and only gave so much of the night to repose as could barely renew the functions of nature. But now, oppressed with various cares, he allowed himself a still shorter time after his nightly repast; and, waking about midnight, generally read or studied till morning. 22. It was in the dead of the night, says Plutarch, when the whole camp was perfectly quiet, that Brutus was thus employed; reading by a lamp that was just expiring. On a sudden, he thought he heard a noise, as if somebody was approaching, and looking towards the door, perceived it open. A gigantic figure of frightful aspect stood before him, and continued to gaze upon him with silent severity. 23. Brutus is reported to have asked, Art thou a demon or a mortal, and why comest thou to me?” "Brutus," answered the phantom, "I am thy evil genius -thou shalt see me again at Philippi'." Well, then," replied Brutus, without being discomposed, we shall meet again." Upon this the phantom vanished; when Brutus, calling to his servants, asked if they had seen any thing; to which they answering in the negative, he resumed his studies. 24. Struck with so strange an occurrence, he mentioned it to Cassius, who rightly considered it as the effect of an imagination disordered by vigilance and anxiety. 25. Brutus appeared satisfied with this solution; and as Antony and Augustus were now advanced into Macedonia, he and his colleague passed over into Thrace, and drew near to Philippi, where the forces of the Trium'viri were posted to receive them. Questions for Examination. 1. Where was the first meeting of the Triumvirate, and why was it chosen? 2. What precautions did they take? 3. What farther was done? 4. What was the result of the conference? 5. Who were the proscribed? 6. What became of Brutus and Cassius? 7. What effect had this success on the minds of their party? 8. What was their first resolution? 9. Did they put it in execution? 10. What was the consequence to the Rhodians and Lycians? A city on the confines of Macedonia, noted for the battle between Brutus and Cassius, and Mark Antony and Augustus, A.D. 42; and also the Epistle of Paul to the people of Philip'pi. 11. What unfortunate accident hastened the fate of the town? 12. Did they not second the efforts of Brutus ? 13. By what means did Brutus attempt to divert them from their purpose? 14, 15. By what method did he endeavour to save some of the Lycians? 16. Where did Brutus and Cassius meet, and what ensued ? 17. Was their interview an amicable one? 18. Did no one interpose? 19. What were the characters of these great men? I dare assure thee, that no enemy Shall ever take alive the noble Brutus ; The gods defend him from so great a shame! When you do find him, or alive, or dead, He will be found like Brutus, like himself.-SHAKSPEARE. 1. MANKIND now began to regard the approaching armies with terror and suspense. The empire of the world depended upon the fate of a battle. From victory, on the one side, they had to expect freedom; on the other, a sovereign with absolute command. 2. Brutus was the only man who looked upon these great events with calmness and tranquillity. Indifferent as to success, and satisfied with having done his duty, he said to one of his friends, "If A am victorious, I shall restore liberty to my country: if not, by dying, I shall myself be delivered from slavery. My condition is fixed; I run no hazards." 3. The republican army consisted of fourscore thousand foot, and twenty thousand horse. The army of the Trium'viri amounted to a hundred thousand foot and thirteen thousand horse. 4. Thus complete on both sides, they met and encamped near each other upon the plains of Philip'pi. Near th town were two little hills, about a mile distant from each other; upon these hills Brutus and Cassius fixed their camps, and kept up a free communication, which mutually defended each other. 5. In this commodious situation they could act as they thought proper, and give battle just when it was thought to their advantage to engage. Behind was the sea, which furnished them with all kinds of provisions; and at twelve miles' distance, the island of Thasos, which served them for a general magazine. 6. The Trium'viri, on the other hand, were encamped on the plain below, and were obliged to bring provisions from fifteen leagues' distance; so that their scheme and interest were to forward a battle as soon as possible. This they offered several times, drawing out their men from their camp, and provoking the enemy to engage. 7. On the contrary, the enemy contented themselves with drawing up their troops at the head of their camps, without descending to the plain. This resolution of postponing the battle, was the chance that the republican army had for victory; and Cassius, sensible of his advantage, resolved to harass rather than engage the enemy. 8. But Brutus, who began to suspect the fidelity of some of his officers, used all his influence to persuade Cassius to change his resolution. "I am impatient," said he, "to put an end to the miseries of mankind; and in this I hope to succeed, whcther I conquer or fall." 9. His wishes were soon gratified, for Antony's soldiers having, with great labour, made a road through the marsh, which lay to the left of Cassius's camp, by that means opened a communication with the island of Thasos, which lay behind him. Both armies, after several attempts to possess themselves of this road, resolved at length to come to a general engagement. 10. This, however, was contrary to the advice of Cassius, who found himself forced, as Pompey had formerly been, to expose the liberty of Rome to the hazard of a battle'. On the ensuing morning the two generals gave the signal for engaging, and conferred together a little while before the battle began. 