Internet Shakespeare Editions

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.