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The figure answered 〃I am your evil genius； Brutus； you shall see me
at Philippi。〃 To which Brutus； not at all disturbed； replied； 〃Then
I shall see you。〃
As soon as the apparition vanished； he called his servants to him；
who all told him that they had neither heard any voice nor seen any
vision。 So then he continued watching till the morning； when he went
to Cassius； and told him of what he had seen。 He； who followed the
principles of Epicurus's philosophy； and often used to dispute with
Brutus concerning matters of this nature； spoke to him thus upon
this occasion： 〃It is the opinion of our sect； Brutus； that not all
that we feel or see is real and true； but that the sense is a most
slippery and deceitful thing； and the mind yet more quick and subtle
to put the sense in motion and affect it with every kind of change
upon no real occasion of fact； just as an impression is made upon wax；
and the soul of man； which has in itself both what imprints； and
what is imprinted on； may most easily； by its own operations；
produce and assume every variety of shape and figure。 This is
evident from the sudden changes of our dreams； in which the
imaginative principle； once started by any trifling matter； goes
through a whole series of most diverse emotions and appearances。 It is
its nature to be ever in motion； and its motion is fantasy or
conception。 But besides all this； in your case； the body； being
tired and distressed with continual toil； naturally works upon the
mind and keeps it in an excited and unusual condition。 But that
there should be any such thing as supernatural beings； or； if there
were； that they should have human shape or voice or power that can
reach to us； there is no reason for believing； though I confess I
could wish that there were such beings； that we might not rely upon
our arms only； and our horses and our navy； all which are so
numerous and powerful； but might be confident of the assistance of
gods also； in this our most sacred and honourable attempt。〃 With
such discourses as these Cassius soothed the mind of Brutus。 But
just as the troops were going on board； two eagles flew and lighted on
the first two ensigns； and crossed over the water with them； and never
ceased following the soldiers and being fed by them till they came
to Philippi； and there； but one day before the fight； they both flew
away。
Brutus had already reduced most of the places and people of these
parts； but they now marched on as far as to the coast opposite Thasos；
and； if there were any city or man of power that yet stood out；
brought them all to subjection。 At this point Norbanus was encamped；
in a place called the Straits； near Symbolum。 Him they surrounded in
such sort that they forced him to dislodge and quit the place； and
Norbanus narrowly escaped losing his whole army； Caesar by reason of
sickness being too far behind； only Antony came to his relief with
such wonderful swiftness that Brutus and those with him did not
believe when they heard he was come。 Caesar came up ten days after；
and encamped over against Brutus； and Antony over against Cassius。
The space between the two armies is called by the Romans the Campi
Philippi。 Never had two such large Roman armies come together to
engage each other。 That of Brutus was somewhat less in number than
that of Caesar； but in the splendidness of the men's arms and richness
of their equipage it wonderfully exceeded； for most of their arms were
of gold and silver； which Brutus had lavishly bestowed among them。 For
though in other things he had accustomed his commanders to use all
frugality and self…control； yet he thought that the riches which
soldiers carried about them in their hands and on their bodies would
add something of spirit to those that were desirous of glory； and
would make those that were covetous and lovers of gain fight the
more valiantly to preserve the arms which were their estate。
Caesar made a view and lustration of his army within his trenches；
and distributed only a little corn and but five drachmas to each
soldier for the sacrifice they were to make。 But Brutus； either
pitying this poverty； or disdaining this meanness of spirit in Caesar；
first； as the custom was； made a general muster and lustration of
the army in the open field； and then distributed a great number of
beasts for sacrifice to every regiment； and fifty drachmas to every
soldier； so that in the love of his soldiers and their readiness to
fight for him Brutus had much the advantage。 But at the time of
lustration it is reported that an unlucky omen happened to Cassius；
for his lictor； presenting him with a garland that he was to wear at
sacrifice； gave it him the wrong way up。 Further； it is said that some
time before； at a certain solemn procession； a golden image of
Victory； which was carried before Cassius； fell down by a slip of
him that carried it。 Besides this there appeared many birds of prey
daily about the camp； and swarms of bees were seen in a place within
the trenches； which place the soothsayers ordered shut out from the
camp； to remove the superstition which insensibly began to infect even
Cassius himself and shake him in his Epicurean philosophy； and had
wholly seized and subdued the soldiers； from whence it was that
Cassius was reluctant to put all to the hazard of a present battle；
but advised rather to draw out the war until further time； considering
that they were stronger in money and provisions； but in numbers of men
and arms inferior。 But Brutus； on the contrary； was still； as
formerly； desirous to come with all speed to the decision of a battle；
that so he might either restore his country to her liberty； or else
deliver from their misery all those numbers of people whom they
harassed with the expenses and the service and exactions of the war。
And finding also his light…horse in several skirmishes still to have
had the better； he was the more encouraged and resolved； and some of
the soldiers having deserted and gone to the enemy； and others
beginning to accuse and suspect one another； many of Cassius's friends
in the council changed their opinions to that of Brutus。 But there was
one of Brutus's party； named Attellius； who opposed his resolution；
advising rather that they should tarry over the winter。 And when
Brutus asked him in how much better a condition he hoped to be a
year after； his answer was； 〃If I gain nothing else； yet I shall
live so much the longer。〃 Cassius was much displeased at this
answer； and among the rest； Attellius was had in much disesteem for
it。 And so it was presently resolved to give battle the next day。
Brutus that night at supper showed himself very cheerful and full of
hope； and reasoned on subjects of philosophy with his friends； and
afterwards went to his rest。 But Messala says that Cassius supped
privately with a few of his nearest acquaintance； and appeared
thoughtful and silent； contrary to his temper and custom； that after
supper he took him earnestly by the hand； and speaking to him； as
his manner was when he wished to show affection； in Greek； said； 〃Bear
witness for me； Messala； that I am brought into the same necessity
as Pompey the Great was before me； of hazarding the liberty of my
country upon one battle； yet ought we to be of courage； relying on our
good fortune； which it were unfair to mistrust； though we take evil
counsels。〃 These； Messala says； were the last words that Cassius spoke
before he bade him farewell； and that he was invited to sup with him
the next night； being his birthday。
As soon as it was morning； the signal of battle； the scarlet coat；
was set out in Brutus's and Cassius's camps； and they themselves met
in the middle space between their two armies。 There Cassius spoke thus
to Brutus： 〃Be it as we hope； O Brutus； that this day we may overcome；
and all the rest of our time may live a happy life together； but since
the greatest of human concerns are the most uncertain； and since it
may be difficult for us ever to see one another again； if the battle
should go against us； tell me； what is your resolution concerning
flight and death？〃 Brutus answered； 〃When I was young； Cassius； and
unskillful in affairs； I was led； I know not how； into uttering a bold
sentence in philosophy； and blamed Cato for killing himself； as
thinking it an irreligious act； and not a valiant one among men； to
try to evade the divine course of things； and not fearlessly to
receive and undergo the evil that shall happen； but run away from
it。 But now in my own fortunes I am of another mind； for if Providence
shall not dispose what we now undertake according to our wishes； I
resolve to put no further hopes or warlike preparations to the
proof； but will die contented with my fortune。 For I already have
given up my life to my country on the Ides of March； and have lived
since then a second life for her sake； with liberty and honour。〃
Cassius at these words smiled； and； embracing Brutus； said； 〃With
these resolutions let us go on upon the enemy； for either we ourselves
shall conquer； or have no cause to fear those that do。〃 After this
they discoursed among their friends about the ordering of the
battle； and Brutus desired of Cassius