11. Cassius desired to be informed how 1 On the evening preceding the battle, Brutus gave an entertainment, at which he appeared very cheerful; but Cassius supped privately with a few of his most intimate friends, and, during the repast, was very thoughtful and silent, as though he had a presentiment of the fate that awaited him; it is rather remarkable that he was killed on his birth-day. (Plut. in Bruto. Appian, lib. p. 655,) 12. Brutus intended to act in case they should be unsuccessful. To this Brutus replied, "Formerly, in my writings, I condemned the death of Cato; and maintained, that avoiding calamities by suicide, is an insolent attempt against Heaven, that allotted them; but I have altered my opinion; I have given up my life to my country; and I think I have a right to my own way of ending it1. I am resolved, therefore, to change a miserable being here for a better hereafter, if fortune turn against me." My friend," cried Cassius, embracing him, now may we venture to face the enemy; for either we shall be conquerors, or we shall have no cause to fear those that be so." 13. Augustus being sick, the forces of the Triumviri were commanded by Antony alone, who began the engagement by a victorious attack upon the lines of Cassius. Brutus, on the other side, made a dreadful irruption on the army of Augustus: and drove forward with so much intrepidity, that he broke them upon the very first charge. Upon this, he penetrated as far as the camp, and slaughtering those that were left for its defence, his troops immediately began to plunder. 14. In the mean time, however, the lines of Cassius were forced, and his cavalry put to flight. There was no effort that this unfortunate general did not exert to make his infantry stand; stopping those that fled, and himself seizing the colours to rally them. But the valour of an individual was insufficient to inspire a timorous army. 15. At length, despairing of success, Cassius retired to his tent and killed himself. Brutus was soon informed of the defeat of Cassius, and in a little time after of his death; he burst into tears, unable to restrain the excess of his grief for a man whom he lamented as the last of the Romans 3. 16. Brutus, now become sole general, assembled the dispersed troops of Cassius, and animated them with fresh hopes of victory. As they had lost their all from the plundering of their camp, he promised two thousand denarii to each man to make them amends. 17. Inspired with 1 This is very erroneous reasoning; suicide is, no doubt, a heinous crime; but Brutus appears to have been governed by his apprehension of danger, instead of being convinced by the sober dictates of his judgment. 2 This is the general opinion; but as the head of Cassius was found severed from his body, some have supposed that he was treacherously murdered by his freedman Pin'darus. (Plut. in Bruto.) 3 Cassius was generally esteemed one of the best commanders of his age, and a man of strict probity and virtue new ardour, they admired the liberality of their general, and, with loud shouts, proclaimed his intrepidity. Still, however, he wanted confidence to face the adversary, who offered him battle the ensuing day. His aim was to starve the enemy, who were in extreme want of provisions, from their fleet having been lately defeated. 18. But his single opinion was overruled by the army, who now grew every day more confident of their strength, and more arrogant to their general. At last, therefore, after a respite of twenty days, he was obliged to comply with their solicitations to try the fate of a battle. Both armies were drawn out, and they remained a long while opposite to each other without offering to engage. It is said, that he himself had lost much of his ardour by having again seen, or fancied that he saw, the spectre, in the night preceding. However, he encouraged his men, and gave the signal for battle. As usual, he had the advantage where he commanded in person; bearing down the enemy at the head of his infantry, and, supported by his cavalry, making great slaughter. 19. But the forces which had belonged to Cassius were scized with a panic, and communicating their terror to the rest, the whole army at last gave way. Brutus, surrounded by the most valiant of his officers, fought long with amazing valour. The son of Cato, and the brother of Cassius, fell fighting by his side. At last he was obliged to yield to necessity, and fled. 20. In the mean time, the two Triumviri, assured of victory, expressly ordered that the general should by no means be suffered to escape. the whole body of the enemy being intent on the person of Brutus alone, his capture seemed inevitable. 21. In this deplorable exigence, Lucil'ius, his friend, resolved, by his own death, to effect his general's delivery. 22. Seeing a body of Thracian horse closely pursuing Brutus, and just upon the point of taking him, he boldly threw himself in their way, telling them that he was Brutus. The Thra'cians, overjoyed with so great a prize, immediately despatched some of their companions with the news of their success to the army. 23. Upon this, the ardour of the pursuit abating, Antony marched out to meet his prisoner, either to hasten his death, or insult his misfortunes. He was followed by a great number of officers and soldiers, some silently deploring the fate of so virtuous a man, others reproaching that mean desire of life for which he consented to undergo captivity. 24. Antony now seeing the Thra Thus, |