524] 15
Upon the left hand of the even field.[3525]
Drum. Enter Brutus, Cassius, and their Army; Lucilius, Titinius, Messala, and others.[3528]
Make forth; the generals would have some words. 25
Witness the hole you made in Cæsar's heart,
Crying 'Long live! hail, Cæsar!'
The posture of your blows are yet unknown;[3530]
But for your words, they rob the Hybla bees,[3531]
[Pg 402] And leave them honeyless.
For you have stol'n their buzzing, Antony,[3533]
And very wisely threat before you sting.[3533]
Hack'd one another in the sides of Cæsar:[3534] 40
You show'd your teeth like apes, and fawn'd like hounds,[3535]
And bow'd like bondmen, kissing Cæsar's feet;
Whilst damned Casca, like a cur, behind[3536]
Struck Cæsar on the neck. O you flatterers![3537][3538]
This tongue had not offended so to-day,
If Cassius might have ruled.
The proof of it will turn to redder drops.
Look;[3541][3542] 50
I draw a sword against conspirators;[3542][3543]
When think you that the sword goes up again?
Never, till Cæsar's three and thirty wounds[3544]
Be well avenged, or till another Cæsar
Have added slaughter to the sword of traitors.[3545] 55
Unless thou bring'st them with thee.
[Pg 403]
I was not born to die on Brutus' sword.
Young man, thou couldst not die more honourable.[3547] 60
Join'd with a masker and a reveller!
Defiance, traitors, hurl we in your teeth;
If you dare fight to-day, come to the field: 65
If not, when you have stomachs.
[Exeunt Octavius, Antony, and their army.[3549]
The storm is up, and all is on the hazard.[3551]
[Brutus and Lucilius converse apart.
This is my birth-day; as this very day[3555][3556]
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[3557]
Upon one battle all our liberties. 75
You know that I held Epicurus strong,
And his opinion: now I change my mind,
And partly credit things that do presage.
Coming from Sardis, on our former ensign[3558]
[Pg 404] Two mighty eagles fell, and there they perch'd, 80
Gorging and feeding from our soldiers' hands;
Who to Philippi here consorted us:
This morning are they fled away and gone;
And in their steads do ravens, crows and kites[3559]
Fly o'er our heads and downward look on us, 85
As we were sickly prey: their shadows seem
A canopy most fatal, under which
Our army lies, ready to give up the ghost.[3560]
For I am fresh of spirit and resolved 90
To meet all perils very constantly.[3561]
The gods to-day stand friendly, that we may,
Lovers in peace, lead on our days to age!
But, since the affairs of men rest still incertain,[3563] 95
Let's reason with the worst that may befall.
If we do lose this battle, then is this
The very last time we shall speak together:
What are you then determined to do?
By which I did blame Cato for the death[3564]
Which he did give himself: I know not how,[3565][3566]
But I do find it cowardly and vile,[3566]
For fear of what might fall, so to prevent[3566]
The time of life: arming myself with patience[3566][3567] 105
To stay the providence of some high powers[3568]
[Pg 405] That govern us below.
You are contented to be led in triumph
Thorough the streets of Rome?[3570]
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;[3572]
And whether we shall meet again I know not.
Therefore our everlasting farewell take. 115
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.
If we do meet again, we'll smile indeed; 120
If not, 'tis true this parting was well made.
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! [Exeunt.125
Scene II. The field of battle.[3573]
Alarum. Enter Brutus and Messala.[3574]
Unto the legions on the other side: [Loud alarum.[3575]
Let them set on at once; for I perceive
But cold demeanour in Octavius' wing,[3576]
[Pg 406] And sudden push gives them the overthrow.[3577] 5
Ride, ride, Messala: let them all come down. [Exeunt.
Scene III. Another part of the field.[3578]
Alarums. Enter Cassius and Titinius.[3579]
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.
Who, having some advantage on Octavius,
Took it too eagerly: his soldiers fell to spoil,
Whilst we by Antony are all enclosed.[3580]
Enter Pindarus.
Mark Antony is in your tents, my lord: 10
Fly, therefore, noble Cassius, fly far off.[3582]
Are those my tents where I perceive the fire?
Mount thou my horse and hide thy spurs in him, 15
Till he have brought thee up to yonder troops
And here again; that I may rest assured
Whether yond troops are friend or enemy.[3583]
[Pg 407]
My sight was ever thick; regard Titinius,
And tell me what thou notest about the field.
