Act IV, Scene iii
Cassius: You've wronged me. You cut down Lucius Pella in public. You said he took bribes.
Brutus: You wronged yourself in that case.
Cassius: Why did you have to criticize his every fault?
Brutus: You yourself have taken bribes, Cassius.
Cassius: Taken bribes!? You are crazy.
Brutus: You've been punished for it before.
Cassius: Punished!?
Brutus: Remember when we killed Caesar? It was for the good of Rome. I would rather be a dog than take bribes.
Cassius: Quit bugging me. I'm a more experienced soldier than you, and I'll kill you.
Brutus: No you're not, Cassius.
Cassius: Yes, I am!
Brutus: No you're not!
Cassius: Stop pushing me. For your sake, you had better shut up.
Brutus: Go away, you baby!
Cassius: No!
Brutus: Listen, I'm not scared of you. A madman couldn't scare me.
Cassius: Dear god, why do I have to listen to this?
Brutus: To this? Yea, and more. Cry until your heart breaks. Go show your soldiers how quick-tempered you are. I'm not going anywhere. I don't have to stand here and listen to you. Drop your bad attitude, or I'll make fun of you because of it.
Cassius: [really mad] That is too much!
Brutus: You claim to be a better soldier. Why don't you show it? Back up your bragging, and I'll be pleased. Personally, I'm always glad to learn from smarter men.
Cassius: You say I'm wrong about everything. I said "more experienced of a soldier," no "better." di I say "better?"
Brutus: Even if you did I don't care.
Cassius: When Caesar was alive he wouldn't have dared to annoy me like this.
Brutus: That's bull! You wouldn't have annoyed him.
Cassius: [not believing him] I wouldn't dare?
Brutus: No.
Cassius: What - wouldn't dare to annoy him?
Brutus: [mad] Not on your life.
Cassius: [extremely mad] Don't think I love you so much. I don't want to do something I'll regret.
Brutus: You've already done something you're going to regret. You don't scare me. I asked you for gold to pay my debts, and you denied me. I don't want to steal my money like you. I would never deny my friends money.
Cassius: I didn't deny you the money.
Brutus: You did.
Cassius: I did not. The man that told you that was lying. You have really hurt my feelings.
Brutus: It's your fault.
Cassius: You are not a friend.
Brutus: I do not like the faults you made.
Cassius: If you were more friendly, then you would not see my faults.
Brutus: A friendly person would say something about someone's fault, but they appear as high as Olympus.
Cassius: Come, Antony and Octavius, come and get revenge on me, for I am aware of the world. I am hated by people I love. I could cry my spirit from my eyes. There is my knife and here is my heart.
Brutus: Put up the knife. You can be angry when you want. do what you want, any dishonorable acts will be considered your irritable disposition. Cassius, you are in partnership with a lamb that carries anger as the flint bears fire, much provoked shows a hasty spark.
Cassius: Have I lived my life to take this crap from Brutus when he's mad?
Brutus: When I said that I was mad, too.
Cassius: [becoming happier] Do you admit that? Give me your hand.
Brutus: And my heart, too. [They hug in friendship]
Cassius: [elated] Oh Brutus! [He tries to speak but chokes]
Brutus: [kindly] What is it?
Cassius: You don't love me enough to tolerate me when you know I lose control because of my mother?
Brutus: Yes, Cassius, and from now on when we argue, I'll know that it is your mother yelling at me and leave it at that.
[A poet enters followed by Lucilius, Titinus, and Lucius.]
Poet: I want to see the generals. They shouldn't be left alone whie arguing.
Lucilius: You can't go in.
Poet: Only my death will stop me.
Cassius: What's the matter now?
Poet: Shame on you, generals. What are you doing? Love each other and be friends like you should be. I am older than you, surely, so I know what's right.
Cassius: [laughing] Ha! Ha! What a bad poet he is.
Brutus: [joining the fun] Leave, Fellow! Moronic fellow, leave.
Cassius: [making a point] Deal with him, Brutus. It's his disposition.
Brutus: I'll recognize his oddities when he masters his craft! What place in war is there for stupid rhymesters? Off you go, friend.
Cassius: [ushering him out] Go away! Shoe! [The two men share the joke, then sober up and get down to business.]
Brutus: Lucilius and Titinius, order the commanders to set up camp tonight.
Cassius: And come yourself, and bring Messala with you immediately to us.
[Lucilius and Titinius leave]
Brutus: Lucius, bring a bowl of wine. [Lucius leaves]
Cassius: I don't know you could be so angry.
Brutus: [for the first time giving in to his feelings] Oh, Cassius! I'm sick with grief.
Cassius: You aren't making use of your stoic philosophy if you let bad luck get you down.
Brutus: Nobody bears sorrow better. [He pauses.] Portia is dead.
Cassius: What, Portia?
Brutus: She is dead.
Cassius: [dismayed] How did I escape with my life when I vexed you so? Oh, what a devastating and grivous loss! What did she die of?
. . . . .
Brutus: Cicero was one of the people that were sentenced to death.
Cassius: Cicero is one?
