Julius Caesar, Act 4, Scene 2
Original
Modern English
Drum. Enter Brutus, Lucilius, Titinius and Soldiers; Pindarus meeting them; Lucius at some distance.
A drum beats. Brutus, Lucilius, Titinius and Soldiers come in; Pindarus comes to meet them; Lucius stands some way off.
Brutus1
Stand, ho!
Halt!
Lucilius2
Give the word, ho! and stand.
Pass the order along, and halt!
Brutus3
What now, Lucilius! is Cassius near?
What news, Lucilius? Is Cassius nearby?
Lucilius4
He is at hand, and Pindarus is come To do you salutation from his master.
He is close by, and Pindarus has come to bring you greetings from his master.
Pindarus gives a letter to Brutus.
Pindarus gives a letter to Brutus.
Brutus6
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.
His greeting is welcome. Your master, Pindarus, either because he has changed or because of bad subordinates, has given me good reason to wish some things undone that have been done. But if he is close by, I will be given an explanation.
Pindarus11
I do not doubt But that my noble master will appear Such as he is, full of regard and honour.
I have no fear that my noble master will show himself to be what he truly is: full of respect and honour.
Brutus14
He is not doubted. A word, Lucilius; How he received you, let me be resolv’d.
Nobody fears otherwise about him. A word, Lucilius: tell me clearly how he received you.
Lucilius16
With courtesy and with respect enough, But not with such familiar instances, Nor with such free and friendly conference, As he hath us’d of old.
With courtesy and with respect enough, but not with the signs of closeness, nor the free and friendly talk, that he used to show.
Brutus20
Thou hast describ’d 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;
You have described a warm friend growing cold. Always notice this, Lucilius: when affection begins to sicken and fade, it takes to forced formality. There is no trickery in plain, straightforward loyalty. But false men, like horses that are eager when first reined in, make a splendid show and promise of their spirit;
Low march within.
A quiet march is heard offstage.
Brutus27
But when they should endure the bloody spur, They fall their crests, and like deceitful jades Sink in the trial. Comes his army on?
but when they have to endure the bloody spur, they drop their necks, and like worthless, treacherous nags they collapse when they are tested. Is his army coming?
Lucilius30
They meant this night in Sardis to be quarter’d; The greater part, the horse in general, Are come with Cassius.
They intended to be quartered in Sardis tonight. The greater part of them, the whole cavalry, have come with Cassius.
Enter Cassius and Soldiers.
Cassius and Soldiers come in.
Brutus33
Hark! he is arriv’d. March gently on to meet him.
Listen! He has arrived. March slowly forward to meet him.
Cassius35
Stand, ho!
Halt!
Brutus36
Stand, ho! Speak the word along.
Halt! Pass the order down the line.
First Soldier37
Stand!
Halt!
Second Soldier38
Stand!
Halt!
Third Soldier39
Stand!
Halt!
Cassius40
Most noble brother, you have done me wrong.
My most noble brother, you have wronged me.
Brutus41
Judge me, you gods; wrong I mine enemies? And if not so, how should I wrong a brother?
You gods, be my judges: do I wrong my enemies? And if I do not, how could I wrong a brother?
Cassius43
Brutus, this sober form of yours hides wrongs; And when you do them—
Brutus, this calm manner of yours conceals wrongs, and when you commit them—
Brutus45
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.
Cassius, calm down. State your grievances quietly; I know you well. Here, in front of the eyes of both our armies, who should see nothing but affection between us, let us not quarrel. Tell them to move off; then in my tent, Cassius, set out your grievances at length, and I will listen to you.
Cassius52
Pindarus, Bid our commanders lead their charges off A little from this ground.
Pindarus, tell our commanders to lead their units away a little from this spot.
Brutus55
Lucilius, do you the like; and let no man Come to our tent till we have done our conference. Lucius and Titinius, guard our door.
Lucilius, you do the same; and let no one come to our tent until we have finished our talk. Lucius and Titinius, guard our door.
Exeunt.
They all leave.
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