miles distance, the island of Thasos, which served them for a general magazine. 6.  The Trium’viri, on the other hand, were encamped on the plain below, and were obliged to bring provisions from fifteen leagues’ distance; so that their scheme and interest were to forward a battle as soon as possible.  This they offered several times, drawing out their men from the camp, and provoking the enemy to engage. 7.  On the contrary, the enemy contented themselves with drawing up their troops at the head of their camps, without descending to the plain.  This resolution of postponing the battle, was the chance that the republican army had for victory; and Cassius, sensible of his advantage, resolved to harass rather than engage the enemy. 8.  But Brutus, who began to suspect the fidelity of some of his officers, used all his influence to persuade Cassius to change his resolution.  “I am impatient,” said he, “to put an end to the miseries of mankind; and in this I hope to succeed whether I conquer or fall.” 9.  His wishes were soon gratified; for Antony’s soldiers having, with great labour, made a road through the marsh which lay to the left of Cassius’s camp, by that means opened a communication with the island of Thasos, which lay behind him.  Both armies, after several attempts to possess themselves of this road, resolved at length to come to a general engagement. 10.  This, however, was contrary to the advice of Cassius, who found himself forced, as Pompey had formerly been, to expose the liberty of Rome to the hazard of a battle.  On the ensuing morning, the two generals gave the signal for engaging, and conferred together a little while before the battle began. 11.  Cassius desired to be informed how Brutus intended to act in case they should be unsuccessful.  To this Brutus replied, “Formerly, in my writings, I condemned the death of Cato, and maintained, that avoiding calamities by suicide is an insolent attempt against Heaven, that allotted them:  but I have altered my opinion; I have given up my life to my country, and I think I have a right to my own way of ending it.[10] I am resolved, therefore, to change a miserable being here for a better hereafter, if fortune turn against me.” 12.  “My friend,” cried Cassius, embracing him, “now may we venture to face the enemy; for either we shall be conquerors, or we shall have no cause to fear those that be so.” 13.  Augustus being sick, the forces of the Triumviri were commanded by Antony alone, who began the engagement by a victorious attack upon the lines of Cassius.  Brutus, on the other side, made a dreadful irruption on the army of Augustus, and drove forward with so much intrepidity, that he broke them upon the very first charge.  Upon this, he penetrated as far as the camp, and slaughtering those that were left for its defence, his troops immediately began to plunder. 14.  In the mean time, however, the lines of Cassius were forced, and his cavalry put to flight.  There was no effort that this unfortunate