ABSTRACT
Plutarch's Lives qf Noble Grecians and Romanes I 17 if there were, that they had the shape of men, or such voyces, or any power at all to come unto us: it is a mockerye. And for myne owne parte, I would there were suche, bicause that we shoulde not onely have souldiers, horses, and shippes, but also the ayde of the goddes, to guide and further our honest and honorable attempts. With these words Cassius did somewhat comfort and quiet Brutus. When they raysed their campe, there came two Eagles that flying with a marvelous force, lighted uppon two of the foremoste enseignes,l and alwayes followed the souldiers, which gave them meate, and fedde them, untill they came neare to the citie of Philippes: and there one daye onely before the battell, they bothe flewe awaye. Now Brutus had conquered the moste parte of all the people, and nations of that con try : but if there were any other citie or Captaine to overcome, then they made all cleere before them, and so drewe towards the coasts of Thassos. There Norbanus lying in campe in a certaine place called the straights, by another place called Symbolon: (which is a port of the sea) Cassius and Brutus compassed him in in such sort, that he was driven to forsake the place which was of great strength for him, and he was also in daunger beside to have lost all his armye. For, Octavius Cresar could not followe him bicause of his sicknes, and therefore stayed behind: whereuppon they had taken his army, had not Antonius ayde bene, which made such wonderful speede, that Brutus could scant beleve it. So Cresar came not thether of ten daies after: and Antonius camped against Cassius, and Brutus on thother side against Cresar.2 The Romanes called the valley betweene both cam pes, the Philippian fields: and there were never seene two so great armies of the Romanes, one before the other, ready to fight. In truth, Brutus army was inferior to Octavius Cresars, in number of men: but for bravery and rich furniture, Brutus army farre excelled Cresars.3 For the most part of their armors were silver and gilt, which Brutus had bountifully given them: although in all other things he taught his Captaines to live in order without excesse. But for the bravery of armor, and weapon, which souldiers should cary in their hands, or otherwise weare upon their backes: he thought that it was an encoragement unto them that by nature are greedy of honor, and that it maketh them also fight like devills that love to get, and be affrayd to lose: bicause they fight to keepe their armor and weapon, as also
