Brutus and his followers rest briefly in the field. Brutus asks each in turn to help him kill himself to avoid capture. Clitus, Dardanius, and Volumnius all refuse, and when Antony’s troops approach, they run away. Strato agrees to hold Brutus' sword while he runs on it, and Brutus thus commits suicide. Antony and Octavius, with their forces and some of Brutus’ captured men, find Strato and the dead Brutus. They ask what happened, and Antony says that Brutus’ suicide was in line with his noble nature. He promises to forgive all the men who were followers of Brutus, as Brutus was the only one of the conspirators who was truly honorable.
Brutus
Come, what is left of my friends, let's rest on this rock.
Clitus
Statilius signaled us, my lord, but he hasn't come back. He's either been captured or killed.
Brutus
Sit down, Clitus. Killing is the most likely, it seems to be in fashion. Listen, Clitus.
Clitus
What, me, my lord? No, I would not for the whole world!
Brutus
Quiet, then. No more words.
Clitus
I would rather kill myself.
Brutus
I'd like a word with you, Dardanius!
Could I do such a deed!
Clitus
Oh Dardanius!
Dardanius
Oh Clitus!
Clitus
What terrible request did Brutus make of you?
Dardanius
To kill him, Clitus. Look, he's thinking.
Clitus
His noble body is so full of grief that it's spilling out of his eyes as tears.
Brutus
Come here, good Volumnius, listen to me.
Volumnius
What is it, my lord?
Brutus
It's this, Volumnius. Caesar's ghost appeared twice to me in the night—once at Sardis, and here in Philippi last night. I know my time is up.
Volumnius
No it can't be, my lord.
Brutus
No, I'm sure it is, Volumnius. You can see how things are going, Volumnius. Our enemies have driven us to the edge of an abyss.
It would be more noble of us to leap into that void ourselves than hang on until they push us in. Good Volumnius, you know we went to school together. For that old friendship, please, hold my sword's hilt while I run into it.
Volumnius
That's not a job for a friend, my lord.
Clitus
Run, retreat, my lord, we can't wait here.
Brutus
Farewell to you, and you, and you, Volumnius. Strato, you've been here asleep all this time. Farewell to you too, Strato. My fellow Romans, my heart is glad, even now, that in this life I knew so many true friends. I will have glory on this day of defeat, more glory than Antony or Octavius will get from this vile conquest. So farewell to all of you at once, for my tongue has almost said its last words. I am weary with life, my eyes are tired, and my bones want to rest. My body has worked hard just to reach to this hour.
Clitus
Retreat, my lord, retreat!
Brutus
Go forth from here, I will follow you.
Please, Strato, stay here with your lord. You are respected. Your life has some honor in it. So hold my sword, and look away while I run into it. Will you do this, Strato?
Strato
Give me your hand first. Farewell, my lord.
Brutus
Farewell, good Strato.
Caesar, your spirit can rest, you have been revenged. I didn't want to kill you nearly as much as I wanted to kill myself.
Octavius
Who's that man?
Messala
It's Brutus' servant. Strato, where is Brutus?
Strato
He's free from the captivity you are in, Messala. The conquerors can only burn his body now. Brutus alone defeated himself; no other man will receive honor from his death.
Lucilius
This is how a noble man like Brutus should be found. Thank you, Brutus; you proved my words of praise to be true.
Octavius
I will take into my service everyone who served Brutus. You, fellow, will you serve me?
Strato
Yes, if Messala will recommend me to you.
Octavius
Do so, good Messala.
Messala
How did Brutus die, Strato?
Strato
I held the sword and he ran onto it.
Messala
Then take him on as a follower, Octavius, for he performed the last service for Brutus.
Antony
Brutus was the noblest Roman of them all. All the other conspirators did what they did because they envied Caesar. He alone became one of them because of honest concern for the greater good. He was noble in his life, and he well rounded that Nature itself might stand up and proclaim to the world, "Now this was a real man!"
Octavius
Let us treat him as his virtue requires, and give him a respectful burial with all the traditional rites. His body will lie in my tent tonight, like a soldier treated honorably. So call for peace on the battlefield, and let's go to share the glory of this fortunate day.