[Pindarus ascends the hill.[3585]
And where I did begin, there shall I end;
My life is run his compass. Sirrah, what news?[3587] 25
Pindarus descends.
In Parthia did I take thee prisoner;[3594]
And then I swore thee, saving of thy life,
That whatsoever I did bid thee do,
Thou shouldst attempt it. Come now, keep thine oath; 40
Now be a freeman; and with this good sword,[3595]
[Pg 408] That ran through Cæsar's bowels, search this bosom.
Stand not to answer: here, take thou the hilts;[3596]
And when my face is cover'd, as 'tis now,
Guide thou the sword. [Pindarus stabs him.] Cæsar, thou art revenged,[3597]45
Even with the sword that kill'd thee. [Dies.[3598]
Re-enter Titinius with Messala.[3601]
Is overthrown by noble Brutus' power,
As Cassius' legions are by Antony.
With Pindarus his bondman, on this hill.
But Cassius is no more. O setting sun, 60
As in thy red rays thou dost sink to night,[3603]
So in his red blood Cassius' day is set,[3604]
The sun of Rome is set! Our day is gone;[3605]
Clouds, dews and dangers come; our deeds are done!
Mistrust of my success hath done this deed. 65
[Pg 409]
O hateful error, melancholy's child,
Why dost thou show to the apt thoughts of men
The things that are not? O error, soon conceived,[3606]
Thou never comest unto a happy birth, 70
But kill'st the mother that engender'd thee!
The noble Brutus, thrusting this report
Into his ears: I may say 'thrusting' it, 75
For piercing steel and darts envenomed
Shall be as welcome to the ears of Brutus
As tidings of this sight.
And I will seek for Pindarus the while. [Exit Messala.[3608]
Why didst thou send me forth, brave Cassius? 80
Did I not meet thy friends? and did not they[3609]
Put on my brows this wreath of victory,
And bid me give it thee? Didst thou not hear their shouts?
Alas, thou hast misconstrued every thing!
But, hold thee, take this garland on thy brow; 85
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. 90
[Kills himself.
Alarum. Re-enter Messala, with Brutus, young Cato, and others.[3610]
Thy spirit walks abroad, and turns our swords[3612] 95
In our own proper entrails. [Low alarums.[3613]
Look, whether he have not crown'd dead Cassius!
The last of all the Romans, fare thee well![3615]
It is impossible that ever Rome 100
Should breed thy fellow. Friends, I owe moe tears[3616]
To this dead man than you shall see me pay.
I shall find time, Cassius, I shall find time.
Come therefore, and to Thasos send his body:[3617]
His funerals shall not be in our camp,[3618] 105
Lest it discomfort us. Lucilius, come,
And come, young Cato: let us to the field.
Labeo and Flavius, set our battles on.[3619]
'Tis three o'clock; and, Romans, yet ere night[3620]
We shall try fortune in a second fight. [Exeunt.110
Scene IV. Another part of the field.[3621]
Alarum. Enter, fighting, Soldiers of both armies; then Brutus, young Cato, Lucilius, and others.[3622]
[Pg 411]
I will proclaim my name about the field.
I am the son of Marcus Cato, ho!
A foe to tyrants, and my country's friend; 5
I am the son of Marcus Cato, ho![3623]
Brutus, my country's friend; know me for Brutus! [Exit.[3625]
Why, now thou diest as bravely as Titinius, 10
And mayst be honour'd, being Cato's son.
[Offering money] There is so much that thou wilt kill me straight;[3629]
Kill Brutus, and be honour'd in his death.
Enter Antony.[3632]
I dare assure thee that no enemy
Shall ever take alive the noble Brutus:
The gods defend him from so great a shame!
When you do find him, or alive or dead,[3634]
He will be found like Brutus, like himself. 25
[Pg 412]
A prize no less in worth: keep this man safe,
Give him all kindness: I had rather have
Such men my friends than enemies. Go on,
And see whether Brutus be alive or dead,[3636] 30
And bring us word unto Octavius' tent[3637]
How every thing is chanced. [Exeunt.
Scene V. Another part of the field.[3638]
Enter Brutus, Dardanius, Clitus, Strato, and Volumnius.
He came not back: he is or ta'en or slain.
It is a deed in fashion. Hark thee, Clitus. [Whispering.[3639]5
That it runs over even at his eyes.
