Brutus

Stop!

Lucilius

Pass on the order, and stop!

Brutus

What's this, Lucilius, is Cassius nearby?

Lucilius

He's close by. Pindarus has come to salute you on behalf of this master.

Brutus

Cassius greets me well. [To Pindarus] Your master, Pindarus, through either his own orders, or incompetence officers, has given me good reason to wish certain actions had not taken place. But if he's nearby, I'll get an explanation from him.

Pindarus

I don't doubt that my noble master will prove to be what he is, an admirable and honorable man.

Brutus

I don't doubt him. Lucilius, if I could have a word. [Aside to Lucilius] Tell me how Cassius treated you. I must have no doubts about his attitude.

Lucilius

He treated me with courtesy and respect enough, but he wasn't as familiar with me, nor did he talk in the friendly, open manner that he used to.

Brutus

You have described the cooling of what was a warm friendship. Lucilius, you will always notice that when love starts to decay it resorts to forced niceties. Simple, faithful men use no tricks. But insincere men are like war horses which seem eager at the outset, making a gallant show of their character; but when they most need to respond to the spur at the heat of the battle, they become crestfallen and prove not worthier than a worn-out, broken-down horse, and fail to perform. Is his army approaching?

Lucilius

They're planning on camping in Sardis tonight. Most of his soldiers, and all of his cavalry are with him.

Brutus

Look, he's arrived.

Slowly march on to meet him.

Cassius

Halt!

Brutus

Halt! Pass on the command.

First Soldier

Halt!

Second Soldier

Halt!

Third Soldier

Halt!

Cassius

Noble brother-in-law, you have done me wrong.

Brutus

May the gods judge me! Do I even harm my enemies? If not, how could I possibly wrong my brother?

Cassius

Brutus, your moderate tone masks the wrongs you've done. And when you do them—

Brutus

Cassius, calm down. Tell me your grievances quietly. I know you well. Let's not fight publicly in front of our two armies, who should see us as a united front. Tell your army to move away a little. Then in my tent you can explain your grievances and I will listen to you.

Cassius

Pindarus, tell the commanders to lead our soldiers a little further from this spot.

Brutus

Lucilius, you do the same, and don't let anyone come to my tent until we've finished our discussions. Have Lucius and Titinius guard the door.

Cassius

You've wronged me in this way: you condemned and disgraced Lucius Pella for taking bribes from the Sardians. I pleaded for the man as I know him personally, but you brushed off my letters.

Brutus

You brought that on yourself by trying to defend his case.

Cassius

In times like these, it's not appropriate that every trivial offense rebuked.

Brutus

Let me tell you, Cassius, that you yourself have been harshly criticized for having a greedy hand, selling positions in your army for gold to undeserving people.

Cassius

Me having a greedy hand! You know it's only because you're Brutus that you can say this. Because otherwise, by the gods, these words would be your last.

Brutus

When you honor this corruption, Cassius, reprimand hides his head.

Cassius

Reprimand?

Brutus

Remember March, remember the 15th of March. Didn't great Julius die for the sake of justice? Who laid a hand on his body, who stabbed him, for any other reason than justice? What, shall one of us who killed the greatest man of this world for plundering Rome, shall we dirty our hands with shameful bribes and sell exalted positions for the trash as can be grasped in this way? I would rather be a dog and howl at the moon than that kind of Roman.

Cassius

Brutus, don't taunt me. I won't put up with it. You're forgetting yourself hemming me in like this. I am a soldier, older and more experienced, more capable than you to make the necessary preparations for out upcoming battle.

Brutus

Get out of here! You are not, Cassius

Cassius

I am.

Brutus

I say you are not.

Cassius

Don't provoke me any more, I'll do something I'll regret. Look out for yourself. Don't push me any further.

Brutus

Get out, you little man!

Cassius

Is this possible?

Brutus

Listen to me, I want to say something. Do I have to stand aside and accommodate your rash anger? Will I cower when you stare like a madman?

Cassius

Oh you gods, you gods! Do I have to endure all this?

