of Cæsar, and took upon themselves the chief management of the commonwealth. Short was the triumph of the conspirators. Brutus and Cassius, indeed, made war on Octavius and Antony; but sorrow and disappointment seemed to await them dissensions rose between them, which disturbed their quiet; and Brutus, in the midst of his cares, learned the sad news of his wife's death, who, unable to endure his disgrace and absence from Rome, took an opportunity, when left alone, to destroy herself; and, not possessing any easier mode of suicide, she swallowed fire, and soon after expired in agony. He Sleep seldom visited the couch of Brutus. passed a weary life, not comforted in any thing, but in the reflection, that in his ingratitude to Cæsar, he meant well for his country, though his hopes had proved fallacious. Encamped near Sardis, one night, when more than usually restless, he beheld standing near him, a monstrous form, which looked terribly upon him. He spoke, and inquired whether it was an angel, god, or devil, stood before him? "Thy evil genius, Brutus, (replied the spirit.) We shall meet again. Thou wilt see me at Philippi!!?? So saying, the spirit vanished; and, as it passed from the fixed look of Brutus, assumed the form and features of the murdered Cæsar, a sight at which the brave and fearless Brutus shuddered. The day of battle arrived it was on the birthday of Cassius; and depression hung on the warriors' minds. The vision, which had appeared, warned Brutus, that either death or affliction hovered near; and Cassius was enfeebled by gloomy presages. Coming from Sardis, two mighty eagles had perched upon their foremost ensign, had fed out of the soldiers' hands, and travelled familiarly with them as far as Philippi: but on this morning they fled away— and, in their place, ravens, crows, and kites hovered over the heads of the army, and looked down upon them, as though they were marked for prey. The spirits of the soldiers were sunk, and scarce a dawn of hope seemed to cheer them; whilst Brutus and Cassius took a tender leave of each other, not daring to expect ever to meet again. The armies met on the plains of Philippi; and, ere Brutus left his tent, again the vision stood before him, and warned him that "HIS HOUR WAS COME." In the very first attack they were routed, and many of Brutus's army fied. Cassius and Titinius were at a distance froin the field, when Pindarus entreated them to fly farther still; Mark Antony was in his tent; and Cassius, looking round, beheld them all in flames. He requested Titinius to take horse, and learn whether the troops he saw in one particular part of the field were friend or enemy Titinius departed, whilst Pindarus mounted a lofty hill, to mark the issue, when, overpowered by his own apprehensions, he imagined he saw Titinius surrounded by the enemy and slain, and a loud shout at that moment confirmed it. Cassius was unable to bear up against this stroke of fate. Titinius was his best and dearest friend; he would not outlive his Loss, or suffer Mark Antony and young Octavius to triumph over him. He therefore ordered Pindarus to quit his station on the hill, and receive the last commands of his master. Pindarus was his bondman, taken prisoner in Parthia, and was bound by oath to perform his master's bidding, be it what it might when commanded therefore by him to plunge the sword into his heart, he dared not disobey; and Cassius perished even by the very weapon with which he had stabbed the noble Cæsar! Scarce was the last breath fled, ere Titinius returned in triumph. The troops by which he had been surrounded were those of Brutus; the shouts were of joy at hearing the news of Cassius's safety; and Titinius returned with the happy tidings that the troops of Brutus had gained as much advantage over Octavius's powers, as Antony had over Cassius. The news, however, was breathed in a senseless ear; and Titinius, who tenderly loved Cassius, plunged the sword yet reeking with the blood of his friend, into his own breast, and fell dying by his side. When the intelligence reached the ears of Brutus, it pierced him to the heart. He shed tears on the inanimate form of him who once was Cassius; and having given orders that his body should be conver ed from the camp, lest it should dispirit the soldiers, he rallied his drooping spirits, and rushed into the battle's heat, where he fought valiantly, but vainly. Antony was victorious; and Brutus, after much entreaty, at length prevailed on one of his attendants to hold his sword whilst he ran upon it. The stroke was sure; and Brutus fell, never to rise again! Octavius and Mark Antony found him stretched on the ground, and bestowed the tribute of praise to his memory. Antony's resentment ended with the life of Brutus; and thus to all around he declared him : This was the noblest Roman of them all: Did that they did, in envy of great Cæsar; He only, in a general honest thought, So mixed in him, that nature might stand up, By the order of Octavius Cæsar, the corse of Brutus was conveyed to his own tent, there to remain till due preparations were made for his funeral; and, on the following day the obsequies were performed with all solemnity and respect, befitting a Roman and a warrior. Conspiracy doth seldom prosper long- That dangerous pride which soars beyond itself That man of man should be both judge and umpire. CONCLUSION ΤΟ TALES OF THE DRAMA. Now Rumour, with her many hundred tongues, So farewell-Brutus-Cassius-Antony, Who have my numerous pages graced-Perchance |