Internet Shakespeare Editions

About this text

  • Title: Julius Caesar (Modern)
  • Editor: John D. Cox
  • General textual editor: Eric Rasmussen
  • Coordinating editor: Michael Best
  • ISBN: 978-1-55058-366-3

    Copyright John D. Cox. This text may be freely used for educational, non-profit purposes; for all other uses contact the Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Editor: John D. Cox
    Peer Reviewed

    Julius Caesar (Modern)

    [5.4]
    Alarum. Enter Brutus, Messala, young Cato, Lucilius, and Flavius.
    Brutus
    Yet, countrymen, oh yet, hold up your heads!
    [Exit fighting, followed by Messala and Flavius.]
    What bastard doth not? Who will go with me?
    2605I 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!
    Enter soldiers and fight.
    Lucilius
    2610And I am Brutus, Marcus Brutus, I!
    Brutus, my country's friend! Know me for Brutus!
    [Young Cato is killed.]
    O young and noble Cato, art thou down?
    Why now thou diest as bravely as Titinius
    And mayst be honor'd, being Cato's son.
    26151 Soldier
    Yield, or thou diest!
    Lucilius
    Only I yield to die.
    There is so much that thou wilt kill me straight.
    Kill Brutus, and be honored in his death.
    1 Soldier
    We must not. A noble prisoner!
    2620Enter Antony.
    2 Soldier
    Room, ho! Tell Antony, Brutus is ta'en.
    1 Soldier
    I'll tell the news. Here comes the general.
    Brutus is ta'en! Brutus is ta'en, my lord!
    Antony
    Where is he?
    2625Lucilius
    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!
    When you do find him, or alive or dead,
    2630He will be found like Brutus, like himself.
    Antony
    This is not Brutus, friend, but I assure you,
    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,
    2635And see whe'er Brutus be alive or dead,
    And bring us word unto Octavius' tent
    How everything is chanced.
    Exeunt.