in Caesar and Pompey (The Wars of Caesar and Pompey) — Chapman, George
Metadata
Play
Caesar and Pompey (The Wars of Caesar and Pompey)
Author
Chapman, George
Year (catalogued)
1631
First performance
1605
Decade
1630s
Genre
Tragedy
Play type
Adult Professional (?); Unacted (?)
Company
Unacted (?)
Speech prefix(es)
Anth. | Ant. | An.
Words
307
Characters
1676
Typicality
0.37 (cosine to cluster centroid)
TCP id
A18425
BritDrama no.
1499
Cluster
Cluster 21 — Old fathers & plain counsel
Important excerpts
No keyword-matching excerpt could be extracted (the cluster label doesn't share vocabulary with this character's speech).
Full speech
Can this be answered? What else? For shame Then yield to this clear equity, that both May leave their arms. Passed doubt he will be here; I left all ordered, And full agreement made with him to make All utmost haste, no least let once suspected. Against the gods? They grace in instant, and in instant we Must add our parts, and be in th'vse as free. 'Tis time, my Lord, you put in form your battle. He comes here, see Sir. See, Sir, here's one friend of your foes recovered. Sir, he's your prisoner, but had made you his, Had all the rest pursued the chase Like him; He drove on Like a fury; passed all friends, But we that took him quick in his engagement. Amends sits ever Above repentance, what's done, wish not undone; But that prepared patience that you know Best fits a soldier charged with hardest Fortune's; Asks still your use, since powers still temperate kept Open still the clearer eyes by one faults sighed To place the next act, in the surer right. This prepares a good induction to the change of for tune, In this days issue, if the pride it kindles In Pompey's veins, makes him deny a peace So gently offered: for her altered hand Works never surer from her ill to good On his side she hath hurt, and on the other With other changes, then when means are used To keep her constant, yet retire refused. Be, Sir, their faults their griefs! The greater number Were only slaves, that left their bloods to ruth, And altogether, but six thousand slain. Unreclaimed man? How censures Brutus his stern father's fact? Your patience Sir, their tortures well will quit you Hark, your soldiers shout For joy to see your bloody Coat of Arms Assure their fight this morning.
Plot summary
Plot — Caesar and Pompey (The Wars of Caesar and Pompey)
The armies of Caesar and Pompey are both dangerously close to Italy: Pompey’s has been summoned by the Senate, fearful of Caesar’s ambition, and this provoked Caesar to bring up his own forces. The Senate meets to discuss the issue. Caesar’s agents unsuccessfully try to keep out his incorruptible enemy, Cato. Caesar arranges for a motion to be put to allow Pompey’s army to enter Italy, as a pretext to allow his to do the same; but this meets with the opposition of Cato. A quarrel erupts between Caesar and Pompey, and the Senate orders Caesar to disband his army, whilst requiring Pompey to mobilize in defence of the state. Civil war ensues. Fearing that the war will put a stop to his long criminal career, Fronto tries to hang himself. The devil Ophioneus prevents him and offers him a senior position in the priesthood in return for his service. Fronto declines ecclesiastical preferment, but is content to accept a more secular office. Pompey flees Rome to avoid an early battle. His ally Vibius is taken prisoner after a daring exploit goes wrong; Caesar salutes his bravery and sends him back to Pompey with an offer of peace. Pompey’s troops are gathering: Brutus joins him, despite bearing him a grudge, and so do the kings of five of Rome’s satellite states. Meanwhile the convergence of Caesar’s forces is hindered by Pompey’s navy, until it is dispersed by a tempest. Vibius brings Caesar’s offer of peace, but Brutus persuades Pompey that it must be a trap. Pompey prepares for his last stand at Pharsalus, but his men are uncertain: all omens point to Caesar’s victory. The portents are fulfilled: Pompey is routed in the battle. He flees in disguise to join his wife, who initially doesn’t recognize him; he reveals himself only after he has made sure of her stoic acceptance of the defeat. He is murdered by agents of the King of Egypt. Brutus surrenders to Caesar, who hastens to rendezvous with Cato, but Cato decides to kill himself rather than submit to tyranny. His household tries to stop him by hiding his sword, but he insists, and disembowels himself before Caesar arrives. Caesar is disgusted when Pompey’s assassins present him with his enemy’s head, and he orders them tortured. He also has a fine tomb built for Cato.