Brutus

All this? Yes, and more! Get irritated until your proud heart breaks. Go show your slaves how angry you are and make them tremble in fear. Do I have to respond? Do I have to listen to this? Do I have to cringe because of your bad temper? By the gods, I won't let you vent your spleen on me. You’ll have to swallow that venom until it kills you, because from this day forward, I'll be laughing at you whenever you get so spiteful.

Cassius

Has it come to this?

Brutus

You say you're a better soldier. Prove it. Make your boasting true and I'll be pleased. As for me, I'm always happy to learn from a more noble man.

Cassius

You insult me in every way. You insult me, Brutus! I said that I'm a more experienced soldier, not a better one. Did I say "better"?

Brutus

I don't care if you did or not.

Cassius

When Caesar was alive he never would have dared to provoke me like this!

Brutus

Oh be quiet, you would never dared tempt him so.

Cassius

I wouldn't have dared, huh?

Brutus

No.

Cassius

What, you think I wouldn't have dared?

Brutus

Not on your life.

Cassius

Don't presume I won't hurt you because of my love. I might do something I'll regret.

Brutus

You've already done things you should regret. Your threats don't terrify me, Cassius. My integrity is like armor against them, and they pass by me like a lazy breeze that I don't notice at all. I asked you for a certain sum of money, which you denied me, for I will not raise any money by dishonest means. By heaven, I would rather sell my heart, give my blood for money, than take from the hands of hardworking peasants their paltry savings by coercion. I asked you for gold to pay my soldiers, which you denied me. Was that something Cassius should do? Would I have done the same to you? Gods, when I become so greedy, be ready to strike me down with all your thunderbolts and tear me to pieces!

Cassius

I didn't deny you money.

Brutus

You did.

Cassius

I did not. The person who brought you my reply was an idiot. Brutus, you broke my heart. Friends should endure each other's faults, but you exaggerate mine beyond what they are.

Brutus

I didn't do that before you started attacking me with them.

Cassius

You don't love me.

Brutus

I don't like your faults.

Cassius

A true friend wouldn't see those kinds of faults.

Brutus

A flatterer wouldn't see them even if they were as huge as Mount Olympus.

Cassius

Come get me, Antony and young Octavius! Take revenge on me alone, for I'm tired of the world, and I have have been hated by someone I love; challenged to a fight by my brother; chastised like a lowly servant; all my faults noted, recorded, memorized, and thrown back in my face. Oh, I could cry my soul away. Here's my dagger and here's my bare chest; inside, a heart more valuable than the gods' mines, richer than gold itself. If you're a true Roman, cut it out of me. I, who denied you money, give you my heart. Stab me like you stabbed Caesar, for I know that even when you hated him most, you loved him more than you ever loved me.

Brutus

Put your dagger away. Be angry whenever you wish, it won't bother me. Act as you want; I won't object even if I think it's dishonorable. Oh, Cassius, you're working with a lamb. When I'm pressured, I get angry for a moment, then I cool back down—just like flint gives off a brief spark when struck, but then immediately is cold again.

Cassius

Has my life come to this—you just laugh at me with disdain when my objectionable actions and foul mood irritate you?

Brutus

When I said that, I also was in a foul mood.

Cassius

You will confess to that? Give me your hand.

Brutus

Take my heart too.

Cassius

Oh Brutus!

Brutus

What's the matter?

Cassius

Don't you love me enough to put up with me when that quick temper I inherited from my mother makes me forget myself?

Brutus

Yes, Cassius, I do. From now on, when you're being too blunt with me, I'll tell myself it's your mother criticizing me, and I'll ignore it.

Poet

[Off stage] Let me go in to see the generals! There's some quarrel going on between them, it's not good that they should be alone.

Lucilius

Poet

[Off stage] Only death will keep me out!

Cassius

What's going on? What's the matter?

Poet

For shame, you generals! What are you trying to do?

"Love and be friends, like two great men should be,

For you can trust a dear old man like me"

Cassius

Ha, ha! How terribly this Cynic rhymes!

Brutus

Get out, you insolent fellow, get out!

Cassius

Have patience with him Brutus, this is his manner, being a Cynic.

