Brutus written by Bibulus Porcias's Son Brutus took Ship from hence and sail'd to Athens where he was receiv'd by the People with great demonstrations of kindness which they expressed in their loud Acclamations and the Honours that were decreed him by the Publick He liv'd there with one that had been formerly his Guest and was a constant Auditor of Theomnestus the Academick and Cratippus the Peripatetick with whom he was so engaged in a Philosophical Conversation that he seem'd to have laid aside all thoughts of publick Business and that he might be wholly at Leisure for Study and Philosophy But all this while being unsuspected he was secretly making preparation for War in order to which he sent Herostratus into Macedonia to bring over the Commanders that were there to his side and he himself caress'd and won upon the Affections of all the young Roman Gentlemen that were then Students at Athens Of this number was Cicero's Son whom he every where highly extol'd and said that Whether sleeping or waking he could not choose but admire a young Man of so great a Spirit and such a Hater of Tyrants At length he began to act openly and to appear in publick Business and being inform'd that there were several Roman Ships very richly Laded that in their course from Asia were to touch at Athens and that they were Commanded by one of his Friends he went to meet him about Carystus Finding him there and having perswaded him to deliver up the Ships he made a very splendid Entertainment for it happen'd to be his Birth-day Now when they came to drink somewhat briskly and were making Libations for Victory to Brutus and Liberty to Rome Brutus to animate them the more call'd for a larger Bowl and holding it in his hand upon no occasion or Fore-thought on a sudden pronounc'd aloud this Verse Fate and Apollo against me Conspire Some Historians write that in the last Battle which he fought at Philippi the Word that he gave to the Soliers was Apollo and from thence conclude that this sudden unaccountable Exclamation of his was a Presage of the great Overthrow that he suffered there Antistius the Commander of these Ships at his parting gave him 500000 Sesterces of the Mony that he was conveying to Italy And all the Remains of Pompey's Army which after their General 's Defeat wandred about Thessaly readily and joyfully joyn'd themselves to Brutus Besides this he took from Cinna five hundred Horse that he was carrying to Dolabella into Asia After that he sail'd to Demetrias and there seiz'd a great quantity of Arms that had been provided by the command of Julius Caesar for the Parthian War and were now design'd to be sent to Antony Then was Macedonia put into his hands and deliver'd up by Hortensius the Pretor and all the Kings and Potentates round about willingly offer'd themselves to joyn with him When news was brought that Caius the Brother of Antony having passed through Italy was marched on directly to joyn the Forces that Gabinius Commanded in Dyrrachium and Apollonia Brutus design'd to prevent him and to seize them first and in all haste mov'd forwards with those that he had about him his march was very difficult through rugged places and in a great Snow but so swift that he had left those that were to bring his Provisions a great way behind And now being very near to Dyrrachium with weariness and cold he fell into a Distemper call'd Bulimia or Violent Hunger This is a Disease that seizes both Men and Cattle after much labour and especially in a great Snow Whether it is caus'd by the natural Heat which when the Body is seized with cold is forc'd all inwards and suddenly consumes all the Nourishment laid in or whether the sharp and subtil Vapour which comes from the Snow as it dissolves cuts the body as it were and destroys the Heat which is thence dispersed throw the Pores for the Sweatings which are frequent in this Distember seem to arise from the Heat metting with the cold and being quencht by it in the Superficies of the Body But of this I have in another place discoursed more at large Brutus growing very faint and there being none in the whole Army that had any thing for him to eat his Servants were forc'd to have recourse to the Enemy and going as far as to the very Gates of the City begg'd Bread of the Sentinels that were upon Duty As soon as they heard of the sad Estate of Brutus they came themselves and brought both Meat and Drink along with them for which act of Humanity Brutus when he took the City shew'd all Kindness and Civility not to them only but to all the rest of the inhabitants for their Sakes Caius Antonius being now arriv'd at Apollonia summon'd all the Soldiers that were near that City to joyn him there but finding that they nevertheless went all to Brutus and suspecting that even those of Apollonia were enclin'd to the same Party he quitted that City and come to Buthrotus having first lost three Companies of his Men that in their march thither were cut to pieces by Brutus After this he attempting to make himself Master of some strong places about Byllis which the Enemy had first seiz'd he was overcome in a set Battle by young Cicero to whom Brutus gave the Command of the Army that day and whose Conduct he made use of often and with great Success Caius Antonius was surpriz'd in a Marshy Place from whence he could not retire and Brutus having him in his Power would not suffer his own Soldiers to fall upon those of the Enemy but encompassing them with his Horse gave command that none of them should be kill'd for that in a little time they would all be of his side which accordingly came to pass for they surrendred both themselves and their General So that Brutus had by this time a very great and considerable Army He shew'd all Marks of Honour and Esteem to Caius Antonius for a long time nor took any of his Titles or Dignities away tho' as some report he had several Letters from Rome and particularly from Cicero advising him to put him to Death But at last Brutus perceiving that he began to hold private Consults and corrupt his Officers and was raising a sedition amongst the Soldiers he put him aboard a Ship and kept him close Prisoner In the mean time the Soldiers that had been corrupted by Caius had retir'd to Apollonia and sent word to Brutus desiring him to come to them thither He answer'd that this was not the custom of the Romans but that it became those who had offended to come themselves to their General and beg forgiveness of their Crimes which they did and accordingly receiv'd their Pardon As he was preparing to pass into Asia there was an account brought to him of the Alteration that had happen'd at Rome where the young Caesar assisted by the Senate in opposition to Antony
drew off his Troops and began to retreat in the best order that he could but the Morning quickly appearing Seleucus followed hard upon his Rear and obliged him to a disadvantageous Encounter Demetrius having drawn his Army into Order and given the Command of one half of his Troops to one of his most expert Captains with the other he in Person charged so furiously that he forced his Enemies to give Ground But Seleucus lighting from his Horse and covering his Arm with a Target advanced to the foremost Ranks and having put up the Vizor of his Helmet that he might be known he addressed himself to the Souldiers of Demetrius exhorting them to lay down their Arms and not desperately throw away their Lives telling them withal that it was for their sakes only that he had so long forborn coming to Extremities And thereupon without a Blow more these perfidious Mercenaries submitted and saluted Seleucus as their King Demetrius who in the whole course of his Life had been accustomed to strange Turns from thence drew a hope that he should weather this Storm also and therefore with the slender attendance of his Friends he fled to the Mountain Amanus where in a thick and spacious Wood he secured himself resolving under the Mantle of the Night to make his Escape towards Caunus where he hoped to find his Shipping ready to transport him But upon Enquiry finding that they had not provisions for more than one day that Design was quash'd and he began to think of some other Project whilst he was rowling over a thousand irresolute Thoughts his Friend Sosigenes arrived who had four hundred Pieces of Gold