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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 pr’ythee
Hold thou my sword-hilts, whilst I run on it.
Volumnius:
That’s not an office for a friend, my lord.
(Alarums 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;
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
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.
(Alarums. Cry within, “Fly, fly, fly!”.)
Clitus:
Fly, my lord, fly!
Brutus:
Hence! I will follow.
(Exeunt Clitus, Dardanius and Volumnius.)
I pr’ythee, Strato, stay thou by thy lord.
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.
Brutus:
Farewell, good Strato.—Caesar, now be still:
I kill’d not thee with half so good a will.
(He runs on his sword, and dies.)
Alarum. Retreat. Enter Antony, Octavius, Messala, Lucilius and the Army.
Octavius:
What man is that?
Messala:
My master’s man. Strato, where is thy master?
Strato:
Free from the bondage you are in, Messala.
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 prov’d Lucilius’ saying true.
Octavius:
All that serv’d Brutus, I will entertain them.
Fellow, wilt thou bestow thy time with me?
Strato:
Ay, if Messala will prefer me to you.
Octavius:
Do so, good Messala.
Messala:
How died my master, Strato?
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.