# Julius Caesar (1919) Yale/Text/Act V

Notes originally placed at the bottom of each page appear below, following Act V. Where these notes gloss a word in the text, the gloss can also be found by hovering over the text.
Where these notes refer to an end note (cf. n. = confer notam; "consult note"), a link to the accompanying end note is provided from the Footnotes section. The end notes accompanying Act V begin on page 109 of the original volume.
Layout 2
ACT FIFTH
Scene One
[The Plains of Philippi]
Enter Octavius, Antony, and their Army.
Oct. Now, Antony, our hopes are answered: You said the enemy would not come down, But keep the hills and upper regions; It proves not so; their battles are at hand;4 They mean to warn us at Philippi here, Answering before we do demand of them.
Ant. Tut, I am in their bosoms, and I know Wherefore they do it: they could be content8 To visit other places; and come down ​With fearful bravery, thinking by this face To fasten in our thoughts that they have courage; But 'tis not so.
Enter a Messenger.
Mess. Prepare you, generals:12 The enemy comes on in gallant show; Their bloody sign of battle is hung out. And something to be done immediately.
Ant. Octavius, lead your battle softly on,16 Upon the left hand of the even field.
Oct. Upon the right hand I; keep thou the left.
Ant. Why do you cross me in this exigent?
Oct. I do not cross you; but I will do so.20
March.
Drum. Enter Brutus, Cassius, and their Army.
Bru. They stand, and would have parley.
Cas. Stand fast, Titinius: we must out and talk.
Oct. Mark Antony, shall we give sign of battle?
Ant. No, Cæsar, we will answer on their charge.24 Make forth; the generals would have some words.
Oct. [To his troops.] Stir not until the signal.
Bru. Words before blows: is it so, countrymen?
Oct. Not that we love words better, as you do.28
Bru. Good words are better than bad strokes, Octavius.
Ant. In your bad strokes, Brutus, you give good words: Witness the hole you made in Cæsar's heart, ​Crying, 'Long live! Hail, Cæsar!'
Cas. Antony,32 The posture of your blows are yet unknown; But for your words, they rob the Hybla bees, And leave them honeyless.
Ant. Not stingless too!
Bru. O yes, and soundless too;36 For you have stol'n their buzzing, Antony, And very wisely threat before you sting.
Ant. Villains! you did not so when your vile daggers Hack'd one another in the sides of Cæsar:40 You show'd your teeth like apes, and fawn'd like hounds, And bow'd like bondmen, kissing Cæsar's feet; Whilst damned Casca, like a cur, behind Struck Cæsar on the neck. O you flatterers!44
Cas. Flatterers! Now, Brutus, thank yourself: This tongue had not offended so to-day. If Cassius might have rul'd.
Oct. Come, come, the cause: if arguing make us sweat,48 The proof of it will turn to redder drops. Look: I draw a sword against conspirators; When think you that the sword goes up again?62 Never, till Cæsar's three-and-thirty wounds Be well aveng'd; or till another Cæsar Have added slaughter to the sword of traitors.
Bru. Cæsar, thou canst not die by traitors' hands,56 ​Unless thou bring'st them with thee.
Oct. So I hope; I was not born to die on Brutus' sword.
Bru. O, if thou wert the noblest of thy strain, Young man, thou couldst not die more honourable.60
Cas. A peevish schoolboy, worthless of such honour, Join'd with a masquer and a reveller.
Ant. Old Cassius still!
Oct. Come, Antony; away! Defiance, traitors, hurl we in your teeth.64 If you dare fight to-day, come to the field; If not, when you have stomachs.
Exeunt Octavius, Antony, and Army.
Cas. Why now, blow wind, swell billow, and swim bark! The storm is up, and all is on the hazard.68
Bru. Ho, Lucilius: hark, a word with you.
Lucil. [Standing forth.] My lord?
[Brutus and Lucilius talk apart.]
Cas. Messala.
Mes. [Standing forth.] What says my general?
Cas. Messala, This is my birth-day; as this very day72 Was Cassius born. Give me thy hand, Messala: Be thou my witness that against my will, As Pompey was, am I compell'd to set Upon one battle all our liberties.76 You know that I held Epicurus strong. And his opinion; now I change my mind, ​And partly credit things that do presage. Coming from Sardis, on our former ensign80 Two mighty eagles fell, and there they perch'd, Gorging and feeding from our soldiers' hands; Who to Philippi here consorted us: This morning are they fled away and gone,84 And in their stead do ravens, crows, and kites Fly o'er our heads, and downward look on us, As we were sickly prey: their shadows seem A canopy most fatal, under which88 Our army lies, ready to give up the ghost.