about him and with this little Relief he again re-assumed his first Resolution and Hopes to recover the Coast so soon as it began to be dark he set forward towards the Mountains but perceiving by their Fires that the Enemies had possessed themselves of all the Passages and that it was impossible for him to pass undiscovered he retreated to his old Station in the Wood but not with all his Troop for divers had deserted him and the little Remainder were extremely dejected and disheartned so that some of them began to talk of rendring themselves and Demetrius to Seleucus as the only Means left them for their Safety Which Demetrius over-hearing he drew out his Sword and had infallibly passed it through his own Heart but that some of his Friends interposing prevented the fatal Attempt and began to persuade him that it was much more manly to try the Generosity of Seleucus and to reserve his Life for a better Destiny and â—uture Hopes and with these Arguments but principally by irresistable necessity he suffered himself to be overcome and therefore dispatched some of his Attendants to Seleucus to let him know that he was willing to surrender himself and his Friends to his Generosity and Mercy Seleucus transported at this News cried out It is not the good Fortune of Demetrius which hath found out this Expedient for his Safety but my own which I esteem the greatest favour she ever did me since thereby she hath given me opportunity to shew my Clemency and Generosity And instantly he gave Order to his Domestick Officers to prepare a Royal Pavillion and all things suitable for the splendid Reception and Entertainment of Demetrius There was in the Court of Seleucus one Apollonides who formerly had been intimately known to Demetrius he was therefore as the fittest Person dispatched from the King to attend Demetrius and to desire him to dissipate all manner of fear and distrust and to give him assurance that Seleucus was resolved to treat him with all the Honour due to a King and the kindness of a Relation No sooner was this message known but all the principal Courtiers and Officers of Seleucus thinking Demetrius would presently become a great favourite with the King made hast to congratulate with Demetrius and kiss his hand but this ill tim'd application and over officiousness proved very mischievous to that poor Prince for it gave occasion to his Enemies to insinuate to Seleucus that this Usage of Demetrius was a most dangerous Civility and that his presence might have very fatal influences upon the Army the Officers shewing more inclination to him already than was consistent with their Duty or the safety of Seleucus which representations made such impressions upon the spirit of Seleucus as produced different sentiments and resolutions from the former For whilest Apollonides and after him many others were relating to Demetrius the kind expressions of Seleucus and the Orders he had given and that poor Prince who before thought this Rendition of himself the greatest misfortune of his Life now began in his thoughts to applaud the Action and to flatter himself with vain hopes Pausanias with a Guard of a thousand Horse and Foot amidst all the Caresses of his Friends came and by order from the King seized him and carried him not as he hoped as a Prince to the Presence of Seleucus but a Prisoner to the Castle of Chersonesus in Syria where he was committed to the safe Custody of a strong Guard It is true he wanted nothing but Liberty for by the command of Seleucus he had a most liberal allowance for himself and retinue he had the liberty of a curious Garden and delightful Walks and was for his Exercise permitted the Freedom of hunting in a large Park excellently stored with Game of all sorts and had Horses likewise provided for his diversion and for his Chariots and to make his life more easie such of his Servants as were willing to follow his Fortune had the freedom of attending upon his Person continual messages of kindness also from time to time were brought him from Seleucus requesting him to support the present Restraint of his Liberty chearfully assuring him that so soon as Antiochus and Stratonice should arrive at the Court the Conditions and Articles of restoring him to his Liberty should be perfected But Demetrius had learnt to give little credit to these deluding pretences and therefore so soon as he was fallen into the misfortune of this Captivity he sent Express command to his Son Antigonus and to his Captains and Friends at Athens and Corinth that they should give no manner of credit to any Letters written to them in his name though they were sealed with his own Signet but that looking upon him as if he were already dead they should reserve what was left of his Empire for Antigonus and esteem him as their lawful King As for Antigonus he received the sad news of his Father's Captivity with all the Testimonies of a most afflictive sorrow he put himself into deep mourning and writ the most passionate and tender Letters to Seleucus and the rest of the Kings that his grief could dictate he offered not only whatever they had left in the World but himself to be a Hostage for the Liberty of the King his Father Several other Princes and divers
of grief and sorrow and having inflamed and ulcerated her Breasts with beating them she fell into a high Fever and was very glad of this occasion as pretending to abstain from Meat in consideration of her Disease and so to die in quiet without being importun'd to live Her Physician whom she confided in was Olympus to whom she communicated this design and made use of his advice to rid her self of this miserable life As Olympus himself says having Writ the History of these matters But Caesar suspecting her design threatned to use her Children ill which was the only battery capable of forcing her high spirit so that she suffer'd any one to give her what Meat or what Medicine they pleas'd Some few days after Caesar himself came to make her a visit and comfort her She lay then upon her Pallet Bed in great disorder but he being entred she rose from off her Bed having nothing on but a thin Garment she flung her self at his feet being strangely disfigured her Hair and Face torn with a trembling voice and her eyes sunk in her head on her body were many marks of blows and it was in a decent condition to attend her grieved Soul but for all this her good air and mien was not impair'd some sparks of beauty still remaining and in spight of grief shining from within and appearing in every graceful motion Caesar desiring her to repose her self sat down by her and this opportunity she took to justifie her proceedings alledging that what she had done was more out of fear of displeasing Antony than from her own inclinations which when Caesar confuted in every Article that she insisted upon she presently turn'd her discourse to move his compassion as if she desired nothing more than to prolong her life and having by her a list of all her treasure she gave it into his hands but Seleucus being present who was one of the Treasury told her that she had laid aside and suppressed many things of Value upon which she fell into such a fury that flying from her Bed she caught him by the Hair and strook him several blows on the Face Caesar smiling and withholding her is not it very hard Caesar said she when you do me the honour of a visit in this wretched condition I am in that I should be affronted by one of my Menial Servants if I have laid by any Women's toys they never were design'd Ornaments for one of my miserable Fortune but that I might have some little Present by me to make your Octavia and your Livia that by their intreaties I might hope to find you in some measure dispos'd to mercy Caesar was pleas'd to hear her talk thus being now assur'd that she was desirous to live and he did therefore let her know that those things she had laid by she might dispose of as she pleas'd and his usage of her should be honourable above her expectation and so he went away well satisfied that he had over-reach'd her but he was himself deceiv'd there was a young Nobleman named Cornelius Dolabella one of Caesar's favourites one that had a great kindness for Cleopatra he sent her word privately as she had engaged him to do that Caesar was about to return into Syria and that she and