Messala: Cicero was sentenced to death. did you get letters from your wife sir?
Brutus: No Messala.
Messala: Nothing in your letters says anything about her?
Brutus: Nothing, Messala.
Messala: I think that is strange.
Brutus: Why did you ask? Did you hear about her in your letters?
Messala: No sir.
Brutus: common, tell me the truth.
Messala: Then I'll tell you and like a Roman, bear it because she is dead and strangely.
Brutus: Why goodbye Portia. We have to die Messala. With the knowledge that she would have died anyway, I have patience enough to bear it now.
Messala: Even so, great men should be able to handle great losses.
Cassius: I am as great as you are but still I can't bear it.
Brutus: Now, let's talk about men still alive. What do you think of going to Philippi immediately?
Cassius: I don't think it's good.
Brutus: Why not?
Cassius: Here it is: It is better that the enemy look for us. So he will waste his time and his soldiers will be tired, harming himself, while we staying put, are full of energy, defense, and adroit.
Brutus: Good reasons will necessarily give place to better. The people between Philippi and this place support under conditions; because they have denied us help. The enemy are beside them and then they'll be a larger number and they'll be refreshed and encouraaged; How can we then cut them off, if we don't face them at Philippi?
Cassius: Listen to me, brother.
Brutus: Excuse me. You have to know that we will do a lot for our friends but our soldiers are a lot and we have our reasons. The enemy increases everyday. We are about to lose control. Mends have tide and it has taken leads to fortune. They neglected all the voyages of their life and its bound in shallows and miseries. We are floating on a full sea. We must take the current as it comes or we will lose our shipping trade.
Cassius: Then keep going; as you wish, we will go and meet them at Philippi.
Brutus: Night has come up, we must obey. We won't rest much, there is nothing else to say.
Cassius: Nothing else, goodnight. In the morning we will get up and go.
[Enter Lucius]
Brutus: Lucius, my clotes. [exit Lucius] Goodbye, good Messala. Good night, Titinius. Good night noble Cassius.
Cassius: My brother, the night started off bad, never let anything come between us again.
[enter Lucius, with gown]
Brutus: Everything is fine.
Cassius: Good night, Brutus.
Brutus: Good night, good brother.
Titinius, Messala: Good night, Brutus.
Brutus: Good-bye everybody. Give me my gown. [exit others] Where is my lute?
Lucius: in the tent
Brutus: Why are you speaking drowsily Poor boy, I know its not your falut you have lack of sleep. Call some of my men, they can sleep in my tent on cushions.
Lucius: Varro and Claudius. [enter Varro and Claudius]
Varro: Yes, Brutus, you wanted us.
Brutus: Please sleep in my tnet. I will wake you slowly. I'm going for business with Cassius.
Varro: We will watch for you command.
Brutus: No, lie down or I will change my mine. [They lay down] Here is the book, Lucius, it's in my pocket.
Lucius: I was sure your lordship didn't give it to me.
Brutus: I'm sorry, I forgot. Can you stay awake for a little while and play my instrument and tune it.
Lucius: Yes, if it pleases you.
Brutus: It does, I'm too much trouble, but you are willing.
Lucius: It's my duty.
Brutus: I will not urge you not to go past your might. I know you want sleep.
Lucius: I've already slept.
Brutus: Good job; you should sleep again. I won't keep you long. If I do live, I will be good to you. [Music and a song] That's a sleepy tune. Oh, sleep! Have you called my son, who plays music for you. Nodding off, you'll break the late. I'll take it from you. good-boy now go to bed. Let me see. Isn't the leaf turned down where I left off reading? Here it is, I think. [The Ghost of Caesar enters.] How low this candle burns. What? Who's there? My eyes are weak and it's making me see this dreadful vision. It walks toward me. What are you? Some god, some angel, or some devil, making my blood run cold and my hair to stand on end? Tell me, what are you?
Ghost: I am your evil spirit, Brutus!
Brutus: Why have you come?
Ghost: To tell you that you will see me at Philippi.
Brutus: Well; then I will see you again?
Ghost: Yes, at Philippi.
Brutus: Well, I will see you at Philippi then. [Exit Ghost] Now that I have my courage back, you've vanquished. Evil spirit, I wanted to talk to you longer! Boy! Lucius! Varro! Claudius! Gentlemen wake up!
Lucius: The strings are out of tune, Sir.
Brutus: He thinks he is still playing, wake up Lucius.
Lucius: Yes sir?
Brutus: Was it a dream, that made you cry out those words.
Lucius: Sir, I didn't know that I cried out.
Brutus: Yes you did. Did you see anything?
Lucius: Nothing, sir.
Brutus: Go back to sleep, Lucius. Claudius! [To Varro] Wake up!
Varro: Yes Sir?
Claudius: Sir?
Brutus: Why did you cry out in your sleep?
Both: Did we cry out, sir?
Brutus: Yes, did you see anything?
Varro: No, sir, I didn't see a thing.
Claudius: No sir.
Brutus: Go and spread the word to my brother Cassius; tell him to prepare his troops and I will be there shortly.
Both: Yes sir, right away. [Exit]
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