Mes. Believe not so.
Cas. I but believe it partly, For I am fresh of spirit and resolv'd To meet all perils very constantly.92
Bru. Even so, Lucilius.
Cas. Now, most noble Brutus, The gods to-day stand friendly, that we may, Lovers in peace, lead on our days to age! But since the affairs of men rest still incertain,96 Let's reason with the worst that may befall. If we do lose this battle, then is this The very last time we shall speak together: What are you, then, determined to do?100
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,104 For fear of what might fall, so to prevent 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,108 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;112 He bears too great a mind: but this same day Must end that work the ides of March begun; And whether we shall meet again I know not. Therefore our everlasting farewell take:116 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;121 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!124 But it sufficeth that the day will end, And then the end is known. Come, ho! away!
Exeunt.
Scene Two
[The Same. The Field of Battle]
Alarum. Enter Brutus and Messala.
Bru. Ride, ride, Messala, ride, and give these bills Unto the legions on the other side.Loud alarum. Let them set on at once, for I perceive But cold demeanour in Octavius' wing,4 ​And sudden push gives them the overthrow. Ride, ride, Messala: let them all come down. Exeunt.
Scene Three
[Another part of the Field]
Alarums. 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.4
Tit. O Cassius! Brutus gave the word too early; Who, having some advantage on Octavius, Took it too eagerly: his soldiers fell to spoil, Whilst we by Antony are all enclos'd.8
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;12 Are those my tents where I perceive the fire?
Tit. They are, my lord.
Cas. Titinius, if thou lovest 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'd17 Whether yond troops are friend or enemy.
Tit. I will be here again, even with a thought.
Exit.
Cas. Go, Pindarus, get higher on that hill; My sight was ever thick; regard Titinius,21 And tell me what thou not'st about the field. [Pindarus ascends the hill.] This day I breathed first; time is come round, And where I did begin, there shall I end;24 My life is run his compass. Sirrah, what news?
Pin. [Above.] O my lord!
Cas. What news?
Pin. [Above.] Titinius is enclosed round about28 With horsemen, that make to him on the spur; Yet he spurs on. Now they are almost on him: Now, Titinius! Now some light; O, he lights too: He's ta'en.Shout. And hark, they shout for joy.32
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 [below].
Come hither, sirrah:36 In Parthia did I take thee prisoner; And then I swore thee, saving of thy life, That whatsoever I did bid thee do, Thou shouldst attempt it. Come now, keep thine oath;40 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,44 ​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,48 Far from this country Pindarus shall run, Where never Roman shall take note of him.Exit.
Enter Titinius and Messala.
Mes. It is but change, Titinius; for Octavius Is overthrown by noble Brutus' power,52 As Cassius' legions are by Antony.
Tit. These tidings will well comfort Cassius.
Mes. Where did you leave him?
Tit. All disconsolate. With Pindarus his bondman, on this hill.56
Mes. Is not that he that lies upon the ground?
Tit. He lies not like the living. O my heart!
Mes. Is not that he?
Tit. No, this was he, Messala. But Cassius is no more. O setting sun,60 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.64 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 men68 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?72
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 envenomed76 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 they81 Put on my brows this wreath of victory. And bid me give it thee? Didst thou not hear their shouts? Alas, thou hast misconstru'd everything.84 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.88 By your leave, gods: this is a Roman's part: Come, Cassius' sword, and find Titinius' heart.
Dies.
Alarum. Enter Brutus, Messala, Young Cato, Strata, Volumnius, and Lucilius.
Bru. Where, where, Messala, doth his body lie?91
Mes. Lo, yonder: and Titinius mourning it.
Bru. Titinius' face is upward.
Cato. He is slain.
Bru. O Julius Cæsar, thou art mighty yet! ​Thy spirit walks abroad, and turns our swords In our own proper entrails.Low alarums.
Cato. Brave Titinius!96 Look whether he have not crown'd dead Cassius!