her Children were to be sent before within three days when she understood this news she made her request to Caesar that he would be pleased to permit her to make her last Oblations to the departed Antony which being granted she order'd her self to be carried to the place where he was buried and there upon her knees accompany'd by her Women she embrac'd his Tomb with tears in her eyes and spake in this manner My dearest Antony said she it is not long since that with these hands I buried thee then they were free now am I a miserable captive and pay these last Duties to thee with a guard upon me for fear that my just griefs and sorrows should impair my servile Body and make me less fit to appear in their Triumphs over thee No further offerings and sacrifice expect from me these are the last honours that Cleopatra e'er can pay thy memory for she is to be hurried away far from thee Nothing could part us whilst we liv'd but death doth seem to threaten for ever to divide us That thou a Roman born should'st lie buried here in Egypt and I an Egyptian should be carried into Italy there to expect that favour only but if the Gods of thy Country with whom thou now art either can or will do any thing for our Gods have betray'd us suffer them not to leave me whilst I yet have life let me not be lead in Triumph to thy shame but have a little room in thy Grave for amongst all my bitter misfortunes nothing has prest my Soul so hard as to have liv'd thus long without thee Having made these lamentations crowning the Tomb with Garlands of Flowers and kissing it she gave orders to prepare her a Bath and coming out of the Bath she eat very sumptuously After Supper a Country fellow brought her a little Basket which the Guards intercepting and asking what it was the fellow put the leaves which lay uppermost aside and shew'd them it was full of Figs and they admiring the largeness and beauty of the Figs were invited to take of them which they refused and suspecting nothing bid him carry them in Then Cleopatra sent to Caesar a Letter and sealed it and putting every body out of the Monument but her two Women she shut the doors Caesar opening her Letter and finding therein such earnest requests that she might be buried in the same Tomb with Antony he soon guest what was doing once he was going himself in all haste but changing his Mind he sent one to see how affairs stood Her Death was so sudden that those that were sent by Caesar surpriz'd the Guards with their apprehensions who breaking open the doors found her stone dead lying upon her Bed of Gold set out in all her Royal Ornaments Iras one of her Women lay dead at her feet and Charmion just ready to tumble scarce able to hold up her own head was adjusting her Mistresses Diadem which was out of order and when one that came in said was this well done of your Lady Charmion extremely well she answer'd and becoming so great a Queen as she said this she fell down dead by the Bed-side Some relate that an Asp was brought in amongst those Figs and covered with leaves and that Cleopatra had order'd it so that she might be bit without seeing it and that in taking up the leaves she should say holding out her Arm to it Art thou there Others say that it was kept in a Glass and that she vex'd and prick'd it with a golden Spindle but no one knew the certainty for they reported also that she carried Poison in a golden Bodkin about which she wound her Hair but there
respects and as a Man that meant well they restor'd him to the management of their publick Affairs Insomuch that when the Bones of those who had been slain at Cheronea were brought home to be solemnly interr'd Demosthenes was the Man they pitched on to make the Funeral Oration The misfortunes which befel them they did not bear with a base low or ignoble mind but as Theopompus writes in his Tragedies by the Honour and Respects shewn to their Counsellour they made it appear that they were no way dissatisfied with the Counsels he had given them The Speech therefore was spoken by Demosthenes But his decrees he would not have pass'd in his own name but made use of his Friends one after another for he look'd upon his own Genius as unfortunate and inauspicious till at length he took courage again after the death of Philip who did not long out-live his Victory at Cheronea And this it seems was that which was soretold in the last Verse of the Oracle The Vanquish'd there shall weep the Conquerour die Demosthenes had secret intelligence of the death of Philip and laying hold of this opportunity to prepossess the People with Courage and better Hopes for the future he came into the Assembly with a chearful countenance pretending to have seen a Vision from whence the Athenians were to expect some great Matters and not long after arrived the Messengers who brought the News of Philip's Death No sooner had the People received it but immediately they offered Sacrifice to the Gods and decreed that Pausanias should be crown'd Demosthenes appear'd publickly in a rich Habit with a Chaplet on his Head though it were but the seventh Day since the Death of his Daughter as 't is said by Aeschines who upbraids him upon this account and rails at him as one void of natural affection towards his Children whereas indeed he has by this means rather betray'd himself to be of a poor low Spirit and effeminate Mind while he seems to make immoderate grief and lamentation the only signs of a gentle and compassionate Nature and to condemn those who bear such Accidents with more temper and less passion For my own part as I cannot say that the Behaviour of the Athenians on this occasion was any way decent or honourable to crown themselves with Garlands to sacrifice to the Gods and all for the death of a Prince who in the midst of his Success and Victories when they were a conquered Nation had used them with so much Clemency and Humanity for it was a practice both unworthy and base to make him free of their City and to honour him while he lived and yet as soon as he fell by another's hand to set no bounds to their Jollity to insult over him dead and to sing triumphant Songs of Victory as if by their own Valour they had vanquish'd him So I must needs commend the Carriage of Demosthenes who leaving vain Tears and Lamentations to the Women made it his Business to do that which he thought most profitable for the Common-wealth And I think it the Duty of him who would be accounted to have a Soul truly valiant and fit for Government that standing always firm to the common Good and neglecting his own private Calamities and Affairs when they come into competition with the Publick he should maintain the dignity of his Character and Station much more than it is of good Actors who represent the Persons of Kings and Tyrants and yet these we see when they either laugh or weep on the Stage do not follow their own Inclinations but observe that Decorum in their Actions which the Subject requires Moreover if we ought not to leave the unfortunate forlorn and comfortless overwhelm'd with sorrow but to use some such speeches as may alleviate their Afflictions and divert their Minds with more pleasing Objects as we use to advise those who are troubled with sore Eyes to withdraw their sight from bright and offensive Colours to Green and those of a softer mixture From whence can a Man furnish himself with better Arguments of Consolation for the Afflictions of his Family than by endeavouring to attemper and allay his own private Misfortunes with the good success and recovery of his Countrey out of publick Calamities that so the better Fortune of the one may in some measure obscure and conceal the ill Circumstances of the other I have been the larger in this Digression because I observe in a Speech of Aeschines upon this Subject that he endeavours to move and soften the Minds of the People with Womanish Pity and Commiseration But now to return to my Narrative The Cities of Greece by the instigation of Demosthenes once more conspired together to make another Insurrection The Thebans whom he had provided with Arms set upon their Garrison and slew many of them the Athenians made preparations to joyn their Forces with them Demosthenes bestirr'd himself in the Pulpit and writ Letters to the Persian Officers who commanded under the King in Asia inciting them