Julius Caesar Paraphrase: Act IV, Scene 2
Camp near Sardis, in front of Brutus' tent. A drum plays. Enter Brutus, Lucilius, Lucius, and the army. Titinius and Pindarus meet them.
- Brutus.
- Stand ho!
- Lucilius.
- Give the word ho! and stand.
- Brutus.
- What is it now, Lucilius? Is Cassius nearby?
- Lucilius.
- He is here, and Pindarus has come
To bring you a greeting from his master.
- Brutus.
- He sends a good man to greet me. Your master, Pindarus,
In the way he himself has changed, or because of bad officers,
Has given me good reason to wish
Things that are done to be undone; but if he is here
I will get a satisfactory explanation.
- Pindarus.
- I do not doubt
That my noble master will appear
The way that he is, full of concern and honor.
- Brutus.
- He is not doubted. A word with you, Lucilius,
About how he received you; let me be informed.
- Lucilius.
- With courtesy and respect enough,
But not with such friendly gestures,
Or with such an open and friendly discussion,
As he had before.
- Brutus.
- You have described
A hot friend cooling. Always notice, Lucilius,
When love begins to sicken and decay
It has a formal manner.
There are no tricks in plain and simple faith;
But insincere men, like horses excited at first,
Make a show and promise of their bravery.
[Low march music plays backstage.]
-
- But when they have to put up with the bloody spur,
Their crests fall, and like dishonest inferior horses
They fail in the test. Is his army coming?
- Lucilius.
- They intend to stay tonight in Sardis.
Most of them, all of the cavalry,
Have come with Cassius.
[Enter Cassius and his soldiers.]
- Brutus.
- Look, he has arrived.
Walk slowly forward to meet him.
- Cassius.
- Stand ho!
- Brutus.
- Stand ho! Pass it down.
- First Soldier.
- Stand!
- Second Soldier.
- Stand!
- Third Soldier.
- Stand!
- Cassius.
- Most noble brother, you have done me wrong.
- Brutus.
- Judge me, you gods! Would I do wrong to my enemies?
And if I would not do that, how could I wrong a brother?
- Cassius.
- Brutus, this serious manner of yours hides wrongs,
And when you do them --
- Brutus.
- Cassius, be calm,
Speak about your complaints quietly; I do know you well.
In plain sight of both our armies here
(Which should see nothing but love from us)
Let us not argue. Ask them to move back;
Then in my tent, Cassius, explain your complaints,
And I will listen to you.
- Cassius.
- Pindarus,
Ask our commanders to lead their soldiers back
A little from this spot.
- Brutus.
- Lucius, you do the same, and let no one
Come to our tent until we have had our meeting.
Let Lucilius and Titinius guard our door.
[Exit. Brutus and Cassius withdraw into Brutus' tent, while Lucilius and Titinius mount guard outside.]