Bru. Are yet two Romans living such as these? The last of all the Romans, fare thee well! It is impossible that ever Rome100 Should breed thy fellow. Friends, I owe more tears To this dead man than you shall see me pay.— I shall find time, Cassius, I shall find time.— Come therefore, and to Thasos send his body:104 His funerals shall not be in our camp, Lest it discomfort us. Lucilius, come; And come, young Cato;—let us to the field. Labeo and Flavius, set our battles on:108 'Tis three o'clock; and, Romans, yet ere night We shall try fortune in a second fight.Exeunt.
Scene Four
[Another part of the Field]
Alarum. Enter Brutus, Messala, Cato, Lucilius, and Flavius.
Bru. Yet, countrymen, O yet hold up your heads!
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!4 A foe to tyrants, and my country's friend; I am the son of Marcus Cato, ho!
Enter Soldiers, and fight.
[Bru.] And I am Brutus, Marcus Brutus, I; Brutus, my country's friend; know me for Brutus!
[Exit Brutus, fighting. Cato is slain.]
Lucil. O young and noble Cato, art thou down?9 Why, now thou diest as bravely as Titinius, And may'st be honour'd being Cato's son.
First Sold. Yield, or thou diest.
Lucil. Only I yield to die:12 There is so much, that thou wilt kill me straight: Kill Brutus, and be honour'd in his death.
First Sold. We must not. A noble prisoner!
Sec. Sold. Room, ho! Tell Antony, Brutus is ta'en.16
First Sold. I'll tell the news: here comes the general.
Enter Antony.
Brutus is ta'en, Brutus is ta'en, my lord.
Ant. Where is he?
Lucil. Safe, Antony; Brutus is safe enough:20 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,24 He will be found like Brutus, like himself.
Ant. 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 have28 Such men my friends than enemies. Go on, And see whether Brutus be alive or dead; And bring us word, unto Octavius' tent, How everything is chanc'd.Exeunt.
Scene Five
[Another part of the Field]
Enter Brutus, Dardanius, Clitus, Strato, and Volumnius.
Bru. Come, poor remains of friends, rest on this rock.
Cli. Statilius show'd the torch-light; but, my lord, He came not back: he is or ta'en or slain.
Bru. Sit thee down, Clitus: slaying is the word;4 It is a deed in fashion. Hark thee, Clitus.
[Whispers.]
Cli. What, I, my lord? No, not for all the world.
Bru. Peace, then: no words.
Cli. I'll rather kill myself.
Bru. Hark thee, Dardanius.[Whispers.]
Dar. Shall I do such a deed?8
Cli. O, Dardanius!
Dar. O, Clitus!
Cli. What ill request did Brutus make to thee?
Dar. To kill him, Clitus. Look, he meditates.
Cli. Now is that noble vessel full of grief,13 That it runs over even at his eyes.
Bru. Come hither, good Volumnius: list a word.
Vol. What says my lord?
Bru. Why this, Volumnius:16 The ghost of Cæsar 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.
Vol. Not so, my lord.20
Bru. 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. It is more worthy to leap in ourselves,24 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.28
Vol. That's not an office for a friend, my lord.
Alarum still.
Cli. Fly, fly, my lord: there is no tarrying here!
Bru. Farewell to you; and you; and you, Volumnius. Strato, thou hast been all this while asleep;32 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 day36 More than Octavius and Mark Antony By this vile conquest shall attain unto. So fare you well at once; for Brutus' tongue Hath almost ended his life's history:40 Night hangs upon mine eyes; my bones would rest, That have but labour'd to attain this hour.
Alarum. Cry within, 'Fly, fly, fly!'
Cli. Fly, my lord, fly!
Bru. Hence: I will follow. [Exeunt Clitus, Dardanius, and Volumnius.] I prithee, Strato, stay thou by thy lord:44 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?48
Stra. Give me your hand first: fare you well, my lord.
Bru. Farewell, good Strato.—Cæsar, now be still; I kill'd not thee with half so good a will.Dies.
Alarum. Retreat. Enter Antony, Octavius, Messala, Lucilius, and the Army.
Oct. What man is that?52
Mes. My master's man. Strato, where is thy master?
Stra. Free from the bondage you are in, Messala; The conquerors can but make a fire of him; For Brutus only overcame himself,56 And no man else hath honour by his death.
Lucil. So Brutus should be found. I thank thee, Brutus, That thou hast prov'd Lucilius' saying true.
