The Life of Marcus Brutus
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I. Parentage of BRUTUS.
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2. His studies.
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3. He sides with POMPEY.
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4. He is saved by JULIUS Caesar at the battle of PHARSALIA.
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5. Caesar makes him governor of GALLIA CISALPINA. He contends with CASSIUS for the Praetorship of the city.
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6. He is distrusted by Caesar.
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7. CASSIUS endeavours to gain over BRUTUS to conspire against CAESAR.
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8. BRUTUS and CASSIUS induce many tojoin them in their conspiracy.
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9. Magnanimity of PORTIA, the daughter of CATO, and wife of BRUTUS.
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I0. Dangers besetting the conspirators.
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11. PORTIA'S terrors.
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12. Assassination of CAESAR.
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13. Why ANTONIUS was not also slain.
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14. BRUTUS makes an oration in the Capitol.
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15. Oration of ANTONIUS at CAESAR'S funeral.
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16. Murder of CINNA the Poet, and flight of the conspirators.
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17. Arrival of OCTAVIUS CAESAR at Rome.
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18. BRUTUS leaves ITALY, to the great grief of PORTIA, and arrives at ATHENS.
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19. He is attacked by the disease called bulimy. He captures CAIUS ANTONIUS.
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20. Formation of the first triumvirate.
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21. Function of the armies of BRUTUS and CASSIUS.
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22. A comparison of their characters.
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23. Burning of the city of XANTHUS.
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24. Noble acts of BRUTUS.
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25. Quarrel of BRUTUS and CASSIUS.
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26. Apparition of a spirit to BRUTUS, and appearance of two eagles.
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27. Preparations for battle.
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28. The battle of PHILIPPI.
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29. Defeat and death of CASSIUS.
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30. Conduct of BRUTUS after the f rst battle.
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31. Second battle, and defeat of BRUTUS.
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32. Death of STATILIUS, and suicide of BRUTUS and of PORTIA.
1.
Marcus Brutus came of that Junius Brutus, for whom
the ancient Romans made his statue of brass to be set up in the
Capitol, with the images of the kings, holding a naked sword in
his hand: because he had valiantly put down the Tarquins from
the kingdom of Rome.
But that Junius Brutus, being of a sour
stern nature not softened by reason, being like unto swordblades of too hard a temper, was so subject to his choler and
malice he bare unto the tyrants, that for their sakes he caused
his own sons to be executed. But this Marcus Brutus in contrary manner, whose life we presently write, having framed his
manners of life by the rules of virtue and study of philosophy,
and having employed his wit, which was gentle and constant, in
attempting of great things, me thinks he was rightly made and
framed unto virtue. So that his very enemies which wish him
most hurt, because of his conspiracy against Julius Caesar, if
there were any noble attempt done in all this conspiracy, they
refer it wholly unto Brutus; and all the cruel and violent acts
unto Cassius, who was Brutus' familiar friend, but not so well
given
1 and conditioned as he.
Servilia M. Brutus' mother. |
His mother Servilia, it is thought,
came of the blood of Servilius Hala; who, when Spurius Melius
went about
2 to make himself king, and, to bring it to pass, had
enticed the common people to rebel, took a dagger and hid it
close under his arm, and went into the market-place. When he
was come thither, he made as though he had somewhat to say
unto him, and pressed as near him as he could: wherefore
Melius stooping down with his head to hear what he would say,
Servilius stabbed him in with his dagger and slew him. Thus
much all writers agree for
3his mother. Now touching his father,
some, for the evil will and malice they bare unto Brutus, because
of the death of Julius Caesar, do maintain, that he came not of
Junius Brutus that drave out the Tarquins: for there were none
left of his race, considering that his two sons were executed for
conspiracy with the Tarquins; and that Marcus Brutus came of
a mean house, the which was raised to honour and office in the
common-wealth but of late time. Posidonius the Philosopher
writeth the contrary, that Junius Brutus indeed slew two of his
sons which were men grown, as the histories do declare; howbeit that there was a third son, being but a little child at that
time, from whom the house and family afterwards was derived:
and furthermore, that there were in his time certain famous men
of that family, whose stature and countenance resembled much
the image of Junius Brutus.
And thus much for this matter:
Marcus Cato the philosopher was brother unto Servilia, Marcus
Brutus' mother: whom Brutus studied most to follow of all the
other Romans, because he was his uncle, and afterwards he
married his daughter.
2.
Now touching the Grecian philosophers, there was no
sect nor philosopher of them, but he heard and liked it: but
above all the rest he loved Plato's sect best, and did not much
give himself to the new or mean Academy (as they call it), but
altogether to the old Academy.
Brutus followed the old Academics. |
Therefore he did ever greatly
esteem the philosopher Antiochus, of the city of Ascalon: but he
was more familiar with his brother Ariston, who for learning and
knowledge was inferior to many other philosophers, but for
wisdom and courtesy equal with the best and chiefest.
Empylus, an orator, wrote a book of Caesar's death, and entitled it Brutus. |
Touching
Empylus, whom M. Brutus himself doth mention in his Epistles,
and his friends also in many places, he was an orator, and left
an excellent book he wrote of the death of Julius Caesar, and entitled it "Brutus". He was properly
4 learned in the Latin
tongue, and was able to make long discourse in it: beside that
he could also plead very well in Latin.
Brutus' manner of writing his epistles in Greek. |
But for the Greek tongue,
they do note in some of his epistles, that he counterfeited that
brief compendious manner of speech of the Lacedaemonians.
As, when the war was begun, he wrote unto the Pergamenians
in this sort: "I understand you have given Dolabella money:
if you have done it willingly, you confess you have offended
me; if against your wills, shew it then by giving me willingly."
Another time again unto the Samians: "Your councils be long,
your doings be slow, consider the end."
A brief letter to the Samians. |
And in another Epistle
he wrote unto the Patareians
5: "The Xanthians, despising my
goodwill, have made their country a grave of despair; and the
Patareians, that put themselves into my protection, have lost no
jot of their liberty: and therefore, whilst you have liberty, either
choose the judgment of the Patareians, or the fortune of the
Xanthians." These were Brutus' manner of letters, which were
honoured for their briefness.
3.
Brutus followed Cato into Cyprus. |
So Brutus, being but a young stripling, went into Cyprus
with his uncle Cato, who was sent against Ptolemy, king of
Egypt; who having slain himself, Cato, staying for certain necessary business he had in the ile
6 of Rhodes, had already sent
Caninius
7, one of his friends, before, to keep his treasure and
goods. But Cato, fearing he would be light-fingered, wrote unto
Brutus forthwith to come out of Pamphilia (where he was but
newly recovered of a sickness) into Cyprus; the which he did.
The which journey he was sorry to take upon him both for respect of Caninius' shame, whom Cato (as he thought) wrongfully
slandered: as also because he thought this office too mean and
unmeet for him, being a young man, and given to his book.
This notwithstanding, he behaved himself so honestly and carefully, that Cato did greatly commend him: and after all the
goods were sold and converted into ready money, he took the
most part of it, and returned withal to Rome.
Afterwards,
when the empire of Rome was divided into factions, and that
Caesar and Pompey both were in arms one against the other;
and that all the empire of Rome was in garboil
8 and uproar:
it was thought then that Brutus would take part with Caesar,
because Pompey not long before had put his father to death.
Brutus taketh part with Pompey. |
But
Brutus, preferring the respect of his country and commonwealth
before private affection, and persuading himself that Pompey
had juster cause to enter into arms than Caesar, he then took
part with Pompey; though oftentimes meeting him before, he
thought scorn to speak to him, thinking it a great sin and offence
in him, to speak to the murtherer
9 of his father. But then, submitting himself unto Pompey as unto the head of the commonwealth, he sailed into Sicily, lieutenant under Sestius that was
governor of that province. But when he saw that there was no
way to rise, nor to do any noble exploits, and that Caesar and
Pompey were both camped together, and fought for victory: he
went of himself, unsent for, into Macedon, to be partaker of the
danger. It is reported that Pompey, being glad, and wondering
at his coming, when he saw him come to him, he rose out of his
chair, and went and embraced him before them all, and used him
as honorably as he could have done the noblest man that took
his part.
Brutus studied in Pompey's camp. |
Brutus, being in Pompey's camp, did nothing but study
all day long, except he were with Pompey; and not only the
days before, but the self-same day also before the great battle
was fought in the fields of Pharsalia, where Pompey was overcome. It was in the midst of summer, and the sun was very
hot, besides that the camp was lodged near unto marishes
10, and
they that carried his tent tarried long before they came: whereupon, being very weary with travel, scant
11 any meat came into
his mouth at dinner-time. Furthermore,when others slept, or
thought what would happen the morrow after, he fell to his book,
and wrote all day long till night, writing a breviary
12 of Polybius.
4.
Julius Caesar loved Servilia, Brutus' mother. |
It is reported that Caesar did not forget him, and that he
gave his captains charge before the battle, that they should beware they killed not Brutus in fight; and if he yielded willingly
unto them, that then they should bring him unto him: but if he
resisted and would not be taken, then that they should let him
go, and do him no hurt. Some say he did this for Servilia's
sake, Brutus' mother. For when he was a young man, he had
been acquainted with Servilia, who was extremely in love with
him. And because Brutus was born in that time when their
love was hottest, he persuaded himself that he begat him. For
proof hereof the report goeth, that when the weightiest matters
were in hand in the Senate, about the conspiracy of Catiline,
which was likely to have undone the city of Rome, Caesar and
Cato sat near together, and were both of contrary minds to each
other: and then, that in the mean time one delivered Caesar a
letter. Caesar took it, and read it softly to himself: but Cato
cried out upon Caesar, and said he did not well to receive advertisements from enemies: whereupon the whole Senate began
to murmur at it. Then Caesar gave Cato the letter as it was sent
him, who read it, and found that it was a love-letter sent from
his sister Servilia: thereupon he cast it again to Caesar, and said
unto him; ''Hold
13, drunken sop
14." When he had done so, he
went on with his tale, and maintained his opinion as he did before: so commonly was the love of Servilia known, which she
bare unto Caesar.
Brutus saved by Julius Caesar after the battle of Pharsalia. |
So, after Pompey's overthrow at the battle of
Pharsalia, and that he fled to the sea, when Caesar came to besiege his camp, Brutus went out of the camp-gates unseen of any
man, and leapt into a marish
15 full of water and reeds. Then
when night was come, he crept out, and went unto the city of
Larissa: from whence he wrote unto Caesar, who was very glad
that he had scaped
16, and sent for him to come unto him. When
Brutus was come, he did not only pardon him, but also kept him
always about him, and did as much honour and esteem him as
any man he had in his company. Now no man could tell
whither Pompey was fled, and all were marvellous desirous to
know it: wherefore Caesar walking a good way alone with Brutus,
he did ask him which way he thought Pompey took. Caesar
perceiving by his talk that Brutus guessed certainly whither
Pompey should be fled, he left all other ways, and took his
journey directly towards Egypt. Pompey (as Brutus had conjectured) was indeed fled into Egypt, but there he was villanously slain. Furthermore, Brutus obtained pardon of Caesar
for Cassius; and defending also the king
17 of Lybia's cause, he
was overlaid with a world of accusations against him; howbeit,
intreating for him, he saved him the best part of his realm and
kingdom. They say also that Caesar said, when he heard
Brutus plead: "I know not," said he, "what this young man
would; but what he would, he willeth it vehemently." For as
Brutus' gravity and constant mind would not grant all men their
requests that sued unto him, but, being moved with reason and
discretion, did always incline to that which was good and honest:
even so, when it was moved to follow any matter, he used a kind
of forcible and vehement persuasion, that calmed not till he had
obtained his desire. For by flattering of him a man could
never obtain any thing at his hands, nor make him to do that
which was unjust. Further, he thought it not meet for a man of
calling and estimation, to yield unto the requests and entreaties
of a shameless and importunate suitor, requesting things unmeet:
the which notwithstanding some men do for shame, because they
dare deny nothing: and therefore he was wont to say, "That he
thought them evil brought up in their youth, that could deny
nothing."
5.
Caesar made Brutus governor of Gaul on this side of the mountains. |
Now when Caesar took sea to go into Africa against Cato
and Scipio, he left Brutus governor of Gaul in Italy on this
side of the Alps, which was a great good hap for that province.
For where others were spoiled and polled
18 by the insolency and
covetousness of the governors, as if it had been a country conquered, Brutus was a comfort and rest unto their former troubles
and miseries they sustained. But he referred it wholly unto
Caesar's grace and goodness.
Brutus and Cassius contend for the Praetorship of the city. |
For when Caesar returned out of
Africa, and progressed up and down Italy, the things that
pleased him best to see were the cities under Brutus' charge and
government, and Brutus himself; who honoured Caesar in person,
and whose company also Caesar greatly esteemed.
Now there
were divers sorts of Praetorships in Rome, and it was looked
for
19, that Brutus or Cassius would make suit for the chiefest
Praetorship, which they called the Praetorship of the city: because he that had that office was as a judge, to minister justice
unto the citizens.