Brutus

I'll accept his manner when he respects his time and place! In a time of war, what are we supposed to do with these frivolous fools. Hey friend, get out!

Cassius

Go away, get out!

Brutus

Lucilius and Titinius, tell the commanders to have their armies prepare to camp here tonight.

Cassius

Then follow us, and bring Messala with you right away.

Brutus

Lucius, bring a bowl of wine!

Cassius

I didn't think you could be so angry.

Brutus

Oh Cassius, I've been sick with grief.

Cassius

You aren't making very good use of your Stoic philosophy if you'll let accidental misfortunes upset you.

Brutus

No man endures sorrow better than I do. Portia's dead.

Cassius

What! Portia?

Brutus

She's dead.

Cassius

How did you not kill me when I was angered you so? Oh what an unendurable and tragic loss! How did she die?

Brutus

She was so impatient with my absence, and upset that young Octavius and Mark Antony have raised strong armies—news of her death arrived along with that information—that these things made her lose her mind, and when her servants were out, she swallowed burning coals.

Cassius

She's dead?

Brutus

Yes…

Cassius

Oh you immortal gods!

Brutus

Don't talk about her anymore. Give me a bowl of wine. In drinking to your health, I put our quarrel behind us, Cassius.

Cassius

I have a great thirst for such a toast! Fill it up, Lucius, until the wine spills over the top. I can't drink too much of Brutus' love.

Brutus

Come in, Titinius.

Welcome, good Messala. Now let's gather closely around this candle and take stock of the supplies we need.

Cassius

[Aside] Portia, are you really gone?

Brutus

[Aside to Cassius] No more, I beg you. [Aloud] Messala, I've received these letters indicating that young Octavius and Mark Antony are approaching with a mighty army and are headed towards Philippi.

Messala

I've received letters with a similar tone.

Brutus

What else did they say?

Messala

That Octavius, Antony, and Lepidus, having condemned them with charges of serious crimes, have had a hundred senators put to death.

Brutus

Now, that’s where our letters give different accounts. Mine informed me of only seventy senators being killed executed on their orders, among them Cicero.

Cassius

Cicero was one of them?

Messala

Cicero is dead, by their condemnation of him. Did get your letters from your wife, my lord?

Brutus

No, Messala.

Messala

And nothing in the other letters about her?

Brutus

Nothing, Messala.

Messala

That seems strange to me.

Brutus

Why do you ask? Did you hear anything about her?

Messala

No, my lord.

Brutus

Now, on your Roman honor, tell me the truth.

Messala

Then as a noble Roman you must endure the truth. She is dead, and she died in a bizarre manner.

Brutus

Well, farewell Portia. We all must die, Messala. Knowing that she will die one day gives me the strength to endure her death now.

Messala

This is just the way a great men should endure great losses.

Cassius

I have as much capacity to rationalize death as you do, Brutus; but even so I know my heart couldn't endure it like that.

Brutus

Well, let's focus on the work affecting the living. What do you think about marching to Philippi right away?

Cassius

I don't think it's a good idea.

Brutus

For what reason?

Cassius

This reason: it's better for the enemy to seek us out and waste their resources, tire out their soldiers, weakening themselves. Meanwhile we will be well-rested, with well-prepared defenses, and able to respond quickly.

Brutus

Those are good reasons, but even good reasons must give way to better ones. The population between here and Philippi, we coerced to support us, and they grudgingly provided goods and money. They are not loyal to us except by force, for they resent the tribute we make them pay us. The enemy marching through their territory can recruit them, coming on toward us in larger number of newly added, fresh, and motivated soldiers. We can cut them off from this potential advantage by confronting them at Philippi, keeping these people behind us.

Cassius

Listen to me, good brother.

Brutus

If I may—you must also take into account that we have asked all we can of our allies, that our armies are full to the brim with soldiers, and that our justification for war is timely. The enemy is growing larger every day, while we're at our peak and are ready to decline. There's a natural ebb and flow in the affairs of history and acting at the high tide, so to speak, will lead to success. Failing to act at the right time will lead us to misery like a boat stranded at low tide. We're at the high tide now, and we have to seize this opportune moment like a helpful current, or we will fail in our endeavor altogether.