Oct. All that serv'd Brutus, I will entertain them.60 Fellow, wilt thou bestow thy time with me?
Stra. Ay, if Messala will prefer me to you.
Oct. Do so, good Messala.
Mes. How died my master, Strato?64
Stra. I held the sword, and he did run on it.
Mes. Octavius, then take him to follow thee That did the latest service to my master.
Ant. This was the noblest Roman of them all;68 All the conspirators save only he Did that they did in envy of great Cæsar; He only, in a general honest thought And common good to all, made one of them.72 ​His life was gentle, and the elements So mix'd in him that Nature might stand up And say to all world, 'This was a man!'
Oct. According to his virtue let us use him,76 With all respect and rites of burial. Within my tent his bones to-night shall lie, Most like a soldier, order'd honourably. So, call the field to rest; and let's away80 To part the glories of this happy day.
Exeunt omnes.
FINIS.
Footnotes to Act V
Scene One
​1 answered: fulfilled 4 battles: battalions 5 warn: summon, challenge 7 bosoms: secrets ​10 fearful bravery: cowardly bravado face: pretense 14 bloody . . . battle: signal for immediate combat 17 even: equally divided 19 exigent: emergency 20 but . . . so: but I shall do as I said 21 parley: conference 24 answer . . . charge: fight when they attack 25 Make forth: step forward 30 In . . . strokes: while delivering foul blows ​33 posture: nature (?) 33 are: a plural by attraction 34 Hybla: town in Sicily, famous for its honey 41 show'd . . . apes: simulated smiles of affection, like favorite pets 44 flatterers: treacherous hypocrites 48 the cause: let's get down to business 53 three-and-thirty; cf. n. ​59 strain: race 61 peevish: silly such honour: i.e., that of dying on Brutus' sword 63 Old . . . still: you are still the same old Cassius 66 stomachs: courage 72 as: a colloquial expletive 75 As Pompey: at the battle of Pharsalia, 48 B. C. 77 held . . . strong: believed Epicurus right in disregarding omens ​80 former ensign: banner at the front of our column 83 consorted: accompanied 87 As: as if sickly prey: so sick as soon to be their prey 88 fatal: fateful, doom-foreboding 94 The gods: may the gods 97 reason with: consider 102 Cato: of Utica; committed suicide, 46 B. C. ​107 stay: await, submit to 111-115 Cf. n.
Scene Two
​1 bills: written orders 2 side: wing, commanded by Cassius 4 cold demeanour: faint-heartedness
Scene Three
​2 mine own: my own troops 4 coward: i.e., the standard-bearer 19 even with: quick as ​21 thick: dull, imperfect 25 is . . . compass: has completed its cycle 31 light: alight, dismount 37 Parthia: in Crassus' disastrous campaign, in 53 B. C. 38 swore thee: made thee swear saving of: in return for my sparing 41 freeman: Cassius' death will free him from slavery 42 search: probe ​50 take note of: see 51 change: exchange 64 our . . . done: all is over 65 Mistrust . . . success: misgivings about the outcome of my errand 67 melancholy's child: result of despondency 68 apt: impressionable ​85 hold thee: wait a moment 87 apace: quickly 89 By . . . gods: a proud apology for taking his fate into his own hands ​96 proper: individual 101 fellow: equal 104 Thasos: isle near Thrace 106 discomfort: dishearten 109, 110 three o'clock . . . second fight; cf. n.
Scene Four
​2 What . . . not: Who is so base-born as not to do so? ​7 [Bru.]; cf. n. 12 Only . . . die: I yield only in order that I may die 13, 14 Cf. n.
Scene Five
​1 poor remains of: few surviving 2, 3 Cf. n. 13 noble vessel; cf. 2 Tim. 2. 21 ​23 pit: brink of destruction 39 at once: once for all; or, all of you 39, 40 Brutus' . . . history: Brutus' life will end with this very speech, almost 42 Cf. Psalm 90. 10 46 smatch: smack, flavor ​56 only: alone 60 entertain: employ 61 bestow . . . with: devote thy time to 62 prefer: recommend, transfer 71, 72 Cf. n. ​73 gentle: that of a true gentleman elements: as microcosm, man was believed to be composed of earth, air, fire, and water, mingled in due proportions 76 use: treat 79 Most like: as best befits order'd: arrayed 80 field: troops in the field 81 part: share