rsity.
As long as there seemed a chance that the godlike stroke would
be justified by success, Brutus claimed the glory of
maintaining a righteous cause; but, when all hope fled, he
could take leave of philosophy and life together, and exclaim,
'I once dreamed that virtue was a thing; I find her only a
name, and the mere slave of fortune.' He had blamed Cato for
flying from misery by self-murder; but he learnt to justify
the same desperate act when he contemplated committing it
himself."--Merivale.]

[Note 1: /bills:/ written instructions, dispatches. "In the
meantime Brutus, that led the right wing, sent little bills to
the colonels and captains of private bands, in the which he
wrote the word of the battle."--Plutarch, _Marcus Brutus_.]

[Note 2: 'The legions on the other side' are those commanded
by Cassius, the left wing of the joint army of Brutus and
Cassius. Brutus wants Cassius to attack the enemy at the same
time that he himself does. In the next scene, Messala and his
escort are met by Titinius coming from Cassius.]

[Page 153]

SCENE III. _Another part of the field_

_Alarums. Enter_ CASSIUS _and_ TITINIUS

CASSIUS. 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.

TITINIUS. O Cassius, Brutus gave the word too early; 5
Who, having some advantage on Octavius,
Took it too eagerly: his soldiers fell to spoil,
Whilst we by Antony are all enclos'd.

_Enter_ PINDARUS

PINDARUS. Fly further off, my lord, fly further off;
Mark Antony is in your tents, my lord: 10
Fly, therefore, noble Cassius, fly far off.

CASSIUS. This hill is far enough. Look, look, Titinius;
Are those my tents where I perceive the fire?

[Note: SCENE III Capell | Scene continued in Pope.]

[Note 3: 'Ensign' was used in the Elizabethan time, as it is
still, either for the flag (cf. V, i, 80) or for the bearer of
it: here it is used for both at once. Cf. the form 'ancient,'
_Othello_, I, i, 33. It was in killing the cowardly ensign
that Cassius "to his own turn'd enemy."]

[Page 154]

TITINIUS. They are, my lord.

CASSIUS. Titinius, if thou lovest me,
Mount thou my horse, and hide thy spurs in him, 15
Till he have brought thee up to yonder troops,
And here again; that I may rest assur'd