ABSTRACT
I IO Julius G'tesar first unto him, both bicause he was the elder man,! as also for that he was sickly of bodye. And men reputed him commonly to be very skilfull in wanes, but otherwise marvelous chollerick2 and cruell, who sought to rule men by feare, rather then with lenitie: and on the other side he was too familiar with his friends, and would jest too brodely with them. But Brutus in contrary manner, for his vertue and valliantnes, was well-beloved of the people and his owne, esteemed of noble men, and hated of no man, not so much as of his enemies3 : bicause he was a marvelous lowly and gentle person, noble minded, and would never be in any rage, nor caried away with pleasure and covetousnes, but had ever an upright mind with him, and would never yeeld to any wronge or injustice, the which was the chief est cause of his fame, of his rising, and of the good will that every man bare him: for they were all perswaded that his intent was good.4 For they did not certainly beleve, that if Pompey him selfe had overcome Cresar, he would have resigned his authoritie to the law: but rather they were of opinion, that he would still keepe the soverainty and absolute government in his hands, taking onely, to please the people, the title of Consul or Dictator, or of some other more civill office. And as for Cassius, a hot, chollerick, and cruell man, that would oftentymes be caried away from justice for gayne5 : it was certainly thought that he made WaITe, and put him selfe into sundry daungers, more to have absolute power and authoritie, then to defend the libertie of his contry. For, they that will also consider others, that were elder men then they, as Cinna, Marius, and Carbo: it is out of doubt that the ende and hope of their victorie, was to be Lordes of their con try : and in manner they did all confesse that they fought for the tyranny, and to be Lordes of the Empire of Rome. And in contrary manner, his enemies them selves did never reprove Brutus, for any such chaunge or desire. For, it was sayd that Antonius spake it openly divers tymes, that he thought, that of all them that had slayne Cresar, there was none but Brutus only that was moved to doe it, as thinking the acte commendable of it selfe: but that all the other conspirators did conspire his death, for some private malice or envy, that they otherwise did beare unto him.6 Hereby it appeareth, that Brutus did not trust so much to the power of his army, as he did to his owne vertue: as is to be seene by his writings. For approaching neare to the instant
