either to hasten his death, or insult his misfortunes.  He was followed by a great number of officers and soldiers, some silently deploring the fate of so virtuous a man, others reproaching that mean desire of life far which he consented to undergo captivity. 24.  Antony now seeing the Thracians approach, began to prepare himself for the interview; but the faithful Lucilius, advancing with a cheerful air—­“It is not Brutus,” said he, “that is taken; fortune has not yet had the power of committing so great an outrage upon virtue.  As for my life, it is well lost in preserving his honour; take it, for I have deceived you.”  Antony, struck with so much fidelity, pardoned him, loaded him with benefits, and honoured him with his friendship.

25.  In the mean time, Brutus, with a small number of friends, passed over a rivulet; and night coming on, sat down under a rock, which concealed him from the pursuit of the enemy.  After taking breath, and casting his eyes to heaven, he repeated a line from Eurip’ides, containing a wish to the gods, “That guilt should not pass in this life without punishment.”  To this he added another from the same poet:  “O unhappy virtue!  I have worshipped thee as a real good; but thou art a vain empty name, and the slave of fortune.”  He then called to mind, with great tenderness, those whom he had seen perish in battle. 26.  He sent out one Statil’ius to give him information of those that remained; but Statil’ius never returned, being killed by a party of the enemy’s horse.  Brutus, judging rightly of his fate, now resolved to die likewise; and entreated those who stood round him to give him their last sad assistance:  but they all refused so melancholy a service. 27.  He then retired aside with his friend Strato, requesting him to perform the last office of friendship.  Upon Strato’s refusal, he ordered one of his slaves to execute what he so ardently desired; but Strato crying out, “that it never should be said that Brutus, in his last extremity, stood in need of a slave for want of a friend,” turned aside his head, and presenting the sword’s point, Brutus threw himself upon it, and immediately expired, in the forty-third year of his age.  A.U. 711.

Questions for Examination.

1.  What great event was now depending?

2.  What were Brutus’s feelings on this occasion?

3.  What was the respective strength of the armies?

4.  Where did they meet and encamp?

5.  What were the advantages of this situation?

6.  Were the Triumviri equally well situated?

7.  Were the enemy equally ready to engage?

8.  What induced Brutus to combat this resolution?

9.  Did he obtain his wish?

10.  Did Cassius wish to engage?

11.  What passed between the generals on this occasion?

12.  What was the reply of Cassius?

13.  What happened at the commencement of the battle?