to make War from thence upon the Macedonian calling him Child and Changling But as soon as Alexander had setled affairs in his own Country and came himself in person with his Army into Baeotia down fell the Courage of the Athenians and Demosthenes grew cold So that the poor Thebans being thus deserted and betrayed by them were forced to give him Battel alone and by this means lost their City Hereupon the People of Athens were all in an uproar and in great perplexity resolved to send Ambassadors to Alexander Amongst others they made choice of Demosthenes for one but his heart failing him for fear of the King's Anger he returned back from Cithaeron and left the Embassie In the mean time Alexander sent to Athens requiring ten of their Orators to be delivered up to him as Idomeneus and Thuris have reported but as the most and best Historians say he demanded these eight only Demosthenes Polyeuctus Ephialtes Lycurgus Myrocles Damon Callisthenes and Charidemus It was upon this occasion that Demosthenes related to them the Fable wherein the Sheep are said to deliver up their Dogs to the Wolves Himself and those that were with him contending for the safety of the People he compar'd to the Dogs that defended the Flock but Alexander he called the only Wolf And withal he farther told them That as we see Corn-Masters sell their whole Stock by a few Grains of Wheat which they carry about with them in a Dish as a small Sample of the rest so you by delivering up us who are but a few do at the same time unawares surrender up your selves all together with us These things we find thus related in the History of Aristobulus the Cassandrian The Athenians were now deliberating and at a loss what to do when Demades having agreed with the Persons whom Alexander had demanded for 5 Talents undertook to go Ambassador and to intercede with the King for them
of his Servants to flie and hide himself from that Death which was so near at hand and yet at last to be Murdered But Demosthenes tho he seem'd at first a little to supplicate yet his preparing and keeping the Poison by him was admirable but more admirable the using of it For when the God afforded him not a Sanctuary by flying to a greater Altar he got away from Arms and Guards and laughed at the Cruelty of Antipater ARATUS MBurg sculp THE LIFE OF ARATUS Translated from the Greek By JOHN BATEMAN M. D. THE Philosopher Chrysippus O Polycrates quotes an ancient Proverb not as really it should be apprehending I suppose that it sounded too harshly but so as he thought it would run best in these words Who Fathâ—rs praise except their generous Sons But Dionysodorus the Traezenian correcting him restores the true one which is thus Who Fathers praise except degenerate Sons Telling us that this Proverb stops the mouth of those who having no merit of their own deck themselves with the Vertues of their Ancestors and are puft up with their praises But as Pindor hath it He that by Nature doth inherit From Ancestors a Noble Spirit as thou thy self who in thy life copyest out the fairest Originals of thy Family Such I say may take great satisfaction in often hearing and speaking of the best of their Progenitors for they assume not the glory 〈◊〉 other mens Praises for want of worth of their own but uniting both in one celebrate them as the Authors both of their Descent and Manners wherefore I have sent unto thee the Life which I have written of thy Fellow Citizen and Progenitor Aratus whom thou comest no way short of either in Esteem or Power Not that thou hast not been most diligently careful to inform thy self from the beginning concerning his Actions but that thy Sons Polycrates and Pythocles may be bred up by domestick examples hearing and reading such things as are fit for their imitation For it is a peice of self-conceit not noble emulation to think ones self already arriv'd at the highest pitch of improvement The City of Sicyon from the time that it first fell off from a meer Dorick Aristocracy its harmony being thereby quite confounded into the Seditions and Contests of the Demogogues continued to be distemper'd and unsettled changing from one Tyrant to another till Cleon being slain Timoclidas and Clinias Men of the most repute and power amongst the Citizens were chosen Governours and the Common-wealth now seeming to be in a pretty settled condition Timoclidas died and Abantidas the Son of Paseas to possess himself of the Tyranny kill'd Clinias and of his Kindred and Friends slew some and banished others He sought also to kill his Son Aratus whom he left behind him being but seven years old This Boy in the hurly-burly getting out of the House with those that fled and wandring about the City helpless and in great fear by chance got undiscovered into the House of a Woman who was Abantidas his Sister but married to Prophantus the Brother of Clinias her name was Soso She being of a generous temper and believing the Boy had by some special Providence fled to her for shelter hid him in the House and at night sent him away to Argos Aratus being thus deliver'd and secured from this danger he immediately conceiv'd and ever after nourished a vehement and fervent hatred against Tyrants being therefore bred up amongst his fathers acquaintance and friends at Argos after an ingenuous manner and perceiving his body to bud forth in good constitution and stature he addicted himself to the Exerciâ—es of the Palaestra to that degree that he strove in the publick Games and came off Conquerour and indeed in his Statues one may observe a certain kind of Athletick cast and the gravity and Majesty of his countenance does not dissemble his full diet and the use of full exercise Whence it came to pass that he less studied Eloquence than perhaps became a man bred up to the Administration of Civil affairs and yet that he was more polite in speaking than many do believe some collect from those Commentaries which he hath left tho' penned carelesly and extempore and in such words as first came to his mind some time after Dinias and Aristotle the Logician kill'd Abantidas who using to be present in the Market-place at their disputes and to make one in them they insensibly accustomed him to this practice and so had opportunity to lay an Ambush for him After him Paseas the Father of Abantidas taking upon him the government was slain by the treachery of Nicocles who himself set up for Tyrant it is reported that he was extreamly like to Periander the Son of Cypselus as it is said that Orontes the Persean did much resemble Alcmaeon the Son of Amphiaraus and a Lacedemonian youth Hector whom Myrsilus relates to have been trode to pieces by the crowd of those that came to see him upon that report this Nicocles governed four Months in which after he had exceedingly plagued the City he was very near losing it by a stratagem of the Aetolians By this time Aratus being grown a youth was in much esteem both for his noble birth and parts which shewed themselves neither small nor unactive but beyond his age tempered with firmness of resolution for which reason the Exiles had their eyes most upon him nor did Nicocles less observe his motions but secretly spyed and watched him not out of apprehension of any considerable or dangerous attempt but suspecting he held correspondence with the Kings who were his Fathers friends and acquaintance And indeed Aratus first attempted this way but finding that Antigonus who had promised fair neglected him and delay'd the time and that his hopes from Egypt and Ptolomy were too remote he determined to cut off the Tyrant by himself and first he broke his mind to Aristomachus and Ecdelus the one an Exile of Sicyon the other namely Ecdelus an Arcadean of Megalopolis a Philosopher and a daring man having been the familiar friend of Arcesilaus the Academick at Athens These readily consenting he communicated himself to the other Exiles whereof some few being ashamed to seem to despair of success ingag'd in the design but most of them indeavour'd to divert him from his purpose as one that for want of experience was too rash and daring Now whilest he was consulting to seize upon some Post in Sicyonia from whence he might make war upon the Tyrant there came to Argos a certain Sicyonian newly escap'd out of Prison Brother to Xenocles one of the Exiles who being by him presented to Aratus he informed him that that part of the Wall over which he escap'd was within almost level to the ground adjoyning to a rocky and elevated place and that without it might be scaled with Ladders Aratus hearing this dispatches away Xenocles with two of his Servants Seuthas and Technon to view the wall