The ghost of Cæsar hath appear'd to me
[Pg 413] Two several times by night, at Sardis once,
And this last night here in Philippi fields:
I know my hour is come.
Thou seest the world, Volumnius, how it goes;
Our enemies have beat us to the pit: [Low alarums.[3641]
It is more worthy to leap in ourselves
Than tarry till they push us. Good Volumnius, 25
Thou know'st that we two went to school together:
Even for that our love of old, I prithee,[3642]
Hold thou my sword-hilts, whilst I run on it.[3643]
[Alarum still.
Strato, thou hast been all this while asleep;
Farewell to thee too, Strato. Countrymen,[3645]
My heart doth joy that yet in all my life[3646]
I found no man but he was true to me. 35
I shall have glory by this losing day,
More than Octavius and Mark Antony
By this vile conquest shall attain unto.[3647]
So, fare you well at once; for Brutus' tongue
Hath almost ended his life's history:[3648] 40
Night hangs upon mine eyes; my bones would rest,
That have but labour'd to attain this hour.[3649]
[Alarum. Cry within, 'Fly, fly, fly!'
[Exeunt Clitus, Dardanius, and Volumnius.
Thou art a fellow of a good respect; 45
Thy life hath had some smatch of honour in it:[3651]
Hold then my sword, and turn away thy face,
While I do run upon it. Wilt thou, Strato?
Alarum. Retreat. Enter Octavius, Antony, Messala, Lucilius, and the army.[3653]
The conquerors can but make a fire of him; 55
For Brutus only overcame himself,
And no man else hath honour by his death.
That thou hast proved Lucilius' saying true.
Fellow, wilt thou bestow thy time with me?
[Pg 415]
That did the latest service to my master.
All the conspirators, save only he,[3659]
Did that they did in envy of great Cæsar;[3660] 70
He only, in a general honest thought[3661][3662]
And common good to all, made one of them.[3662]
His life was gentle, and the elements
So mix'd in him that Nature might stand up
And say to all the world 'This was a man!' 75
FOOTNOTES:
[3521] Act v. Scene i.] Rowe. Actus Quintus. Ff.
The plains ...] Capell. The Fields of Philippi, with the two Camps. Rowe.
[3522] warn] wage Hanmer. wait Mason conj.
[3523] places; and ... bravery,] Pope. places, and ... bravery: Ff.
[3524] something] something's Hanmer.
[3525] even] evil F4.
[3526] thou] you Ritson conj.
[3527] exigent?] F3 F4. exigent. F1 F2.
[3528] Scene II. Pope.
Lucilius ... others.] Lucilius ... others, attending. Capell. om. Ff.
[3529] [to his Troops. Capell.
[3530] posture] puncture Singer conj.
are] is Collier, ed. 2 (Steevens conj.).
[3531] they] you Capell.
[3532] stingless] stringless Rowe (ed. 1).
stingless too.] stingless too? Delius conj.
[3533] O, yes ... sting.] You threat before you sting. Pope, putting the original in the margin.
[3534] Hack'd] Hackt F1 F2. Hack F3 F4.
[3535] you ... hounds,] One line in Rowe. Two in Ff.
teeth] F3 F4. teethes F1 F2.
[3536] Whilst] While Collier (one volume edition).
[3537] Struck] F3 F4. Strooke F1 F2.
you] om. Pope.
[3538] Struck.... Cas. Flatterers] As one line, Capell conj., omitting you.
[3539] Flatterers!] You flatterers! Keightley.
thank] you may thank Steevens conj.
[3540] sweat] Rowe (ed. 2). swet Ff.
[3541] Look:] Behold, Rowe, arranging as Ff.
[3542] Look; I ... conspirators] As in Steevens (1793). One line in Ff.
[3543] a sword] sword S. Walker conj., arranging as Ff.
[3544] thirty] twenty Theobald.
[3545] sword of traitors] word of traitor Collier MS.
[3546] traitors' hands] traitors Reed (1803, 1813, 1821).
[3547] honourable] honourably Craik conj.
[3548] worthless] worthles F1. worthies F2 F3 F4.
[3549] [ ... their army.] Army. Ff.
[3550] Scene III. Pope.
Why ... bark!] One line in Rowe. Two in Ff.
[3551] all is] all's S. Walker conj., ending the line Ho!
[3552] Ho,] om. Pope. As a separate line by Steevens (1793).
