第 9 节
作者:北方网      更新:2024-04-09 19:51      字数:9321
  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