Nor was Venus wholly unconcern'd in the matter upon the loss of her Votary Aspasia Darius therefore resign'd himself up to the dictates of Tiribazus and many now conspiring with them an Eunuch detected their Plot to the King and the way how it was to be managed being very well informed that the Traitors had resolved to break into his Bed-Chamber by night and there to kill him as he lay After Artaxerxes had been thus advertised he did not think fit by disregarding the discovery to despise so great a danger nor to believe it when there was little or no proof of it Thus then he did He charged the Eunuchs constantly to be amongst and accompany the Conspirators wherever they were In the mean while he broke down the Wall of the Chamber behind his Bed and when he had made a door he hid it with Tapestry So the hour approaching and the Eunuch having told him the very nick of time in which the Traytors design'd to assassinate him he waited for them in his Bed and rose not up till he had seen the faces of his aggressors and accurately discern'd every man of them But as soon as he saw them with their Swords drawn and coming up to him throwing up the hanging he made his retreat into an inner Chamber and bolting to the door he alarm'd the Court. Thus when the Ruffians had been seen by him and had attempted him in vain they with speed went back through the same doors they came enjoyning Tiribazus especially and those near him to retire because clearly discovered They therefore made their escape different ways but Tiribazus as they were laying hold on him slew many of the Kings Guards and at length being struck through with a Dart at a distance he fell And as for Darius who was brought to the Bar with his Children the King appointed Princely Judges to sit over him who because he was not himself at the Trial but accus'd Darius for Proxy commanded his Notaries to write down the opinion of every one of the Judges and shew it to him In short after they had resolv'd all as one man and sentenc'd Darius to death the Officers seiz'd on him and hurryed him to a prison not far off To which place the Executioner when summoned came with a razour in his hand with which men of his employment cut off the heads of high offenders But when he saw that Darius was the person thus to be punished he was appall'd and started back offering to go out as one that had neither power nor courage enough to behead him who a little before had been proclaim'd King yet at the threats and commands of the Judges who stood at the Prison-door he return'd and grasping the hair of his head and binding his face to the ground with one hand he cut off his neck with the Razour he had in the other Some affirms that sentence was pass'd in the presence of Artaxerxes that Darius after he had been convicted by clear evidence falling prostrate before him did humbly beg his pardon that instead of giving it he rising up in rage and drawing his Scymeter smote him till he had kill'd him that then leading them to his Palace he did Worship the Sun and said Be gone in Triumph O ye Persians and declare to your fellow Snbjects how the mighty Oramazes hath dealt out vengeance to the contrivers of unjust and unlawfull things Such then was the issue of this Conspiracy And now Ochus was big with expectation being puff'd up with the interest he had in Atossa but yet was afraid of Ariaspes the only Male surviving beside himself of the Legitimate off-spring of his Father and of Arsames one of his natural Sons For indeed Ariaspes was already declar'd Prince by the wishes of the Persians not because he was the elder Brother but because he excell'd Ochus in gentleness plain dealing and good nature whereas Arsames appear'd by his Wisdom accomplish'd for the Throne and that he was most dear to his Eather Ochus very well knew So he laid Snares for them both and being no less treacherous than bloody he made use of the Cruelty of his nature against Arsames and of his craft his willingness against Ariaspes For he suborn'd the Kings Eunuchs and Favourites to convey to him menacing and harsh expressions from his Father as though he had decreed to put him to a cruel and ignominious death When they seem'd daily to communicate these things as secrets and said one while that the King would do this to him ere long at another within a few moments they so astonish'd the good Prince they struck such a terrour into him and cast such a confusion and anxiety upon his thoughts that having prepared some fatal drugs he drank them that he might be deliver'd from his hated Life The King knowing what kind of death he died heartily lamented him and gave a shrewd guess at the impulsive cause of it But being disabled by his age to search into and prove it he was after the loss of his Son more indulgent to Arsames did manifestly place his greatest confidence in him and made him privy to all his designs Whereupon Ochus had no longer patience to defer the execution of his purpose but having procured Arsaces Tiribazus's Son for the undertaking he kill'd Arsames by his hand Artaxerxes at that time had but a little while to live by reason of his very old age So when he heard of the Fate of Arsames he could not at all bear it but straight sinking under the load of his grief expired after he had enjoyed life ninety four years and an Empire sixty two And then he seem'd a moderate and gracious Governour especially if compar'd to his Son Ochus who outdid all his Predecessors in blood and Cruelty THE LIFE OF DION English'd from the Greek by Robert Vvedale L L D. DIO M Burg. sculp Now we may draw a Parallel of the Lives of these two great Men from their Fortunes wherein Chance not Design made them much alike for they were both cut off by an untimely death not being able to accomplish those ends which through many risques ond difficulties they aimed at But above all this is most wonderful that by Divine Permission both of them had notice given of their approaching death by a frightful and ominous Daemon which visibly appear'd to them Altho' there are a sort of men who utterly deny any such thing and say that no man in his right wits ever saw a Phantom or apparition but that Children only and silly Women or Men craz'd by some Distemper of their Mind or Disease of their Body entertain such idle and absurd Fancies overfondly conceiting themselves haunted with Sprites and Goblins Yet if Dion and Brutus men of great Courage and Learning not easily deluded by Fancy or discompos'd by any sudden apprehension were so disturbed at these Visions that they forthwith declar'd to their Friends what they had seen I know not how we can
chiefest Dignity which is call'd the Praetorship of the City would be conferr'd either upon Brutus or Cassius and some say that there having been some little difference upon former Accounts between them this Competition set them much more at variance tho' they were related to each other Cassius having married Junia the Sister of Brutus Others say that this Contention was rais'd between them by Caesar's means who had privately given each of them such hopes of his favouring their Pretensions as made them break out into this open Competition and Tryal of their Interest Brutus had only the Reputation of his Honour and virtue to oppose to the many and gallant Actions perform'd by Cassius in his Youth against the Parthians But Caesar having heard each side and deliberating about the Matter among his Friends said Cassius indeed pleads with most Justice but Brutus must have the first Praetorship So another Praetorship was given to Cassius but the gaining of this could not so much oblige him as he was incens'd for the loss of the other And in all other things Brutus was partaker of Caesar's Power as much as he desir'd for he might if he had pleas'd been the chief of all his Friends and had Authority and Command beyond them all but Cassius by his Conversation drew him off from Caesar and turn'd him to himself Indeed he was not yet wholly reconcil'd to Cassius