Cassius married Junia, Brutus' sister. |
Therefore they strove one against another:
though some say, that there was some little grudge betwixt them
for other matters before, and that this contention did set them
further out
20, though they were allied together: for Cassius had
married Junia, Brutus' sister. Others say that this contention
betwixt them came by Caesar himself, who secretly gave either
of them both hope of his favour. So their suit for the Praetorship was so followed and laboured of
21 either party, that one of
them put another into suit of law. Brutus with his virtue and
good name contended against many noble exploits in arms,
which Cassius had done against the Parthians. So Caesar after
he had heard both their objections, told his friends, with whom
he consulted about this matter: "Cassius' cause is the juster,"
said he, "but Brutus must be first preferred." Thus Brutus had
the first Praetorship, and Cassius the second: who thanked not
Caesar so much for the Praetorship he had, as he was angry with
him for that he had lost. But Brutus in many other things
tasted of the benefit of Cesar's favour in any thing he requested.
For if he had listed
22, he might have been one of Caesar's chiefest
friends, and of greatest authority and credit about him.
The first cause of Cassius' malice against Caesar. |
Howbeit,
Cassius' friends did dissuade him from it (for Cassius and he
were not yet reconciled together sithence
23 their first contention and strife for the Praetorship), and prayed him to beware of
Caesar's sweet enticements, and to fly his tyrannical favours:
the which they said Caesar gave him, not to honour his virtue,
but to weaken his constant mind, framing it to the bent of his
bow.
6.
Now Caesar, on the other side, did not trust him overmuch, nor was without tales brought unto him against him:
howbeit he feared his great mind, authority, and friends. Yet,
on the other side also, he trusted his good nature and fair conditions. For, intelligence being brought him one day, that
Antonius and Dolabella did conspire against him: he answered
"That these fat long-haired men made him not afraid, but the
lean and whitely-faced fellows," meaning that by
24 Brutus and
Cassius.
Caesar's saying of Brutus. |
At another time also when one accused Brutus unto
him, and bad him beware of him: "What," said he again, clapping his hands on his breast, " think ye that Brutus will not
tarry
till this body die?" meaning that none but Brutus after him was
meet to have such power as he had. And surely, (in my opinion) I am persuaded that Brutus might indeed have come to
have been the chiefest man of Rome, if he could have contented
himself for a time to have been next unto Caesar, and to have
suffered his glory and authority, which he had gotten by his
great victories, to consume with time.
Cassius incenseth Brutus against Caesar. |
But Cassius, being a
choleric man, and hating Caesar privately more than he did the
tyranny openly, he incensed Brutus against him. It is also reported, that Brutus could evil away with
25 the tyranny, and that
Cassius hated the tyrant: making many complaints for the
injuries he had done him; and amongst others, for that he had
taken away his lions from him.
Cassius' lions in Megara. |
Cassius had provided them
for his sports when he should be Aedilis; and they were found in
the city of Megara, when it was won by Calenus: and Caesar
kept them. The rumour went, that these lions did marvellous
great hurt to the Megarians: for when the city was taken, they
brake their cages where they were tied up and turned them loose,
thinking they would have done great mischief to the enemies,
and have kept them from setting upon them: but the lions (contrary to expectation) turned upon themselves that fled unarmed,
and did so cruelly tear some in pieces, that it pitied their enemies
to see them.
And this was the cause (as some do report) that
made Cassius conspire against Caesar.
Cassius enemy of tyrants. |
But this holdeth no
water: for Cassius, even from his cradle, could not abide any
manner of tyrants; as it appeared when he was but a boy, and
went unto the same school that Faustus the son of Sylla did.
And Faustus, bragging among other boys, highly boasted of his
father's kingdom: Cassius rose up on his feet, and gave him two
good wirts
26 on the ear. Faustus' governors would have put this
matter in suit against Cassius: but Pompey would not suffer
them, but caused the two boys to be brought before him, and
asked them how the matter came to pass. Then Cassius (as it
is written of him) said unto the other: "Go to, Faustus, speak
again, and
27 thou darest, before this nobleman here, the same
words that made me angry with thee, that my fists may walk
once again about shine ears." Such was Cassius' hot stirring
nature.
How Brutus was incensed against Caesar. |
But for
28 Brutus, his friends and countrymen, both by
divers procurements and sundry rumours of the city, and by
many bills
29 also, did openly call and procure him to do that he
did. For under the image of his ancestor Junius Brutus, (that
crave the kings out of Rome) they wrote: "O, that it pleased
the gods thou wert now alive, Brutus!" and again, "that
thou
wert here among us now!" His tribunal or chair, where he
gave audience during the time he was Praetor, was full of such
bills4: "Brutus, thou art asleep, and art not Brutus indeed."
And of all this Caesar's flatterers were the cause: who, beside
many other exceeding and unspeakable honours they daily devised for him, in the night-time they put diadems upon the
heads of his images, supposing thereby to allure the common
people to call him King, instead of Dictator. Howbeit it turned
to the contrary, as we have written more at large in Julius
Caesar's life.
7. Now when Cassius felt his friends, and did stir them up
against Caesar: they all agreed, and promised to take part with
him, so
30 Brutus were the chief of their conspiracy. For they
told him that so high an enterprise and attempt as that, did
not so much require men of manhood and courage to draw
their swords, as it stood them upon.
31 to have a man of such
estimation as Brutus, to make every man boldly think, that by
his only presence
32 the fact
33 were holy and just. If he took
not this course, then that they should go to it with fainter
hearts; and when they had done it, they should be more fearful: because every man would think that Brutus would not have
refused to have made one with them, if the cause had been good
and honest.
Therefore Cassius, considering this matter with
himself, did first of all speak to Brutus, since they grew strange
34
together for
35 the suit they had for the praetorship.
Brutus first to help him to put down the tyrant. |
So when he
was reconciled to him again, and that they had embraced one
another, Cassius asked him if he were determined to be in the
Senate-house the first day of the month of March, because he
heard say that Caesar's friends should move the council that day,
that Caesar should be called king by the Senate. Brutus
answered him, he would not be there. "But if we be sent for,"
said Cassius, "how then?" "For myself then," said Brutus, "I
mean not to hold my peace, but to withstand it, and rather die
than lose my liberty." Cassius being bold, and taking hold of
this word: "Why," quoth he, "what Roman is he alive that
will suffer thee to die for thy liberty? What? knowest thou not
that thou art Brutus? Thinkest thou that they be cobblers, tapsters, or suchlike base mechanical
36 people, that write these bills
and scrolls which are found daily in thy praetor's chair, and not
the noblest men and best citizens that do it? No; be thou well
assured that of
37 other praetors they look for gifts, common distributions amongst the people, and for common plays, and to
see fencers fight at the sharp
38, to shew the people pastime: but
at thy hands they specially require (as a due debt unto them)
the taking away of the tyranny, being fully bent to suffer any
extremity for thy sake, so that thou wilt shew thyself to be the
man thou art taken for, and that they hope thou art." There-
upon he kissed Brutus and embraced him: and so each taking
leave of other, they went both to speak with their friends about
it.
Now amongst Pompey's friends, there was one called Caius
39
Ligarius, who had been accused unto Caesar for taking part
with Pompey, and Caesar discharged
40 him.
Brutus maketh Ligarius one of the conspiracy. |
But Ligarius thanked
not Caesar so much for his discharge
41, as he was offended with
him for that he was brought in danger by his tyrannical power;
and therefore in his heart he was always his mortal enemy, and
was besides very familiar with Bratus, who went to see him being sick in his bed, and said unto him: "Ligarius, in what a
time art thou sick?" Ligarius rising up in his bed, and taking
him by the right hand, said unto him: "Brutus," said he, " if
thou hast any great enterprise in hand worthy of thyself, I
am whole."
8. After that time they began to feel all their acquaintance
whom they trusted, and laid their heads together, consulting
upon it, and did not only pick out their friends, but all those also
whom they thought stout enough to attempt any desperate matter,
and that were not afraid to lose their lives.
They do hide the conspiracy against Caesar from Cicero. |
For this cause
they durst not acquaint Cicero with their conspiracy, although
he was a man whom they loved dearly, and trusted best: for
they were afraid tbat he being a coward by nature, and age also
having increased his fear, he would quite turn and alter all their
purpose, and quench the heat of their enterprise, (the which
specially required hot and earnest execution), seeking by persuasion to bring all things to such safety, as there should be no
peril.
Civil war worse than tyrannical government. |
Brutus also did let other of his friends alone, as Statilius
Epicurian, and Faonius, that made profession to follow Marcus
Cato: because that, having cast out words afar off, disputing together in philosophy to feel their minds, Faonius answered,
'that civil war was worse than tyrannical government usurped
against the law.' And Statilius told him also, 'that it were an
unwise part for him to put his life in danger, for a sort of ignorant fools and asses.' Labeo was present at this talk and maintained the contrary against them both. But Brutus held his
peace, as though it had been a doubtful matter, and a hard thing
to have been decided. But afterwards, being out of their company, he made Labeo privy to his intent; who very readily
offered himself to make one. And they thought good also to
bring in another Brutus to join with him, surnamed Albinus:
who was no man of his hands
42 himself, but because he was able
to bring good force of a great number of slaves, and fencers at
the sharp, whom he kept to shew the people pastime with their
fighting, besides also that Caesar had some trust in him.
Cassius and Labeo told Brutus Albinus of it at the first, but
he made them no answer. But when he had spoken with
Brutus himself alone, and that Brutus had told him he was
the chief ringleader of all this conspiracy, then he willingly
promised him the best aid he could.
The wonderful faith and secrecy of the conspirators of Caesar's death. |
Furthermore, the only
43
name and great calling of Brutus did bring on the most of
them to give consent to this conspiracy: who having never
taken oaths together, nor taken or given any caution or assurance, nor binding themselves one to another by any religious
oaths, they all kept the matter so secret to themselves, and
could so cunningly handle it, that notwithstanding the gods
did reveal it by manifest signs and tokens from above, and
by predictions of sacrifices, yet all this would not be believed.
Now Brutus, who knew very well that for his sake all the
noblest, valiantest, and most courageous men of Rome did venture their lives, weighing with himself the greatness of the
danger: when he was out of his house, he did so frame and
fashion his countenance and looks that no man could discern
he had anything to trouble his mind. But when night came
that he was in his own house, then he was clean changed: for
either care did wake him against his will when he would have
slept, or else oftentimes of himself he fell into such deep thoughts
of this enterprise, casting in his mind all the dangers that might
happen: that his wife, Iying by him, found that there was some
marvellous great matter that troubled his mind, not being wont
to be in that taking
44, and that he could not well determine with
himself.
9.
Porcia, Cato's daughter, wife unto Brutus. Bibulus' book of Brutus' acts. Porcia studied in philosophy. |
His wife Porcia (as we have told you before) was the
daughter of Cato, whom Brutus married being his cousin, not a
maiden, but a young widow after the death of her first husband
Bibulus, by whom she had also a young son called Bibulus, who
afterwards wrote a book of the acts and gests
45 of Brutus, extant
at this present day.
This young lady, being excellently well seen
46
in philosophy, loving her husband well, and being of a noble
courage, as she was also wise: because she would not ask her
husband what he ailed before she had made some proof by
47 her
self: she took a little razor, such as barbers occupy
48 to pare
men's nails, and, causing her maids and women to go out of her
chamber, gave herself a great gash withal in her thigh, that she
was straight all of a gore blood
49: and incontinently
50 after a
vehement fever took her, by reason of the pain of her wound
Great difference between a wife and a harlot. Porcia's words unto her husband Brutus. |
Then perceiving her husband was marvellously out of quiet, and
that he could take no rest, even in her greatest pain of all she
spake in this sort unto him: "I being, O Brutus," said she "the
daughter of Cato, was married unto thee; not to be thy bed-fellow and companion in bed and at board only, like a harlot, but
to be partaker also with thee of thy good and evil fortune. Now
for thyself, I can find no cause of fault in thee touching our
match: but for my part, how may I shew my duty towards thee
and how much I would do for thy sake, if I cannot constantly
51
bear a secret mischance or grief with thee, which requireth
secrecy and fidelity? I confess that a woman's wit commonly is
too weak to keep a secret safely: but yet, Brutus, good education and the company of virtuous men have some power to
reform the defect of nature. And for myself, I have this benefit
moreover, that I am the daughter of Cato, and wife of Brutus.
This notwithstanding, I did not trust to any of these things
before, until that now I have found by experience that no pain
or grief whatsoever can overcome me."With those words she
shewed him her wound on her thigh, and told him what she had
done to prove herself. Brutus was amazed to hear what she
said unto him, and lifting up his hands to heaven, he besought
the gods to give him the grace he might bring his enterprise
to so good pass
52, that he might be found a husband worthy of so
noble a wife as Porcia: so he then did comfort her the best he
could.
10. Now a day being appointed for the meeting of the
Senate, at what time they hoped Caesar would not fail to come,
the conspirators determined then to put their enterprise in
execution, because they might meet safely at that time without suspicion; and the rather, for that all the noblest and chiefest men of the city would be there: who, when they should see
such a great matter executed, would every man set to
53 their
hands, for the defence of their liberty. Furthermore they
thought also, that the appointment of the place where the council should be kept was chosen of purpose
54 by divine providence,
and made all for them. For it was one of the porches about the
theatre, in the which there was a certain place full of seats for
men to sit in; where also was set up the image of Pompey,
which the city had made and consecrated in honour of
him,
when he did beautify that part of the city with the theatre
he built, with divers porches about it. In this place was the
assembly of the Senate appointed to be, just on the fifteenth
day of the month IvIarch, which the Romans call
Idus Martias:
so that it seemed some god of purpose
55had brought Caesar
thither to be slain, for revenge of Pompey's death. So when the
day was come, Brutus went out of his house with a dagger by
his side under his long gown, that nobody saw nor knew but
his wife only. The other conspirators were all assembled at
Cassius' house, to bring his son into the market-place, who on
that day did put on the man's gown, called toga virilis; and
from thence they came all in a troop together unto Pompey's
porch, looking
56 that Caesar would straight come thither.
