Act 4 — Scene III. Brutus's tent.[3408]

Cas. 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,[3410][3411] Because I knew the man, were slighted off.[3411][3412] 5 Bru. You wrong'd yourself to write in such a case.[3413] Cas. In such a time as this it is not meet That every nice offence should bear his comment.[3414] Bru. Let me tell you, Cassius, you yourself[3415] Are much condemn'd to have an itching palm, 10 To sell and mart your offices for gold To undeservers. Cas. I an itching palm![3416] You know that you are Brutus that speaks this,[3417] Or, by the gods, this speech were else your last. Bru. The name of Cassius honours this corruption, 15 And chastisement doth therefore hide his head.[3418] Cas. Chastisement! Bru. Remember March, the ides of March remember: Did not great Julius bleed for justice' sake?[3419] What villain touch'd his body, that did stab, 20 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 25 For so much trash as may be grasped thus? I had rather be a dog, and bay the moon,[3420] Than such a Roman.[3421] Cas. Brutus, bait not me; I'll not endure it: you forget yourself, To hedge me in; I am a soldier, I,[3422] 30 Older in practice, abler than yourself To make conditions.[3423] Bru. Go to; you are not, Cassius. Cas. I am. Bru. I say you are not.[3424] Cas. Urge me no more, I shall forget myself; 35 Have mind upon your health, tempt me no farther.[3425] Bru. Away, slight man! Cas. 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? 40 Cas. O ye gods, ye gods! must I endure all this?[3426] 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?[3427] Must I observe you? must I stand and crouch 45 Under your testy humour? By the gods, You shall digest the venom of your spleen, Though it do split you; for, from this day forth,[3428] I'll use you for my mirth, yea, for my laughter, When you are waspish. Cas. Is it come to this? 50 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 noble men.[3429] Cas. You wrong me every way; you wrong me, Brutus;[3430] 55 I said, an elder soldier, not a better:[3431] Did I say, better?[3432] Bru. If you did, I care not. Cas. When Cæsar lived, he durst not thus have moved me. Bru. Peace, peace! you durst not so have tempted him. Cas. I durst not! 60 Bru. No. Cas. What, durst not tempt him! Bru. For your life you durst not. Cas. Do not presume too much upon my love; I may do that I shall be sorry for. Bru. You have done that you should be sorry for. 65 There is no terror, Cassius, in your threats; For I am arm'd so strong in honesty That they pass by me as the idle wind Which I respect not. I did send to you For certain sums of gold, which you denied me: 70 For I can raise no money by vile means: By heaven, I had rather coin my heart, And drop my blood for drachmas, than to wring From the hard hands of peasants their vile trash By any indirection. I did send[3433] 75 To you for gold to pay my legions, Which you denied me: was that done like Cassius? Should I have answer'd Caius Cassius so? When Marcus Brutus grows so covetous, To lock such rascal counters from his friends, 80 Be ready, gods, with all your thunderbolts,[3434] Dash him to pieces![3434] Cas. I denied you not. Bru. You did. Cas. I did not: he was but a fool That brought my answer back. Brutus hath rived my heart:[3435] A friend should bear his friend's infirmities,[3436] 85 But Brutus makes mine greater than they are. Bru. I do not, till you practise them on me.[3437] Cas. You love me not. Bru. I do not like your faults. Cas. A friendly eye could never see such faults. Bru. A flatterer's would not, though they do appear[3438] 90 As huge as high Olympus. Cas. Come, Antony, and young Octavius, come, Revenge yourselves alone on Cassius, For Cassius is a-weary of the world; Hated by one he loves; braved by his brother; 95 Check'd like a bondman; all his faults observed, Set in a note-book, learn'd and conn'd by rote, To cast into my teeth. O, I could weep[3439] My spirit from mine eyes! There is my dagger, And here my naked breast; within, a heart 100 Dearer than Plutus' mine, richer than gold:[3440] If that thou be'st a Roman, take it forth;[3441] I, that denied thee gold, will give my heart: Strike, as thou didst at Cæsar; for I know, When thou didst hate him worst, thou lovedst him better 105 Than ever thou lovedst Cassius. Bru. Sheath your dagger: Be angry when you will, it shall have scope; Do what you will, dishonour shall be humour.[3442] O Cassius, you are yoked with a lamb,[3443] That carries anger as the flint bears fire, 110 Who, much enforced, shows a hasty spark[3444] And straight is cold again. Cas. Hath Cassius lived To be but mirth and laughter to his Brutus, When grief and blood ill-temper'd vexeth him?[3445] Bru. When I spoke that, I was ill-temper'd too. 115 Cas. Do you confess so much? Give me your hand. Bru. And my heart too.[3446] Cas. O Brutus! Bru. What's the matter? Cas. Have not you love enough to bear with me,[3447] When that rash humour which my mother gave me Makes me forgetful? Bru. Yes, Cassius, and from henceforth,[3448] 120 When you are over-earnest with your Brutus, He'll think your mother chides, and leave you so. Poet. [Within] Let me go in to see the generals; There is some grudge between 'em; 'tis not meet[3449][3450] They be alone.[3450][3451] Lucil. [Within] You shall not come to them.[3450][3452]125 Poet. [Within] Nothing but death shall stay me.[3450][3453]

