| GRECIANS AND ROMANS | | |
| | |
| ordinaunce of some god, that made this treason to be exe- | IULIUS |
| cuted, specially in that verie place. It is also reported, that | CÆSAR |
| Cassius (though otherwise he did favour the doctrine of | |
| Epicurus) beholding the image of Pompey, before they | |
| entred into the action of their traiterous enterprise: he did | |
| softely call upon it, to aide him. But the instant daunger | |
| of the present time, taking away his former reason, did | |
| sodainly put him into a furious passion, and made him like | |
| a man halfe besides him selfe. Now Antonius, that was a | Antonius |
| faithfull frende to Caesar, and a valliant man besides of his | Caesars faith- |
| handes, him, Decius Brutus Albinus entertained out of the | full frend. |
| Senate house, having begon a long tale of set purpose. So | |
| Caesar comming into the house, all the Senate stoode up on | |
| their feete to doe him honor. Then parte of Brutus com- | |
| panie and confederates stoode rounde about Caesars chayer, | |
| and parte of them also came towardes him, as though they | |
| made sute with Metellus Cimber, to call home his brother | |
| againe from banishment: and thus prosecuting still their | |
| sute, they followed Caesar, till he was set in his chayer. Who, | |
| denying their petitions, and being offended with them one | |
| after an other, bicause the more they were denied, the more | |
| they pressed upon him, and were the earnester with him: | |
| Metellus at length, taking his gowne with both his handes, | |
| pulled it over his necke, which was the signe geven the con- | |
| federates to sette apon him. Then Casca behinde him strake | Casca, the |
| him in the necke with his sword, howbeit the wounde was | first that |
| not great nor mortall, bicause it seemed, the feare of such a | strake at |
| develishe attempt did amaze him, and take his strength from | Caesar. |
| him, that he killed him not at the first blowe. But Caesar | |
| turning straight unto him, caught hold of his sword, and | |
| held it hard: and they both cried out, Caesar in Latin: O | |
| vile traitor Casca, what doest thou? and Casca in Greeke | |
| to his brother, Brother, helpe me. 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 Caesar turned him | |
| 67 | |