A Parting Well-Made

A few years ago, a wise co-op partner of mine read to our co-op Act 5, Scene 1 from Shakespeare's Julius Caesar.  I love that play, and I thought it was such a fitting way to close co-op on the final day of Workshop.  Every year since, I have read to my delegates a part of that play.  For those of you who are unfamiliar, it goes like this:

BRUTUS

    No, Cassius, no: think not, thou noble Roman,
    That ever Brutus will go bound to Rome;
    He bears too great a mind. But this same day
    Must end that work the ides of March begun;
    And whether we shall meet again I know not.
    Therefore our everlasting farewell take:
    For ever, and for ever, farewell, Cassius!
    If we do meet again, why, we shall smile;
    If not, why then, this parting was well made.

CASSIUS

    For ever, and for ever, farewell, Brutus!
    If we do meet again, we'll smile indeed;
    If not, 'tis true this parting was well made.

BRUTUS

    Why, then, lead on. O, that a man might know
    The end of this day's business ere it come!
    But it sufficeth that the day will end,
    And then the end is known. Come, ho!


 I outlined my favorite part in bold.

I read this passage and then tell my delegates that in everything we do over the final few hours should be done in pursuit of a parting well-made.

I am happy to report that the parting was well-made.  We spent our final hours taking pictures, exchanging hugs, and signing shirts and autograph books.

Why, then, lead on. O, that a man might know 

The end of this day's business ere it come!

But it sufficeth that the day will end,

And then the end is known. Come, ho! away!