BRUTUS. Good reasons must of force give place to better. The people ’twixt Philippi and this ground Do stand but in a forced 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. 

CASSIUS. Hear me, good brother. 

BRUTUS. Under your pardon. You must note besides, 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. 

CASSIUS. Then, with your will, go on: We’ll along ourselves, and meet them at Philippi. 

BRUTUS. 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? 

CASSIUS. No more. Good night: Early tomorrow will we rise, and hence. 

 Enter Lucius.

Lucius

BRUTUS. Lucius! My gown. 

 [Exit Lucius.]

Lucius

 Farewell now, good Messala. Good night, Titinius. Noble, noble Cassius, Good night, and good repose. 

CASSIUS. O my dear brother! This was an ill beginning of the night. Never come such division ’tween our souls! Let it not, Brutus. 

 Enter Lucius with the gown.

Lucius

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