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)
Vib.
Words
296
Characters
1611
Typicality
0.34 (cosine to cluster centroid)
TCP id
A18425
BritDrama no.
1499
Cluster
Cluster 3 — Citizens, tradesfolk & neighbors
Important excerpts
No keyword-matching excerpt could be extracted (the cluster label doesn't share vocabulary with this character's speech).
Full speech
For me vphappy. Else had not come. Known how to conquer? His five hundred Conquests Achieved ere this day, make that doubt unfit For him that flies him; for, of issues doubtful Who can at all times put on for the best? If I were mad, must he his army venture In my engagement? Nor are Generals ever Their powers disposers, by their proper Angels, But trust against them, oftentimes, their Counsels, Wherein, I doubt not, Caesars self hath erred Sometime, as well as Pompey. 'Tis offered, Sir, above the rate of Caesar In other men, but in what I approve Beneath his merits: which I will not fail Enforce at full to Pompey, nor forget In any time the gratitude of my service. Vi. salutes Ant. and the other, & exit. I Sir, my ransom, needed little time, Either to gain agreement for the valve, Or the disbursement, since in Caesars grace We both concluded. For your respect, Sir. I know, Sir, you more nobly rate the freedom He freely gave your friend; then to pervert it So passed his wisdom: that knows much too well Th'vncertaine state of Conquest; to raise frames Of such presumption on her fickle wings, And chiefly in a lose so late, and grievous Beside, your forces far exceeding his, His whole powers being but two and twenty thousand: And yours full four and forty thousand strong: For all which yet, he stood as far from fear In my enlargement, as the confident glory You please to put on him; and had this end In my so kind dismission, that as kindly I might solicit a sure peace betwixt you. Come, do not show this wanton incredulity too much. Good my Lord, Against your Genius war not for the world.
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.