Act 5, Scene 3

Original Text

*Another part of the battlefield. Alarums. Enter Cassius and Titinius.* CASSIUS. O, look, Titinius, look, the villains fly! Myself have to mine own turned 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, Who, having some advantage on Octavius, Took it too eagerly; his soldiers fell to spoil Whilst we by Antony are all enclosed.

Modern English

*Another part of the battlefield. Sounds of battle. Cassius and Titinius enter.* CASSIUS. Look, Titinius — look! My own men are running! I've had to turn against my own soldiers. This standard-bearer of mine was retreating, so I killed the coward and took the flag myself. TITINIUS. Cassius, Brutus gave the attack order too soon. He had the advantage against Octavius and pressed it too eagerly — his soldiers broke ranks to loot while we've been completely surrounded by Antony.

Original Text

CASSIUS. This hill is far enough. Look, look, Titinius! Are those my tents where I perceive the fire? TITINIUS. They are, my lord. CASSIUS. Titinius, if thou lovest me, Mount thou my horse and hide thy spurs in him Till he have brought thee up to yonder troops, And here again, that I may rest assured Whether yond troops are friend or enemy. TITINIUS. I will be here again even with a thought. *Exit.* CASSIUS. Go, Pindarus, get higher on that hill. My sight was ever thick. Regard Titinius, And tell me what thou not'st about the field. This day I breathed first; time is come round, And where I did begin, there shall I end. My life is run his compass.

Modern English

CASSIUS. This hill is high enough. Look over there, Titinius — are those my tents? I see fire. TITINIUS. They are, my lord. CASSIUS. Titinius, if you care about me, take my horse and ride hard until you reach those troops in the distance, then ride back and tell me whether they're friends or enemies. TITINIUS. I'll be back before you know it. *He rides off.* CASSIUS. Pindarus, climb higher up this hill. My eyesight was always poor. Watch Titinius and tell me what you see on the field. Today is the day I was born. Time has come full circle, and where my life began, it will end. I've run the full course.

Original Text

PINDARUS. *[Above.]* O my lord! CASSIUS. What news? PINDARUS. Titinius is enclosed round about With horsemen that make to him on the spur, Yet he spurs on. Now they are almost on him. Now, Titinius! Now some light. O, he lights too. He's ta'en. *Shout.* And hark — they shout for joy. CASSIUS. Come down; behold no more. O coward that I am, to live so long, To see my best friend ta'en before my face! *Enter Pindarus.* Come hither, sirrah. In Parthia did I take thee prisoner, And then I swore thee, saving of thy life, That whatsoever I did bid thee do Thou shouldst attempt it. Come now, keep thine oath. Now be a free man, and with this good sword, That ran through Caesar's bowels, search this bosom. Stand not to answer. Here, take thou the hilts, And when my face is covered, as 'tis now, Guide thou the sword. *Pindarus stabs him.* Caesar, thou art revenged, Even with the sword that killed thee. *He dies.*

Modern English

PINDARUS. *[Calling from above.]* Oh, my lord! CASSIUS. What is it? PINDARUS. Titinius is surrounded by horsemen riding hard toward him at full speed — but he rides on. They're nearly on top of him. Now, Titinius! Some are dismounting. He's getting down too. He's captured! *A shout is heard.* Listen — they're cheering in triumph. CASSIUS. Come down. I've seen enough. What a coward I am, to have lived long enough to watch my best friend captured right before my eyes. *Pindarus comes down.* Come here. I captured you in Parthia and made you swear, in exchange for your life, that you would do whatever I commanded. The time has come. Keep your oath. Now you'll be a free man. Take this good sword — the one that ran through Caesar's body — and drive it into my chest. Don't argue. Here, grip the handle, and while my face is covered, like this, guide the blade home. *Pindarus stabs him.* Caesar, you are avenged — by the very sword that killed you. *He dies.*

Original Text

*Enter Titinius and Messala.* MESSALA. It is but change, Titinius; for Octavius Is overthrown by noble Brutus' power, As Cassius' legions are by Antony. TITINIUS. These tidings will well comfort Cassius. MESSALA. Where did you leave him? TITINIUS. All disconsolate, With Pindarus his bondman, on this hill. MESSALA. Is not that he that lies upon the ground? TITINIUS. He lies not like the living. O my heart! MESSALA. Is not that he? TITINIUS. No, this was he, Messala, But Cassius is no more. O setting sun, As in thy red rays thou dost sink tonight, So in his red blood Cassius' day is set. The sun of Rome is set. Our day is gone; Clouds, dews, and dangers come. Our deeds are done. Mistrust of my success hath done this deed. TITINIUS. Why didst thou send me forth, brave Cassius? Did I not meet thy friends? And did not they Put on my brows this wreath of victory And bid me give it thee? Didst thou not hear their shouts? Alas, thou hast misconstrued everything. But hold thee, take this garland on thy brow; Thy Brutus bid me give it thee, and I Will do his bidding. Brutus, come apace, And see how I regarded Caius Cassius. By your leave, gods. This is a Roman's part. Come, Cassius' sword, and find Titinius' heart. *He kills himself.*

Modern English

*Titinius returns with Messala.* MESSALA. It's an even trade, Titinius — Octavius has been defeated by Brutus's forces, just as Cassius's legions were beaten by Antony. TITINIUS. That news will cheer Cassius up. MESSALA. Where did you leave him? TITINIUS. Completely dejected, with his servant Pindarus, up on that hill. MESSALA. Isn't that him lying on the ground? TITINIUS. He doesn't look like a living man. Oh, my heart! MESSALA. Is it him? TITINIUS. It was him, Messala. But Cassius is gone. Oh, setting sun — as you sink tonight in your red rays, so Cassius's day has set in his own red blood. The sun of Rome has gone down. Our day is over. Clouds, cold, and danger are all that's left. Our work is done. His fear that I had failed is what caused this. TITINIUS. Why did you send me out there, brave Cassius? Didn't I find your allies? Didn't they place this victory wreath on my head and tell me to bring it to you? Didn't you hear them cheering? You misread everything. Here — let me place this garland on your brow. Brutus told me to give it to you, and I'll follow his orders. Brutus, come quickly and see how much I honored Caius Cassius. With the gods' permission — this is how a Roman acts. Come, Cassius's sword — now find Titinius's heart. *He kills himself.*

Julius Caesar

Act 5, Scene 3

Act 5, Scene 3