— 4.—

again called upon to act hand in hand. Cassius in displaying in this a truly noble spirit, marked particularly by the enthusiastic love he evinces for Brutus, and which highly distinguishes the manly and upright character of this great Republican, the affection for Brutus being the only foible of this undaunted disciple of Epicur. Though he excelled him in ex- perience and military knowledge, he adopts the strategical failures, which his friend is about to commit. Brutus then tells Cassius the sad news of his wife’s death. His long absence from home, and the Triumvirs' profiting of this circumstance, and gradually extending their power with impunity, overwhelmed her with grief and sorrow, and she swallowed burning coals to put an end to her life. They hold a military council in which Messala is present. Cassius advises to wait for an attack of the Triumvirs in Asia Minor. But Brutus impetuously insists upon encountering the enemy at Philippi, and his opinion finally prevails.

Brutus in nervously excited, may be in consequence of the news of his wife's dreadful death or remorse that is goading him and disturbing his sleep, the more so, as Caesar's removal had not brought about the expected freedom for the Republic. Perhaps the citizens of Rome were no longer worthy of it, an evident proof of which was their inconsistent behaviour at Caesar's funeral speech held by Antony. An increasing nervousness takes possession of his mind, and when his friends have left him and retired to bed, he has a vision, Caesar's ghost addressing him thus:»At Philippi I shall see you again«.

Act the Fifth.

Scene the First. A conference taking place between Octavius and Antony on one side and Brutus and Cassius on the other, leads to no satisfactory result. On the contrary the two parties separate even more at variance than before. The two armies have orders for an encounter. Cassius tells his friend Messala of the evil signs he had observed. His army at first had been followed by two eagles, a sign of victory, then only by ravens, crows and vultures, the attendants of the dead. Both Brutus and Cassius anticipating a fatal issue of their proceedings, and fearing

never to meet again, take affectionate leave of each other.

Scene the Second. Brutus defeats Octavius in a decisive battle.

Scene the Third.

In the mean time Cassius is completely defeated by Antony, who commands superior forces. Cassius, supposing that his friend Titinius, whom he had sent away to gain some information, had been taken prisoner by the enemy, has himself killed, aided by his faithful servant Pindarus. Titinius overcome with grief and in despair at the sight of Cassius' dead body, kills himself also, with the same sword that had killed his friend. Brutus coming back victoriously burst into those words, which seem to explain the whole play:

»O Julius Caesar, thou art mighty yet In our own proper entrails.«

And he honours his friend by those exquisite words:

»It is impossible that ever Rome Should breed thy fellow.«