The wonderful constancy of the conspirators in the killing of Caesar. |
But
here is to be noted the wonderful assured constancy of these
conspirators, in so dangerous and weighty an enterprise as they
had undertaken. For many of them being praetors, by reason
of their office (whose duty is to minister justice to everybody)
did not only with great quietness and courtesy hear them that
spake unto them, or that pleaded matters before them, and gave
them attentive ear as if they had no other matter in their heads:
but moreover they gave just sentence, and carefully despatched
the causes before them. So there was one among them, who,
being condemned in a certain sum of money, refused to pay it,
and cried out that he did appeal unto Caesar. Then Brutus,
casting his eyes upon the conspirators, said: "Caesar shall not
let
57 me to see the law executed."
Sundry misfortunes to have broken off the enterprise. |
Notwithstanding this, by
chance there fell out many misfortunes unto them, which was
enough to have marred the enterprise. The first and chiefest
was Caesar's long tarrying, who came very late to the Senate:
for, because the signs of the sacrifices appeared unlucky, his
wife Calphurnia kept him at home, and the soothsayers bade
him beware he went not abroad. The second cause was, when
one came unto Casca being a conspirator, and taking him by
the hand, said unto him: " O Casca? thou keptest it close from
me, but Brutus hath told me all." Casca being amazed at it,
the other went on with his tale, and said: " Why, how now, how
cometh it to pass thou art thus rich, that thou dost sue to be
Aedilis?" Thus Casca being deceived by the other's doubtful
words, he told them it was a thousand to one, he blabbed not
out all the conspiracy. Another Senator, called Popilius Laena,
after he had saluted Brutus and Cassius more friendly than he
was wont to do, he rounded
58 softly in their ears, and told them:
"I pray the gods you may go through with that you have taken
in hand; but withal, despatch, I reade
59 you, for your enterprise
is bewrayed
60." When he had said, he presently
61 departed from
them, and left them both afraid that their conspiracy would out.
11.
The weakness of Porcia, notwithstanding her former courage. |
Now in the meantime, there came one of Brutus' men
post-haste unto him, and told him his wife was a-dying. For
Porcia, being very careful
62 and pensive for that which was to
come, and being too weak to away with
63 so great and inward
grief of mind, she could hardly keep within, but was frighted
with every little noise and cry she heard, as those that are taken
and possessed with the fury of the Bacchantes; asking every
man that came from the market-place what Brutus did, and
still
64 sent messenger after messenger, to know what news. At
length Caesar's coming being prolonged (as you have heard),
Porcia's weakness was not able to hold out any longer, and
thereupon she suddenly swounded
65, that she had no leisure to go
to her chamber, but was taken in the midst of her house, where
her speech and senses failed her. Howbeit she soon came to
herself again, and so was laid in her bed, and attended by her
women. When Brutus heard these news, it grieved him, as it is
to be presupposed: yet he left not off the care of his country
and commonwealth, neither went home to his house for any
news he heard.
12. Now it was reported that Caesar was coming in his
litter: for he determined not to stay in the Senate all that day
(because he was afraid of the unlucky signs of the sacrifices)
but to adjourn matters of importance unto the next session and
council holden, feigning himself not to be well at ease. When
Caesar came out of his litter, Popilius Laena (that had talked
before with Brutus and Cassius, and had prayed the gods they
might bring this enterprise to pass) went unto Caesar, and kept
him a long time with a talk. Caesar gave good ear unto him:
wherefore the conspirators (if so they should be called) not
hearing what he said to Caesar, but conjecturing by that he had
told them a little before that his talk was none other but the
very discovery of their conspiracy, they were afraid every man
of them; and, one looking in another's face, it was easy to see
that they all were of a mind, that it was no tarrying for them
till they were apprehended, but rather that they should kill
themselves with their own hands.
Brutus with his countenance encouraged his fearful consorts. |
And when Cassius and certain
other
66 clapped their hands on their swords under their gowns to
draw them, Brutus, marking the countenance and gesture of
Laena, and considering that he did use himself rather like an
humble and earnest suitor than like an accuser, he said nothing
to his companion (because there were many amongst them that
were not of the conspiracy), but with a pleasant countenance
encouraged Cassius. And immediately afier Laena vent from
Caesar, and kissed his hand; which shewed plainly that it was
for some matter concerning himself that he had held him so
long in talk.
Now all the Senators being entered first into this
place or chapter-house where the council should be kept, all the
other conspirators straight stood about Caesar's chair, as if they
had had something to say unto him. And some say that Cassius,
casting his eyes upon Pompey's image, made his prayer unto it,
as if it had been alive. Trebonius
67 on the other side drew
Antonius aside, as he came into the house where the Senate sat,
and held him with a long talk without. When Caesar was come
into the house, all the Senate rose to honour him at his coming
in. So when he was set, the conspirators flocked about him,
and amongst them they presented one Tullius Cimber
68 who
made humble suit for the calling home again of his brother that
was banished. They all made as though they were intercessors
for him, and took Caesar by the hands, and kissed his head and
breast. Caesar at the first simply refused their kindness and
entreaties; but afterwards, perceiving they still pressed on him,
he violently thrust them from him.
The murder of Caesar. Casca the first that wounded him. |
Then Cimber with both his
hands plucked Caesar's gown over his shoulders, and Casca, that
stood behind him, drew his dagger first and strake Caesar upon
the shoulder, but gave him no great wound. Caesar, feeling himself hurt, took him straight by the hand he held his dagger in,
and cried out in Latin: "O traitor Casca, what dost thou?"
Casca on the other side cried in Greek, and called his brother
to help him. So divers running on a heap together to fly upon
Caesar, he, looking about him to have fled, saw Brutus with a
sword drawn in his hand ready to strike at him: then he let
Casca's hand go, and casting his gown over his face, suffered
every man to strike at him that would. Then the conspirators
thronging one upon another, because every man was desirous to
have a cut at him, so many swords and daggers lighting upon
one body, one of them hurt another, and among them Brutus
caught a blow on his hand, because he would make one in
murthering of him, and all the rest also were every man of them
bloodied
69.
13. Caesar being slain in this manner, Brutus, standing in
the middest
70 of the house, would have spoken, and stayed the
other Senators that were not of the conspiracy, to have told
them the reason why they had done this fact
71. But they, as
men both afraid and amazed, fled one upon another's neck in
haste to get out at the door, and no man followed them. For it
was set down and agreed between them, that they should kill
no man but Caesar only, and should intreat
72 all the rest to look
to defend their liberty. All the conspirators, but Brutus, determining upon this matter, thought it good also to kill Antonius,
because he was a wicked man, and that in nature favoured
tyranny: besides also, for that he was in great estimation with
soldiers, having been conversant of long time amongst them:
and especially having a mind bent to great enterprises, he was
also of great authority at that time, being Consul with Caesar.
But Brutus would not agree to it.
Why Antonius was not slain with Caesar. |
First, for that he said it was
not honest
73: secondly, because he told them there was hope of
change in him. For he did not mistrust but that Antonius,
being a noble-minded and courageous man, (when he should
know that Caesar was dead), would willingly help his country to
recover her liberty, having them an example unto him to follow
their courage and virtue.
Brutus with his consorts went into the Capitol. |
So Brutus by this means saved Antonius' life, who at that present time disguised himself and
stole away: but Brutus and his consorts, having their swords
bloody in their hands, went straight to the Capitol, persuading
the Romans as they went to take their liberty again. Now at
the first time, when the murther
74 was newly done, there were sudden outcries of people that ran up and down the city, the which
indeed did the more increase the fear and tumult. But when
they saw they slew no man, neither did spoil or make havoc of
anything, then certain of the Senators and many of the people,
emboldening themselves, went to the Capitol unto them.
14. There, a great number of men being assembled together
one after another, Brutus made an oration unto them, to win
the favour of the people, and to justify that they had done. All
those that were by said they had done well, and cried unto
them that they should boldly come down from the Capitol:
whereupon Brutus and his companions came boldly down into
the market-place. The rest followed in troupe
75, but Brutus went
foremost, very honourably compassed in round about with the
noblest men of the city, which brought him from the Capitol,
through the market-place, to the pulpit for orations. When the
people saw him in the pulpit, although they were a multitude of
rakehels
76 of all sorts, and had a good will to make some stir;
yet, being ashamed to do it, for the reverence they bare unto
Brutus, they kept silence to hear what he would say. When
Brutus began to speak, they gave him quiet audience: howbeit.
immediately after, they shewed that they were not all contented
with the murtherl. For when another, called Cinna, would have
spoken, and began to accuse Caesar, they fell into a great uproar
among them, and marvellously reviled him; insomuch that the
conspirators returned again into the Capitol. There Brutus,
being afraid to be besieged, sent back again the noblemen that
came thither with him, thinking it no reason that they, which
were no partakers of the murther
77, should be partakers of the
danger.
Then the next morning, the Senate being assembled,
and holden within the temple of the goddess Tellus, to wit, the
Earth: and Antonius, Plancus, and Cicero, having made a
motion to the Senate in that assembly that they should take an
order to pardon and forget all that was past, and to establish
friendship and peace again: it was decreed, that they should not
only be pardoned, but also that the Consuls should refer it to
the Senate, what honours should be appointed unto them.
Honours decreed for the murderers of Caesar. |
This
being agreed upon, the Senate brake up; and Antonius the
Consul, to put them in heart that were in the Capitol, sent them
his son for a pledge. Upon this assurance, Brutus and his companions came down from the Capitol, where every man saluted
and embraced each other; among the which Antonius himself
did bid
78 Cassius to supper to him, and Lepidus also bade Brutus;
and so one bade another, as they had friendship and acquaintance together.
15. The next day following, the Senate, being called again
to council, did first of all commend Antonius, for that he had
wisely stayed
79 and quenched the beginning of a civil war: then
they also gave Brutus and his consorts great praises; and lastly
they appointed them several governments of Provinces. For
unto Brutus they appointed Creta; Africa unto Cassius; Asia
unto Trebonius; Bithynia unto Cimber; and unto the other,
Decius Brutus Albinus, Gaul on this side of the Alps.
When
this was done, they came to talk of Caesar's will and testament
and of his funerals and tomb.
Caesar's will and funerals. |
Then Antonius, thinking
good his testament should be read openly, and also that his body
should be honourably buried, and not in hugger-mugger
80, lest
the people might thereby take occasion to be worse offended if
they did otherwise: Cassius stoutly spake against it.
Brutus committed two great faults after Caesar's death. |
But Brutus
went with the motion, and agreed unto it, wherein it seemeth
he committed a second fault. For the first fault he did, was
when he would not consent to his fellow-conspirators, that Antonius should be slain; and therefore he was justly accused,
that thereby he had saved and strengthened a strong and grievous enemy of their conspiracy. The second fault was, when he
agreed that Caesar's funerals should be as Antonius would have
them, the which indeed marred all. For first of all, when Caesar's
testament was openly read among them, whereby it appeared
that he bequeathed unto every citizen of Rome 75 drachmas a
man; and that he left his gardens and arbours unto the people,
which he had on this side of the river Tiber, in the place where
now the temple of Fortune is built: the people then loved him, and
were marvellous sorry for him.
Antonius' funeral oration for Caesar. |
Afterwards, when Caesar's body
was brought into the market-place, Antonius making his funeral
oration in praise of the dead, according to the ancient custom of
Rome, and perceiving that his words moved the common people
to compassion, he framed his eloquence to make their hearts
yearn the more; and taking Caesar's gown all bloody in his
hand, he laid it opento the sight of them all shewing what a
number of cuts and holes it had upon it. Therewithal the people
fell presently into such a rage and mutiny, that there was no more
order kept amongst the common people. For some of them
cried out, " Kill the murtherers :" others plucked up forms, tables,
and stalls about the market-place, as they had done before at
the funerals of Clodius, and having laid them all on a heap
together, they set them on fire, and thereupon did put the body
of Caesar, and burnt it in the mids
81 of the most holy places.
And furthermore, when the fire was throughly
82 kindled, some
here, some there, took burning firebrands, and ran with them to
the murtherers' houses that killed him, to set them on fire. Howbeit the conspirators, foreseeing the danger before, had wisely
provided for themselves and fled.
16.
The strange dream of Cinna the poet. |
But there was a poet called Cinna, who had been no
partaker of the conspiracy, but was always one of Caesar's chiefest
friends: he dreamed, the night before, that Caesar bad him to
supper with him, and that, he refusing to go, Caesar was very
importunate with him, and compelled him; so that at length he
led him by the hand into a great dark place, where, being marvellously afraid, he was driven to follow him in spite of his
heart
83. This dream put him all night into a fever; and yet notwithstanding, the next morning, when he heard that they carried
Caesar's body to burial, being ashamed not to accompany his
funerals, he went out of his house, and thrust himself into the
prease
84 of the common people that were in a great uproar.