[3553] [Standing forth] See note (VIII).
[3554] Messala!] Messala. Ff. Messala,—Capell.
[3555] Messala, ... day] As in Pope. One line in Ff.
[3556] as] at Keightley.
[3557] am I] I am S. Walker conj.
[3558] former ensign] foremost ensign Rowe. forward ensign Collier MS. foremost ensigns Lettsom conj.
[3559] steads] F3 F4 steeds F1 F2.
ravens, crows] ravenous crows Warburton.
[3560] ready to] as 'twould Seymour conj.
up] om. Pope.
[3561] perils] F1. peril F2 F3 F4.
[3562] Lucilius] Lucius Rowe (ed. 2).
[3563] rest] Rowe. rests Ff.
incertain] uncertain Capell.
[3564] By] Be F2.
[3565] himself: ... how,] himself; ... how, Pope. himselfe, ... how: Ff. himself, ... how, Craik.
[3566] I ... life] Put in parentheses by Johnson.
[3567] time] term Cappell.
life:] life; Theobald, life, Ff. Here Warburton marks a sentence omitted.
[3568] some] those Craik (Collier MS.).
[3569] this battle] om. Steevens conj.
[3570] Thorough] Thorew F1 F2. Through F3 F4. Along Pope. By the proud victors, thro' Seymour conj.
streets] street, Rowe (ed. 2).
[3571] No, ... Roman,] One line in Rowe. Two in Ff.
[3572] the] F1. that F2 F3 F4.
begun] began Collier (Malone conj.).
[3573] Scene II.] Capell. Scene iv. Pope.
The field of battle.] Capell.
[3574] Alarum.] Ff. Alarums, as of a Battle join'd. Capell.
[3575] [Loud alarum.] Ff. om. Capell.
[3576] Octavius'] Pope. Octavio's Ff.
[3577] And] One Hanmer. A Warburton.
[3578] Scene III.] Capell. Scene continued in Pope.
Another ... field.] Capell.
[3579] Alarums.] Ff. Alarum. Pope.
[3580] are] were Pope.
[3581] further] farther Collier.
[3582] far] far' Dyce (ed. 2).
[3583] yond] yon' Capell.
[3584] get ... hill] get thee higher on this hill Capell conj.
higher] F1. thither F2 F3 F4.
[3585] [Pindarus....] Pindarus goes up. Dyce. Exit Pin. Hanmer. Omitted in Ff.
[3586] breathed] F1 F2. breath'd F3 F4.
[3587] his] its Pope.
Sirrah,] Now Pope.
[3588] [Above] Ff. Within Hanmer. Appearing on the hill. Jennens.
my lord] my good lord Steevens conj.
[3589] [Above] Dyce. Within. Hanmer. om. Ff.
[3590] Titinius ... joy.] As in Pope, who reads Titinius for Now, Titinius, line 31. In Ff He's tane is in a separate line. Malone ends the lines is ... that ... on.—Titinius!— ... hark!... joy. Dyce (ed. 2) ends them about ... spur;— ... him;—Titinius!— ... hark!... joy.
[3591] Now,] Now, now, Nicholson conj., ending the line O, he.
[3592] down; behold] down, Behold Capell, ending line 32 at down.
[Pindarus disappears. Jennens.
[3593] Pindarus descends.] Dyce. Enter Pindarus. Ff. Re-enter Pindarus. Capell.
[3594] Come ... prisoner;] As in Pope. One line in Ff.
[3595] freeman] F3 F4. free-man F1 F2.
[3596] hilts] hilt Pope.
[3597] [Pindarus stabs him.] Kills him. F2 F3 F4 (after line 46). Kills himself. Rowe (ed. 2), after line 46.
[3598] [Dies.] Capell. om. Ff.
[3599] So ... been,] One line in Rowe. Two in Ff.
[3600] [Exit.] Rowe. om. Ff.
[3601] Re-enter ... with] Capell. Enter ... and Ff.
[3602] Scene V. Pope.
[3603] to night] to-night Knight (ed. 1) and Collier (ed. 1).
[3604] is set] F1. it set F2 F3 F4.
[3605] sun] sunne F1. sonne F2. son F3 F4.
[3606] O] om. Pope.
[3607] What,] Why, Capell.
[3608] [Exit Messala.] Pope. om. Ff.
[3609] [Kills himself.] Dies. Ff. Stabs himself (after line 89). Dies. Rowe.
