BRUTUS
Come, poor remains of friends, rest on this rock.

• Brutus is asking his friends, who are all in a sad and difficult situation, to rest on a rock. The “rock” is a symbol of stability in the chaos of their lives. It’s like telling them to stop for a moment and take a break.

CLITUS
Statilius showed the torchlight, but, my lord,
He came not back. He is or ta’en or slain.

• Clitus reports that Statilius, who was sent to find out what was happening, didn’t come back. Clitus fears that Statilius has either been captured or killed by their enemies. The word “slain” suggests violence and danger.

BRUTUS
Sit thee down, Clitus. Slaying is the word;
It is a deed in fashion. Hark thee, Clitus.

• Brutus tries to calm Clitus, saying that death (“slaying”) is now common in their world. “It is a deed in fashion” means that it’s a deed people are doing—almost like it’s something normal now.

CLITUS
What, I, my lord? No, not for all the world.

• Clitus refuses to carry out Brutus’s request. He says he wouldn’t do it for anything, showing how strongly he feels about not wanting to take part in this.

BRUTUS
Peace, then, no words.

• Brutus tells Clitus to be quiet and not argue anymore. He’s serious about what needs to be done.

CLITUS
I’ll rather kill myself.

• Clitus, in his despair, says he would prefer to kill himself rather than obey Brutus’s request. This shows how deeply distressed Clitus is about the situation.

BRUTUS
Hark thee, Dardanus.

• Brutus calls over Dardanus to ask him the same thing.

DARDANUS
Shall I do such a deed?

• Dardanus is shocked and asks if Brutus really wants him to do such a thing.

CLITUS
O Dardanus!

• Clitus reacts with surprise and horror, realizing Dardanus might actually do what Brutus asks.

DARDANUS
O Clitus!

• Dardanus, similarly shocked, repeats Clitus’s words. Both are in disbelief.

Dardanus and Clitus step aside.

• The two step away from the conversation, not wanting to be part of this terrible choice.

CLITUS
What ill request did Brutus make to thee?

• Clitus asks Dardanus what Brutus wanted, showing how worried he is about his friend.

DARDANUS
To kill him, Clitus. Look, he meditates.

• Dardanus admits that Brutus wanted him to kill him. He’s watching Brutus think about it, realizing this is a serious moment.

CLITUS
Now is that noble vessel full of grief,
That it runs over even at his eyes.

• Clitus is saying that Brutus, who was once strong and noble, is now overwhelmed with sadness. “Vessel” means Brutus, and “runs over” refers to his tears.

BRUTUS
Come hither, good Volumnius. List a word.

• Brutus calls Volumnius over, wanting to speak with him.

VOLUMNIUS
What says my lord?

• Volumnius asks Brutus what he wants, showing respect.

BRUTUS
Why this, Volumnius:
The ghost of Caesar hath appeared to me
Two several times by night—at Sardis once
And this last night here in Philippi fields.
I know my hour is come.

• Brutus reveals that he’s seen Caesar’s ghost twice—once in Sardis and once in the fields of Philippi. These ghostly visits make him feel that his time to die has come.

VOLUMNIUS
Not so, my lord.

• Volumnius tries to comfort Brutus, disagreeing with him. He doesn’t think Brutus’s death is near.

BRUTUS
Nay, I am sure it is, Volumnius.
Thou seest the world, Volumnius, how it goes.
Our enemies have beat us to the pit.
It is more worthy to leap in ourselves
Than tarry till they push us.

• Brutus insists that he’s right and that death is near. He says that it’s better to choose death on his own terms rather than wait to be killed by his enemies. He feels like he’s lost and death is inevitable.

VOLUMNIUS
Fly, fly, my lord! There is no tarrying here.

• Volumnius urges Brutus to run away and escape while he still can, but Brutus is resolute in his decision.

BRUTUS
Farewell to you—and you—and you, Volumnius.—
Strato, thou hast been all this while asleep.
Farewell to thee, too, Strato.—Countrymen,
My heart doth joy that yet in all my life
I found no man but he was true to me.

• Brutus says goodbye to his friends and thanks them for their loyalty. He reflects on his life, feeling glad that the people around him have been honest and true.

*I shall have glory by this losing day
More than Octavius and Mark Antony
By this vile conquest shall attain unto.

• Brutus believes that by choosing to die, he will achieve more honor and glory than his enemies, Octavius and Mark Antony, who won the battle. This shows his idealism and belief in his noble cause.

