Fetch the will hither, and we will determine Lep. What, shall I find you here? Oct. Or here, or at the Capitol. This is a slight unmeritable man, The threefold world divided, he should stand Oct. [Exit LEPIDUS. Ant. Octavius, I have seen more days than you: Oct. You may do your will; But he's a tried and valiant soldier. Ant. So is my horse, Octavius; and for that I do appoint him store of provender. It is a creature that I teach to fight, And, in some taste, is Lepidus but so; He must be taught, and train'd, and bid go forth: On objects, arts, and imitations, Which, out of use and stal'd by other men, But as a property. Listen great things. Are levying powers: And now, Octavius, we must straight make head; Therefore, let our alliance be combin'd, Our best friends made, and our best means stretch'd out; How covert matters may be best disclos'd, And open perils surest answered. 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, Millions of mischiefs. SCENE II. Before BRUTUS' Tent, in the Camp near Sardis. [Exeunt. Drum. Enter BRUTUS, LUCILIUS, LUCIUS, and Soldiers: TITINIUS and PINDARUS meet them. Bru. What now, Lucilius? is Cassius near? Luc. He is at hand; and Pindarus is come 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 give me some worthy cause to wish Things done, undone; but, if he be at hand, 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, As he hath used of old. A hot friend cooling. Ever note, Lucilius, When love begins to sicken and decay, There are no tricks in plain and simple faith; Luc. They mean this night in Sardis to be quarter'd: Are come with Cassius. Bru. [March within. Hark! he is arriv'd. Enter CASSIUS and Soldiers. March gently on to meet him. Cas. Stand, ho!. 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. Before the eyes of both our armies here, Which should perceive nothing but love from us, Then in my tent, Cassius, enlarge your griefs, Cas. Pindarus, Bid our commanders lead their charges off A little from this ground. Bru. Lucilius, do you the like; and let no man Come to our tent, till we have done our conference. Let Lucius and Titiuius guard our door. [Exeunt. 331 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 wrong'd yourself to write in such a case. To undeservers. 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? What villain touch'd his body, that did stab, And not for justice? What! shall one of us, That struck the foremost man of all this world, But for supporting robbers, shall we now Contaminate our fingers with base bribes, And sell the mighty space of our large honours, For so much trash as may be grasped thus? I had rather be a dog, and bay the moon, Than such a Roman. Cas. I'll not endure it: you forget yourself, Brutus, bait not me, To hedge me in. I am a soldier, I, Bru. Cas. I am. Go to; you are 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 farther. 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 Bru. You say, you are a better soldier: Let it appear so; make your vaunting true, And it shall please me well. For mine own part, 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: 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? |