The murder of Cinna the poet, being mistaken for another of that name. |
And
because some one called him by his name Cinna, the people,
thinking he had been that Cinna who in an oration he made
had spoken very evil of Caesar, they, falling upon him in their
rage, slew him outright in the market-place.
This made Brutus
and his companions more afraid than any other thing, next unto
the change of Antonius.
Brutus and his consorts do fly from Rome. |
Wherefore they got them out of Rome,
and kept at the first in the city of Antium, hoping to return
again to home, when the fury of the people was a little assuaged.
The which they hoped would be quickly, considering that they
had to deal with a fickle and unconstant
85 multitude, easy to be
carried
86, and that the Senate stood for them: who notwithstanding made no enquiry for them that had torn poor Cinna the poet
in pieces, but caused them to be sought for and apprehended
that went with firebrands to set fire on the conspirators' houses.
The people growing weary now of Antonius' pride and insolency,
who ruled all things in a manner
87 wtth absolute power, they
desired that Brutus might return again; and it was also looked
for
88 that Brutus would come himself in person to play the plays
which were due to the people, by reason of his office of praetorship.
Brutus' plays and sports at Rome in his absence. |
But Brutus, understanding that many of Caesar's soldiers
which served under him in the wars, and that also had lands
and houses given them in the cities where they lay
89, did lie in
wait for him to kill him, and that they daily by small companies
came by one and by one into Rome, he durst no more return
thither: but yet the people had the pleasure and pastime in his
absence, to see the games and sports he made them, which were
sumptuously set forth and furnished with all things necessary,
sparing for no cost. For he had brought a great number of
strange beasts, of the which he would not give one of them to
any friend he had, but that they should all be employed in his
games: and went himself as far as Byzantium, to speak to some
players of comedies and musicians that were there. And further
he wrote unto his friends for one Canutius, an excellent player,
that, whatsoever they did, they should entreat him to play in these
plays. "For," said he, "it is no reason
90 to compel any Grecian,
unless he will come of his own good will." Moreover he wrote
also unto Cicero, and earnestly prayed him in any case to be at
these plays.
17.
Octavius Caesar's coming to Rome. |
Now the state of Rome standing in these terms, there
fell out another change and alteration, when the young man
Octavius Caesar came to Rome. He was the son of Julius Caesar's
niece, whom he had adopted for his son, and made his heir, by
his last will and testament. But when Julius Caesar, his adopted
father, was slain, he was in the city of Apollonia (where he
studied) tarrying for him, because he was detennined to make
war with the Parthians: but when he heard the news of his
death, he returned again to Rome. Where, to begin to curry
favour with the common people, he first of all took upon him his
adopted father's name, and made distribution among them of the
moneywhich his father had bequeathed unto them. By this means
he troubled Antonius sorely, and by force of money got a great
number of his father's soldiers together, that had served in the
wars with him.
Brutus reproved Cicero for taking part with Octavius Caesar. |
And Cicero himself, for the great malice he
bare Antonius, did favour his proceedings: but Brutus marvellously reproved him for it, and wrote unto him, that he seemed
by his doings not to be sorry to have a master, but only to be
afraid to have one that should hate him: and that all his doings
in the commonwealth did witness, that he chose to be subject to
a mild and courteous bondage, sith
91 by his words and writings
he did commend this young man Octavius Caesar to be a good
and gentle lord. "For our predecessors," said he, "would never
abide to be subject to any masters, how gentle or mild soever
they were:" and, 'for his own part, that he had never resolutely
determined with himself to make war, or peace; but otherwise,
that he was certainly minded never to be slave nor subject.
And therefore he wondered much at him, how Cicero could be
afraid of the danger of civil wars, and would not be afraid of a
shameful peace: and that, to thrust Antonius out of the usurped
tyranny, in recompense he went about
92 to establish young Octavius Caesar tyrant.'
These were the contents of Brutus first
letters he wrote unto Cicero.
18. Now the city of Rome being divided in two factions,
some taking part with Antonius, others also leaning unto Octavius Caesar, and the soldiers making portsale
93 of their service
to him that would give most: Brutus, seeing the state of Rome
would be utterly overthrown, he determined to go out of Italy,
and went on foot through the country of Luke
94, unto the city of
Elea, standing by the sea.
Porcia's sorrowful return to Rome, for the absence of her husband Brutus. |
There Porcia, being ready to depart
from her husband Brutus, and to return to Rome, did what she
could to dissemble the grief and sorrow she felt at her heart:
but a certain painted table
95
bewrayed
96 her in the end, although
until that time she shewed always a constant and patient mind.
the story of Hector and Andromache set forth in painted tablets. |
The device of the table was taken out of the Greek stories, how
Andromache accompanied her husband Hector when he went
out of the city of Troy to go to the wars, and how Hector delivered her his little son, and how her eyes were never off him.
Porcia seeing this picture, and likening herself to be in the same
case, she fell a-weeping: and coming thither oftentimes in a day
to see it, she wept still
97. Acilius, one of Brutus' friends, perceiving that, rehearsed the verses Andromache speaketh to this
purpose in Homer:
"Thou Hector art my father, and my mother, and my brother,
And husband eke, and all in all: I mind not any other."
Then Brutus smiling, answered again: "But yet," said he, "I
cannot for my part say unto Porcia, as Hector answered Andromache in the same place of the poet:
Tush, meddle thou with duly weighing out
Thy maids their task, anld pricking on a clout.
For indeed the weak constitution of her body doth not suffer
her to perform in shew the valiant acts that we are able to do:
but for courage and constant mind, she shewed herself as stout
in the defence of her country, as any of us." Bibulus, the son of
Porcia, reporteth this story thus.
How Brutus bestowed his time at Athens. |
Now Brutus embarking at
Elea in Luke
98, he sailed directly towards Athens. When he
arrived there, the people of Athens received him with common
joys of rejoicing and honourable decrees made for him.
Brutus prepareth himself to war. |
He
lay
99 with a friend of his, with whom he went daily to hear the
lectures of Theomnestus the Academic philosopher, and of
Cratippus the Peripatetic, and so should talk with them in philosophy, that he seemed he left all other matters, and gave himself
only to study: howbeit secretly, notwithstanding, he made preparation for war.
Brutus commendeth Cicero's son. |
For he sent Herostratus into Macedon, to
win the captains and soldiers that were upon those marches
100,
and he did also entertain all the young gentlemen of the
Romans, whom he found in Athens studying philosophy:
amongst them he found Cicero's son, whom he highly praised
and commended, saying: "That, whether he waked or slept,
he found him of a noble mind and disposition, he did in nature
so much hate tyrants." Shortly after, he began to enter openly
into arms: and being advertised
101 that there came out of Asia a
certain fleet of Roman ships that had got good store of money
in them, and that the captain of those ships (who was an honest
man and his familiar friend) came towards Athens: he went
to meet him as far as the ile
102 of Carystos, and having spoken
with him there, he handled him so that he was contented to
leave his ships in his hands: whereupon he made him a notable
banquet at his house, because it was on his birthday. When
the feast-day came, and that they began to drink lustily one to
another, the guests drank to the victory of Brutus and the
liberty of the Romans. Brutus therefore, to encourage them
farther, called for a bigger cup; and, holding it in his hand, before
he drank spake this aloud:
"My destiny and Phoebus are agreed
To bring me to my final end with speed."
And for proof hereof it is reported, that, the same day he fought
his last battle by the city of Philippes
103, as he came out of his
tent, he gave them for the word and signal of battle, 'Phoebus':
so that it was thought ever since, that this his sudden crying out
at the feast was a prognostication of his misfortune that should
happen.
After this, Antistius gave him, of the money he carried
into Italy, fifty myriads. Furthermore, all Pompey's soldiers,
that straggled up and down Thessaly, came with very good will
unto him. He took from Cinna also five hundred horsemen,
which he carried into Asia unto Dolabella. After that, he went
by sea unto the city of Demetriade
104, and there took a great deal
of armour and munition which was going to Antonius: and the
which had been made and forged there by Julius Caesar's commandment, for the wars against the Parthians. Furthermore
Hortensius, governor of Macedon, did resign the government
thereof unto him. Besides, all the princes, kings, and noblemen thereabouts, came and joined with him, when it was told
him, that Caius (Antonius' brother) coming out of Italy, had
passed the sea, and came with great speed towards the city of
Dyrrachium, and Apollonia, to get the soldiers into his hands
which Gabinius had there. Brutus therefore, to prevent
105 him,
went presently with a few of his men in the midst of winter
when it did snow hard, and took his way through hard and foul
countries, and made such speed indeed, that he was there long
before Antonius' sumpters that carried the victuals.
19.
A strange disease took Brutus at Dyrrachium. Why by snow this hungry disease taketh men that are wearied with travel. |
So that when he came near to Dyrrachium, a disease
took him, which the physicians call
βουλιμία, to say, a
cormorant.
106 and unsatiable
107 appetite to eat; by reason of the cold and
pains he had taken. This sickness chanceth often both to men
and beasts, that travel when it hath snowen
108: either because
the natural heat, being retired into the inward parts of the body,
by the coldness of the air hardening the skin, doth straight
digest and consume the meat: or else because a sharp subtle
wind, coming by reason of the snow when it is molten, doth
pierce into the body, and driveth out the natural heat which
was cast outward. For it seemeth that the heat, being quenched
with the cold which it meeteth withal coming out of the skin of
the body, causeth the sweats that follow the disease. But hereof
we have spoken at large in other places.
Brutus being very
faint, and having nothing in his camp to eat, his soldiers were
compelled to go to their enemies; and coming to the gates of
the city, they prayed the warders to help them to bread.
Brutus' thankfulness and clemency. |
When
they heard in what case Brutus was, they brought him both
meat and drink: in requital whereof, afterwards, when he wan
109
the city, he did not only intreat
110 and use the citizens thereof
courteously, but all the inhabitants of the city also for their
sakes. Now when Caius Antonius was arrived in the city of
Apollonia, he sent unto the soldiers thereabouts to come unto
him. But when he understood that they went all to Brutus, and
furthermore. that the citizens of Apollonia did favour him much,
he then forsook that city and went unto the city of Buthrotus;
but yet he lost three of his ensigns
111 by the way, that were slain
every man of them. Then he sought by force to win certain
places of strength about Byllis, and to drive Brutus' men from
thence, that had taken it before: and therefore, to obtain his
purpose, he sought a battle with Cicero, the son of Marcus
Tullius Cicero, by whom he was overcome. For Brutus made
the younger Cicero a captain, and did many notable exploits by
his service. Shortly after, having stolen upon Caius Antonius
in certain marrishes
112 far from the place from whence he fled, he
would not set on him with fury but only rode round about him,
commanding his soldiers to spare him and his men, as reckoning
them all his own without stroke striking.
C. Antonius yielded unto Brutus. |
And so indeed it
happened: for they yielded themselves and their captain Antomus unto Brutus; so that Brutus had now a great army about
him. Now Brutus kept this Caius Antonius long time in his
office, and never took from him the marks and signs of his
Consulship, although many of his friends, and Cicero among
others, wrote unto him to put him to death. But when he saw
Antonius secretly practised
113 with his captains to make some
alteration, then he sent him into a ship, and made him to be
kept there. When the soldiers whom Caius Antonius had corrupted were gotten into the city of Apollonia, and sent from
thence unto Brutus to come unto them, he made them answer,
"That it was not the manner of Roman captains to come to
the soldiers, but the soldiers to come to the captain, and to
crave pardon for their offences committed." Thereupon they
came to him, and he pardoned them.
20. So Brutus preparing to go into Asia, news came unto
him of the great change at Rome: for Octavius Caesar was in
arms, by commandment and authority from the Senate, against
Marcus Antonius. But after that he had driven Antonius out
of Italy, the Senate began then to be afraid of him, because he
sued to be Consul, which was contrary to the law; and kept a
great army about him when the empire of Rome had no need
of them. On the other side Octavius Caesar, perceiving the
Senate stayed not there, but turned unto Brutus that was out of
Italy, and that they appointed him the government of certain
provinces: then he began to be afraid for his part, and sent
unto Antonius to offer him his friendship.
Octavius Caesar joineth with Antonius. |
Then coming on
unto his army near to Rome, he made himself to be chosen
Consul, whether the Senate would or not, when he was yet but
a stripling or springall
114 of twenty years old, as himself reporteth
in his own Commentaries.
Brutus accused and condemned by Octavius Caesar's means, for the death of Julius Caesar. |
So when he was Consul, he presently
115 appointed judges, to accuse Brutus and his companions
for killing of the noblest person in Rome and chiefest magistrate
without law or judgment: and made L. Cornificius accuse
Brutus, and M. Agrippa, Cassius. So the parties accused were
condemned, because the Judges were compelled to give such
sentence. The voice
116 went, that when the herald (according to
the custom after sentence given) went up to the chair or pulpit
for orations, and proclaimed 'Brutus' with a loud voice, summorning him to appear in person before the judges, the people
that stood by sighed openly, and the noblemen that were present
hung down their heads, and durst not speak a word. Among
them the tears fell from Publius Silicius' eyes: who, shortly
after, was one of the proscripts or outlaws appointed to be slain.
