Page 2247 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

So shall he waste his means, weary his soldiers, [250]
Doing himself offence, whilst we, lying still,
Are full of rest, defence, and nimbleness.

BRUTUS
Good reasons must of force give place to better.
The people ’twixt Philippi and this ground

Do stand but in a forced affection, [255]
For they have grudged us contribution.
The enemy, marching along by them,

By them shall make a fuller number up,
Come on refreshed, new-added, and encouraged;
From which advantage shall we cut him off [260]
If at Philippi we do face him there,
These people at our back.

CASSIUS
Hear me, good brother −

BRUTUS
Under your pardon. You must note beside,
That we have tried the utmost of our friends;
Our legions are brim-full, our cause is ripe. [265]

The enemy increaseth every day;
We, at the height, are ready to decline.
There is a tide in the affairs of men
Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;
Omitted, all the voyage of their life [270]

Is bound in shallows and in miseries.
On such a full sea are we now afloat,
And we must take the current when it serves,

Or lose our ventures.

CASSIUS

Then, with your will, go on.
We’ll along ourselves and meet them at Philippi. [275]

BRUTUS