Thou seest the world, Volumnius, how it goes;
Our enemies have beat us to the pit:Low alarums.
It is more worthy to leap in ourselves,24
Than tarry till they push us. Good Volumnius,
Thou know'st that we two went to school together:
Even for that our love of old, I prithee,
Hold thou my sword-hilts whilst I run on it.28
Vol. That's not an office for a friend, my lord.
Cli. Fly, fly, my lord: there is no tarrying here!
Bru. Farewell to you; and you; and you, Volumnius.
Strato, thou hast been all this while asleep;32
Farewell to thee too, Strato. Countrymen,
My heart doth joy that yet, in all my life,
I found no man but he was true to me.
I shall have glory by this losing day36
More than Octavius and Mark Antony
By this vile conquest shall attain unto.
So fare you well at once; for Brutus' tongue
Hath almost ended his life's history:40
Night hangs upon mine eyes; my bones would rest,
That have but labour'd to attain this hour.
Cli. Fly, my lord, fly!
Bru. Hence: I will follow.
[Exeunt Clitus, Dardanius, and Volumnius.]
I prithee, Strato, stay thou by thy lord:44
Thou art a fellow of a good respect;
Thy life hath had some smatch of honour in it:
Hold then my sword, and turn away thy face,
23 pit: brink of destruction
39 at once: once for all; or, all of you
39, 40 Brutus' . . . history: Brutus' life will end with this very speech, almost
42 Cf. Psalm 90. 10
46 smatch: smack, flavor