since that Competition which was between them but yet he gave ear to Cassius his Friends who were perpetually advising him not to be so blind as to suffer himself to be soften'd and won upon by Caesar but to shun the Kindness and Favours of a Tyrant which they intimated that Caesar shew'd him not to express any Honour to his Merit or Virtue but to unbend his Strength and slacken the vigour of his Mind Neither was Caesar wholly without suspicion of him nor wanted Informers that accus'd Brutus to him but he fear'd indeed the high Spirit and the great Authority and the many Friends that he had but thought himself secure in his Honesty and Virtue When it was told him first that Antony and Dolabella design'd some Disturbance It is not said he the fat and the long-hair'd men that I fear but the pale and the lean meaning Brutus and Cassius Afterwards when some accus'd Brutus to him and advis'd him to beware of him taking hold of his Flesh with his Hand he said What do ye think that Brutus will not wait out the time of this little Body as if he thought none fit to succeed him in so great Power but only Brutus And indeed it seems to be without doubt that Brutus might have been the first Man in the Common-wealth if he could have had patience but a little time to be second to Caesar if he would have suffer'd his Power insensibly to decay after it was come to its highest pitch and the fame of his great Actions to die and wither away by degrees But Cassius a Man of a fierce Disposition and one that out of private Malice rather than Love of the Publick hated Caesar not the Tyrant continually fir'd him and stirr'd him up Brutus could not endure the Imperial Power but Cassius hated the Emperor and among other Reasons on which he grounded his Quarrel against Caesar the loss of his Lions which he had procur'd when he was design'd Aedile was not the least for these Caesar finding in Megara when that City was taken by Calenus seized to himself These Beasts they say were a great mischief to the Megarians for when their City was taking they broke open the Lions Dens and pull'd off their Chains and let them loose that they might run upon the Enemy that was entring the City but the Lions turn'd upon them themselves and running wildly about tore a great many of them to pieces so that it was a miserable spectacle even to their enemies to behold And this some say was the chief provocation that stirr'd up Cassius to conspire against Caesar but they are much in the wrong for Cassius had from his Youth a natural Hatred and Rancour against the whole race of Tyrants which he shew'd when he was but a Boy and went to the same School with Faustus the Son of Sylla for he speaking great words among the Boys and extolling the unlimited command of his Father Sylla Cassius rose up and struck him two or three Boxes on the Ear which when the Tutors and Relations of Faustus design'd to enquire into and to prosecute Pompey forbad them and sending for both the Boys together examin'd the matter himself And Cassius then is reported to have said thus Come on Faustus dare to speak before this man those words that provok'd me that I may strike you again as I did before Such was the Disposition of Cassius But Brutus by many Perswasions of his familiar Friends and many Letters from unknown Citizens was rouz'd up and push'd on to this Undertaking For under the Statue of his Ancestor Brutus that overthrew the Kingly Government they writ these words O that we had a Brutus now And O that Brutus were alive And Brutus his own Tribunal on which he sate as Praetor was fill'd each Morning with such Inscriptions as these You are asleep Brutus And You are not a true Brutus Now the Flatterers of Caesar were the occasion of all this who among other invidious Honours which they strove to fasten upon Caesar crown'd his Statues by night with an imperial Crown with a design to stir up the People to salute him King instead of Dictator But the quite contrary came to pass as I have more particularly shewn in the Life of Caesar When Cassius went about solliciting Friends to engage in this Design against Caesar all whom he try'd readily consented if Brutus would be Head of the Conspiracy for their opinion was that for this Enterprize they wanted not Hands or Resolution but the Reputation and Authority of a Man such as he was to lead them on and by his presence justifie the Undertaking that without him they should go about this Action with less heart and should lie under greater Suspicions when they had done it for if their Cause were just and honourable they were sure Brutus would not refuse it Cassius having consider'd these things with himself went to Brutus and made him the first Visit after their falling out and after the Complements of Reconciliation pass'd and former Kindnesses renew'd between them he ask'd him if he design'd to be present at the Senate on the Calends of March for it was discours'd he said that Caesar's Friends intended then to move that he might be made King When Brutus answer'd That he would not be there But what says Cassâ—s if they should send for us It is my Business then reply'd Brutus not to hold my peace but to stand up boldly and dâ—e for the Liberty of my Country To which Cassius with some Concern answer'd But what Roman will suffer you to
present the Conspirators agreed to make use of that Opportunity For then they might appear all together without suspition and besides they had hopes that all the noblest and leading Men of the Common-wealth that would be then assembled as soon as the great Deed was done would immediately appear for them and assert the common Liberty The very Place too where the Senate was to meet seem'd to be by divine appointment favourable to their purpose it was a Porch that had one Nich towards the Theatre in which there stood a Statue of Pompey erected to him by the Common-wealth when it adorn'd that part of the City with the Portico's and the Theatre To this place it was that the Senate was call'd on the Ides of March so that some God seem'd to bring Caesar thither to revenge upon him the Death of Pompey As soon as it was Day Brutus taking with him a Dagger which none but his Wife knew of went abroad the rest met together at Cassius his House and brought forth his Son that was that day to put on the Manly Gown as it was call'd into the Forum and from thence going all to Pompey's Porch stay'd there and expected the coming of Caesar to the Senate Here it was chiefly that any one who had known what they had purpos'd would have admir'd the unconcern'd Temper and the steady Resolution of these men in the most dangerous Undertaking for many of them being Praetors and by their Office oblig'd to judge and determine Causes did not only hear calmly all that made any Application to them or had any Suits depending 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 refus'd to stand to the Award of Brutus and with great Clamor and many Attestations appeal'd to Caesar Brutus looking round about him upon those that were present said Caesar does not hinder me nor shall he hinder me from doing according to the Laws Yet there were many unusual Accidents that disturb'd them and by meer chance were thrown in their way The first and chiefest was The long stay of Caesar tho' the Day was far spent and his being detain'd at home by his Wife and forbidden by the Soothsayers to go forth upon some Defect that appear'd in his Sacrifice Another was this There came a Man up to Casca one of the Conspirators and taking him by the Hand You conceal'd said he the Secret from us but Brutus has told me all At which words when Casca was surpriz'd the other said laughing How come you to be so rich of a sudden that you should stand to be chosen Aedile So near was Casca to have discover'd the Secret being deceiv'd by the Ambiguity of the others Discourse Then Popilius Lena a Senator having saluted Brutus and Cassius very obligingly whisper'd them softly in the Ear and said My Wishes are with you that you may accomplish what you design and I advise you to make no delay for the thing is now no Secret This said he parted and left them in a great Consternation suspecting that the Design had taken Vent In the mean while there came one in all hast from Brutus his House and brought him News that his Wife was dead For