Cas. How now! what's the matter?[3450] Poet. For shame, you generals! what do you mean?[3450] Love, and be friends, as two such men should be;[3450] For I have seen more years, I'm sure, than ye.[3450] 130 Cas. Ha, ha! how vilely doth this cynic rhyme![3450][3455] Bru. Get you hence, sirrah; saucy fellow, hence![3450] Cas. Bear with him, Brutus; 'tis his fashion.[3450] Bru. I'll know his humour when he knows his time:[3450] What should the wars do with these jigging fools?[3450][3456] 135 Companion, hence![3450] Cas. Away, away, be gone! [Exit Poet. Bru. Lucilius and Titinius, bid the commanders[3457] Prepare to lodge their companies to-night. Cas. And come yourselves, and bring Messala with you Immediately to us. [Exeunt Lucilius and Titinius. Bru. Lucius, a bowl of wine! [Exit Lucius.[3458]140 Cas. I did not think you could have been so angry. Bru. O Cassius, I am sick of many griefs. Cas. Of your philosophy you make no use, If you give place to accidental evils. Bru. No man bears sorrow better: Portia is dead.[3459] 145 Cas. Ha! Portia![3460] Bru. She is dead. Cas. How 'scaped I killing when I cross'd you so? O insupportable and touching loss! Upon what sickness? Bru. Impatient of my absence,[3461] 150 And grief that young Octavius with Mark Antony Have made themselves so strong: for with her death That tidings came: with this she fell distract, And, her attendants absent, swallow'd fire. Cas. And died so? Bru. Even so. Cas. O ye immortal gods![3462] 155

Bru. Speak no more of her. Give me a bowl of wine. In this I bury all unkindness, Cassius. [Drinks. Cas. My heart is thirsty for that noble pledge. Fill, Lucius, till the wine o'erswell the cup; I cannot drink too much of Brutus' love. [Drinks. [3464]160 Bru. Come in, Titinius! [Exit Lucius.[3465]

Welcome, good Messala. Now sit we close about this taper here, And call in question our necessities. Cas. Portia, art thou gone? Bru. No more, I pray you.[3466] Messala, I have here received letters,[3467] 165 That young Octavius and Mark Antony Come down upon us with a mighty power, Bending their expedition toward Philippi.[3468] Mes. Myself have letters of the selfsame tenour.[3469] Bru. With what addition?[3470] 170 Mes. That by proscription and bills of outlawry[3471] Octavius, Antony and Lepidus, Have put to death an hundred senators.[3472] Bru. Therein our letters do not well agree; Mine speak of seventy senators that died 175 By their proscriptions, Cicero being one. Cas. Cicero one![3473][3474] Mes. Cicero is dead,[3474] And by that order of proscription.[3475] Had you your letters from your wife, my lord? Bru. No, Messala. 180 Mes. Nor nothing in your letters writ of her? Bru. Nothing, Messala. Mes. That, methinks, is strange. Bru. Why ask you? hear you aught of her in yours?[3476] Mes. No, my lord. Bru. Now, as you are a Roman, tell me true. 185 Mes. Then like a Roman bear the truth I tell: For certain she is dead, and by strange manner. Bru. Why, farewell, Portia. We must die, Messala: With meditating that she must die once I have the patience to endure it now. 190 Mes. Even so great men great losses should endure. Cas. I have as much of this in art as you, But yet my nature could not bear it so. Bru. Well, to our work alive. What do you think Of marching to Philippi presently?[3477] 195 Cas. I do not think it good. Bru. Your reason? Cas. This it is:[3478] 'Tis better that the enemy seek us: So shall he waste his means, weary his soldiers, Doing himself offence; whilst we lying still Are full of rest, defence and nimbleness. 200 Bru. Good reasons must of force give place to better. The people 'twixt Philippi and this ground Do stand but in a forced affection, For they have grudged us contribution: The enemy, marching along by them, 205 By them shall make a fuller number up, Come on refresh'd, new-added and encouraged;[3479] From which advantage shall we cut him off[3480] If at Philippi we do face him there,[3481] These people at our back. Cas. Hear me, good brother.[3482] 210 Bru. Under your pardon. You must note beside That we have tried the utmost of our friends, Our legions are brim-full, our cause is ripe: The enemy increaseth every day; We, at the height, are ready to decline. 215 There is a tide in the affairs of men Which taken at the flood leads on to fortune; Omitted, all the voyage of their life Is bound in shallows and in miseries. On such a full sea are we now afloat, 220 And we must take the current when it serves, Or lose our ventures. Cas. Then, with your will, go on;[3483][3484] We'll along ourselves and meet them at Philippi.[3483][3485] Bru. The deep of night is crept upon our talk, And nature must obey necessity; 225 Which we will niggard with a little rest. There is no more to say?[3486] Cas. No more. Good night: Early to-morrow will we rise and hence. Bru. Lucius! [Re-enter Lucius.] My gown. [Exit Lucius.] Farewell, good Messala:[3487] Good night, Titinius: noble, noble Cassius, 230 Good night, and good repose. Cas. O my dear brother! This was an ill beginning of the night: Never come such division 'tween our souls![3488] Let it not, Brutus. Bru. Every thing is well. Cas. Good night, my lord. Bru. Good night, good brother.[3489] 235 Tit. Mes. Good night, Lord Brutus. Bru. Farewell, every one.

