Julius Caesar Act 4 Scene 2
Camp near Sardis. Before Brutus's tent.
The Original
Plain Modern English
Drum. Enter Brutus, Lucilius, Lucius, and the Army. Titinius and Pindarus meet them.
Brutus
Stand ho!
Brutus
Halt!
Lucilius
Give the word, ho, and stand!
Lucilius
Pass the word — halt!
Brutus
What now, Lucilius, is Cassius near?
Brutus
Well, Lucilius — is Cassius close?
Lucilius
He is at hand, and Pindarus is come
To do you salutation from his master.
Lucilius
He's nearby, and Pindarus has come
to bring you greetings from his master.
Brutus
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.
Brutus
A courteous greeting. — Your master, Pindarus,
either through changing himself or through bad subordinates,
has given me real reason to wish
certain things undone. But if he's close by
I'll get my answers.
Pindarus
I do not doubt
But that my noble master will appear
Such as he is, full of regard and honor.
Pindarus
I've no doubt
that my noble master will prove himself
exactly what he is — full of respect and honour.
Brutus
He is not doubted.
A word, Lucilius,
How he received you. Let me be resolved.
Brutus
Nobody doubts him.
A word, Lucilius —
how did he receive you? Tell me plainly.
Lucilius
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.
Lucilius
With courtesy and enough respect,
but without the familiar warmth
or the free and friendly conversation
he used to show.
Brutus
Thou hast described
A 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,
Make gallant show and promise of their mettle,
But when they should endure the bloody spur,
They fall their crests and, like deceitful jades,
Sink in the trial. Comes his army on?
Brutus
You've just described
a warm friend going cold. Always remember, Lucilius:
when affection starts to sicken and rot,
it turns to forced formality.
There are no tricks in plain, simple loyalty.
But hollow men, like horses eager at the start,
make a fine show and promise great things —
and then when they have to take the bloody spur,
they droop their necks and, like worthless nags,
collapse under the test. — Is his army coming?
Lucilius
They mean this night in Sardis to be quartered.
The greater part, the horse in general,
Are come with Cassius.
Lucilius
They intend to camp at Sardis tonight.
The bulk of them, the cavalry in particular,
have come with Cassius.
Brutus
Hark, he is arrived.
March gently on to meet him.
Brutus
Listen — he's here.
March slowly forward to meet him.
Cassius
Stand ho!
Cassius
Halt!
Brutus
Stand ho! Speak the word along.
Brutus
Halt! Pass the word down the line.
Cassius
Most noble brother, you have done me wrong.
Cassius
Noble brother — you've wronged me.
Brutus
Judge me, you gods! Wrong I mine enemies?
And if not so, how should I wrong a brother?
Brutus
Gods judge me! Do I wrong even my enemies?
And if I don't, how would I wrong a brother?
Cassius
Brutus, this sober form of yours hides wrongs,
And when you do them—
Cassius
Brutus, this calm manner of yours conceals injuries —
and when you commit 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.
Brutus
Cassius, calm down.
Say your grievances quietly. I know you well.
In front of both our armies here,
who should see nothing but affection between us,
let's not squabble. Tell them to move off.
Then in my tent, Cassius, set out your grievances at length
and I'll hear you.
Cassius
Pindarus,
Bid our commanders lead their charges off
A little from this ground.
Cassius
Pindarus,
tell our commanders to lead their units
a little way off from here.
Brutus
Lucius, do you the like, and let no man
Come to our tent till we have done our conference.
Let Lucilius and Titinius guard our door.
Brutus
Lucius, do the same — and let nobody
come to the tent until we've finished talking.
Have Lucilius and Titinius guard the door.
All but Brutus and Cassius exit.