And will, no doubt, with reasons answer you. But, as you know me all, a plain blunt man, That love my friend; and that they know full well And bid them speak for me: But were I Brutus, ACT IV. CEREMONY INSINCERE. EVER note, Lucilius, When love begins to sicken and decay, There are no tricks in plain and simple faith: Make gallant show and promise of their mettle: THE TENT SCENE BETWEEN BRUTUS AND CASSIUS. 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, Because I knew the man, were slighted off. Bru. You wrong'd yourself, to write in such a case. Cas. In such a time as this, it is not meet That every nice* offence should bear his comment. Bru. Let me tell you, Cassius, you yourself Are much condemn'd to have an itching palm; To sell and mart your offices for gold, To undeservers. Cas. I an itching palm? You know, that you are Brutus that speak this, [ber! Cas. Brutus, bay not me, I'll not endure it: you forget yourself, To hedge me in‡; I am a soldier, I Older in practice, abler than yourself To make conditions§. Bru. Cas. I am. Go to; you're not, Cassius. Bru. I say, you are not. Cas. Urge me no more, I shall forget myself: Have mind upon your health, tempt me no further. 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? Limit my authority. Trifling. + Bait, bark at. Cas. 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, Cas. Is it come to this? [Brutus ; Cas. You wrong me every way, you wrong me, I said an elder soldier, not a better: Did I say, better? Bru If you did, I care not. Cas. When Cæsar liv'd, he durst not thus have mov'd me. [him.. Bru. Peace, peace: you durst not so have tempted Cas. 1 durst not? 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. 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, For certain sums of gold, which you denied me And drop my blood for drachmas*, than to wring * Coin. From the hard hands of peasants their vile trash, To you for gold to pay my legions, Which you denied me: Was that done like Cassius? Cas. Bru. You did. Cas. I denied you not. I did not:-he was but a fool That brought my answer back.-Brutus hath riv'd * my heart: A friend should bear his friend's infirmities, 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 apAs huge as high Olympus. [pear Hated by one he loves: brav'd by his brother: Than ever thou lov'dst Cassius. * Split. Bru. Sheath your dagger: Be angry when you will, it shall have scope; Cas. Hath Cassius liv'd To be but mirth and laughter to his Brutus, When grief, and blood ill-temper'd vexeth him? Bru. When I spoke that, I was ill-temper'd too. Cas. Do you confess so much? Give me your hand. Bru. And my heart too. Cas. Bru. O Brutus What's the matter? Cas. Have you not love enough to bear with me, When that rash humour, which my mother gave me, Makes me forgetful? Bru. Yes, Cassius; and henceforth, When you are over-earnest with your Brutus, He'll think your mother chides, and leave you so. Bru. O Cassius, I am sick of many griefs. If you give place to accidental evils. Bru. No man bears sorrow better:-Portia is dead. Cas. Ha! Portia ! Bru. She is dead. Cas. How 'scap'd I killing, when I cross'd you so?— O insupportable and touching loss! Upon what sickness? Bru. Impatient of my absence; And grief, that young Octavius with Mark Antony Cas. And died so? Bru. Even so. Cas. O ye immortal gods! |