Murder in healing wounds: then, noble partners,
The rather, for I earnestly beseech,
Touch you the sourest points with sweetest terms,
Nor curstness grow to the matter.
(II. ii. 17.)
But all this springs from no real kindliness or public spirit. Pompey understands the position:
Lepidus flatters both,
Of both is flatter’d: but he neither loves,
Nor either cares for him.
(II. i. 14.)