But not with such familiar instances,16
Nor with such free and friendly conference,
As he hath us'd of old.
Bru. Thou hast describ'd
A hot friend cooling. Ever note, Lucilius,
When love begins to sicken and decay,20
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;24
But when they should endure the bloody spur,
They fall their crests, and, like deceitful jades,
Sink in the trial. Comes his army on?
Lucil. They mean this night in Sardis to be quarter'd;28
The greater part, the horse in general,
Are come with Cassius.
Bru. Hark! he is arriv'd.
Low march within.
March gently on to meet him.
Enter Cassius and his Powers.
Cas. Stand, ho!32
Bru. Stand, ho! Speak the word along.
[First Officer.] Stand!
[Sec. Officer.] Stand!
[Third Officer.] Stand!36
Cas. Most noble brother, you have done me wrong.
Bru. Judge me, you gods! Wrong I mine enemies?
And, if not so, how should I wrong a brother?
16 familiar instances: marks of familiarity
23 hollow: insincere
hot at hand: fiery at the start, only
26 fall: let fall, lower
jades: worthless nags
27 Sink . . . trial: fail in the pinch
29 the horse in general: all the cavalry
31 gently: slowly
