And took his voice who should be prick'd to die, In our black sentence and proscription. Ant. Octavius, I have seen more days than you: And though we lay these honours on this man, To ease ourselves of divers slanderous loads, He shall but bear them as the ass bears gold, To groan and sweat under the business, Either led or driven, as we point the way; And having brought our treasure where we will, Then take we down his load, and turn him off, Like to the empty ass, to shake his ears, And graze in commons. 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. It is a creature that I teach to fight, To wind, to stop, to run directly on; Which, out of use, and stal'd by other men, forth: Are levying powers: we must straight make head: Therefore let our alliance be combin'd, Our best friends made, and our best means stretch'd out; And let us presently go sit in council, How covert matters may be best disclos'd, And open perils surest answered. 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, SCENE II. [Exeunt, Before Brutus' tent, in the camp near Sardis. Drum. Enter BRUTUS, LUCILIUS, LUCIUS, and Soldiers: TITINIUS and PINDARUS meeting them. Bru. Stand here. Luc. Give the word, ho! and stand. Bru. What now, Lucilius? is Cassius near? Luc. He is at hand; and Pindarus is come To do you salutation from his master, [Pindarus gives a letter to Brutus, Bru. 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, Pin. I do not doubt, Bru. He is not doubted.-A word, Lucilius; How he receiv'd you, let me be resolv'd. Luc. With courtesy, and with respect enough; 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: Luc. They mean this night in Sardis to be quar ter'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. Cas. Stand, ho! Bru. Stand ho! Speak the word along. Within. Stand. Within. Stand. Within. Stand. Cas. 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? Cas. Brutus, this sober form of yours hides wrongs; And when you do them Bru. Cassius, be content, Cas. Pindarus, Bid our commanders lead their charges off A little from this ground. Bru. Lucilius, do the like; and let no man Come to our tent, till we have done our conference. Let Lucius and Titinius guard our door. [Exeunt. SCENE III. Within the tent of Brutus. Lucius and Titinius at some distance from it. Enter 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, Bru. You wrong'd yourself, to write in such a case. Cas. In such a time as this, it is not meet That every 31 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, Cas. Chastisement! Bru. Remember March, the ides of March remember! Did not great Julius bleed for justice' sake? Than such a Roman 92. Cas. Brutus, bay not me, I'll not endure it: you forget yourself, To hedge me in; I am a soldier, I, |