Page:Julius Caesar (1919) Yale.djvu/91

Julius Cæsar, IV. iii  The people 'twixt Philippi and this ground Do stand but in a forc'd affection; For they have grudg'd us contribution: The enemy, marching along by them. By them shall make a fuller number up. Come on refresh'd, new-added, and encourag'd; From which advantage shall we cut him off, If at Philippi we do face him there. These people at our back.

Cas. Hear me, good brother.

Bru. 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: 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 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.

Cas. Then, with your will, go on; We'll along ourselves, and meet them at Philippi.

Bru. The deep of night is crept upon our talk, And nature must obey necessity. Which we will niggard with a little rest. There is no more to say?  204 Are friendly to us only under compulsion 208 new-added: newly augmented 213 That we have drawn on our friends to the utmost 219 Omitted: if it is neglected 220 bound in: confined to 223 ventures: investments with your will: according to your preference 227 So to nature's need we will dole out a little rest 