After that, these three, Octavius Caesar, Antonius, and Lepidus,
made an agreement between themselves, and by those articles
divided the provinces belonging to the empire of Rome among
themselves, and did set up bills
117 of proscription and outlawry,
condemning two hundred of the noblest men of Rome to suffer
death, and among that number Cicero was one.
News being
brought thereof into Macedon, Brutus, being then enforced to do
it, wrote unto Hortensius that he should put Caius Antonius to
death, to be revenged of the death of Cicero and of the other
Brutus, of the which the one was his friend, and the other a
kinsman. For this cause therefore Antonius afterwards, taking
Hortensius at the battle of Philippes, he made him to be slain
upon his brother's tomb. But when Brutus said that, he was
more ashamed of the cause for the which Cicero was slain than
he was otherwise sorry for his death; and that he could not but
greatly reprove his friends he had at Rome, who were slaves more
through their own fault than through their valiantness or manhood which usurped the tyranny: considering that they were so
cowardly and faint-hearted, as to suffer the sight of those things
before their eyes, the report whereof should only have grieved
them to the heart.
21. Now when Brutus had passed over his army (that was
very great) into Asia, he gave order for the gathering of a great
number of ships together, as well in the coast of Bithynia, as also
in the city of Cyzicum, because he would have an army by sea;
and himself in the meantime went unto the cities, taking order
for
118 all things, and giving audience to princes and noblemen of
the country that had to do with him. Afterwards he sent
unto Cassius in Syria, to turn him from his journey into Egypt,
telling him that it was not for the conquest of any kingdom for
themselves that they wandered up and down in that sort, but
contrarily, that it was to restore their country again to her
liberty: and that the multitude of soldiers they gathered together was to subdue the tyrants that would keep them in
slavery and subjection. Wherefore, regarding their chief purpose and intent, they should not be far from Italy, as near as
they could possible, but should rather make all the haste they
could, to keep their countrymen.
Brutus and Cassius do join armies together. |
Cassius believed him, and
returned. Brutus went to meet him, and they both met at the
city of Smyrna, which was the first time that they saw together
since they took leave each of other at the haven of Piraea in
Athens, the one going into Syria, and the other into Macedon.
So they were marvellous joyful, and no less courageous, when
they saw the great armies together which they had both
levied:
considering that they departed out of Italy like naked
and poor
banished men, without armour and money, nor having any ship
ready nor soldier about them, nor any one town at their
commandment; yet notwithstanding, in a short time after, they were
now met together, having ships, money, and soldiers enough,
both footmen and horsemen, to fight for the empire of Rome.
22. Now Cassius would have done Brutus much honour, as
Brutus did unto him, but Brutus most commonly prevented
119 him,
and went first unto him, both because he was the elder
man as also for that he was sickly of body.
The sharp and cruel conditions of Cassius. |
And men reputed him commonly to be very skilful in wars, but otherwise marvellous
choleric and cruel, who sought to rule men by fear rather than
with lenity: and on the other side, he was too familiar with
his friends, and would jest too broadly with them.
Brutus' gentle and fair conditions. |
But Brutus,
in contrary manner, for his virtue and valiantness, was well beloved of the people and his own, esteemed of noblemen, and
hated of no man, not so much as of his enemies; because he
was a marvellous lowly and gentle person, noble-minded, and
would never be in any rage, nor carried away with pleasure
and covetousness, but had ever an upright mind with him,
and would never yield to any wrong or injustice; the which was
the chiefest cause of his fame, of his rising, and of the goodwill
that every man bare him: for they were all persuaded that his
intent was good.
Brutus' intent good, if he had overcome. |
For they did not certainly believe that, if
Pompey himself had overcome Caesar, he would have resigned
his authority to the law, but rather they were of opinion that he
would still keep the sovereignty and absolute government in his
hands, taking only, to please the people, the title of Consul, or
Dictator, or of some other more civil office. And as for Cassius,
a hot, choleric, and cruel man, that would oftentimes be carried
away from justice for gain, it was certainly thought that he made
war and put himself into sundry dangers, more to have absolute
power and authority than to defend the liberty of his country.
For they that will also consider others that were elder men
than they, as Cinna, Marinus, and Carbo, it is out of doubt that
the end and hope of their victory was to be the lords of their
country, and in manner they did all confess that they fought for
the tyranny, and to be lords of the empire of Rome. And in
contrary manner, his enemies themselves did never reprove
Brutus for any such change or desire.
Antonius' testimony of Brutus. |
For it was said that
Antonius spake it openly divers times, that he thought, that
of all them that had slain Caesar, there was none but Brutus
only that was moved to do it, as thinking the act commendable of itself: but that all the other conspirators did conspire
his death for some private malice or envy, that they otherwise did bear unto him. Hereby it appeareth, that Brutus did
not trust so much to the power of his army as he did to his
own virtue, as it is to be seen by his writings. For approaching near to the instant
120 danger, he wrote unto Pomponius
Atticus that his affairs had the best hap that could be. "For,"
said he, "either I will set my country at liberty by battle, or by
honourable death rid me of this bondage."
Brutus' noble mind to his country |
And furthermore,
that they being certain and assured of all things else, this one
thing only was doubtful to them: whether they should live or
die with liberty. He wrote also that Antonius had his due payment for his folly: " for where
121, he might have been a partner
equally of the glory of Brutus, Cassius, and Cato, and have made
one with them, he liked better to choose to be joined with Octavius Caesar alone: with whom, though now he be not overcome
by us, yet shall he shortly after also have war with him."
Brutus a true prophet of Antonius. |
. And
truly he proved a true prophet, for so came it indeed to pass.
Now whilst Brutus and Cassius were together in the city of
Smyrna, Brutus prayed Cassius to let him have some part of his
money whereof he had great store; because all that he could rap
and rend
122 of his side, he had bestowed it in making so great a
number of ships, that by means of them they should keep all the
sea at their commandment. Cassius' friends hindered this
request and earnestly dissuaded him from it, persuading him,
that it was no reason that Brutus should have the money which
Cassius had gotten together by sparing and levied with great
evil will of the people their subjects, for him to bestow liberally
upon his soldiers, and by this means to win their good wills, by
Cassius' charge
123. This notwithstanding, Cassius gave him the
third part of this total sum.
Cassius won the city of Rhodes. |
So Cassius and Brutus then departing from each other, Cassius took the city of Rhodes, where
he too dishonestly and cruelly used himself: although, when he
came into the city, he answered some of the inhabitants who
called him lord and king, that he was neither lord nor king,
but he
124 only that had slain him that would have been lord
and king.
23. Brutus, departing from thence, sent unto the Lycians
to require
125 money and men of war. But there was a certain
orator called Naucrates, that made the cities to rebel against
him, insomuch that the countrymen of that country kept the
straights
126 and little mountains, thinking by that means to stop
Brutus' passage.
Wherefore Brutus sent his horsemen against
them, who stole upon them as they were at dinner, and
slew
six hundred of them: and taking all the small towns and
villages, he did get all the prisoners he took go without payment
of ransom, hoping by this his great courtesy to win them, to
draw all the rest of the country unto him. But they were so
fierce and obstinate, that they would mutine
127 for every small
hurt they received as he passed by their country, and did despise his courtesy and good nature: until that at length he
went to besiege the city of the Xanthians, within the which
were shut up the cruellest and most warlike men of Lycia.
There was a river that ran by the walls of the city, in the
which many men saved themselves, swimming between two
waters, and fled: howbeit they laid nets overthwart the river,
and tied little bells on the top of them, to sound when any
man was taken in the nets.
The city of Xanthus set on fire. |
The Xanthians made a sally out
by night, and came to fire certain engines of the battery that
beat down their walls: but they were presently
128 driven in again
by the Romans, so soon as they were discovered. The wind
by chance was marvellous big, and increased the flame so
sore, that it violently carried it into the cranewes
129 of the
wall of the city, that the next
130 houses unto them were straight
set on fire thereby. Wherefore Brutus being afraid that all
the city would take on fire
131, he presently
132 commanded his men
to quench the fire, and to save the town if it might be.
But
the Lycians at that instant fell into such a frenzy and strange
and horrible despair, that no man can well express it: and a
man cannot more rightly compare or liken it than to a frantic and most desperate desire to die.
The desperate end of the Xanthians. |
For all of them together,
with their wives and children, masters and servants, and of all
sorts of age whatsoever, fought upon the rampiers
133 of their
walls and did cast down stones and fire-works on the Romans,
which were very busy in quenching the flame of the fire, to
save the city. And in contrary manner also, they brought
faggots, dry wood, and reeds, to bring the fire further into the
city as much as might be, increasing it by such things as they
brought. Now when the fire had gotten into all parts of the
city, and that the flame burnt bright in every place, Brutus,
being sorry to see it, got upon his horse, and rode round about
the walls of the city, to see if it were possible for to save it,
and held up his hands to the inhabitants, praying them to
pardon their city, and to save themselves. Howbeit they would
not be persuaded, but did all that they could possible to cast
themselves away, not only men and women, but also little children. For some of them, weeping and crying out, did cast
themselves into the fire: others, headlong throwing themselves
down from the walls, brake their necks: others also made their
backs bare to the naked swords of their fathers, and undid
their clothes, praying them to kill them with their own hands.
After the city was burnt, they found a woman hanged up by
the neck, holding one of her children in her hand dead by
her, hanged up also, and in the other hand a burning torch
setting fire on
134 her house. Some would have had Brutus to
have seen her, but he would not see so horrible and tragical
a sight: but when he heard it, he fell a-weeping, and caused an
herald to make proclamation by sound of trumpet, that he
would give a certain sum of money to every soldier that could
save a Xanthian. So there were not (as it is reported) above
fifty of them saved, and yet they were saved against their wills.
Thus the Xanthians having ended the revolution of their fatal
destiny after a long continuance of time, they did through their
desperation renew the memory of the lamentable calamities of
their ancestors, who in like manner, in the wars of the Persians,
did burn their city, and destroyed themselves.
Therefore
Brutus, likewise besieging the city of the Patareians, perceiving
that they stoutly resisted him, he was also afraid of that, and
could not well tell whether he should give assault to it or not,
lest they would fall into the despair and desperation of the
Xanthians. Howbeit, having taken certain of their women
prisoners, he sent them back again without payment of ransom.
the Patareians do yield themselves unto Brutus. |
Now they that were the wives and daughters of the noblest men
of the city, reporting unto their parents that they had found
Brutus a merciful, just, and courteous man, they persuaded them
to yield themselves and their city unto him, the which they did.
So after they had thus yielded themselves, divers other cities
also followed them, and did the like: and found Brutus more
merciful and courteous than they thought they should have
done, but specially far above Cassius.
The extreme covetousness and cruelty of Cassius to the Rhodians. |
For Cassius, about the
self-same time, after he had compelled the Rhodians every man
to deliver all the ready money they had in gold and silver in their
houses, the which, being brought together, amounted to the sum
of eight thousand talents: yet he condemned the city besides, to
pay the sum of five hundred talents more. Where
135
Brutus' clemency unto the Lycians. |
Brutus in
contrary manner, after be had levied of all the country of Lycia
but an hundred and fifty talents only, he departed thence into
the country of Ionia, and did them no more hurt.
24. Now Brutus, in all this journey, did many notable acts
and worthy of memory, both for rewarding, as also in punishing
those that had deserved it: wherefore, among the rest, I will tell
you of one thing, of the which he himself and all the noblemen
of the Romans were marvellous glad. When Pompey the Great
(having lost the battle against Julius Caesar, in the fields of
Pharsalia) came and fell upon the coast of Egypt, hard by the
city of Pelusium, those that were protectors to the young king
Ptolemy, being then but a child, sat in counsel with his servants
and friends, what they should determine in that case. They
were not all of one mind in this consultation: for some thought
it good to receive Pompey: others also, that they should drive
him out of Egypt.
Theodotus, born in Chio, a rhetorician, schoolmaster to Ptolemy the young king of Egypt. |
But there was a certain rhetorician called
Theodotus, that was born in the isle of Chio, who was the king's
schoolmaster to teach him rhetoric. He, being called to the
council for lack of sufficient men, said, "That both the one and
the other side went awry
136, as well those that were of opinion to
receive Pompey as the other that would have had him driven
away: and that the best way was (considering the present time)
that they should lay hold on him, and kill him;" adding withal
this sentence
137, "that a dead man biteth not." The whole council stuck to this opinion. So, for a notable example of incredible
misfortune, and unlooked-for unto Pompey, Pompey the
Great was slain by the motion and counsel of this wicked rhetorician Theodotus, as Theodotus afterwards did himself boast
of it. But when Julius Caesar came afterwards into Egypt, the
wicked men that consented to this counsel had their payment
according to their deserts: for they died every man of them a
wicked death, saving this Theodotus, whom fortune respited a
little while longer; and yet in that thne he lived a poor and
miserable life, never tarrying long in any one place.
Theodotus Chian, the rhetorician that gave counsel to kill Pompey, was put to death by Brutus. |
So Brutus
going up and down Asia, Theodotus could hide himself no longer,
but was brought unto Brutus, where he suffered pains of death:
so that he wan
138 more fame by his death, than ever he did in his
life.
25.