*So fare you well at once, for Brutus’ tongue
Hath almost ended his life’s history.
Night hangs upon mine eyes; my bones would rest,
That have but labored to attain this hour.

• Brutus says goodbye again, noting that his life story is almost finished. “Night hangs upon mine eyes” means he’s ready for death, and “my bones would rest” suggests he’s tired and ready for peace.

Alarum. Cry within “Fly, fly, fly!”

• The sound of fighting continues, urging Brutus to take action.

CLITUS
Fly, my lord, fly!

• Clitus pleads with Brutus again to escape, but Brutus is determined.

BRUTUS
Hence. I will follow.

• Brutus decides to end his life by running onto his own sword.

All exit but Brutus and Strato.

• The others leave the scene, and now only Brutus and Strato are left.

I prithee, Strato, stay thou by thy lord.
Thou art a fellow of a good respect;
Thy life hath had some smatch of honor in it.
Hold, then, my sword, and turn away thy face
While I do run upon it. Wilt thou, Strato?

• Brutus asks Strato to stay with him, asking for his help to hold the sword while he takes his own life. Brutus acknowledges Strato’s honor and respect, asking him to turn away while Brutus kills himself.

STRATO
Give me your hand first. Fare you well, my lord.

• Strato agrees, and before holding the sword, he shakes Brutus’s hand. This is a final moment of respect and farewell.

BRUTUS
Farewell, good Strato.
Brutus runs on his sword.
Caesar, now be still.
I killed not thee with half so good a will.

• Brutus dies, and his last words are directed at Caesar. He says that he killed Caesar with less resolve than he feels now about ending his own life. This is Brutus’s tragic realization that he’s fulfilling his duty to Rome in his own death.

Alarum. Retreat. Enter Antony, Octavius, Messala,
Lucilius, and the army.

• The sound of retreat signals the arrival of Antony, Octavius, and the rest of the army. The focus now shifts to the victors.

OCTAVIUS
What man is that?

• Octavius asks about Brutus’s body, not recognizing who it is yet.

MESSALA
My master’s man.—Strato, where is thy master?

• Messala asks Strato where Brutus is, still worried about him.

STRATO
Free from the bondage you are in, Messala.
The conquerors can but make a fire of him,
For Brutus only overcame himself,
And no man else hath honor by his death.

• Strato explains that Brutus is dead and that Brutus chose to die on his own terms. He says Brutus won in the end because he overcame himself. Brutus’s death holds no shame.

LUCILIUS
So Brutus should be found.—I thank thee, Brutus,
That thou hast proved Lucilius’ saying true.

• Lucilius honors Brutus, saying that Brutus was true to his character.

OCTAVIUS
All that served Brutus, I will entertain them.—
Fellow, wilt thou bestow thy time with me?

• Octavius offers to take in those who served Brutus, showing respect for his followers.

STRATO
Ay, if Messala will prefer me to you.

• Strato agrees to follow Octavius if Messala recommends him.

OCTAVIUS
Do so, good Messala.

• Octavius approves of Messala’s recommendation.

MESSALA
How died my master, Strato?

• Messala asks Strato how Brutus died, showing his continued loyalty and concern.

STRATO
I held the sword, and he did run on it.

• Strato explains how Brutus took his own life by running onto the sword.

MESSALA
Octavius, then take him to follow thee,
That did the latest service to my master.

• Messala says that Strato deserves to follow Octavius for his loyalty to Brutus.

ANTONY
This was the noblest Roman of them all.
All the conspirators save only he
Did that they did in envy of great Caesar.
He only in a general honest thought
And common good to all made one of them.
His life was gentle and the elements
So mixed in him that nature might stand up
And say to all the world “This was a man.”

• Antony gives a moving tribute to Brutus, calling him the noblest of all the conspirators. He says that unlike the others, Brutus acted for the good of Rome, not out of jealousy. He praises Brutus’s character and actions.

OCTAVIUS
According to his virtue, let us use him
With all respect and rites of burial.
Within my tent his bones tonight shall lie,
Most like a soldier, ordered honorably.
So call the field to rest, and let’s away
To part the glories of this happy day.

• Octavius agrees to honor Brutus by giving him a proper burial and recognizing his noble death. He orders that the battlefield be cleared and that they celebrate their victory, while still showing respect for Brutus.