[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.]