Porcia being extremely disturb'd with Expectation of the Event and not able to bear the greatness of her Cares could scarce keep her self within Doors and at every little Noise or Voice she heard leaping forth and starting suddenly like one of the mad Priestesses of Bacchus ask'd every one that came to the Forum What Brutus was doing and continually sent one Messenger after another to enquire At last after long Expectation the strength of her Body could hold out no longer but overcome with her Doubts and Fears she fainted away She had not time to betake her self to her Chamber for as she was sitting amongst her Women a sudden want of Spirits and a great Stupidness seiz'd her and her Colour chang'd and her Speech was quite lost At this Sight her Women made a great and lamentable Out-cry and many of the Neighbours running to Brutus his House to know what was the matter the Report was soon spread abroad that Porcia was dead tho' she recover'd in a little while and came to her self again When Brutus receiv'd this News he was extremely troubled nor without Reason yet was not so carry'd away by his private Grief as to neglect the publick Concern for now News was brought that Caesar was coming carry'd in a Sedan for being discouraged by the ill Omens that attended his Sacrifice he had determin'd to undertake no Affairs of any great Importance that day but to defer them till another time pretending that he was sick As soon as he came out of his Sedan Popilius Laena he who but a little before had wish'd Brutus good Success in his undertaking coming up to him discours'd a great while with him Caesar standing still all the while and seeming to be very attentive The Conspirators 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 strangely dejected 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 Laena and finding that he was earnestly petitioning and not accusing said nothing because there were many Starngers to the Conspiracy mingled amongst them but with a chearful Countenance encourag'd Cassius And after a little while Laena having kiss'd Caesar's Hand went away shewing plainly that all his Discourse was about some particular Business relating to himself Now when the Senate was gone in before to the Place where they were to sit some of the Conspirators got close to Caesar's Chair pretending they had some Suit to make to him and Cassius turning his Face to Pompey's Statue is said to have invok'd it as if it had been sensible of his Prayers Trebonius in the mean while drew Antony towards the Door and kept him in Talk without the Court Caesar now enter'd and the whole Senate rose up to him As soon as he was sate down they all seemingly very officious crowded round about him and set Tullius Cimber one of their own Number to intercede in behalf of his Brother that was banish'd they all joyn'd their Prayers with his and took Caesar by the Hand and kiss'd his Head and his Breast But he rejecting at first their Supplications and afterwards when he saw they would not desist violently rising up Tullius with both Hands catch'd hold of his Robe and pull'd it off from his Shoulders and Casca that stood behind him drawing his Dagger gave him the first but a slight Wound about the
was got into great Power And having now thrown his Competitor out of Italy began himself to be very formidable Suing for the Consulship contrary to Law and maintaining a great Army of which the Common-wealth had no manner of need At length perceiving that the Senate dissatisfied with his Proceedings began to cast their Eyes abroad upon Brutus and decreed and confirm'd the Government of several Provinces to him he was in some apprehension of danger Therefore dispatching Messengers to Antony he desir'd that there might be a Reconciliation and a strict Friendship between them Then drawing all his Forces about the City he made himself be chosen Consul tho' he was but very young being scarce Twenty years old as he himself writes in his Commentaries At his first entry upon the Consulship he immediately order'd a Judicial Process to be issu'd out against Brutus and his Accomplices for having Murther'd the greatest Man and the highest Magistrate of Rome without being heard or condemn'd and appointed L. Cornificius to accuse Brutus and M. Agrippa to accuse Cassius None appearing to Plead their Cause the Judges were forc'd to pass Sentence and condemn them both It is reported that when the Cryer as the custom was with a loud voice cited Brutus to appear the People could not keep in their sighs and those of the best quality hung down their Heads for Grief Publius Silicius was seen to burst out into Tears which was the cause that not long after he was put down in the List of those that were Proscrib'd Now the Triumviri Caesar Antony and Lepidus being perfectly reconcil'd shar'd the Provinces among themselves and made up the Catalogue of Proscription wherein were set down those that were design'd for Slaughter amounting to two hundred Men to which number Cicero was slain This news being brought to Brutus in Macedonia he was forc'd to send orders in Hortensius that he should kill Caius Antonius in revenge of the Death of Cicero his Friend and Decius Brutus his near Kinsman who also was proscrib'd and slain Upon this account it was that Antony having afterwards taken Hortensius in the Battle of Philippi Slew him upon his Brothers Tomb. But Brutus express'd himself more asham'd for the cause of Cicero's death than griev'd for the misfortune of it and could not help accusing his friends at Rome that they were Slaves more through their own Fault than those that Lorded over them That could see and be present and yet suffer those things which even to hear related ought to them to have been insufferable Now Brutus having made his Army that was already very considerable pass into Asia order'd a Fleet to be made ready in Bythinia and Cyzicum for them to imbark in But himself going the way by Land took care to settle and confirm to himself all the Cities and gave Audience to the Princes of the Parts through which he past and sent orders to Cassius into Syria to come to him and leave his intended Journey into Aegypt letting him understand that it was not to gain an Empire for themselves but to free their Country that they went thus wandring about and had got an Army together whose business it was to destroy Tyrants That therefore if they remembred and resolv'd to persevere in their first intentions they ought not to be too far from Italy but to make what hast they could thither and endeavour to relieve their fellow-Citizens from Oppression Cassius obey'd his Summons and return'd and Brutus went to meet him And at Smyrna they both met which was the first time they had seen one another since they parted at the Piraeum in Athens one for Syria and the other for Macedonia They were both over-joy'd and rais'd to the highest degree of Confidence of their Success from the Forces that each of them had got together Since they who had fled from Italy like the most despicable Exiles without Money without Arms without a Ship or a Soldier or a City to rely on in a little time after had met together so well furnish'd with Shipping and Money and an Army both of Horse and Foot that they were in a condition to contend for the Empire of Rome Cassius was desirous to shew as much Respect and Honour to Brutus as Brutus did to him But Brutus still prevented him for the most part coming to him both because he was the elder Man and of a more weak Constitution than himself Men generally reckon'd Cassius a very expert Soldier but of a harsh and angry Nature and one that desir'd to Command rather by fear than love though on the other side among his Familiar Acquaintance he was given to scurrillous Jesting and lov'd to play the Buffoon But Brutus for the sake of his Vertue was esteem'd by the People belov'd by his Friends admir'd by the best Men and hated by none no not his Enemies themselves For he was a Man of an extraordinary mild Nature of a great Spirit insensible of the Passions of Anger or Pleasure or Covetousness steady and inflexible in his Opinion and zealous for what ever he thought right and honest And that which gain'd him the greatest Credit and Reputation among the People was their belief that his designs in this whole Undertaking were