[3610] Alarum.] om. Capell.
Re-enter....] Capell. Enter Brutus, Messala, yong Cato, Strato, Volumnius, and Lucillius. Ff.
[3611] Scene VI. Pope.
[3612] walks] wa'kes F2.
[3613] [Low alarums.] om. Capell.
[3614] whether] Edd. where Ff. if Pope. whe'r Capell. whêr Dyce.
[3615] The] Thou Rowe.
fare] far F1.
[3616] moe] F3 F4. mo F1 F2. more Rowe.
[3617] Thasos Edd. (S. Walker conj.). Thassos Theobald. Tharsus Ff.
[3618] funerals] funeral Pope.
[3619] Labeo] Hanmer. Labio Ff.
Flavius,] F4. Flavio F1. Flavius F2 F3.
[3620] o'clock] Theobald. a clock Ff.
[3621] Scene IV.] Capell. Scene VII. Pope.
Another....] Capell. The Field of Battel. Pope.
[3622] Alarum.] Alarums. Capell.
Enter ... others.] Capell, substantially. Enter Brutus, Messala, Cato, Lucillius, and Flavius. Ff.
young Cato,] Dyce. Cato, Ff.
[3623] [Enter Souldiers, and fight. Ff. Charges the retiring Enemy. Capell.
[3624] Bru.] Rowe. om. Ff.
[3625] [Exit.] Pope. Charges them in another Part, and Exit, driving them in. The Party charg'd by Cato rally, and Cato falls. Capell.
[3626] Lucil.] Jennens. Luc. Ff.
[3627] First Sold.] 1. S. Capell. Sold. Ff.
[3628] Only I] I only Hanmer.
die:] Here Warburton marks a line, spoken by the soldier, as omitted.
[3629] [Offering money] Johnson. Giving him money. Hanmer. om. Ff.
[3630] not] not, sir Capell.
[3631] the] Pope (ed. 2). thee Ff.
[3632] Enter Antony.] Capell. After line 15 in Ff.
[3633] [They shew Lucilius. Capell.
[3634] or alive] alive Warburton.
[3635] Brutus, friend] F4. Brutus friend F1 F2 F3.
[3636] whether] Edd. where Ff. if Pope. whe'r Capell.
[3637] us word] us word, F1. us, F2 F3. us F4.
[3638] Scene V.] Capell. Scene VIII. Pope.
Another ...] Pope.
[3639] [Whispering.] Rowe. om. Ff.
[3640] [Whispering.] Whispers him. Capell. om. Ff.
Shall] om. Pope.
[3641] [Low alarums.] F1. Low alarum. F2 F3 F4. Alarum. Pope. Alarm. Johnson.
[3642] prithee] prethee Ff. pray thee Capell.
[3643] sword-hilts] sword hilts F1 F2. swords hilt F3 F4.
whilst] whilest F1 F2. while F3 F4.
[3644] [Shaking hands severally. Collier (Collier MS.).
[3645] thee too, Strato. Countrymen,] Theobald. thee, to Strato, Countrymen: Ff.
[3646] in] F1. om. F2 F3 F4.
[3647] this] their S. Walker conj.
[3648] life's] Rowe (ed. 2). lives Ff.
[3649] [Alarum.] Alarums. Capell.
[3650] follow] follow thee Pope.
[Exeunt ...] Capell. om. Ff.
[3651] smatch] smack Steevens.
in it] in't Pope.
[3652] [Runs on his sword ... [Dies.] He runs on his Sword and dies. Rowe, after line 51. Dyes. Ff, after line 51.
[3653] Alarum.] Alarums.] Capell.
Octavius, Antony,] Capell. Antony, Octavius, Ff.
the army.] their army. Malone.
[3654] Scene IX. Pope.
[3655] Lucil.] Jennens. Luci. Ff.
[3656] good] om. Capell, reading 63, 64 as one line.
[3657] master] F1. om. F2. Lord F3 F4.
[3658] then take him] take him then Hanmer.
[3659] he] him Seymour conj.
[3660] that] what So quoted by S. Walker.
[3661] general honest] general-honest S. Walker conj.
[3662] general ... And] generous ... Of Craik (Collier MS.).
[3663] With all] F3 F4. Withall F1 F2.
[3664] order'd] Pope, ordered Ff.
[3665] [Exeunt.] Capell. Exeunt omnes. Ff.