Give me the gown. Where is thy instrument? Luc. Here in the tent. Bru. What, thou speak'st drowsily? Poor knave, I blame thee not; thou art o'er-watch'd.[3491] Call Claudius and some other of my men;[3492] 240 I'll have them sleep on cushions in my tent. Luc. Varro and Claudius![3492][3493][3494]

Var. Calls my lord?[3495] Bru. I pray you, sirs, lie in my tent and sleep; It may be I shall raise you by and by 245 On business to my brother Cassius. Var. So please you, we will stand and watch your pleasure.[3496] Bru. I will not have it so: lie down, good sirs; It may be I shall otherwise bethink me. Look, Lucius, here's the book I sought for so; 250 I put it in the pocket of my gown. [Var. and Clau. lie down.[3497] Luc. I was sure your lordship did not give it me. Bru. Bear with me, good boy, I am much forgetful. Canst thou hold up thy heavy eyes awhile,[3498] And touch thy instrument a strain or two?[3498][3499] 255 Luc. Ay, my lord, an't please you.[3500] Bru. It does, my boy:[3501] I trouble thee too much, but thou art willing.[3501] Luc. It is my duty, sir.[3501][3502] Bru. I should not urge thy duty past thy might; I know young bloods look for a time of rest. 260 Luc. I have slept, my lord, already. Bru. It was well done; and thou shalt sleep again; I will not hold thee long: if I do live, I will be good to thee. [Music, and a song.[3503] This is a sleepy tune. O murderous slumber,[3504] 265 Lay'st thou thy leaden mace upon my boy,[3505] That plays thee music? Gentle knave, good night; I will not do thee so much wrong to wake thee: If thou dost nod, thou break'st thy instrument; I'll take it from thee; and, good boy, good night.[3506] 270 Let me see, let me see; is not the leaf turn'd down[3507] Where I left reading? Here it is, I think. [Sits down.[3508]

How ill this taper burns! Ha! who comes here? I think it is the weakness of mine eyes That shapes this monstrous apparition. 275 It comes upon me. Art thou any thing? Art thou some god, some angel, or some devil, That makest my blood cold, and my hair to stare?[3510] Speak to me what thou art. Ghost. Thy evil spirit, Brutus. Bru. Why comest thou?[3511] 280 Ghost. To tell thee thou shalt see me at Philippi. Bru. Well; then I shall see thee again?[3512] Ghost. Ay, at Philippi. Bru. Why, I will see thee at Philippi then. [Exit Ghost.[3513] Now I have taken heart thou vanishest.[3514] 285 Ill spirit, I would hold more talk with thee.[3514] Boy, Lucius! Varro! Claudius! Sirs, awake![3492][3493] Claudius![3492] Luc. The strings, my lord, are false. Bru. He thinks he still is at his instrument.[3515] 290 Lucius, awake! Luc. My lord?[3516] Bru. Didst thou dream, Lucius, that thou so criedst out?[3517] Luc. My lord. I do not know that I did cry. Bru. Yes, that thou didst: didst thou see any thing? 295 Luc. Nothing, my lord. Bru. Sleep again, Lucius. Sirrah Claudius![3492][3518] [To Var.] Fellow thou, awake![3519] Var. My lord? Clau. My lord? 300 Bru. Why did you so cry out, sirs, in your sleep? Var. Clau. Did we, my lord?[3520] Bru. Ay: saw you any thing? Var. No, my lord, I saw nothing. Clau. Nor I, my lord. Bru. Go and commend me to my brother Cassius; Bid him set on his powers betimes before, 305 And we will follow. Var. Clau. It shall be done, my lord.[3520] [Exeunt.