Julius

86 Julius CtEsar signe geven the confederates to sette apon him. Then Casca! behinde him strake him in the necke with his sword, howbeit the wounde was not great nor mortall, bicause it seemed, the feare of such a develishe attempt did amaze him, and take his strength from him, that he killed him not at the first blowe. But C~sar turning straight unto him, caught hold of his sword, and held it hard: and they both cried out, C~sar in Latin: 0 vile traitor Casca, what doest thou? and Casca in Greeke to his brother, Brother, helpe me.2 At the beginning of this sturre, they that were present, not knowing of the conspiracie were so amazed with the horrible sight they sawe: that they had no power to flie, neither to helpe him, not so much, as once to make any outcrie. They on thother side that had conspired his death, compassed him in on everie side with their swordes drawen in their handes, that C~sar turned him no where, but he was striken at by some, and still had naked swords in his face, and was hacked and mangeled amonge them, as a wilde beaste taken of hunters.3 For it was agreed among them, that every man should geve him a wound, bicause all their partes should be in this murther: and then Brutus him selfe gave him one wounde about his privities. Men reporte also, that C~sar did still defende him selfe against the rest, running everie waye with his bodie: but when he sawe Brutus with his sworde drawen in his han dc, then he pulled his gowne over his heade, and made no more resistaunce,4 and was driven either casually, or purposedly, by the counsell of the conspirators, against the base5 whereupon Pompeys image stoode, which ranne all of a goare bloude, till he was slaine. Thus it seemed, that the image tooke just revenge of Pompeys enemie, being throwen downe on the ground at his feete, and yelding up his ghost there, for the number of wounds he had upon him. For it is reported, that he had three and twenty wounds apon his body6: and divers of the conspirators did hurt them selves, striking one body with so many blowes. When C~sar was slaine, the Senate (though Brutus stood in the middest amongest them as though he would have sayd somewhat touching this fact) presently ran out of the house, and flying, filled all the city with marvelous feare and tumult. Insomuch as some did shut to their dores, others forsooke their shops and warehouses, and others ranne to the place to see what the matter was: and others also that had seene it, ran home to their houses againe.7 But Antonius and