Brutus and Cassius do meet at the city of Sardis. |
About that time Brutus sent to pray Cassius to come
to the city of Sardis, and so he did. Brutus, understanding of
his coming, went to meet him with all his friends. There both
their armies being armed, they called them both
Emperors.
Now
as it commonly happened in great affairs between two persons,
both of them having many friends and so many captains under
them, there ran tales and complaints betwixt them.
Brutus' and Cassius' complaints one unto the other. |
Therefore,
before they fell in hand with any other matter, they went into a
little chamber together, and bade every man avoid
139, and did
shut the doors to them. Then they began to pour out their
complaints one to the other, and grew hot and loud, earnestly
accusing one another, and at length fell both a-weeping. Their
friends that were without
140 the chamber, hearing them loud within, and angry between themselves, they were both amazed and
afraid also, lest it would grow to further matter: but yet they
were commanded that no man should come to them.
M. Phaonius a follower of Cato. |
Notwithstanding, one Marcus Phaonius, that had been a friend and a
follower of Cato while he lived, and took upon him to counterfeit
a philosopher, not with wisdom and discretion, but with a certain bedlem
141 and frantic motion: he would needs come into the
chamber, though the men offered
142 to keep him out. But it was
no boot
143 to let
144 Phaonius, when a mad mood or toy
145 took him in
the head: for he was a hot hasty man, and sudden in all his
doings, and cared for never a senator of them all.
Cynic philosophers counted dogs. |
Now, though
he used this bold manner of speech after the profession of the
Cynic philosophers (as who would say,
Dogs), yet his
boldness did no hurt many times, because they did but laugh at him to
see him so mad. This Phaonius at that time, in despite of the
door-keepers, came into the chamber, and with a certain scoffing
and mocking gesture, which he counterfeited of purpose
146, he rehearsed the verses which old Nestor said in Homer:
All lords, I pray you hearken both to
me,
For I have seen mo
147 years than suchie
148
three.
Cassius fell a-laughing at him: but Brutus thrust him out of the
chamber, and called him dog, and counterfeit Cynic. Howbeit
his coming in brake their strife at that thee, and so they left
each other. The self-same night Cassius prepared his supper in
his chamber, and Brutus brought his friends with him. So
when they were set at supper, Phaonius came to sit down after
he had washed. Brutus told him aloud, 'no man sent for him,'
and bad them set him at the upper end: meaning indeed, at the
lower end of the bed
149. Phaonius made no ceremony, but thrust
in amongst the middest
150 of them, and made all the company
laugh at him. So they were merry all supper-time, and full of
their philosophy.
The next day after, Brutus, upon complaint
of the Sardians, did condemn and note Lucius Pella for a defamed person, that had been a Praetor of the Romans, and whom
Brutus had given charge unto: for that he was accused and convicted of robbery end pilfery in his office. This judgment much
misliked
151 Cassius, because he himself had secretly (not many
days before) warned two of his friends, attainted and convicted
of the like offences, and openly had cleared them: but yet he
did not therefore leave
152 to employ them in any manner of service
as he did before. And therefore he greatly reproved Brutus, for
that he would shew himself so straight
153 and severe, in such a
time as was meeter to bear a little than to take things at the
worst.
Julius Caesar slain at the Ides of March. |
Brutus in contrary manner answered, that he should remember the Ides of March, at which time they slew Julius Caesar,
who neither pilled
154 nor polled
155 the country but only was a
favourer and suborner of all them that did rob and spoil, by his countenance and authority. And if there were any occasion whereby
they might honestly set aside justice and equity, they should
have had more reason to have suffered Caesar's friends to have
robbed and done what wrong and injury they had would
156 than to
bear with their own men. "For then," said he, "they could but
have said we
157 had been cowards, but now they may accuse us
of injustice, beside the pains we take, and the danger we put
ourselves into." And thus may we see what Brutus' intent and
purpose was
26.
The wonderful constancy of Brutus in matters of justice and equity. Brutus' care and watching. |
But as they both prepared to pass over again out of
Asia into Europe, there went a rumour that there appeared a
wonderful sign unto him. Brutus was a careful man, and slept
very little, both for that his diet was moderate, as also because
he was continually occupied. He never slept in the day-time,
and in the night no longer than the time he was driven to be
alone, and when everybody else took their rest. But now whilst
he was in war, and his head ever busily occupied to think of his
affairs and what would happen, after he had slumbered a little
after supper, he spent all the rest of the night in dispatching of
his weightiest causes; and after he had taken order for them, if
he had any leisure left him, he would read some book till the
third watch of the night, at what time the captains, petty captains, and colonels, did use to come to him.
A spirit appeared unto Brutus in the city of Sardis. |
So, being ready to
go into Europe, one night very late (when all the camp took
quiet rest) as he was in his tent with a little light, thinking of
weighty matters, he thought he heard one come in to him, and
casting his eye towards the door of his tent, that he saw a wonderful strange and monstrous shape of a body coming towards
him, and said never a word. So Brutus boldly asked what he
was, a god or a man, and what cause brought him thither ? The
spirit answered him, "I am thy evil spirit, Brutus: and thou
shalt see me by the city of Philippes
158.'' Brutus being no otherwise afraid, replied again unto it: "Well, then I shall see thee
again."
The spirit presently
159vanished away: and Brutus called
his men unto him, who told him that they heard no noise, nor
saw anything at all. Thereupon Brutus returned again to think
on his matters as he did before: and when the day brake, he
went unto Cassius, to tell him what vision had appeared unto
him in the night.
Cassius' opinion of spirits after the Epicurean sect. |
Cassius being in opinion an Epicurean, and
reasoning thereon with Brutus, spake to him touching the vision
thus." In our sect, Brutus, we have an opinion, that we do not
always feel or see that which we suppose we do both see and
feel, but that our senses being credulous and therefore easily
abused (when they are idle and unoccupied in their own objects)
are induced to imagine they see and conjecture that which in
truth they do not. For our mind is quick and cunning to work
(without either cause or matter) anything in the imagination
whatsoever. And therefore the imagination is resembled to clay,
and the mind to the potter: who, without any other cause than
his fancy and pleasure, changeth it into what fashion and form
he will.
And this doth the diversity of our dreams shew unto
us. For our imagination doth upon a small fancy grow from
conceipt
160 to conceipt, altering both in passions and forms of
things imagined. For the mind of man is ever occupied, and
that continual moving is nothing but an imagination. But yet
there is a further cause of this in you. For you being by nature
given to melancholic discoursing, and of late continually occupied, your wits and senses, having been over-laboured, do easilier
yield to such imaginations. For, to say that there are spirits or
angels; and if there were, that they had the shape of men, or
such voices or any power at all to come unto us, it is a mockery.
And for mine own part, I would there were such, because that
we should not only have soldiers, horses, and ships, but also the
aid of the gods, to guide and further our honest and honourable
attempts." With these words Cassius did somewhat comfort
and quiet Brutus.
A wonderful sign by two eagles. |
When they raised their camp, there came
two eagles that, flying with a marvellous force, lighted upon two
of the foremost ensigns, and always followed the soldiers, which
gave them meat and fed them, until they came near to the city
of Philippes: and there, one day only before the battle, they both
flew away.
27. Now Brutus had conquered the most part of all the
people and nations of that country; but if there were any other
city or captain to overcome, then they made all clear before
them, and so drew towards the coasts of Thassos. There Norbanus, Iying in camp in a certain place called the straights
161, by
another place called Symbolon (which is a port in the sea),
Cassius and Brutus compassed him in in such sort, that he was
driven to forsake the place, which was of great strength for him,
and he was also in danger beside to have lost all his army. For
Octavius Caesar could not follow him because of his sickness,
and therefore stayed behind: whereupon they had taken his
army, had not Antonius' aid been, which made such wonderful
speed, that Brutus could scant
162 believe it.
Brutus' and Cassius' camps before the city of Philippi, against Octavius Caesar and Antonius. Brutus' soldiers bravely armed. |
So Caesar came not
thither of
163 ten days after: and Antonius camped against Cassius, and Brutus on the other side, against Caesar. The Romans
called the valley between both camps, the Philippian fields: and
there were never seen two so great armies of the Romans, one
before the other, ready to fight. In truth, Brutus' army was inferior to Octavius Caesar's in number of men; but for bravery
and rich furniture
164, Brutus' army far excelled Caesar's. For the
most part of their armours were silver and gilt, which Brutus
had bountifully given them: although, in all other things, he
taught his captains to live in order without excess.
Brutus' opinion for the bravery of soldiers in their armour and weapons. |
But for the
bravery of armour and weapon, which soldiers should carry in
their hands, or otherwise wear upon their backs, he thought that
it was an encouragement unto them that by nature are greedy
of honour, and that it maketh them also fight like devils that
love to get, and to be afraid to lose: because they fight to keep
their armour and weapon, as also their goods and lands.
Now
when they came to muster their armies, Octavius Caesar took
the muster of his army within the trenches of his camp, and
gave his men only a little corn, and five silver drachmas to
every man to sacrifice to the gods, and to pray for victory. But
Brutus, scorning this misery and niggardliness, first of all mustered his army, and did purify it in the fields, according to the
manner of the Romans: and then he gave unto every band a
number of wethers to sacrifice, and fifty silver drachmas to
every soldier. So that Brutus' and Cassius' soldiers were better
pleased, and more courageously bent to fight at the day of
battle, than their enemies' soldiers were.
Unlucky signs unto Cassius. |
Notwithstanding,
being busily occupied about the ceremonies of this purification,
it is reported that there chanced certain unlucky signs unto Cassius. For one of his sergeants that carried the rods before him,
brought him the garland of flowers turned backward, the which
he should have worn on his head in the time of sacrificing.
Moreover it is reported also, that another time before, in certain
sports and triumph where they carried an image of Cassius'
victory, of clean
165 gold, it fell by chance, the man stumbling that
carried it. And yet further, there was seen a marvellous number
of fowls
166 of prey, that feed upon dead carcases: and bee-hives
also were found, where bees were gathered together in a certain
place within the trenches of the camp: the which place the
soothsayers thought good to shut out of the precinct of the
camp, for to take away the superstitious fear and mistrust men
would have of it. The which began somewhat to alter Cassius'
mind from Epicurus' opinions, and had put the soldiers also in
a marvellous fear.
Cassius' and Brutus' opinions about the battle. |
Thereupon Cassius was of opinion not to
try this war at one battle, but rather to delay time, and to draw
it out in length, considering that they were the stronger in
money, and the weaker in men and armour. But Brutus, in
contrary manner, did alway before, and at that time also, desire
nothing more than to put all to the hazard of battle, as soon as
might be possible: to the end he might either quickly restore
his country to her former liberty, or rid him forthwith of this
miserable world, being still
167 troubled in following and maintaining of such great armies together. But perceiving that, in the
daily skirmishes and bickerings they made, his men were always
the stronger and ever had the better, that yet quickened his spirits again, and did put him in better heart. And furthermore,
because that some of their own men had already yielded themselves to their enemies, and that it was suspected moreover
divers others would do the like, that made many of Cassius'
friends which were of his mind before (when it came to be debated in council, whether the battle should be fought or not)
that they were then of Brutus' mind.
Atellius' opinion for the battle. |
But yet was there one of
Brutus' friends called Atellius, that was against it, and was of
opinion that they should tarry to the next winter. Brutus asked
him what he should get by tarrying a year longer? " If I get
nothing else," quoth Atellius again, " yet have I lived so much
longer." Cassius was very angry with this answer: and Atellius
was maliced
168 and esteemed the worse for it of all men. Thereupon it was presently determined they should fight battle the
next day.
So Brutus, all supper-time, looked with a cheerful
countenance, like a man that had good hope, and talked very
wisely of philosophy, and after supper went to bed.
Cassius' words unto Messala the night before the battle. |
But touching Cassius, Messala reporteth that he supped by himself in his
tent with a few of his friends, and that all supper-time he looked
very sadly, and was full of thoughts, although it was against his
nature: and that after supper he took him by the hand, and
holding him fast (in token of kindness, as his manner was) told
him in Greek: " Messala, I protest unto thee, and make thee
my witness, that I am compelled against my mind and will (as
Pompey the Great was) to jeopard
169 the liberty of our country to
the hazard of a battle. And yet we must be lively, and of good
courage, considering our good fortune, whom we should wrong
too much to mistrust her, although we follow evil counsel."
Messala writeth, that Cassius having spoken these last words
unto him, he bade him farewell, and willed him to come to supper to him the next night following, because it was his birthday.
Brutus and Cassius talk before the battle. |
The next morning, by break of day, the signal of battle
was set out in Brutus' and Cassius' camp, which was an arming
scarlet coat: and both the chieftains spake together in the
midst of their armies. There Cassius began to speak first, and
said: "The gods grant us, O Brutus, that this day we may win
the field, and ever after to live all the rest of our life quietly
one with another. But sith
170 the gods have so ordained it, that
the greatest and chiefest things amongst men are most uncertain, and that if the battle fall out otherwise to-day than we
wish or look for, we shall hardly meet again, what art thou then
determined to do, to fly, or die?"
