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The Tragedy of Julius Caesar

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Act V, Scene 5

Another part of the field.

       
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[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;
    It is a deed in fashion. Hark thee, Clitus. 2675

Whispers

  • Clitus. What, I, my lord? No, not for all the world.
  • Brutus. Peace then! no words.
  • Clitus. I'll rather kill myself.
  • Brutus. Hark thee, Dardanius. 2680

Whispers

  • Clitus. What ill request did Brutus make to thee? 2685
  • Dardanius. To kill him, Clitus. Look, he meditates.
  • Clitus. Now is that noble vessel full of grief,
    That it runs over even at his eyes.
  • Brutus. Come hither, good Volumnius; list a word.
  • Brutus. Why, this, Volumnius:
    The ghost of Caesar hath appear'd to me
    Two several times by night; at Sardis once,
    And, this last night, here in Philippi fields:
    I know my hour is come. 2695
  • Brutus. Nay, I am sure it is, Volumnius.
    Thou seest the world, Volumnius, how it goes;
    Our enemies have beat us to the pit:
    [Low alarums] 2700
    It is more worthy to leap in ourselves,
    Than tarry till they push us. Good Volumnius,
    Thou know'st that we two went to school together:
    Even for that our love of old, I prithee,
    Hold thou my sword-hilts, whilst I run on it. 2705
  • Volumnius. That's not an office for a friend, my lord.

Alarum still

  • Clitus. Fly, fly, my lord; there is no tarrying here.
  • Brutus. Farewell to you; and you; and you, Volumnius.
    Strato, thou hast been all this while asleep; 2710
    Farewell to thee too, Strato. Countrymen,
    My heart doth joy that yet in all my life
    I found no man but he was true to me.
    I shall have glory by this losing day
    More than Octavius and Mark Antony 2715
    By this vile conquest shall attain unto.
    So fare you well at once; for Brutus' tongue
    Hath almost ended his life's history:
    Night hangs upon mine eyes; my bones would rest,
    That have but labour'd to attain this hour. 2720

Alarum. Cry within, 'Fly, fly, fly!'

  • Brutus. Hence! I will follow.
    [Exeunt CLITUS, DARDANIUS, and VOLUMNIUS]
    I prithee, Strato, stay thou by thy lord: 2725
    Thou art a fellow of a good respect;
    Thy life hath had some smatch of honour in it:
    Hold then my sword, and turn away thy face,
    While I do run upon it. Wilt thou, Strato?
  • Strato. Give me your hand first. Fare you well, my lord. 2730
  • Brutus. Farewell, good Strato.
    [Runs on his sword]
    Caesar, now be still:
    I kill'd not thee with half so good a will.
    [Dies] 2735
    [Alarum. Retreat. Enter OCTAVIUS, ANTONY, MESSALA,
    LUCILIUS, and the army]
  • Messala. My master's man. Strato, where is thy master?
  • Strato. Free from the bondage you are in, Messala: 2740
    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 proved Lucilius' saying true. 2745
  • Octavius. All that served Brutus, I will entertain them.
    Fellow, wilt thou bestow thy time with me?
  • Strato. Ay, if Messala will prefer me to you.
  • Messala. How died my master, Strato? 2750
  • 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:
    All the conspirators save only he 2755
    Did that they did in envy of great Caesar;
    He only, in a general honest thought
    And common good to all, made one of them.
    His life was gentle, and the elements
    So mix'd in him that Nature might stand up 2760
    And say to all the world 'This was a man!'
  • Octavius. According to his virtue let us use him,
    With all respect and rites of burial.
    Within my tent his bones to-night shall lie,
    Most like a soldier, order'd honourably. 2765
    So call the field to rest; and let's away,
    To part the glories of this happy day.

Exeunt