The Tragedy of Julius Cæsar

Act V.

Scene IV.

William Shakespeare


Another part of the field.

Alarum. Enter fighting soldiers of both armies; then BRUTUS, MESSALA, young CATO, LUCILIUS, FLAVIUS and others.

    BRUTUS.
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!
A foe to tyrants, and my country’s friend.
I am the son of Marcus Cato, ho!

[Charges the enemy.

    LUCILIUS.
And I am Brutus, Marcus Brutus, I;
Brutus, my country’s friend; know me for Brutus!

[Exit, charging the enemy. Cato is overpowered, and falls.]

    LUCILIUS.
O young and noble Cato, art thou down?
Why, now thou diest as bravely as Titinius,
And mayst be honour’d, being Cato’s son.

    FIRST SOLDIER.
Yield, or thou diest.

    LUCILIUS.
                                Only I yield to die:
There is so much that thou wilt kill me straight;

[Offering money

Kill Brutus, and be honour’d in his death.

    FIRST SOLDIER.
We must not. A noble prisoner!

    SECOND SOLDIER.
Room, ho! Tell Antony, Brutus is ta’en.

    FIRST 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!
When you do find him, or alive or dead,
He 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,
And see whether Brutus be alive or dead;
And bring us word unto Octavius’ tent
How everything is chanc’d.

[Exeunt.


The Tragedy of Julius Cæsar - Contents    |     Act V. Scene V.


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