Page 42
But when they should endure the bloody spur,
They fall their crests, and like deceitful jades
Sink in the trial. Comes his army on?
Lucilius:
They meant this night in Sardis to be quarter’d;
The greater part, the horse in general,
Are come with Cassius.
Enter Cassius and Soldiers.
Brutus:
Hark! he is arriv’d.
March gently on to meet him.
Cassius:
Stand, ho!
Brutus:
Stand, ho! Speak the word along.
First Soldier:
Stand!
Second Soldier:
Stand!
Third 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;
And 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,
Let 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
A little from this ground.
Brutus:
Lucilius, do you the like; and let no man
Come to our tent till we have done our conference.
Lucius and Titinius, guard our door.
(Exeunt.)
Scene Three: Within the tent of Brutus.
Enter Brutus and Cassius.
Cassius:
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;
Wherein my letters, praying on his side
Because I knew the man, were slighted off.
Brutus:
You wrong’d yourself to write in such a case.
Cassius:
In such a time as this it is not meet
That every nice offence should bear his comment.
Brutus:
Let me tell you, Cassius, you yourself
Are much condemn’d to have an itching palm,
To sell and mart your offices for gold
To undeservers.
Cassius:
I an itching palm!
You know that you are Brutus that speak this,
Or, by the gods, this speech were else your last.
Brutus:
The name of Cassius honours this corruption,
And chastisement doth therefore hide his head.
Cassius:
Chastisement!