The very last time we shall speak together:
What are you then determined to do 9?

Bru. Even by the rule of that philosophy,
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, so to prevent 10
The time of life:-arming myself with patience,
To stay the providence of some high powers,
That govern us below.

Cas.

Then, if we lose this battle, You are contented to be led in triumph Thorough the streets of Rome?

Bru. No, Cassius, no: think not, thou noble
Roman,

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 11;
And whether we shall meet again, I know not.
Therefore our everlasting farewell take:-

9 i.e. I am resolved in such a case to kill myself. What are you determined of?

10 To prevent' is here used for to anticipate. By time is meant the full and complete time; the natural period. See note on King Henry IV. Part II. Act i. Sc. 2.

It has been said that there is an apparent contradiction between the sentiments Brutus expresses in this and in his subsequent speech; but there is no real inconsistency. Brutus had laid down to himself as a principle, to abide every chance and extremity of war; but when Cassius reminds him of the disgrace of being led in triumph through the streets of Rome, he acknowledges that to be a trial which he could not endure. Shakspeare, in the first speech, makes that to be the present opinion of Brutus, which in Plutarch is mentioned only as one he formerly entertained, and that, being now in the midst of danger, he was of a contrary mind.

This, though censured as ungrammatical, was the phraseology of the poet's day, as might be shown by numerous examples. But Dryden and Pope have used it, and Johnson has sanctioned it in his Dictionary: Begin, v, n. began, or begun. The fact is, that the past tense was, in our old language, written begon or begonne.

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.
Cas. For ever, and for ever, farewell, Brutus!
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!
But it sufficeth, that the day will end,
And then the end is known.-Come, ho! away!
[Exeunt,

SCENE II. The same. The Field of Battle.

Alarum. Enter BRUTUS and MESSALA.

Bru. Ride, ride, Messala, ride, and give these bills 1

Unto the legions on the other side: [Loud Alarum.
Let them set on at once; for I perceive
But cold demeanour in Octavius' wing,
And sudden push gives them the overthrow.
Ride, ride, Messala: let them all come down.

SCENE III.

[Exeunt.

The same. Another Part of the Field.

Alarum. Enter CASSIUS and TITINIUS.
Cas. O, look, Titinius, look, the villains fly!
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.

Tit. O Cassius, Brutus gave the word too early;

This and much of the subsequent scene is from the old translation of Plutarch :-- In the meane tyme Brutus, that led the right winge, sent little billes to the collonels and captaines of private bandes, in which he wrote the order of the battle,'

4

Who having some advantage on Octavius,
Took it too eagerly; his soldiers fell to spoil,
Whilst we by Antony are all enclos'd.

Enter PINDArus.

Pin. Fly further off, my lord, fly further off;
Mark Antony is in your tents, my lord!
Fly therefore, noble Cassius, fly far off.

Cas. This hill is far enough. Look, look, Titinius; Are those my tents, where I perceive the fire? Tit. They are, my lord.

Cas. Titinius, if thou lov'st me, Mount thou my horse, and hide thy spurs in him, Till he have brought thee up to yonder troops, And here again: that I may rest assur'd, Whether yond' troops are friend or enemy. Tit. I will be here again, even with a thought1. [Exit. Cas. Go, Pindarus, get higher on that hill2; My sight was ever thick; regard Titinius, And tell me what thou not'st about the field.[Exit PINDARUS. This day I breathed first: time is come round3, And where I did begin, there shall I end; My life is run his compass.- -Sirrah, what news? Pin. [Above.] O my lord!

Cas. What news?

Pin. Titinius is enclosed round about

1 The same expression occurs in Antony and Cleopatra :That which was a horse, even with a thought,

The rack dislimns.'

2 Cassius is now on a hill: he therefore means a hillock somewhat higher than that on which he now is.

3 So in King Lear, the Bastard, dying, says :

The wheel is come full circle.'

4 Sirrah, as appears from many of the old plays, was the usual address in speaking to servants and children. See note on Macbeth, Act iv. Sc. 2, p. 292.

With horsemen, that make to him on the spur;Yet he spurs on.-Now they are almost on him; Now, Titinius!-now some 'light:-Oh, he 'lights too:-he's ta'en;

And hark! [shout] they shout for joy.

Cas.

Come down, behold no more.—

O, coward that I am, to live so long,

To see my best friend ta'en before my face!

Enter PINDARUS.

Come hither, sirrah :

In Parthia did I take thee prisoner;
And then I swore thee, saving of thy life,
That whatsoever I did bid thee do,

Thou should'st attempt it. Come now, keep thine oath!

Now be a freeman; and with this good sword,
That ran through Cæsar's bowels, search this bosom.
Stand not to answer: Here, take thou the hilts;
And, when my face is cover'd as 'tis now,
Guide thou the sword.-Cæsar, thou art reveng'd,
Even with the sword that kill'd thee.
[Dies.

Pin. So, I am free; yet would not so have been,
Durst I have done my will. O Cassius!
Far from this country Pindarus shall run,
Where never Roman shall take note of him. [Exit.

Re-enter TITINIUS, with MESsala.

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

As Cassius' legions are by Antony.

Tit. These tidings will well comfort Cassius.
Mes. Where did you leave him?

All disconsolate,

Tit.
With Pindarus his bondman, on this hill.

the ground?

Mess. Is not that he, that lies upon
Tit. He lies not like the living. O my heart!

Mes. Is not that he?

Tit.

But Cassius is no more.

No, this was he, Messala,

-O setting sun!

As in thy red rays thou dost sink to night,
So in his red blood Cassius' day is set;

The sun of Rome is set! Our day is gone;

Clouds, dews, and dangers come; our deeds are done!

Mistrust of my success hath done this deed.

Mes. Mistrust of good success hath done this deed. O hateful error, melancholy's child!

Why dost thou show to the apt thoughts of men The things that are not? O error, soon conceiv'd, Thou never com'st unto a happy birth,

But kill'st the mother that engender'd thee.

Tit. What, Pindarus; Where art thou, Pindarus?
Mes. Seek him, Titinius: whilst I go to meet
The noble Brutus, thrusting this report
Into his ears: I may say, thrusting it;
For piercing steel, and darts envenomed,
Shall be as welcome to the ears of Brutus,
As tidings of this sight.

Tit.
Hie you, Messala,
And I will seek for Pindarus the while.

[Exit MESSALA.

Why didst thou send me forth, brave Cassius?

Did I not meet thy friends? and did not they
Put on my brows this wreath of victory,

And bid me give 't thee? Didst thou not hear their shouts ?

Alas, thou hast 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 see how I regarded Caius Cassius.-
By your leave, gods:-This is a Roman's part:
Come, Cassius' sword, and find Titinius' heart. [Dies.