按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
without delay to the senate。 Here it was chiefly that any one who
had known what they had purposed； would have admired the unconcerned
temper and the steady resolution of these men in their most
dangerous undertaking； for many of them； being praetors； and called
upon by their office to judge and determine causes； did not only
hear calmly all that made application to them and pleaded against each
other before them； as if they were free from all other thoughts； but
decided causes with as much accuracy and judgment as they had heard
them with attention and patience。 And when one person refused to stand
to the award of Brutus； and with great clamour and many attestations
appealed to Caesar； Brutus； looking round about him upon those that
were present； said； 〃Caesar does not hinder me； nor will he hinder me；
from doing according to the laws。〃
Yet there were many unusual accidents that disturbed them and by
mere chance were thrown in their way。 The first and chiefest was the
long stay of Caesar； though the day was spent； and he being detained
at home by his wife； and forbidden by the soothsayers to go forth；
upon some defect that appeared in his sacrifice。 Another was this：
There came a man up to Casca； one of the company； and； taking him by
the hand； 〃You concealed；〃 said he； 〃the secret from us； but Brutus
has told me all。〃 At which words when Casca was surprised； the other
said laughing； 〃How came you to be so rich of a sudden； that you
should stand to be chosen aedile？〃 So near was Casca to let out the
secret； upon the mere ambiguity of the other's expression。 Then
Popilius Laenas； a senator； having saluted Brutus and Cassius more
earnestly than usual； whispered them softly in the ear； and said；
〃My wishes are with you； that you may accomplish what you design；
and I advise you to make no delay； for the thing is now no secret。〃
This said； he departed； and left them in great suspicion that the
design had taken wind。 In the meanwhile； there came one in haste
from Brutus's house and brought him news that his wife was dying。
For Porcia； being extremely disturbed with expectation of the event；
and not able to bear the greatness of her anxiety； could scarce keep
herself within doors； and at every little noise or voice she heard；
starting up suddenly； like those possessed with the bacchic frenzy；
she asked every one that came in from the forum what Brutus was doing；
and sent one messenger after another to inquire。 At last； after long
expectation and waiting； the strength of her constitution could hold
out no longer； her mind was overcome with her doubts and fears； and
she lost the control of herself； and began to faint away。 She had
not time to betake herself to her chamber； but； sitting as she was
amongst her women； a sudden swoon and a great stupor seized her； and
her colour changed； and her speech was quite lost。 At this sight her
women made a loud cry； and many of the neighbours running to
Brutus's door to know what was the matter； the report was soon
spread abroad that Porcia was dead； though with her women's help she
recovered in a little while； and came to herself again。 When Brutus
received this news； he was extremely troubled； not without reason； yet
was not so carried away by his private grief as to quit his public
purpose。
For now news was brought that Caesar was coming； carried in a
litter。 For； being discouraged by the ill…omens that attended his
sacrifice； he had determined to undertake no affairs of any great
importance that day； but to defer them till another time； excusing
himself that he was sick。 As soon as he came out of his litter；
Popilius Laenas； he who but a little before had wished Brutus good
success in his undertaking； coming up to him； conversed a great
while with him； Caesar standing still all the while； and seeming to be
very attentive。 The conspirators （to give them this name）； not being
able to hear what he said； but guessing by what themselves were
conscious of that this conference was the discovery of their
treason； were again disheartened； and； looking upon one another；
agreed from each other's countenances that they should not stay to
be taken； but should all kill themselves。 And now when Cassius and
some others were laying hands upon their daggers under their robes；
and were drawing them out； Brutus； viewing narrowly the looks and
gesture of Laenas； and finding that he was earnestly petitioning and
not accusing； said nothing； because there were many strangers to the
conspiracy mingled amongst them： but by a cheerful countenance
encouraged Cassius。 And after a little while； Laenas； having kissed
Caesar's hand； went away； showing plainly that all his discourse was
about some particular business relating to himself。
Now when the senate was gone in before to the chamber where they
were to sit； the rest of the company placed themselves close about
Caesar's chair； as if they had some suit to make to him； and
Cassius； turning his face to Pompey's statue； is said to have
invoked it； as if it had been sensible of his prayers。 Trebonius； in
the meanwhile； engaged Antony's attention at the door； and kept him in
talk outside。 When Caesar entered； the whole senate rose up to him。 As
soon as he was sat down； the men all crowded round about him； and
set Tillius Cimber； one of their own number； to intercede in behalf of
his brother that was banished； they all joined their prayers with his；
and took Caesar by the hand； and kissed his head and his breast。 But
he putting aside at first their supplications； and afterwards； when he
saw they would not desist； violently rising up； Tillius with both
hands caught hold of his robe and pulled it off from his shoulders；
and Casca； that stood behind him； drawing his dagger； gave him the
first； but a slight wound； about the shoulder。 Caesar snatching hold
of the handle of the dagger； and crying out aloud in Latin； 〃Villain
Casca； what do you？〃 he； calling in Greek to his brother； bade him
come and help。 And by this time； finding himself struck by a great
many hands； and looking around about him to see if he could force
his way out； when he saw Brutus with his dagger drawn against him；
he let go Casca's hand； that he had hold of and covering his head with
his robe； gave up his body to their blows。 And they so eagerly pressed
towards the body； and so many daggers were hacking together； that they
cut one another； Brutus； particularly； received a wound in his hand；
and all of them were besmeared with the blood。
Caesar being thus slain； Brutus； stepping forth into the midst；
intended to have made a speech； and called back and encouraged the
senators to stay； but they all affrighted ran away in great
disorder； and there was a great confusion and press at the door；
though none pursued or followed。 For they had come to an express
resolution to kill nobody beside Caesar； but to call and invite all
the rest to liberty。 It was indeed the opinion of all the others； when
they consulted about the execution of their design； that it was
necessary to cut off Antony with Caesar； looking upon him as an
insolent man； an affecter of monarchy； and one that； by his familiar
intercourse； had gained a powerful interest with the soldiers。 And
this they urged the rather； because at that time to the natural
loftiness and ambition of his temper there was added the dignity of
being counsel and colleague to Caesar。 But Brutus opposed this consul；
insisting first upon the injustice of it； and afterwards giving them
hopes that a change might be worked in Antony。 For he did not
despair but that so highly gifted and honourable a man； and such a
lover of glory as Antony； stirred up with emulation of their great
attempt； might； if Caesar were once removed； lay hold of the
occasion to be joint restorer with them of the liberty of his country。
Thus did Brutus save Antony's life。 But he； in the general
consternation； put himself into a plebeian habit； and fled。 But Brutus
and his party marched up to the capitol； in their way showing their
hands all bloody； and their naked swords； and proclaiming liberty to
the people。 At first all places were filled with cries and shouts； and
the wild running to and fro； occasioned by the sudden surprise and
passion that every one was in； increased the tumult in the city。 But
no other bloodshed following； and no plundering of the goods in the
streets； the senators and many of the people took courage and went
up to the men in the capitol； and a multitude being gathered together；
Brutus made an oration to them； very popular； and proper for the state
that affairs were then in。 Therefore； when they applauded his
speech； and cried out to him to come down； they all took confidence
and descended into the forum； the rest promiscuously mingled with
one another； but many of the most eminent persons； attending Brutus；
conducted him in the midst of them with great honour from the capitol；
and placed him in the rostra。 At the sight of Brutus； the crowd；
though consisting of a confused mixture and all disposed to make a
tumult； were struck with reverence； and expected what he would say
with order and with silence； and； when he began to speak； heard him
with quiet and