general did not exert to make his infantry stand; stopping those that fled, and himself seizing the colours to rally them.  But the valour of an individual was insufficient to inspire a timorous army. 15.  At length, despairing of success, Cassius retired to his tent and killed himself.  Brutus was soon informed of the defeat of Cassius, and in a little time after, of his death; scarcely able to restrain the excess of his grief for a man whom he lamented as the last of the Romans.

16.  Brutus, now become sole general, assembled the dispersed troops of Cassius, and animated them with fresh hopes of victory.  As they had lost their all from the plundering of their camp, he promised two thousand denarii to each man to make them amends. 17.  Inspired with new ardour, they admired the liberality of their general, and, with loud shouts, proclaimed his intrepidity.  Still, however, he wanted confidence to face the adversary, who offered him battle the ensuing day.  His aim was to starve the enemy, who were in extreme want of provisions, from their fleet having been lately defeated. 18.  But his single opinion was overruled by the army, who now grew every day more confident of their strength, and more arrogant to their general.  At last, therefore, after a respite of twenty days, he was obliged to comply with their solicitations to try the fate of a battle.  Both armies were drawn out, and they remained a long while opposite to each other without offering to engage.  It is said, that he himself had lost much of his ardour by having again seen, or fancied that he saw, the spectre, in the night preceding.  However, he encouraged his men, and gave the signal for battle.  As usual, he had the advantage where he commanded in person; bearing down the enemy at the head of his infantry, and supported by his cavalry, making great slaughter. 19.  But the forces which had belonged to Cassius were seized with a panic, and communicating their terror to the rest, the whole army at last gave way.  Brutus, surrounded by the most valiant of his officers, fought long with amazing valour.  The son of Cato, and the brother of Cassius, fell fighting by his side.  At last, he was obliged to yield to necessity, and fled. 20.  In the mean time, the two Triumviri, assured of victory, expressly ordered that the general should by no means be suffered to escape.  Thus the whole body of the enemy being intent on the person of Brutus alone, his capture seemed inevitable. 21.  In this deplorable exigence, Lucil’ius, his friend, resolved, by his own death, to effect his general’s delivery. 22.  Seeing a body of Thracian horse closely pursuing Brutus, and just upon the point of taking him, he boldly threw himself in their way, telling them that he was Brutus.  The Thra’cians overjoyed with so great a prize, immediately despatched some of their companions with the news of their success to the army. 23.  Upon this, the ardour of the pursuit abating, Antony marched out to meet his prisoner,