SCENE IV.
Another Part of the Field.
Alarum. Enter, fighting, Soldiers of both Armies; then
Brutus, Cato, Lucilius, and Others.
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!
A foe to tyrants, and my country's friend;
I am the son of Marcus Cato, ho!
[Charges the Enemy.
Bru.
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.
Luc.
O, young and noble Cato! art thou down?
Why, now thou diest as bravely as Titinius,
And may'st be honour'd being Cato's son.
1 Sold.
Yield, or thou diest.
Luc.
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.
1 Sold.
We must not.—A noble prisoner!
2 Sold.
Room, ho! Tell Antony, Brutus is ta'en.
1 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?
Luc.
Safe, Antony; Brutus is safe enough.
I dare assure thee, that no enemy
Shall ever take alive the noble Brutus:
-- 89 --
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.
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 have
Such men my friends, than enemies. Go on,
And see whe'r Brutus be alive, or dead;
And bring us word, unto Octavius' tent, 11Q0981
How every thing is chanc'd.
[Exeunt.
J. Payne Collier [1842–1844], The works of William Shakespeare. The text formed from an entirely new collation of the old editions: with the various readings, notes, a life of the poet, and a history of the Early English stage. By J. Payne Collier, Esq. F.S.A. In eight volumes (Whittaker & Co. [etc.], London) [word count] [S10101].
