Translated by John Dryden
From this time they tried the inclinations of all their acquaintances that they durst
trust, and communicated the secret to them, and took into the design not only their
familiar friends, but as many as they believed bold and brave and despisers of death. For
which reason they concealed the plot from Cicero, though he was very much trusted and as
well beloved by them all, lest, to his own disposition, which was naturally timorous,
adding now the weariness and caution of old age, by his weighing, as he would do, every
particular, that he might not make one step without the greatest security, he should blunt
the edge of their forwardness and resolution in a business which required all the despatch
imaginable. As indeed there were also two others that were companions of Brutus, Statilius
the Epicurean, and Favonius the admirer of Cato, whom he left out for this reason: as he
was conversing one day with them, trying them at a distance, and proposing some such
question to be disputed of as among philosophers, to see what opinion they were of,
Favonius declared his judgment to be that a civil war was worse than the most illegal
monarchy; and Statilius held, that to bring himself into troubles and danger upon the
account of evil or foolish men did not become a man that had any wisdom or discretion. But
Labeo, who was present, contradicted them both and Brutus, as if it had been an intricate
dispute, and difficult to be decided, held his peace for that time, but afterwards
discovered the whole design to Labeo, who readily undertook it. The next thing that was
thought convenient was to gain the other Brutus surnamed Albinus, a man of himself of no
great bravery or courage, but considerable for the number of gladiators that he was
maintaining for a public show, and the great confidence that Caesar put in him. When
Cassius and Labeo spoke with him concerning the matter, he gave them no answer; but,
seeking an interview with Brutus himself alone, and finding that he was their captain, he
readily consented to partake in the action. And among the others, also, the most and best
were gained by the name of Brutus. And, though they neither gave nor took any oath of
secrecy, nor used any other sacred rite to assure their fidelity to each other, yet all
kept their design so close, were so wary, and held it so silently among themselves that,
though by prophecies and apparitions and signs in the sacrifices the gods gave warning of
it, yet could it not be believed.
But a meeting of the senate being appointed, at which it was believed that Caesar would
be present, they agreed to make use of that opportunity; for then they might appear all
together without suspicion; and, besides, they hoped that all the noblest and leading men
of the commonwealth, being then assembled as soon as the great deed was done, would
immediately stand forward and assert the common liberty. The very place too where the
senate was to meet seemed to be by divine appointment favourable to their purpose. It was
a portico, one of those joining the theatre, with a large recess, in which there stood a
statue of Pompey, erected to him by the commonwealth, when he adorned that part of the
city with the porticos and the theatre. To this place it was that the senate was summoned
for the middle of March (the Ides of March is the Roman name for the day); as if some more
than human power were leading the man thither, there to meet his punishment for the death
of Pompey.
As soon as it was day, Brutus, taking with him a dagger, which none but his wife knew
of, went out. The rest met together at Cassiuss house, and brought forth his son that was
that day to put on the manly gown, as it is called, into the forum; and from thence, going
all to Pompeys porch, stayed there, expecting Caesar to come without delay to the senate.
Here it was chiefly that any one who had known what they had purposed, would have admired
the unconcerned temper and the steady resolution of these men in their most dangerous
undertaking; for many of them, being praetors, and called upon by their office to judge
and determine causes, did not only hear calmly all that made application to them and
pleaded against each other before them, as if they were free from all other thoughts, but
decided causes with as much accuracy and judgment as they had heard them with attention
and patience. And when one person refused to stand to the award of Brutus, and with great
clamour and many attestations appealed to Caesar, Brutus, looking round about him upon
those that were present, said, "Caesar does not hinder me, nor will he hinder me,
from doing according to the laws."...
For now news was brought that Caesar was coming, carried in a litter. For, being
discouraged by the ill-omens that attended his sacrifice, he had determined to undertake
no affairs of any great importance that day, but to defer them till another time, excusing
himself that he was sick. As soon as he came out of his litter, Popilius Laenas, he who
but a little before had wished Brutus good success in his undertaking, coming up to him,
conversed a great while with him, Caesar standing still all the while, and seeming to be
very attentive. The conspirators (to give them this name), not being able to hear what he
said, but guessing by what themselves were conscious of that this conference was the
discovery of their treason, were again disheartened, and, looking upon one another, agreed
from each others countenances that they should not stay to be taken, but should all kill
themselves. And now when Cassius and some others were laying hands upon their daggers
under their robes, and were drawing them out, Brutus, viewing narrowly the looks and
gesture of Laenas, and finding that he was earnestly petitioning and not accusing, said
nothing, because there were many strangers to the conspiracy mingled amongst them: but by
a cheerful countenance encouraged Cassius. And after a little while, Laenas, having kissed
Caesars hand, went away, showing plainly that all his discourse was about some particular
business relating to himself.
Now when the senate was gone in before to the chamber where they were to sit, the rest
of the company placed themselves close about Caesars chair, as if they had some suit to
make to him, and Cassius, turning his face to Pompeys statue, is said to have invoked it,
as if it had been sensible of his prayers. Trebonius, in the meanwhile, engaged Antonys
attention at the door, and kept him in talk outside. When Caesar entered, the whole senate
rose up to him. As soon as he was sat down, the men all crowded round about him, and set
Tillius Cimber, one of their own number, to intercede in behalf of his brother that was
banished; they all joined their prayers with his, and took Caesar by the hand, and kissed
his head and his breast. But he putting aside at first their supplications, and
afterwards, when he saw they would not desist, violently rising up, Tillius with both
hands caught hold of his robe and pulled it off from his shoulders, and Casca, that stood
behind him, drawing his dagger, gave him the first, but a slight wound, about the
shoulder. Caesar snatching hold of the handle of the dagger, and crying out aloud in
Latin, "Villain Casca, what do you?" he, calling in Greek to his brother, bade
him come and help. And by this time, finding himself struck by a great many hands, and
looking around about him to see if he could force his way out, when he saw Brutus with his
dagger drawn against him, he let go Cascas hand, that he had hold of and covering his head
with his robe, gave up his body to their blows. And they so eagerly pressed towards the
body, and so many daggers were hacking together, that they cut one another; Brutus,
particularly, received a wound in his hand, and all of them were besmeared with the blood.
Caesar being thus slain, Brutus, stepping forth into the midst, intended to have made a
speech, and called back and encouraged the senators to stay; but they all affrighted ran
away in great disorder, and there was a great confusion and press at the door, though none
pursued or followed. For they had come to an express resolution to kill nobody beside
Caesar, but to call and invite all the rest to liberty. It was indeed the opinion of all
the others, when they consulted about the execution of their design, that it was necessary
to cut off Antony with Caesar, looking upon him as an insolent man, an affecter of
monarchy, and one that, by his familiar intercourse, had gained a powerful interest with
the soldiers. And this they urged the rather, because at that time to the natural
loftiness and ambition of his temper there was added the dignity of being counsel and
colleague to Caesar. But Brutus opposed this consul, insisting first upon the injustice of
it, and afterwards giving them hopes that a change might be worked in Antony. For he did
not despair but that so highly gifted and honourable a man, and such a lover of glory as
Antony, stirred up with emulation of their great attempt, might, if Caesar were once
removed, lay hold of the occasion to be joint restorer with them of the liberty of his
country. Thus did Brutus save Antony's life.
