No Fear Shakespeare: Julius Caesar: Act 5, scene 1

	You know that I held Epicurus strong
	And his opinion. Now I change my mind,
80	And partly credit things that do presage.
	Coming from Sardis, on our former ensign
	Two mighty eagles fell, and there they perched,
	Gorging and feeding from our soldiers' hands,
	Who to Philippi here consorted us.
85	This morning are they fled away and gone,
	And in their steads do ravens, crows, and kites
	Fly o'er our heads and downward look on us
	As we were sickly prey. Their shadows seem
	A canopy most fatal, under which
90	Our army lies, ready to give up the ghost.

You know that I used to believe in Epicurus and his disregard for omens. I've changed my mind now and partly believe in omens. Traveling from Sardis, two mighty eagles fell on our front flag and perched there, eating from the hands of the soldiers who'd accompanied us to Philippi. This morning, they've flown away and in their place are ravens, crows, and kites, flying over our heads and looking down on us, as though we were sickly prey. Their shadows are like a deadly canopy, under which our army lies, ready to die.

	MESSALA
	Believe not so.

MESSALA

Don't believe in this.

	CASSIUS
	I but believe it partly,
	For I am fresh of spirit and resolved
	To meet all perils very constantly.

CASSIUS

I only partly believe it, for I'm enthusiastic and resolved to meet all dangers without wavering.

	BRUTUS
	(returning with LUCILLIUS) Even so, Lucillius.

BRUTUS

(returning with LUCILLIUS) —Right, Lucillius.

	CASSIUS
	Now, most noble Brutus,
95	The gods today stand friendly that we may,
	Lovers in peace, lead on our days to age.
	But since the affairs of men rest still incertain,
	Let's reason with the worst that may befall.
	If we do lose this battle, then is this
100	The very last time we shall speak together.
	What are you then determinèd to do?

CASSIUS

Now, most noble Brutus, the gods are friendly with us today so that we, who want peace, can live on to old age! But since the affairs of men are always uncertain, let's think about the worst that may happen. If we lose this battle, this is the last time we'll speak to each other. If we lose, what do you plan to do?