Brutus' answer to Cassius. |
Brutus answered him, being
yet but a young man, and not over greatly experienced in the
world: " I trust (I know not how, a certain rule of philosophy,
by the which I did greatly blame and reprove Cato for killing
himself, as being no lawful nor godly act, touching the gods:
nor concerning men, valiant; not to give place and yield to
divine providence, and not constantly and patiently to take
whatsoever it pleaseth him to send us, but to draw back and
fly: but being now in the midst of the danger, I am of a contrary mind. For if it be not the will of God that this battle
fall out fortunate for us, I will look no more for hope, neither
seek to make any new supply for war again, but will rid me of
this miserable world, and content me with my fortune. For I
gave up my life for my country in the Ides of March, for the
which I shall live in another more glorious world." Cassius
fell a-laughing to hear what he said, and embracing him,
"Come on then," said he, "let us go and charge our enemies
with this mind.
The battle at Philippi against Octavius Caesar and Antonius. |
For either we shall conquer, or we shall not
need to fear the conquerors." After this talk, they fell to consultation among their friends for the ordering of the battle.
Then Brutus prayed Cassius he might have the leading of the
right wing, the which men thought was far meeter for Cassius,
both because he was the elder man, and also for that he had
the better experience. But yet Cassius gave it him, and willed
that Messala (who had charge of one of the warlikest legions
they had) should be also in that wing with Brutus. So Brutus
presently sent out his horsemen, who were excellently well appointed, and his footmen also were as willing and ready to give
charge.
28. Now Antonius' men did cast a trench from the marrish
171
by the which they lay, to cut off Cassius' way to come to the sea:
and Caesar, at the least his army stirred not. As for Octavius
Caesar himself, he was not in his camp because he was sick.
And for his people, they little thought the enemies would have
given them battle, but only have made some light skirmishes to
hinder them that wrought in the trench, and with their darts
and slings to have kept them from finishing of their work: but
they, taking no heed to them that came full upon them to give
them battle, marvelled much at the great noise they heard, that
came from the place where they were casting their trench. In
the meantime Brutus, that led the right wing, sent little bills
172 to
the colonels and captains of private bands, in the which he
wrote the word of the battle; and he himself, riding a-horseback
by all the troupes
173, did speak to them, and encouraged them to
stick to it like men. So by this means very few of them understood what was the word of the battle, and besides, the most
part of them never tarried to have it told them, but ran with
great fury to assail the enemies; whereby, through this disorder,
the legions were marvellously scattered and dispersed one from
the other. For first of all Messala's legion, and then the next
unto them, went beyond the left wing of the enemies, and did
nothing, but glancing by them overthrew some as they went;
and so going on further, fell right upon Caesar's camp, out of the
which (as himself writeth in his commentaries) he had been conveyed away a little before, through the counsel and advice of one
of his friends called Marcus Artorius: who, dreaming in the
night, had a vision appeared unto him, that commanded
Octavius
Caesar should be carried out of his camp. Insomuch as it was
thought he was slain, because his litter (which had nothing in it)
was thrust through and through with pikes and darts. There
was great slaughter in this camp. For amongst others, there
were slain two thousand Lacedaemonians, who were arrived but
even a little before, coming to aid Caesar.
The other also that
had not glanced by, but had given a charge full upon Caesar's
battle
174, they easily made them fly, because they were greatly
troubled for the loss of their camp; and of them there were slain
by hand three legions. Then, being very earnest to follow the
chase of them that fled, they ran in amongst them hand over
head
175 into their camp, and Brutus among them. But that which
the conquerors thought not of, occasion
176 shewed it unto them
that they were overcome; and that was, the left wing of their
enemies left naked and unguarded of
177 them of the right wing,
who were strayed too far off, in following of them that were
overthrown. So they gave a hot charge upon them. But, notwithstanding all the force they made, they could not break into
the midst of their battle, where they found them that received
them and valiantly made head against them. How-beit they
brake and overthrew the left wing where Cassius was, by reason
of the great disorder among them, and also because they had no
intelligence how the right wing had sped. So they chased them,
beating them into their camp, the which they spoiled, none of
both the chieftains being present there. For Antonius, as it is
reported, to fly the fury cf the first charge, was gotten into the
next
178
marish
179: and no man could tell what became of Octavius
Caesar, after he was carried out of his camp.
Octavius Caesar falsely reported to be slain at the battle of Philippi. Cassius' misfortune. |
Insomuch that
there were certain soldiers that shewed their swords bloodied
180,
and said that they had slain him, and did describe his face, and
shewed what age he was of. Furthermore, the foward
181 end the
middest
182 of Brutus' battle
183 had already put all their enemies to
flight that withstood them, with great slaughter: so that Brutus
had conquered all on his side, and Cassius had lost all on the
other side. For nothing undid them but that Brutus went not
to help Cassius, thinking he had overcome them as himself had
done; and Cassius on the other side tarried not for Brutus,
thinking he had been overthrown as himself was. And to prove
that the victory fell on Brutus' side, Messala confirmeth, that
they wan
184 three eagles, and divers other ensigns of the enemies,
and their enemies wan never a one of theirs. Now Brutus returning from the chase, after he had slain and sacked Caesar's
men, he wondered much that he could not see Cassius' tent
standing up high as it was wont, neither the other tents of his
camp standing as they were before, because all the whole camp
had been spoiled, and the tents thrown down, at the first coming
of their enemies. But they that were about Brutus, whose sight
served them better, told them that they saw a great glistering
185
of harness
186, and a number of silvered targets
187, that went and
came into Cassius' camp, and were not (as they took it) the armours nor the number of men that they had left there to guard the
camp; and yet that they saw not such a number of dead bodies
and great overthrow as there should have been, if so many
legions had been slain. This made Brutus at the first mistrust
188
that which had happened. So he appointed a number of men to
keep the camp of his enemy which he had taken, and caused his
men to be sent for that yet followed the chase, and gathered
them together, thinking to lead them to aid Cassius, who was
in this state as you shall hear.
Cassius offended with the sundry errors Brutus and his men committed in battle. |
First of all, he was marvellous
angry to see how Brutus' men ran to give charge upon their
enemies, and tarried not for the word of the battle, nor commandment to give charge: and it grieved him beside, that after
he had overcome them, his men fell straight to spoil, and were
not careful to compass in the rest of the enemies behind: but
with tarrying too long also, more than through the valiantness
or foresight of the captains his enemies, Cassius found himself
compassed in with the right wing of his enemy's army. Whereupon his horsemen brake immediately, and fled for life towards
the sea.
Cassius' valiantness in wars. |
Furthermore perceiving his footmen to give ground,
he did what he could to keep them from flying, and took an
ensign from one of the ensign-bearers that fled, and stuck it fast
at his feet: although with much ado he could scant keep his
own guard together.
29. So Cassius himself was at length compelled to fly, with
a few about him, unto a little hill, from whence they might easily
see what was done in all thc plain: howbeit Cassius himself saw
nothing, for his sight was very bad, saving that he saw (and yet
with much ado) how the enemies spoiled his camp before his
eyes. He saw also a great troupe
189 of horsemen, whom Brutus
sent to aid him, and thought that they were his enemies
that followed him: but yet he sent Titinnius, one of them that
was with him, to go and know what they were. Brutus' horsemen saw him coming afar off, whom when they knew that he
was one of Cassius' chiefest friends, they shouted out for joy;
and they that were familiarly acquainted with him lighted from
their horses, and went and embraced him. The rest compassed
him in round about on horseback, with songs of victory and
great rushing
190 of their harness
191, so that they made all the field
ring again for joy. But this marred all.
The importance of error and mistaking in wars. |
For Cassius, thinking
indeed that Titinnius was taken of the enemies, he then spake
these words: "Desiring too much to live, I have lived to see
one of my best friends taken, for my sake, before my face."
Cassius slain by his man Pindarus. |
After that, he got into a tent where nobody was, and took
Pindarus with him, one of his bondsmen whom he reserved ever
for such a pinch, since the cursed battle of the Parthians, where
Crassus was slain, though he notwithstanding scaped from that
overthrow: but then, casting his cloak over his head, and holding
out his bare neck unto Pindarus, he gave him his head to be
stricken off. So the head was found severed from the body:
but after that time Pindarus was never seen more. Whereupon
some took occasion to say that he had slain his master without
his commandment. By and by they knew the horsemen that
came towards them, and might see Titinnius crowned with a
garland of triumph, who came before with great speed unto
Cassius. But when he perceived, by the cries and tears of his
friends which tormented themselves, the misfortune that had
chanced to his captain Cassius by mistaking, he drew out his
sword, cursing himself a thousand thnes that he had tarried so
long, and so slew himself presently
192 in the field.
Brutus in the
mean time came forward still, and understood also that Cassius
had been overthrown: but he knew nothing of his death till he
came very near to his camp. So when he was come thither,
after he had lamented the death of Cassius, calling him the last
of all the Romans, being unpossible
193 that Rome should ever
breed again so noble and valiant a man as he, he caused his
body to be buried, and sent it to the city of Thassos, fearing
lest his funerals
194 within his camp should cause great disorder.
Then he called his soldiers together, and did encourage them
again. And when he saw that they had lost all their carriage
195,
which they could not brook
196 well, he promised every man of
them two thousand drachmas in recompense. After his soldiers
had heard his oration, they were all of them prettily cheered
again, wondering much at his great liberality, and waited upon
him with great cries when he went his way, praising him, for
that he only of the four chieftains was not overcome in battle.
And to speak the truth, his deeds shewed that he hoped not in
vain to be conqueror. For with few legions he had slain and
driven all them away that made head against him: and if all his
people had fought, and that the most of them had not outgone
their enemies to run to spoil their goods, surely it was like
enough he had slain them all, and had left never a man of them
alive.
The number of men slain at the battle of Philippi. |
There were slain of Brutus' side about eight thousand
men, counting the soldiers' slaves, whom Brutus called Brigas:
and of the enemy's side, as Messala writeth, there were slain, as
he supposeth, more than twice as many moe
197. Wherefore they
were more discouraged than Brutus, until that, very late at
night, there was one of Cassius' men called Demetrius, who
went unto Antonius, and carried his master's clothes, whereof he
was stripped not long before, and his sword also. This encouraged Brutus' enemies, and made them so brave, that the next
morning betimes they stood in battle ray
198 again before Brutus.
30. But on Brutus' side, both his camps stood wavering,
and that in great danger. For his own camp, being full of
prisoners, required a good guard to look unto them: and
Cassius' camp on the other side took the death of their
captain very heavily; and beside, there was some vile grudge
between them that were overcome and those that did overcome. For this cause therefore Brutus did set them in
battle ray6, but yet kept himself from giving battle. Now for
the slaves that were prisoners, which were a great number,
and went and came to and fro amongst these armed men, not
without suspicion, he commanded they should kill them. But
for the free men, he sent them freely home, and said that they
were better prisoners with his enemies than with him. For
with them, they were slaves and servants: and with him, they
were free men and citizens.
Brutus' clemency and courtesy. |
So when he saw that divers captains and his friends did so cruelly hate some, that they would
by no means save their lives, Brutus himself hid them, and
secretly sent them away. Among these prisoners, there was one
Volumnius, a jester, and Sacculio, a common player, of whom
Brutus made no account at all. Howbeit his friends brought
them unto him, and did accuse them, that though they were
prisoners, they did not let
199 to laugh them to scorn, and to jest
broadly with them. Brutus made no answer to it, because his
head was occupied otherwise. Whereupon Messala Corvinus
said that it were good to whip them on a scaffold, and then to
send them naked, well whipped, unto the captains of their
enemies, to shew them their shame, to keep such mates
200 as
those in their camp, to play the fools to make them sport. Some
that stood by laughed at his device. But Publius Casca, that
gave Julius Caesar the first wound when he was slain, said then:
"It doth not become us to be thus merry at Cassius' funerals
201:
and for thee, Brutus, thou shalt shew what estimation thou
madest of such a captain thy compeer, by putting to death, or
saving the lives of these bloods
202, who hereafter will mock him
and defame his memory." Brutus answered again in choler:
"Why then do you come to tell me of it, Casca, and do not
yourselves what you think good?" When they heard him say so,
they took his answer for a consent against these poor unfortunate men, to suffer them to do what they thought good: and
therefore they carried them away, and slew them.
Afterwards
Brutus performed the promise he had made to the soldiers, and
gave them the two thousand drachmas apiece; but yet he first
reproved them, because they went and gave charge upon the
enemies at the first battle, before they had the word of battle
given them: and made them a new promise also, that if in the
second battle they fought like men, he would give them the sack
and spoil of two cities, to wit
203, Thessalonica and Lacedaemon.
Brutus' fault wisely excused by Plutarch. |
In all Brutus' life there is but this only fault to be found, and
that is not to be gainsaid: though Antonius and Octavius Caesar
did reward their soldiers far worse for their victory. For when
they had driven all the natural Italians out of Italy, they gave
their soldiers their lands and towns, to the which they had no
right: and moreover the only mark they shot at in all this war
they made, was but to overcome and reign: where in contrary
manner they had so great an opinion of Brutus' virtue, that the
common voice and opinion of the world would not suffer him
neither to overcome nor to save himself otherwise than justly
and honestly, and specially after Cassius' death; whom men
burdened
204, that oftentimes he moved Brutus to great cruelty.
