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Julius Caesar (Folio 1, 1623)

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: John D. Cox
Peer Reviewed
128
The Tragedie of Julius Cæsar
Who to Philippi heere consorted vs:
This Morning are they fled away, and gone,
And in their steeds, do Rauens, Crowes, and Kites
2425Fly ore our heads, and downward looke on vs
As we were sickely prey; their shadowes seeme
A Canopy most fatall, vnder which
Our Army lies, ready to giue vp the Ghost.
Messa. Beleeue not so.
2430Cassi. I but beleeue it partly,
For I am fresh of spirit, and resolu'd
To meete all perils, very constantly.
Bru. Euen so Lucillius.
Cassi. Now most Noble Brutus,
2435The Gods to day stand friendly, that we may
Louers in peace, leade on our dayes to age.
But since the affayres of men rests still incertaine,
Let's reason with the worst that may befall.
If we do lose this Battaile, then is this
2440The very last time we shall speake together:
What are you then determined to do?
Bru. Euen by the rule of that Philosophy,
By which I did blame Cato, for the death
Which he did giue himselfe, I know not how:
2445But I do finde it Cowardly, and vile,
For feare of what might fall, so to preuent
The time of life, arming my selfe with patience,
To stay the prouidence of some high Powers,
That gouerne vs below.
2450Cassi. Then, if we loose this Battaile,
You are contented to be led in Triumph
Thorow the streets of Rome.
Bru. No Cassius, no:
Thinke not thou Noble Romane,
2455That euer Brutus will go bound to Rome,
He beares too great a minde. But this same day
Must end that worke, the Ides of March begun.
And whether we shall meete againe, I know not:
Therefore our euerlasting farewell take:
2460For euer, and for euer, farewell Cassius,
If we do meete againe, why we shall smile;
If not, why then this parting was well made.
Cassi. For euer, and for euer, farewell Brutus:
If we do meete againe, wee'l smile indeede;
2465If not, 'tis true, this parting was well made.
Bru. Why then leade on. O that a man might know
The end of this dayes businesse, ere it come:
But it sufficeth, that the day will end,
And then the end is knowne. Come ho, away.
Exeunt.

2470
Alarum. Enter Brutus and Messala.

Bru. Ride, ride Messala, ride and giue these Billes
Vnto the Legions, on the other side.
Lowd Alarum.
Let them set on at once: for I perceiue
2475But cold demeanor in Octauio's wing:
And sodaine push giues them the ouerthrow:
Ride, ride Messala, let them all come downe.
Exeunt

Alarums.Enter Cassius and Titinius.

Cassi. O looke Titinius, looke, the Villaines flye:
2480My selfe haue to mine owne turn'd Enemy:
This Ensigne heere of mine was turning backe,
I slew the Coward, and did take it from him.
Titin. O Cassius, Brutus gaue the word too early,
Who hauing some aduantage on Octauius,
2485Tooke it too eagerly: his Soldiers fell to spoyle,
Whil'st we by Antony are all inclos'd.

Enter Pindarus.

Pind. Fly further off my Lord: flye further off,
Mark Antony is in your Tents my Lord:
2490Flye therefore Noble Cassius, flye farre off.
Cassi. This Hill is farre enough. Looke, look Titinius
Are those my Tents where I perceiue the fire?
Tit. They are, my Lord.
Cassi. Titinius, if thou louest me,
2495Mount thou my horse, and hide thy spurres in him,
Till he haue brought thee vp to yonder Troopes
And heere againe, that I may rest assur'd
Whether yond Troopes, are Friend or Enemy.
Tit. I will be heere againe, euen with a thought. Exit.
2500Cassi. Go Pindarus, get higher on that hill,
My sight was euer thicke: regard Titinius,
And tell me what thou not'st about the Field.
This day I breathed first, Time is come round,
And where I did begin, there shall I end,
2505My life is run his compasse. Sirra, what newes?
Pind. Aboue. O my Lord.
Cassi. What newes?
Pind. Titinius is enclosed round about
With Horsemen, that make to him on the Spurre,
2510Yet he spurres on. Now they are almost on him:
Now Titinius. Now some light: O he lights too.
Hee's tane. Showt.
And hearke, they shout for ioy.
Cassi. Come downe, behold no more:
2515O Coward that I am, to liue so long,
To see my best Friend tane before my face.

Enter Pindarus.

Come hither sirrah: In Parthia did I take thee Prisoner,
And then I swore thee, sauing of thy life,
2520That whatsoeuer I did bid thee do,
Thou should'st attempt it. Come now, keepe thine oath,
Now be a Free-man, and with this good Sword
That ran through Cæsars bowels, search this bosome.
Stand not to answer: Heere, take thou the Hilts,
2525And when my face is couer'd, as 'tis now,
Guide thou the Sword--- Cæsar, thou art reueng'd,
Euen with the Sword that kill'd thee.
Pin. So, I am free,
Yet would not so haue beene
2530Durst I haue done my will. O Cassius,
Farre from this Country Pindarus shall run,
Where neuer Roman shall take note of him.

Enter Titinius and Messala.
Messa. It is but change, Titinius: for Octauius
2535Is ouerthrowne by Noble Brutus power,
As Cassius Legions are by Antony.
Titin. These tydings will well comfort Cassius.
Messa. Where did you leaue him.
Titin. All disconsolate,
2540With Pindarus his Bondman, on this Hill.
Messa. Is not that he that lyes vpon the ground?
Titin. He lies not like the Liuing. O my heart!
Messa. Is not that hee?
Titin. No, this was he Messala,
2545But Cassius is no more. O setting Sunne:
As in thy red Rayes thou doest sinke to night;
So