Oct. Let us do so: for we are at the stake, And bay'd about with many enemies; And some, that smile, have in their hearts, I fear, [Exeunt. SCENE II.—Before BRUTUS' Tent, in the Camp near Sardis. Drum. Enter BRUTUS, LUCILIUS, LUCIUS, and Soldiers: TITINIUS and PINDARUS meeting them. Bru. Stand here. Luc. Give the word, ho! and stand. Bru. What now, Lucilius? is Cassius near? To do you salutation from his master. [PINDARUS gives a letter to BRUtus. Bru. He greets me well.-Your master, Pindarus, In his own change, or by ill officers, Hath given me some worthy cause to wish Pin. I do not doubt, But that my noble master will appear Bru. He is not doubted.-A word, Lucilius; How he receiv'd you, let me be resolv'd. Luc. With courtesy, and with respect enough; But not with such familiar instances, Nor with such free and friendly conference, Bru. Thou hast describ'd A hot friend cooling: Ever note, Lucilius, There are no tricks in plain and simple faith : Luc. They mean this night in Sardis to be quarter'd; The greater part, the horse in general, Are come with Cassius. Bru. Hark, he is arriv'd: March gently on to meet him. Enter CASSIUS and Soldiers. Cas. Stand, ho! [March within. Bru. Stand, ho! Speak the word along. Within. Stand. Within. Stand. Within. Stand. Cas. Most noble brother, you have done me wrong. Bru. Judge me, you gods! Wrong I mine enemies? And, if not so, how should I wrong a brother? Cas. Brutus, this sober form of yours hides wrongs; And when you do them Bru. Cassius, be content, Speak your griefs softly,-I do know you well:- Which should perceive nothing but love from us, And I will give you audience. Cas. Pindarus, Bid our commanders lead their charges off A little from this ground. Bru. Lucilius, do the like; and let no man Come to our tent, till we have done our conference. Let Lucius and Titinius guard our door. [Exeunt. SCENE III. Within the Tent of BRUTUS. LUCIUS and TITINIUS at some distance from it. Enter BRUTUS and CASSIUS. Cas. That you have wrong'd me, doth appear in this: You have condemn'd and noted Lucius Pella, For taking bribes here of the Sardians; Bru. You wrong'd yourself, to write in such a case. That every nice offence should bear his comment. Cas. I an itching palm? You know, that you are Brutus that speak this, Bru. Remember March, the ides of March remember! Did not great Julius bleed for justice' sake? Cas. Brutus, bay not me, I'll not endure it: you forget yourself, Bru. Go to: you're not, Cassius. Bru. I say, you are not. Cas. Urge me no more, I shall forget myself; Have mind upon your health, tempt me no further. Bru. Away, slight man! Cas. Is't possible? Bru. Hear me, for I will speak. Must I give way and room to your rash choler? Shall I be frighted, when a madman stares? Cas. O ye gods! ye gods! Must I endure all this? Bru. All this? ay, more: Fret, till your proud heart break; Go, show your slaves how choleric you are, And make your bondmen tremble. Must I budge? Must I observe you? Must I stand and crouch Though it do split you: for, from this day forth, Cas. Is it come to this? Bru. You say, you are a better soldier: Let it appear so; make your vaunting true, I shall be glad to learn of noble men. Cas. You wrong me every way, you wrong me, Brutus ; I said, an elder soldier, not a better: Did I say, better? Bru. If you did, I care not. Cas. When Cæsar liv'd, he durst not thus have mov'd me. Bru. Peace, peace; you durst not so have tempted him. Cas. I durst not? Bru. No. Cas. What? durst not tempt him? Bru. For your life you durst not. Cas. Do not presume too much upon my love; I may do that I shall be sorry for. Bru. You have done that you should be sorry for. There is no terror, Cassius, in your threats; For I am arm'd so strong in honesty, For certain sums of gold, which you denied me ; |