ABSTRACT

Plutal'Ch's Lives of Noble Grecians and Romanes lO3 Cresar. But Brutus would not agree to it.! First, for that he sayd it was not honest: secondly, bicause he told them there was hope of chaunge in him. For he did not mistrust, but that Antonius being a noble minded and coragious man (when he should knowe that Cresar was dead) would willingly helpe his contry to recover her libertie, having them an example unto him, to follow their corage and vertue. So Brutus by this meanes saved Antonius life, who at that present time disguised him selfe, and stale away.2 But Brutus and his consorts, having their swords bloudy in their handes, went straight to the Capitoll,3 perswading the Romanes as they went, to take their libertie againe. Now, at the first time when the murther was newly done, there were sodaine outcryes of people that ranne up and downe the citie, the which in deede did the more increase the feare'and tumult. But when they saw they slue no man, neither did spoyle or make havock of any thing: then certaine of the Senators, and many of the people imboldening them selves, went to the Capitoll unto them. There a great number of men being assembled one after another: Brutus made an oration unto them to winne the favor of the people, and to justifie that they had done. All those that were by, sayd they had done well, and cryed unto them that they should boldly come downe from the Capitoll. Whereuppon, Brutus and his companions came boldly downe into the market place. The rest followed in trowpe, but Brutus went formost, very honorably compassed in round about with the noblest men of the citie, which brought him from the Capitoll, thorough the market place, to the pulpit for orations. When the people saw him in the pulpit, although they were a multitude of rake hells of all sortes, and had a good will to make some sturre: yet being ashamed to doe it for the reverence they bare unto Brutus, they kept silence, to heare what he would say.4 When Brutus began to speake, they gave him quiet audience: howbeit immediatly after, they shewed that they were not all contented with the murther.5 For when another called Cinna would have spoken, and began to accuse Cresar: they fell into a great uprore among them, and marvelously reviled him. Insomuch that the conspirators returned againe into the Capitol. There Brutus being affrayd to be beseeged, sent back againe the noble men that came thither with him, thinking it no reason, that they which were no partakers of the murther, should be partakers of the daunger. Then the next morning the Senate