honourable and just For they could not hope that even Pompey the Great himself if he had overcome Caesar would have submitted his Power to the Laws but would have ever managed the Publick Affairs himself only soothing the People with the specious name of Consul or Dictator or some other milder Title than King But they thought that Cassius being a Man govern'd by Anger and Passion and carried often by his covetous Humour beyond the bounds of Justice endur'd all these hardships of War and Travel and Danger rather to obtain Dominion to himself than Liberty to the People And as for the former disturbers of the Peace of Rome whether a Cinna a Marius or a Carbo it is manifest that they having set their Country as a stake for him that should win did almost own in express terms that they sought for Empire But even the Enemies of Brutus can't lay this accusation to his charge Nay many have heard Antony himself say That Brutus was the only Man that Conspir'd against Caesar out of a sence of the Glory and Justice of the Action but that all the rest rose up against the MAN and not the TYRANT from private Envy and Malice of their own And it is plain that Brutus by what he writes himself did not so much rely upon his Forces as upon his own Vertue For thus he speaks in his Epistle to Atticus immediately before he was to engage with the Enemy That his Affairs were in the best state of Fortune that he could wish for that either he should overcome and restore Liberty to the People of Rome or die and be himself free from Slavery That other things being agreed upon and settled one thing was yet in doubt whether they should
which is formed to vary it into what shapes it pleases This is evident from the sudden changes of our Dreams in which the imagination upon very slight Principles represents to us all sorts of Passions of the Soul and appearances of things for it is the nature of the Mind to be in perpetual motion and that motion is our Imagination and Thought But besides all this in your case the Body being tir'd and worn out with continual labours and cares naturally works upon the Mind and keeps it in suspence and trouble But that there should be any such thing as Daemons or Spirits or if there were that they should have humane shape or voice or power that can reach to us is altogether improbable though I confess I could wish that there were such Beings that we might not rely upon our Arms only and our Horses and our Navy all which are so great and powerful but might be confident of the assistance of the Gods also in this our most Sacred and Honourable Attempt With such Discourses as these Cassius in some manner settled and composed the mind of Brutus As soon as the Army began to march from whence they were encamped two Eagles flew to them and lighted on the two first Ensigns and continually followed the Souldiers and were fed by them till they came to Philippi and there but one day before the Fight they both flew away Brutus had already reduced most of the Places and People of these Parts but he marched on as far as to the Coasts of Thassos that if there were any City or Man of Power that yet stood out he might force them all to Subjection In these Parts Norbanus was encamped in a Place called The Streights near Symbolon Him they surrounded in such sort as they forc'd him to dislodge and quit the Place and Norbanus narrowly escaped losing his whole Army Caesar by reason of his Sickness being left behind For he had certainly been lost had not Antony arrived to his Relief with such wonderful swiftness that Brutus could not believe that he was come Caesar came up to the Army ten days after Brutus was encamped over against him and Cassius over against Antony The space between the two Armies is called by the Romans the Fields of Philippi Never did two so great Roman Armies appear together ready to engage each other The Army of Brutus was somewhat less in number than that of Caesar But in the splendidness of their Arms and richness of their Equipage it did wonderfully exceed for most of their Arms were of Gold and Silver which Brutus had lavishly bestow'd among them For though in other things Brutus had accustomed his Commanders to use all Frugality and Moderation yet he thought that the Riches which Souldiers carried about them in their Hands and on their Bodies would stir up the Ambition of those that were desirous of Glory and make those that were covetous and lovers of Gain fight the more valiantly to preserve their Arms which were their Estate Caesar made a View and Lustration of his Army within his Trenches and distributed only a little Corn and but five Drachma's to each Souldier for their Sacrifice they were to make But Brutus either pitying this poverty or disdaining this meanness of Spirit in Caesar first as the Custom was made a general Muster and Lustration of his Army in the open Field and then distributed a great number of Beasts for Sacrifice to every Band and fifty Drachma's to every Souldier So that in the Love of his Souldiers and their readiness to fight for him Brutus had much the advantage of Caesar But at the time of Lustration it is reported that an unlucky Omen happened to Cassius for one of his Officers presenting him with a Garland that he was to wear at Sacrifice gave it him with the in-side outward Farther it is said That some time before at a certain solemn Procession the Golden Image of Victory which was carried before Cassius fell down by a slip of him that carried it Besides this there appear'd many Birds of Prey daily about the Camp and several swarms of Bees were seen in a place within the Trenches which Place the South-sayers ordered to be shut out from the Camp to remove the Superstition which insensibly began to prevail with even Cassius himself in spight of his Epicurean Philosophy but had wholly insected and subdued the Souldiers From whence it was that Cassius was very unwilling to put all to the hazard of a present Battel but advised rather to draw out the War till farther time considering that they were stronger in Money and Provisions but in the number and Men inferiour But Brutus on the contrary was still as formerly desirous to come with all speed to the decision of a Battel that so he might either restore his Country to her Liberty or else deliver from their Misery all those Men that he had harass'd with the expences and the troubles and dangers of the War And finding also his Light-Horse in several Skirmishes still to have had the better he was the more encouraged and resolved And some of the Souldiers having deserted and gone to the Enemy and others beginning to accuse and suspect one another many of Cassius's Friends in the Council chang'd their Opinions to that of Brutus But there was one of Brutus's Party named Atellius who oppos'd his Resolution advising rather that they should tarry till the next Winter And when Brutus ask'd him In how much better a Condition he hoped to be a Year after His Answer was If I gain nothing else yet I shall live so much the longer Cassius was much displeased at this Answer and among all the rest Atellius was had in much disesteem for it And it was presently resolved to give Battel the next day Brutus that Night at Supper shew'd himself very chearful and full of Hope and entertain'd his Guests with Reasonings and Discourses of Philosophy and afterwards went to his Rest But Messala says that Cassius supp'd privately with a few of his nearest Acquaintance and that he appear'd thoughtful and silent contrary to his Temper and Custom That after Supper he took him earnestly by the hand and speaking to him kindly as his manner was said in Greek Bear witness for me Messala that I am brought into the same Necessity as Pompey the Great was before me of hazarding the Liberty of my Country upon one Battel Yet ought we to be of Courage relying on our good Fortune which it were unjust to mistrust though we have taken evil Counsels These Messala says were the last words that Cassius spake before he bad him farewell and that he invited him to Supper with him the next Night being his Birth-day As soon as it was Morning the Signal of Battel being a Scarlet Coat was set out in Brutus's and Cassius's Camp and they themselves met in the middle space between their two Armies There Cassius spoke thus to Brutus The Gods grant