Stra. Free from the bondage you are in, Messala:
The conquerors can but make a fire of him; 55
For Brutus only overcame himself,
And no man else hath honour by his death.
Lucil. So Brutus should be found. I thank thee, Brutus,[3655]
That thou hast proved Lucilius' saying true.
Oct. All that served Brutus, I will entertain them. 60
Fellow, wilt thou bestow thy time with me?
Stra. Ay, if Messala will prefer me to you.
Oct. Do so, good Messala.[3656]
Mes. How died my master, Strato?[3657]
Stra. I held the sword, and he did run on it. 65
Mes. Octavius, then take him to follow thee,[3658]
That did the latest service to my master.
Ant. This was the noblest Roman of them all:
All the conspirators, save only he,[3659]
Did that they did in envy of great Cæsar;[3660] 70
He only, in a general honest thought[3661][3662]
And common good to all, made one of them.[3662]
His life was gentle, and the elements
So mix'd in him that Nature might stand up
And say to all the world 'This was a man!' 75
Oct. According to his virtue let us use him,
With all respect and rites of burial.[3663]
Within my tent his bones to-night shall lie,
Most like a soldier, order'd honourably.[3664]
So call the field to rest, and let's away, 80
To part the glories of this happy day. [Exeunt.[3665]