Page 47
Brutus:
Good reasons must of force give place to better.
The people ’twixt Philippi and this ground
Do stand but in a forced affection;
For they have grudg’d us contribution.
The enemy, marching along by them,
By them shall make a fuller number up,
Come on refresh’d, new-added, and encourag’d;
From which advantage shall we cut him off
If at Philippi we do face him there,
These people at our back.
Cassius:
Hear me, good brother.
Brutus:
Under your pardon. You must note besides,
That we have tried the utmost of our friends,
Our legions are brim-full, our cause is ripe.
The enemy increaseth every day;
We, at the height, are ready to decline.
There is a tide in the affairs of men,
Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;
Omitted, all the voyage of their life
Is bound in shallows and in miseries.
On such a full sea are we now afloat,
And we must take the current when it serves,
Or lose our ventures.
Cassius:
Then, with your will, go on:
We’ll along ourselves, and meet them at Philippi.
Brutus:
The deep of night is crept upon our talk,
And nature must obey necessity,
Which we will niggard with a little rest.
There is no more to say?
Cassius:
No more. Good night:
Early tomorrow will we rise, and hence.
Enter Lucius.
Brutus:
Lucius! My gown.
(Exit Lucius.)
Farewell now, good Messala.
Good night, Titinius. Noble, noble Cassius,
Good night, and good repose.
Cassius:
O my dear brother!
This was an ill beginning of the night.
Never come such division ’tween our souls!
Let it not, Brutus.
Enter Lucius with the gown.
Brutus:
Everything is well.
Cassius:
Good night, my lord.
Brutus:
Good night, good brother.
Titinius and Messala:
Good night, Lord Brutus.
Brutus:
Farewell, everyone.
(Exeunt Cassius, Titinius and Messala.)
Give me the gown. Where is thy instrument?
Lucius:
Here in the tent.
Brutus:
What, thou speak’st drowsily?
Poor knave, I blame thee not, thou art o’er-watch’d.
Call Claudius and some other of my men;
I’ll have them sleep on cushions in my tent.
Lucius:
Varro and Claudius!
Enter Varro and Claudius.
Varro:
Calls my lord?
Brutus:
I pray you, sirs, lie in my tent and sleep;
It may be I shall raise you by-and-by
On business to my brother Cassius.
Varro:
So please you, we will stand and watch your pleasure.