But now, like as the mariners on the sea, after the rudder of their
ship is broken by tempest, do seek to nail on some other piece
of wood in lieu
205 thereof, and do help themselves to keep them
from hurt, as much as may be, upon that instant
206 danger: even
so Brutus, having such a great army to govern, and his affairs
standing very tickle
207, and having no other captain coequal uith
him in dignity and authority, he was forced to employ them he
had; and likewise to be ruled by them in many things, and was
of mind himself also to grant them any thing that he thought
might make them serve like noble soldiers at time of need. For
Cassius' soldiers were very evil to be ruled, and did shew themselves very stubborn and lusty
208 in the camp, because they had
no chieftain that did command them: but yet rank cowards to
their enemies, because they had once overcome them.
On the
other side, Octavius Caesar and Antonius were not in much
better state; for first of all they lacked victuals. And because
they were lodged in low places, they looked
209 to abide a hard and
sharp winter, being camped as they were by the marish
210 side:
and also for that, after the battle, there had fallen plenty of rain
about the autumn, wherethrough
211 all their tents were full of mire
and dirt, the which by reason of the cold did freeze incontinently
212.
But beside all these discommodities, there came news unto them
of the great loss they had of their men by sea.
Wonderful famine among Caesar's soldiers by sea. |
For Brutus'
ships met with a great aid and supply of men, which were sent
them out of Italy, and they overthrew them in such sort, that
there scaped but few of them: and yet they were so famished,
that they were compelled to eat the tackle and sails of their ships.
Thereupon they were very desirous to fight a battle again, before
Brutus should have intelligence of this good news for him: for
it chanced so, that the battle was fought by sea, on the selfsame
day it was fought by land.
the ignorance of Brutus' victory by sea was his utter destruction. |
But by ill fortune, rather than
through the malice or negligence of the captains, this victory
came not to Brutus' ear till twenty days after. For had he
known of it before, he would not have been brought to have
fought a second battle, considering that he had excellent good
provision for his army for a long time; and besides lay in a
place of great strength, so as his camp could not greatly be
hurt by the winter, nor also distressed by his enemies: and
further, he had been a quiet lord, being a conqueror by sea, as
he was also by land. This would have marvellously encouraged
him. Howbeit the state of Rome (in my opinion) being now
brought to that pass, that it could no more abide to be governed
by many lords, but required one only absolute governor: God,
to prevent Brutus that it should not come to his government,
kept this victory from his knowledge, though indeed it came but
a little too late. For the day before the last battle was given,
very late in the night, came Clodius, one of his enemies, into his
camp, who told that Caesar, hearing of the overthrow of his army
by sea, desired nothing more than to fight a battle before Brutus
understood it. Howbeit they gave no credit to his words, but
despised him so much, that they would not vouchsafe to bring
him unto Brutus, because they thought it but a lie devised, to
be the better welcome for this good news.
The evil spirit appeared again unto Brutus. |
The selfsame night,
it is reported that the monstrous spirit which had appeared before unto Brutus in the city of Sardis, did now appear again unto
him in the selfsame shape and form, and so vanished away, and
said never a word.
Strange sights before Brutus' second battle. |
Now Publius Volumnius, a grave and wise
philosopher, that had been with Brutus from the beginning of
this war, doth make no mention of this spirit; but saith that the
greatest eagle and ensign was covered over with a swarm of
bees; and that there was one of the captains, whose arm suddenly
fell a sweating, that it dropped oil of roses from him, and that
they oftentimes went about
213 to dry him, but all would do no
good. And that, before the battle was fought, there were two
eagles fought between both armies, and all the time they fought
there was a marvellous great silence all the valley over, both the
armies being one before the other, marking this fight between,
them; and that in the end, the eagle towards Brutus gave over
and fled away. But this is certain, and a true tale, that when
the gate of the camp was open, the first man the standardbearer met that carried the eagle, was an Aethiopian, whom the
soldiers, for ill luck, mangled with their swords.
31.
Now after that Brutus had brought his army into the
field, and had set them in battle ray
214, directly against the
voward
215 of his enemy, he paused a long time before he gave
the signal of battle. For Brutus riding up and down to view
the bands and companies, it canme in his head to mistrust some
of them, besides that some came to tell him so much as he
thought. Moreover, he saw his horsemen set forward but faintly,
and did not go lustily to give charge, but still stayed to see what
the footmen would do. Then suddenly, one of the chiefest
knights he had in all his army, called Camulatius, and that was
alway marvellously esteemed of for his valiantness, until that
time: he came hard by Brutus on horseback, and rode before
his face to yield himself unto his enemies. Brutus was marvellous sorry for it: wherefore, partly for anger, and partly for fear
of greater treason and rebellion, he suddenly caused his army to
march, being past three of the clock in the afternoon. So in
that place where he himself fought in person, he had the better,
and brake into the left wing of his enemies; which gave him
way, through the help of his horsemen that gave charge with his
footmen, when they saw the enemies in a maze
216 and afraid.
Howbeit, the other also on the right wing, when the captains
would have had them to have marched, they were afraid to have
been compassed in behind, because they were fewer in number
than their enemies, and therefore did spread themselves, and
leave the middest
217 of the battle.
Brutus' valiantness and geat skill in war. |
Whereby they having weakened themselves, they could not withstand the force of their
enemies, but turned tail straight and fled. And those that had
put them to flight, came in straight upon it to compass Brutus
behind, who, in the middest
218 of the conflict, did all that was
possible for a skilful captain and valiant soldier, both for his
wisdom, as also his hardiness, for the obtaining of victory. But
that which wan
219 him the victory at the first battle, did now lose
it him at the second. For at the first time, the enemies that
were broken and fled were straight cut in pieces: but at the
second battle, of Cassius' men that were put to flight, there
were few slain: and they that saved themselves by speed, being
afraid because they had been overcome, did discourage the rest
of the army when they came to join with them, and filled all the
army with fear and disorder.
The death of the valiant young man Cato, the son of Marcus Cato. |
There was the son of Marcus
Cato slain, valiantly fighting among the lusty youths. For notwithstanding that he was very weary and over-harried
220, yet
would he not therefore fly, but manfully fighting and laying
about him, telling aloud his name, and also his father's name, at
length he was beaten down amongst many other dead bodies of
his enemies, which he had slain round about him.
The fidelity of Lucilius unto Brutus. |
So there
were slain in the field all the chiefest gentlemen and nobility
that were in his army, who valiantly ran into any danger to save
Brutus' life:
amongst whom there was one of Brutus' friends
called Lucilius, who seeing a troupe
221 of barbarous men making
no reckoning of all men else they met in their way, but going
all together right against Brutus, he determined to stay them with
the hazard of his life; and being left behind, told them that he
was Brutus: and because they should believe him, he prayed
them to bring him to Antonius, for he said he was afraid of
Caesar, and that he did trust Antonius better. These barbarous
men, being very glad of this good hap, and thinking themselves
happy men, they carried him in the night, and sent some before
unto Antonius, to tell him of their coming. He was marvellous
glad of it, and went out to meet them that brought him. Others
also understanding of it, that they had brought Brutus prisoner,
they came out of all parts of the camp to see him, some pitying
his hard fortune, and others saying that it was not done like himself, so cowardly to be taken alive of the barbarous people for
fear of death. When they came near together, Antonius stayed
a while bethinking himself how he should use Brutus. In the
meantime Lucilius was brought to him, who stoutly with a bold
countenance said: "Antonius, I dare assure thee, that no enemy
hath taken nor shall take Marcus Brutus alive, and I beseech God
keep him from that fortune: for wheresoever he be found, alive
or dead, he will be found like himself. And now for myself, I
am come unto thee, having deceived these men of arms here,
bearing them down
222 that I was Brutus, and do not refuse to
suffer any torment thou wilt put me to." Lucilius' words made
them all amazed that heard him. Antonius on the other side,
looking upon all them that had brought him, said unto them:
" My companions, I think ye are sorry you have failed of your
purpose, and that you think this man hath done you great wrong:
but I assure you, you have taken a better booty than that you followed. For instead of an enemy you have brought me a friend:
and for my part, if you had brought me Brutus alive, truly I
cannot tell what I should have done to him. For I had rather
have such men my friends, as this man here, than mine enemies."
Then he embraced Lucilius, and at that time delivered him to one
of his friends in custody; and Lucilius ever after served him
faithfully, even to his death.
Now Brutus having passed a little
river, walled in on every side with high rocks and shadowed with
great trees, being then dark night, he went no further, but stayed
at the foot of a rock with certain of his captains and friends that
followed him: and looking up to the firmament that was full of
stars, sighing, he rehearsed two verses, of the which Volumnius
wrote the one, to this effect:
Let not the wight from whom this mischief vent,
O Jove, escape without due punishment:—
and saith that he had forgotten the other. Within a little while
after, naming his friends that he had seen slain in battle before
his eyes, he fetched a greater sigh than before, specially when he
came to name Labio and Flavius, of whom the one was his
lieutenant, and the other captain of the pioners
223 of his camp.
In the meantime one of the company being athirst, and seeing
Brutus athirst also, he ran to the river for water, and brought it
in his sallet
224. At the same time they heard a noise on the other
side of the river: whereupon Volumnius took Dardanus, Brutus'
servant, with him, to see what it was: and returning straight
again, asked if there were any water left. Brutus smiling, gently
told him, "All is drunk
225, but they shall bring you some more."
Thereupon he sent him again that went for water before, who
was in great danger of being taken by the enemies, and hardly
escaped, being sore hurt.
32. Furthermore, Brutus thought that there was no great
number of men slain in battle: and to know the truth of it, there
was one called Statilius, that promised to go through his enemies,
for otherwise it was impossible to go see their camp: and from
thence, if all were well, that he would lift up a torch-light in
the air, and then return again with speed to him. The torchlight was lift
226 up as he had promised, for Statilius went thither.
Now Brutus seeing Statilius tarry long after that, and that he
came not again, he said: " If Statilius be alive, he will come
again." But his evil fortune was such that, as he came back, he
lighted in his enemies' hands and was slain.
Now the night
being far spent, Brutus as he sat bowed towards Clitus, one of his
men, and told him somewhat in his ear: the other answered him
not, but fell a-weeping. Thereupon he proved
227 Dardanus, and
said somewhat also to him: at length he came to Volumnius himself, and speaking to him in Greek, prayed him for the studies'
sake
which brought them acquainted together, that he would help him
to put his hand to his sword, to thrust it in him to kill him.
Volumnius denied his request, and so did many others: and
amongst the rest, one of them said, there was no tarrying for
them there, but that they must needs fly.
Brutus' saying of flying with hands and not with feet. |
Then Brutus, rising
up, "We must fly indeed," said he, "but it must be with our
hands, not with our feet." Then taking every man by the hand,
he said these words unto them with a cheerful countenance: " It
rejoiceth my heart, that not one of my friends hath failed me at
my need, and I do not complain of my fortune, but only for my
country's sake: for as for me, I think myself happier than they
that have overcome, considering that I leave
228. a perpetual fame
of virtue and honesty
229, dagger; the which our enemies the conquerors
shall never attain unto by force or money; neither can let
230 their
posterity to say that they, being naughty
231 and unjust men, have
slain good men, to usurp tyrannical power not pertaining to
them." Having so said, he prayed every man to shift for himself, and then he went a little aside with two or three only,
among the which Strato was one, with whom he came first acquainted by the study of rhetoric. He came as near to him
as he could, and taking his sword by the hilt with both his
hands, and falling down upon the point of it, ran himself through.
Others say that not he, but Strato (at his request) held the sword
in his hand, and turned his head aside, and that Brutus fell
down upon it, and so ran himself through, and died presently
232.
Messala, that had been Brutus' great friend, became afterwards
Octavius Caesar's friend: so, shortly after, Caesar being at good
leisure, he brought Strato, Brutus' friend, unto him, and weeping
said: " Caesar, behold, here is he that did the last service to my
Brutus."
Strato received into Caesar's friendship. |
Caesar welcomed him at that time, and afterwards
he did him as faithful service in all his affairs as any Grecian
else he had about him, until the battle of Actium.
Messala Corvinus, Brutus' friend. |
It is reported also that this Messala himself answered Caesar one
day, when he gave him great praise before his face, that he had
fought valiantly and with great affection for him at the battle of
Actium (notwithstanding that he had been his cruel enemy
before, at the battle of Philippes
233, for Brutus' sake): "I ever
loved," said he, "to take the best and justest part." Now Antonius having found Brutus' body, he caused it to be wrapped
up in one of the richest coat-armours
234 he had. Afterwards also,
Antonius understanding that this coat-armour was stolen, he
put the thief
235 to death that had stolen it, and sent the ashes of
his body unto Servilia his mother.
Porcia, Brutus' wife, killed herself with burning coals. |
And for Porcia, Brutus'
wife, Nicolaus the Philosopher and Valerius Maximus do write,
that she, determining to kill herself (her parents and friends
carefully looking to her to keep her from it), took hot burning
coals and cast them into her mouth, and kept her mouth so close
that she choked herself. There was a letter of Brutus found
written to his friends, complaining of their negligence, that, his
wife being sick, they would not help
236 her, but suffered her to kill
herself; choosing to die, rather than to languish in pain. Thus
it appeareth that Nicolaus knew not well that time, sith
237 the
letter (at the least if it were Brutus' letter) doth plainly declare
the disease and love of this lady, and also the manner of her
death.