The rare gentleness of Brutus's character--and of the characters of
thousands of other bosses in trouble--is splendidly, and ah! so
softly, pictured in the tent with his servants after the departure of
the others. It is a purely domestic scene without a hint of home,
women, or children--save that they themselves are big children. The
scene now has the atmosphere of a soft, sad nightfall, after a long,
long, hot and weary day full of toil and struggle and trouble--though
it is really well on towards morning.
Lucius comes in with the gown. Brutus says, "Give me the gown," and
asks where his (Lucius's) musical instrument is, and Lucius replies
that it's here in the tent. Brutus notices that he speaks drowsily.
"Poor knave, I blame thee not, thou are o'er-watched." He tells him
to call Claudius and some other of his men: "I'd have them sleep on
cushions in my tent." They come. He tells them he might have to
send them on business by and by to his "brother" Cassius, and bids
them lie down and sleep, calling them sirs. They say they'll stand
and watch his pleasure. "I will not have it so; lie down, good
sirs." He finds, in the pocket of his gown, a book he'd been hunting
high and low for--and had evidently given Lucius a warm time
about--and he draws Lucius's attention to the fact:
Look, Lucius, here's the book I sought for so:
I put it in the pocket of my gown.
Lucius: I was sure your lordship did not give it to me.
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