Original Text
*Another part of the field. Alarum. Enter Brutus, Messala, Young Cato, Lucilius, and Flavius.*
BRUTUS.
Yet, countrymen, O, yet hold up your heads!
CATIO.
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!
*Enter soldiers, and fight.*
LUCILIUS.
And I am Brutus, Marcus Brutus, I!
Brutus, my country's friend! Know me for Brutus!
*Young Cato is slain.*
SOLDIER.
Yield, or thou diest.
LUCILIUS.
Only I yield to die.
Kill Brutus, and be honoured in his death.
SOLDIER.
We must not. A noble prisoner!
*Enter Antony.*
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.
*Exeunt.*
Modern English
*Another part of the battlefield. Battle sounds. Brutus, Messala, Young Cato, Lucilius, and Flavius enter.*
BRUTUS.
Keep fighting, countrymen! Hold your heads up!
YOUNG CATO.
What coward wouldn't? Who'll fight alongside me?
I'll shout my name across this battlefield.
I am the son of Marcus Cato!
An enemy of tyrants and a friend to my country!
I am the son of Marcus Cato!
*Enemy soldiers enter. They fight.*
LUCILIUS.
And I am Brutus! Marcus Brutus!
Brutus, the friend of Rome! It's Brutus you're facing!
*Young Cato is killed.*
SOLDIER.
Surrender or die.
LUCILIUS.
I'll only surrender to death.
Kill Brutus and earn yourself glory.
SOLDIER.
We can't kill him — he's too valuable a prisoner!
*Antony arrives.*
ANTONY.
This isn't Brutus, my friend — but believe me,
he's a prize just as valuable. Guard this man carefully.
Treat him with every courtesy. I'd rather have
men like this as friends than as enemies.
*They exit.*
