ABSTRACT
Plutarch's Lives rif Noble Grecians and Romanes 123 them from flying, and tooke an ensigne from one of the ensigne bearers that fled, and stucke it fast at his feete1 : although with much a do he could scant keepe his owne gard together. So Cassius him selfe was at length compelled to flie, with a few about him, unto a litle hill, from whence they might easely see what was done in all the plaine: howebeit Cassius him selfe sawe nothing, for his sight was verie bad,2 saving that he saw (and yet with much a doe) how the enemies spoiled his campe before his eyes.3 He sawe also a great troupe of horsemen, whom Brutus sent to aide him, and thought that they were his enemies that followed him: but yet he sent Titinnius, one of them that was with him, to goe and know what they were. Brutus horsemen sawe him comming a farre of, whom when they knewe that he was one of Cassius chiefest frendes, they showted out for joy: and they that were familiarly acquainted with him, lighted from their horses, and went and imbraced him. The rest compassed him in rounde about a horsebacke, with songs of victorie and great rushing of their hames, so that they made all the field ring againe for joy. But this marred all.4 For Cassius thinking in deede that Titinnius was taken of the enemies, he then spake these wordes: Desiring too much to live, I have lived to see one of my best frendes taken, for my sake, before my face. After that, he gotte into a tent where no bodie was, and tooke Pyndarus with him, one of his freed bondmen, whom he reserved ever for suche a pine he, since the cursed battell of the Parthians, where Crass us was slaine, though he notwithstanding scaped from that overthrowG: but then casting his cloke over his head, and holding out his bare neck unto Pindarus, he gave him his head to be striken of. So the head was found severed from the bodie: but after that time Pindarus was never seene more.6 Whereupon, some tooke occasion to say, that he had slaine his master without his commaundement. By and by they knew the horsemen that came towards them, and might see Titinnius crowned with a garland of triumphe, who came before with great speede unto Cassius. But when he perceived by the cries and teares of his frends which tormented them selves, the misfortune that had chaunced to his Captaine Cassius, by mistaking: he drew out his sword, cursing him selfe a thowsand times that he had taried so long, and so slue him selfe presentlie in the fielde.7 Brutus in the meane time came forward still, and understoode also
