Oct. Prick him down, Antony. Lep. Upon condition Publius shall not live, Who is your sister's son, Mark Antony. Ant. He shall not live; look, with a spot I damn him. But, Lepidus, go you to Cæsar's house; Fetch the will hither, and we shall determine How to cut off some charge in legacies. Oct. The Capitol. Or here, or at [Exit Lepidus. Ant. This is a slight unmeritable man, The threefold world divided, he should stand Oct. 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: On abject orts and imitations, Which, out of use and stal'd by other men, But as a property. And now, Octavius, Are levying powers: we must straight make head: Our best friends made, and our best means stretch'd out; How covert matters may be best disclos'd, And open perils surest answerèd. 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, [Exeunt. SCENE II. Before BRUTUS' tent, in the camp near Sardis. Drum. Enter BRUTUS, LUCILIUS, TITINIUS, and Soldiers; PINDARUS meeting them; Lucrus at some distance. Bru. Stand, ho! Lucil. Give the word, ho! and stand. Bru. What now, Lucilius! is Cassius near? Lucil. He is at hand; and Pindarus is come To do you salutation from his master. Bru. He greets me well. [Pindarus gives a letter to Brutus. Your master, Pindarus, In his own change, or by ill officers, Hath given me some worthy cause to wish But that my noble master will appear Such as he is, full of regard and honour. Bru. He is not doubted. A word, Lucilius; How he receiv'd you, let me be resolv'd. Lucil. With courtesy and with respect enough; But not with such familiar instances, Nor with such free and friendly conference, Bru. Thou hast describ'd A hot friend cooling: ever note, Lucilius, There are no tricks in plain and simple faith: Lucil. They mean this night in Sardis to be quarter'd; The greater part, the horse in general, Are come with Cassius. Bru. [March within. Hark! he is arriv'd: Enter CASSIUS and Soldiers. March gently on to meet him. Cass. Stand, ho! Bru. Stand, ho! Speak the word along. Cass. 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? Cass. Brutus, this sober form of yours hides wrongs; And when you do them Cassius, be content; I do know you well: Before the eyes of both our armies here, Which should perceive nothing but love from us, Bid our commanders lead their charges off A little from this ground. Bru. Lucius, do you the like; and let no man Come to our tent till we have done our conference. Lucilius and Titinius guard the door. SCENE III. Within the tent of BRUTUS. Enter BRUTUS and CASSIUS. [Exeunt. Cass. 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; Bru. You wrong'd yourself to write in such a case. To undeservers. You know that you are Brutus that speaks 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. Cass. Brutus, bay not me, Bru. Cass. I am. Go to; you are not, Cassius. Bru. I say you are not. Cass. Urge me no more, I shall forget myself; Have mind upon your health, tempt me no further. Bru. Away, slight man! Cass. 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? Cass. 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? Cass. Is it come to this? 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 abler men. Cass. You wrong me every way; you wrong me, Brutus; I said, an elder soldier, not a better: Did I say "better"? Cass. When Cæsar liv'd he durst not thus have mov'd me. |