Act 5, Scene 1

Original Text

*The plains of Philippi. Enter Octavius, Antony, and their army.* OCTAVIUS. Now, Antony, our hopes are answered. You said the enemy would not come down But keep the hills and upper regions. It proves not so; their battles are at hand. *Drum. Enter Brutus, Cassius, and their army.* BRUTUS. They stand and would have parley. CASSIUS. Stand fast, Titinius. We must out and talk.

Modern English

*The plains of Philippi. Octavius, Antony, and their army enter.* OCTAVIUS. Well, Antony, you were wrong. You said the enemy wouldn't come down from the hills but would stay on the high ground. That's not what happened — their forces are right here. *Drums. Brutus, Cassius, and their army enter from the other side.* BRUTUS. They've stopped. They want to talk first. CASSIUS. Hold your ground, Titinius. We need to go out and face them.

Original Text

BRUTUS. Words before blows; is it so, countrymen? OCTAVIUS. Not that we love words better, as you do. ANTONY. In your bad strokes, Brutus, you give good words. Witness the hole you made in Caesar's heart, Crying, "Long live! Hail, Caesar!" OCTAVIUS. Look, I draw a sword against conspirators. When think you that the sword goes up again? Never, till Caesar's three and thirty wounds Be well avenged, or till another Caesar Have added slaughter to the sword of traitors. BRUTUS. Caesar, thou canst not die by traitors' hands Unless thou bring'st them with thee. OCTAVIUS. So I hope. I was not born to die on Brutus' sword. OCTAVIUS. Come, Antony, away! Defiance, traitors, hurl we in your teeth. If you dare fight today, come to the field; If not, when you have stomachs. *Exeunt Octavius, Antony, and army.*

Modern English

BRUTUS. Words before fighting — is that how it is, gentlemen? OCTAVIUS. Not because we prefer talking to action, the way you do. ANTONY. Your sword strokes may be treacherous, Brutus, but your words are pretty. Remember the hole you carved in Caesar's heart while crying, "Long live! Hail, Caesar!" OCTAVIUS. Look — I draw my sword against conspirators. When do you think I'll put it away again? Never — until Caesar's thirty-three wounds are fully avenged, or until another Caesar has been killed by traitors' blades. BRUTUS. You can't die by traitors' hands, Caesar, unless you bring the traitors with you. OCTAVIUS. I certainly hope so. I wasn't born to die on Brutus's sword. OCTAVIUS. Come, Antony — let's go! We throw our defiance in your faces, traitors. If you dare to fight today, meet us on the field. If not — come whenever you find the nerve. *Octavius, Antony, and their army exit.*

Original Text

CASSIUS. Messala, this is my birthday; on this very day Was Cassius born. Give me thy hand, Messala. Be thou my witness that, against my will, As Pompey was, am I compelled to set Upon one battle all our liberties. BRUTUS. Even so, Lucilius. CASSIUS. Now, most noble Brutus, The gods today stand friendly, that we may, Lovers in peace, lead on our days to age. But since the affairs of men rest still incertain, Let's reason with the worst that may befall. If we do lose this battle, then is this The very last time we shall speak together. What are you then determined to do? BRUTUS. No, Cassius, no. Think not, thou noble Roman, That ever Brutus will go bound to Rome. He bears too great a mind. But this same day Must end that work the Ides of March begun. And whether we shall meet again, I know not. Therefore our everlasting farewell take. For ever and for ever farewell, Cassius! If we do meet again, why, we shall smile; If not, why then this parting was well made. CASSIUS. For ever and for ever farewell, Brutus! If we do meet again, we'll smile indeed; If not, 'tis true this parting was well made. BRUTUS. Why then, lead on. O, that a man might know The end of this day's business ere it come! But it sufficeth that the day will end, And then the end is known. Come, ho! Away! *Exeunt.*

Modern English

CASSIUS. Messala — today is my birthday. On this very day Cassius was born. Give me your hand. Be my witness that, against my better judgment — just as Pompey was forced to do — I'm gambling all our freedoms on a single battle. BRUTUS. Exactly so, Lucilius. CASSIUS. Now, my noble Brutus — may the gods be on our side today, so that we can live out the rest of our days as friends in peacetime. But since nothing in life is ever certain, let's prepare for the worst. If we lose this battle, then this is the last time we'll ever speak to each other. What will you do if that happens? BRUTUS. No, Cassius. Don't imagine, noble Roman, that Brutus would ever be paraded through Rome in chains. He's too proud for that. But today must finish what the Ides of March started. Whether we'll meet again, I don't know. So let this be our final farewell. Forever and forever, goodbye, Cassius. If we do meet again, we'll smile. If not — then this was a good way to part. CASSIUS. Forever and forever, goodbye, Brutus. If we meet again, we'll smile for certain. If not — then yes, this parting was well made. BRUTUS. Then lead on. If only a man could know how this day will end before it's over. But knowing the day will end is enough — and when it does, we'll know the outcome. Let's go! *They exit.*

Julius Caesar

Act 5, Scene 1

Act 5, Scene 1