Cato. What bastard doth not? Who will go with me? 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; I am the son of Marcus Cato, ho! [Charges the enemy. Brutus. And I am Brutus, Marcus Brutus, I; Brutus, my country's friend; know me for Brutus ! [Exit, charging the enemy. Cato is overpowered, and Lucilius. O young and noble Cato, art thou down? 1 Soldier. Yield, or thou diest. Only I yield to die: There is so much that thou wilt kill me straight; Kill Brutus, and be honour'd in his death. 10 [Offering money. 1 Soldier. We must not.-A noble prisoner! 2 Soldier. Room, ho! Tell Antony, Brutus is ta'en. 1 Soldier. I'll tell the news.-Here comes the general. Enter ANTONY. Brutus is ta'en, Brutus is ta'en, my lord. Antony. Where is he? Lucilius. Safe, Antony; Brutus is safe enough. I dare assure thee that no enemy Shall ever take alive the noble Brutus ; The gods defend him from so great a shame! He will be found like Brutus, like himself. Antony. This is not Brutus, friend, but, I assure you, 20 30 And bring us word unto Octavius' tent How every thing is chanc'd. SCENE V. Another Part of the Field. [Exeunt. Enter BRUTUS, DARDANIUS, CLITUS, STRATO, and VOLUMNIUS. Brutus. Come, poor remains of friends, rest on this rock. Clitus. Statilius show'd the torch-light, but, my lord, He came not back; he is or ta'en or slain. Brutus. Sit thee down, Clitus. Slaying is the word; Brutus. Hark thee, Dardanius! Clitus. O Dardanius! Dardanius. O Clitus! I'll rather kill myself. [Whispers him. Shall I do such a deed? Clitus. What ill request did Brutus make to thee? Brutus. Come hither, good Volumnius; list a word. Brutus. Why, this, Volumnius: The ghost of Cæsar hath appear'd to me Volumnius. Not so, my lord. Brutus. Nay, I am sure it is, Volumnius. Thou seest the world, Volumnius, how it goes; Our enemies have beat us to the pit : ΙΟ 20 [Low alarums. Good Volumnius, It is more worthy to leap in ourselves Thou know'st that we two went to school together; Hold thou my sword-hilts whilst I run on it. Volumnius. That's not an office for a friend, my lord. [Alarum still. 30 there is no tarrying here. Clitus. Fly, fly, my lord! So, fare you well at once; for Brutus' tongue Night hangs upon my eyes; my bones would rest, 40 [Alarum. Cry within, 'Fly, fly, fly!' Clitus. Fly, my lord, fly! Brutus. Hence, I will follow. [Exeunt Clitus, Dardanius, and Volumnius. I prithee, Strato, stay thou by thy lord. Thy life hath had some smatch of honour in it: Strato. Give me your hand first; fare you well, my lord. I kill'd not thee with half so good a will. 50 [He runs on his sword, and dies. Alarum. Retreat. Enter OCTAVIUS, ANTONY, MESSALA, LUCILIUS, and the Army. Octavius. What man is that? Messala. My master's man.-Strato, where is thy master? Strato. Free from the bondage you are in, Messala: The conquerors can but make a fire of him ; For Brutus only overcame himself, And no man else hath honour by his death. Lucilius. So Brutus should be found.—I thank thee, Brutus, That thou hast prov'd Lucilius' saying true. Octavius. All that serv'd Brutus, I will entertain them. 60 Fellow, wilt thou bestow thy time with me? Strato. Ay, if Messala will prefer me to you. Octavius. Do so, good Messala. Messala. How died my master, Strato? Strato. I held the sword, and he did run on it. Messala. Octavius, then take him to follow thee, That did the latest service to my master. Antony. This was the noblest Roman of them all. Did that they did in envy of great Cæsar; So mix'd in him that Nature might stand up Within my tent his bones to-night shall lie, 70 [Exeunt. LAP II |