Chapter: SCENE II.

The same. The field of battle.

[Alarum. Enter Brutus and Messala.]

BRUTUS.
Ride, ride, Messala, ride, and give these bills
Unto the legions on the other side:
Let them set on at once; for I perceive
But cold demeanor in Octavius' wing,
And sudden push gives them the overthrow.
Ride, ride, Messala: let them all come down.

[Exeunt.]

 The battle has commenced on the plains of Philippi. A positive Brutus, still hopeful of victory, instructs Messala to go to Cassius and tell him to lead their troops against the enemy at once. He naively believes that Octavius' soldiers are faint-hearted and that a sudden attack will quickly defeat them.

