Julius Caesar, Act 5, Scene 4
Original
Modern English
Alarum. Enter fighting soldiers of both armies; then Brutus, Messala, young Cato, Lucilius, Flavius and others.
A call to arms. Soldiers of both armies come in fighting; then Brutus, Messala, young Cato, Lucilius, Flavius and others come in.
Brutus1
Yet, countrymen, O, yet hold up your heads!
Still, countrymen, oh, still hold your heads up!
Cato2
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!
What bastard does not? Who will come with me? I will announce my name all over the battlefield. I am the son of Marcus Cato, listen! An enemy to tyrants, and a friend to my country. I am the son of Marcus Cato, listen!
Charges the enemy.
He charges at the enemy.
Lucilius7
And I am Brutus, Marcus Brutus, I; Brutus, my country’s friend; know me for Brutus!
And I am Brutus, Marcus Brutus, I am; Brutus, my country's friend; know me as Brutus!
Exit, charging the enemy. Cato is overpowered, and falls.
He leaves, charging at the enemy. Cato is overpowered, and falls.
Lucilius9
O young and noble Cato, art thou down? Why, now thou diest as bravely as Titinius, And mayst be honour’d, being Cato’s son.
Oh young and noble Cato, are you down? Why, now you die as bravely as Titinius, and you deserve honour, being Cato's son.
First Soldier12
Yield, or thou diest.
Surrender, or you die.
Lucilius13
Only I yield to die: There is so much that thou wilt kill me straight;
I surrender only to die. There is enough here to make you kill me at once;
Offering money
He offers money.
Lucilius15
Kill Brutus, and be honour’d in his death.
Kill Brutus, and win honour by his death.
First Soldier16
We must not. A noble prisoner!
We must not. A noble prisoner!
Second Soldier17
Room, ho! Tell Antony, Brutus is ta’en.
Make way, there! Tell Antony that Brutus has been captured.
First Soldier18
I’ll tell the news. Here comes the General.
I'll tell him the news. Here comes the General.
Enter Antony.
Antony comes in.
First Soldier19
Brutus is ta’en, Brutus is ta’en, my lord.
Brutus has been captured, Brutus has been captured, my lord.
Antony20
Where is he?
Where is he?
Lucilius21
Safe, Antony; Brutus is safe enough. 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.
Safe, Antony; Brutus is safe enough. I can promise you that no enemy will ever take the noble Brutus alive. May the gods protect him from such a great disgrace! When you do find him, whether alive or dead, he will be found like Brutus, like himself.
Antony27
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. Go on, And see whether Brutus be alive or dead; And bring us word unto Octavius’ tent How everything is chanc’d.
This is not Brutus, friend; but I assure you, a catch worth just as much. Keep this man safe, treat him with every kindness. I would rather have such men as my friends than as my enemies. Go on, and see whether Brutus is alive or dead; and bring us word at Octavius' tent about how everything has turned out.
Exeunt.
They all leave.
Original text: Project Gutenberg edition #1522 (public domain, edited by the PG Shakespeare Team). Modern English rendering by Storgy.