University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

A Field near Philippi, where Cassius and Brutus made the Rendezvous of their Armies.
Enter Brutus and Officers.
BRUTUS.
'Tis here that I and Cassius were to join:
What say our Scouts? Is any Army near?

OFFICER.
The rising Dust discovers their Approach;
And some, impatient of so slow a March,
Are just arriv'd before to meet their Friends.

Enter Lucilius.
BRUTUS.
O, here's Lucilius, whom I sent to Cassius.

LUCILIUS.
Cassius, my Lord, salutes the noble Brutus.
And hastens to embrace him.

BRUTUS.
O Lucilius!
Cassius is alter'd much, or ill advis'd;
Has, I am loth to say it, done some things
Which do not well become so great a Man.
But, since he is so near, I'll stay my Censure,
And wish to find my Jealousy mistaken.
But, good Lucilius, how did he receive you,
When you brought friendly notice I was near?

LUCILIUS.
With Forms, and Complements, and great Respect,
Out-doing Enemies in Ceremony;
But no Familiarity betwixt us;
None of that free and friendly Conference
Which we have us'd of old: and when he nam'd you,
'Twas always with such set, affected Praise,
As if the Commendation had no meanin
But to be told again.

BRUTUS.
I am afraid
Thou judgest but too right: Nothing is nobler
Than Friendship, till it once begins to fail;
But then asham'd, and conscious of Defect,
It hides itself in Complement and Care:
At the first shock, off falls the frail Disguise;
Falshood is foolish, and betrays it self.
There is no Art in plain and friendly Truth,
Which like the Sun shines forth by its own Light.
Violent Minds sometimes make glorious shew,
Like Gilding shine, equal to real Gold,
But in the usage, how much difference!
Hark! he's arriv'd; march gently on to meet him.