Cassius

Well if you're totally decided, go ahead. We'll follow you and meet the enemy at Philippi.

Brutus

Night crept up on us while we were talking, and nature demands that we give in to our need for sleep. We'll be stingy to nature by taking just a short rest. There's nothing more to say.

Cassius

Say no more. Goodnight. We'll get up early tomorrow and march on.

Brutus

Lucius!

Get me my robe.

Farewell, good Messala. Goodnight, Titinius. Noble, noble Cassius, goodnight, and sleep well.

Cassius

Oh my dear brother! This night began so badly. Let there never be such a division between us again. Don't let it happen, Brutus.

Brutus

Everything is all right.

Cassius

Goodnight, my lord.

Brutus

Goodnight, good brother.

Titinius Messala

Goodnight, Lord Brutus.

Brutus

Farewell, everyone.

Hand me my robe. Where's your instrument?

Lucius

Here in the tent.

Brutus

What, you sound sleepy? Poor boy, I don't blame you, you've been keeping watch too long. Call Claudius and some of the other men from my army. I'll have them sleep on cushions in my tent.

Lucius

Varro, Claudius!

Varro

Did you call, my lord?

Brutus

Please, sirs, lie down in my tent and sleep. I may wake you up in a short while with some message for my brother Cassius.

Varro

If it please you, my lord, we'll stand watch awake.

Brutus

No, I insist. Lie down and sleep, good sirs. I may change my mind and not need you to deliver any message. Look, Lucius, here's the book I was looking for. I had put it in the pocket of my robe.

Lucius

I was sure you hadn't given it to me.

Brutus

Bear with me, good boy, I have been very forgetful. Can you hold your eyes open a little longer and play a tune or two on your instrument?

Lucius

Yes, if you wish, my lord.

Brutus

I do, my boy. I bother you too much, but you're very willing.

Lucius

It's my duty, sir.

Brutus

I shouldn't give you duties you can't carry out. I know young people need sleep.

Lucius

I've already slept, my lord.

Brutus

Good job, and you'll be able to go back to sleep. I won't keep you up long. As long as I live, I'll treat you fairly.

That's a sleepy song. Oh sleep, you murderer! Have you hit my boy over the head when he played one of your songs? Gentle boy, goodnight. I won't be so mean as to wake you up. If you're nodding off like that, you might drop your instrument. I'll take it out of your hands; and goodnight, good boy. Let me see, let me see—didn't I fold the corner of the page where I left off reading? Here it is, I think.

What a bad candle this is! Ha! Who's that? It must be the weakness of my eyes making me see strange visions. It's coming towards me. Are you a real? Are you some god, angel, or some devil that's making my blood run cold and my hair stand on end? Tell me what you are.

Ghost

I am your own evil spirit, Brutus.

Brutus

Why have you come here?

Ghost

To tell you that I'll see you at Philippi.

Brutus

Well then, so I'll see you again.

Ghost

Yes, at Philippi.

Brutus

Well, I'll see you at Philippi, then.

Now that I've gathered my wits about me, you've vanished. Evil spirit, I wish I could have spoken more with you. Boy! Lucius! Varro! Claudius! Sirs, awake! Claudius!

Lucius

My lord, the instrument's out of tune.

Brutus

He thinks he's still playing his instrument. Lucius, wake up!

Lucius

My lord?

Brutus

Did you cry out like that because you were having a dream, Lucius?

Lucius

My lord, I didn't know that I said anything.

Brutus

Yes, that you did. Did you see anything?

Lucius

Nothing, my lord.

Brutus

Go back to sleep, Lucius. Hey, Claudius!

Hey you, wake up!

Varro

My lord?

Claudius

My lord?

Brutus

Why did you two cry out in your sleep?

Varro and Claudius

Did we, my lord?

Brutus

Yes. did you see anything?

Varro

No, my lord, I didn't see anything.

Claudius

Nor did I, my lord.

Brutus

Go greet Cassius for me. Tell him to get his army marching immediately, and we will follow him.

Varro and Claudius

We'll do this, my lord.