Act 4, Scene 2

Original Text

*Camp near Sardis. Before Brutus's tent. Drum. Enter Brutus, Lucilius, and Soldiers; Titinius and Pindarus meet them.* BRUTUS. 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. 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.

Modern English

*Near Sardis. Outside Brutus's tent. Drums sound. Brutus enters with Lucilius and soldiers. Titinius and Pindarus come to meet them.* BRUTUS. Halt! LUCILIUS. Pass the word — halt! BRUTUS. What's the news, Lucilius? Is Cassius close? LUCILIUS. He's nearby, and his servant Pindarus is here to deliver his greetings. BRUTUS. He's welcome. But your master, Pindarus — whether through changes in himself or through bad subordinates — has given me good reason to wish some things hadn't been done. But if he's close by, I'll get a full explanation.

Original Text

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. BRUTUS. Thou hast described A hot friend cooling. Ever note, Lucilius: When love begins to sicken and decay It useth an enforced 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. *Enter Cassius and his army.* 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. 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. *Exeunt into the tent.*

Modern English

LUCILIUS. He treated me with courtesy and respect, but without the easy warmth or the open, friendly conversation he used to show. BRUTUS. You've just described a friendship that's cooling off. Remember this, Lucilius: when affection starts to weaken and fade, it hides behind stiff formality. Genuine loyalty doesn't need performances. But insincere men, like horses that seem spirited at first, make a bold show and promise great endurance, but when they're actually put to the test, they drop their heads and, like worthless nags, collapse under pressure. *Cassius arrives with his army.* CASSIUS. Most noble brother, you've wronged me. BRUTUS. Let the gods judge! Would I wrong my enemies? If not, why would I wrong a brother? CASSIUS. Brutus, that calm exterior of yours covers up real offenses. BRUTUS. Cassius, keep your voice down. Say what's bothering you quietly. I know you well. In front of both our armies, who should see nothing but unity between us, let's not have a public argument. Send the troops away. Then, inside my tent, you can lay out your complaints and I'll hear every one of them. *They go into the tent.*

Julius Caesar

Act 4, Scene 2

Act 4, Scene 2