Previous
Act 4, Scene 1
Julius Caesar Translation Act 4, Scene 2
A drum plays. BRUTUS, LUCIUS, LUCILLIUS, and soldiers enter. TITINIUS and PINDARUS meet them.
BRUTUS
Stand, ho!
BRUTUS
Halt!
LUCILLIUS
Give the word, ho, and stand.
LUCILLIUS
Hey, pass on the command to halt.
BRUTUS
What now, Lucillius? Is Cassius near?
BRUTUS
What’s going on, Lucillius? Is Cassius nearby?
LUCILLIUS
He is at hand, and Pindarus is comeTo do you salutation from his master.
LUCILLIUS
He’s close by, and Pindarus has come to greet you on his master's behalf.
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.
BRUTUS
He has sent a noble man to greet me.
[To PINDARUS] Your master, Pindarus—either because his feelings for me have changed or because he's been influenced by bad advice—has made me wish we could undo some of the things we've done. But if he is nearby, I'll get an explanation.
PINDARUS
I do not doubtBut that my noble master will appearSuch as he is, full of regard and honor.
PINDARUS
I don't doubt that my noble master will prove himself to be what he is: respectful and honorable.
BRUTUS
He is not doubted. —A word, Lucillius. [takes LUCILLIUS aside] How he received you, let me be resolved.
BRUTUS
I don’t doubt him.
[To LUCILLIUS] Lucillius, can I speak with you? [He takes LUCILLIUS aside] Please tell me, how did Cassius greet you?
LUCILLIUS
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.
LUCILLIUS
With suitable courtesy and respect, but not with real friendship or with the same open and friendly conversation that he used to greet me before.
BRUTUS
Thou hast described A hot friend cooling. Ever note, Lucillius, When love begins to sicken and decay, It useth an enforcèd 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.
BRUTUS
You’ve described a formerly good friend who’s now cooling off. Note this, Lucillius: when a love starts to fade and wither, what remains is strained formality. There are no tricks hiding behind plain and simple friendship. But insincere men make a big show of their courage, like horses who are too spirited when a rider first takes the reins.
Faint drumbeats sound.
BRUTUS
But when they should endure the bloody spur, They fall their crests and, like deceitful jades, Sink in the trial. Comes his army on?
BRUTUS
But when the going gets tough, they drop their necks and fail the test, like the poor horse they truly are. Is Cassius' army approaching?
LUCILLIUS
They mean this night in Sardis to be quartered.The greater part, the horse in general,Are come with Cassius.
LUCILLIUS
They plan to spend the night in Sardis. The larger part, including all the cavalry, are coming with Cassius.
BRUTUS
Hark! He is arrived.March gently on to meet him.
BRUTUS
Look! He’s arrived. March to meet him slowly, without hostility.
CASSIUS enters with his army.
CASSIUS
Stand, ho!
CASSIUS
Halt!
BRUTUS
Stand, ho! Speak the word along.
BRUTUS
Halt! Pass along the order.
FIRST SOLDIER
Stand!
FIRST SOLDIER
Halt!
SECOND SOLDIER
Stand!
SECOND SOLDIER
Halt!
THIRD SOLDIER
Stand!
THIRD SOLDIER
Halt!
CASSIUS
Most noble brother, you have done me wrong.
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?
BRUTUS
May the gods judge me, then! Do I mistreat my enemies? No. So why would I wrong a brother?
CASSIUS
Brutus, this sober form of yours hides wrongs.And when you do them—
CASSIUS
Brutus, this dignified manner of yours hides the fact that you’ve wronged me. And when you do these 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.
BRUTUS
Cassius, keep calm. We know each other well, so you don't have to shout your grievances. Let's not argue in front of our armies, which should see nothing but love between us. Tell them to move away. Then, in my tent, you can fully explain your grievances, and I’ll listen.
CASSIUS
Pindarus,Bid our commanders lead their charges offA little from this ground.
CASSIUS
Pindarus, tell our commanders to lead their soldiers a little ways away from this spot.
BRUTUS
Lucillius, do you the like. And let no manCome to our tent till we have done our conference.Let Lucius and Titinius guard our door.
BRUTUS
Lucillius, you do the same. And don’t let any man come near our tent until we’ve finished our conversation. Have Lucius and Titinius guard the door.
Everyone exits except BRUTUS and CASSIUS.
