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