Chapter 16

_Alarum. Enter_ BRUTUS _and_ MESSALA

BRUTUS. Ride, ride, Messala, ride, and give these bills Unto the legions on the other side: [_Loud alarum_] Let them set on at once; for I perceive But cold demeanour in Octavius' wing, And sudden push gives them the overthrow. 5 Ride, ride, Messala: let them all come down. [_Exeunt_]

[Note 114: /the Ides/ F1 | that Ides F2 F3 F4.]

[Note: SCENE II Capell | Scene IV Pope.]

[Note 4: /Octavius'/ Pope | Octavio's Ff.]

[Note 113: "The philosopher indeed renounced all confidence in his own principles. He had adopted them from reading or imitation; they were not the natural growth of instinct or genuine reflection; and, as may easily happen in such a case, his faith in them failed when they were tested by adversity. As long as there seemed a chance that the godlike stroke would be justified by success, Brutus claimed the glory of maintaining a righteous cause; but, when all hope fled, he could take leave of philosophy and life together, and exclaim, 'I once dreamed that virtue was a thing; I find her only a name, and the mere slave of fortune.' He had blamed Cato for flying from misery by self-murder; but he learnt to justify the same desperate act when he contemplated committing it himself."--Merivale.]

[Note 1: /bills:/ written instructions, dispatches. "In the meantime Brutus, that led the right wing, sent little bills to the colonels and captains of private bands, in the which he wrote the word of the battle."--Plutarch, _Marcus Brutus_.]

[Note 2: 'The legions on the other side' are those commanded by Cassius, the left wing of the joint army of Brutus and Cassius. Brutus wants Cassius to attack the enemy at the same time that he himself does. In the next scene, Messala and his escort are met by Titinius coming from Cassius.]

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