Internet Shakespeare Editions

About this text

  • Title: Julius Caesar (Modern)
  • Editor: John D. Cox
  • General textual editor: Eric Rasmussen
  • Coordinating editor: Michael Best
  • ISBN: 978-1-55058-366-3

    Copyright John D. Cox. This text may be freely used for educational, non-profit purposes; for all other uses contact the Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Editor: John D. Cox
    Peer Reviewed

    Julius Caesar (Modern)

    [4.2]
    Drum. Enter Brutus, Lucilius, and the army. Titinius and Pindarus meet them.
    1910Brutus
    Stand, ho!
    Lucilius
    Give the word, ho, and stand!
    Brutus
    What now, Lucilius, is Cassius near?
    Lucilius
    He is at hand, and Pindarus is come
    To do you salutation from his master.
    1915Brutus
    He greets me well. Your master, Pindarus,
    In his own change or by ill officers,
    Hath given me some worthy cause to wish
    Things done, undone; but if he be at hand
    I shall be satisfied.
    1920Pindarus
    I do not doubt
    But that my noble master will appear
    Such as he is, full of regard and honor.
    Brutus
    He is not doubted. A word, Lucilius,
    How he received you. Let me be resolved.
    1925Lucilius
    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.
    Brutus
    Thou hast described
    1930A hot friend cooling. Ever note, Lucilius,
    When love begins to sicken and decay,
    It useth an enforcèd ceremony.
    There are no tricks in plain and simple faith,
    But hollow men, like horses hot at hand,
    1935Make gallant show and promise of their mettle;
    Low march within.
    But when they should endure the bloody spur,
    They fall their crests, and like deceitful jades
    Sink in the trial. Comes his army on?
    1940Lucilius
    They mean this night in Sardis to be quartered.
    The greater part, the horse in general,
    Are come with Cassius.
    Enter Cassius and his powers.
    Brutus
    Hark! he is arrived.
    1945March gently on to meet him.
    Cassius
    Stand, ho!
    Brutus
    Stand, ho! Speak the word along!
    1 Soldier
    Stand!
    2 Soldier
    Stand!
    19503 Soldier
    Stand!
    Cassius
    Most noble brother, you have done me wrong.
    Brutus
    Judge me, you gods! Wrong I mine enemies?
    And if not so, how should I wrong a brother?
    Cassius
    Brutus, this sober form of yours hides wrongs,
    1955And when you do them--
    Brutus
    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,
    1960Let us not wrangle. Bid them move away;
    Then in my tent, Cassius, enlarge your griefs,
    And I will give you audience.
    Cassius
    Pindarus,
    Bid our commanders lead their charges off
    1965A little from this ground.
    Brutus
    Lucilius, do you the like, and let no man
    Come to our tent, till we have done our conference.
    Let Lucius and Titinius guard our door.
    Exeunt [all but] Brutus and Cassius.