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For it had been agreed they should each of them make a thrust at
him； and flesh themselves with his blood； for which reason Brutus also
gave him one stab in the groin。 Some say that he fought and resisted
all the rest； shifting his body to avoid the blows； and calling out
for help； but that when he saw Brutus's sword drawn； he covered his
face with his robe and submitted； letting himself fall； whether it
were by chance or that he was pushed in that direction by his
murderers； at the foot of the pedestal on which Pompey's statue stood；
and which was thus wetted with his blood。 So that Pompey himself
seemed to have presided； as it were； over the revenge done upon his
adversary； who lay here at his feet； and breathed out his soul through
his multitude of wounds； for they say he received three…and…twenty。
And the conspirators themselves were many of them wounded by each
other； whilst they all levelled their blows at the same person。
When Caesar was despatched； Brutus stood forth to give a reason
for what they had done； but the senate would not hear him； but flew
out of doors in all haste； and filled the people with so much alarm
and distraction； that some shut up their houses； others left their
counters and shops。 All ran one way or the other； some to the place to
see the sad spectacle； others back again after they had seen it。
Antony and Lepidus； Caesar's most faithful friends； got off privately；
and hid themselves in some friends' houses。 Brutus and his
followers； being yet hot from the deed； marched in a body from the
senate…house to the capitol with their drawn swords； not like
persons who thought of escaping； but with an air of confidence and
assurance； and as they went along； called to the people to resume
their liberty； and invited the company of any more distinguished
people whom they met。 And some of these joined the procession and went
up along with them； as if they also had been of the conspiracy； and
could claim a share in the honour of what had been done。 As； for
example； Caius Octavius and Lentulus Spinther； who suffered afterwards
for vanity； being taken off by Antony and the young Caesar； and lost
the honour they desired； as well as their lives； which it cost them；
since no one believed they had any share in the action。 For neither
did those who punished them profess to revenge the fact； but the
ill…will。 The day after； Brutus with the rest came down from the
capitol and made a speech to the people； who listened without
expressing either any pleasure or resentment； but showed by their
silence that they pitied Caesar and respected Brutus。 The senate
passed acts of oblivion for what was past； and took measures to
reconcile all parties。 They ordered that Caesar should be worshipped
as a divinity； and nothing； even of the slightest consequence；
should be revoked which he had enacted during his government。 At the
same time they gave Brutus and his followers the command of provinces；
and other considerable posts。 So that all the people now thought
things were well settled； and brought to the happiest adjustment。
But when Caesar's will was opened； and it was found that he had left
a considerable legacy to each one of the Roman citizens； and when
his body was seen carried through the market…place all mangled with
wounds； the multitude could no longer contain themselves within the
bounds of tranquillity and order； but heaped together a pile of
benches； bars； and tables； which they placed the corpse on； and
setting fire to it； burnt it on them。 Then they took brands from the
pile and ran some to fire the houses of the conspirators； others up
and down the city； to find out the men and tear them to pieces； but
met； however； with none of them； they having taken effectual care to
secure themselves。
One Cinna； a friend of Caesar's； chanced the night before to have an
odd dream。 He fancied that Caesar invited him to supper； and that upon
his refusal to go with him； Caesar took him by the hand and forced
him； though he hung back。 Upon hearing the report that Caesar's body
was burning in the market…place； he got up and went thither； out of
respect to his memory； though his dream gave him some ill
apprehensions； and though he was suffering from a fever。 One of the
crowd who saw him there asked another who that was； and having learned
his name； told it to his neighbour。 It presently passed for a
certainty that he was one of Caesar's murderers； as； indeed； there was
another Cinna； a conspirator； and they； taking this to be the man；
immediately seized him and tore him limb from limb upon the spot。
Brutus and Cassius； frightened at this； within a few days retired
out of the city。 What they afterwards did and suffered； and how they
died； is written in the Life of Brutus。 Caesar died in his fifty…sixth
year； not having survived Pompey above four years。 That empire and
power which he had pursued through the whole course of his life with
so much hazard； he did at last with much difficulty compass； but
reaped no other fruits from it than the empty name and invidious
glory。 But the great genius which attended him through his lifetime
even after his death remained as the avenger of his murder； pursuing
through every sea and land all those who were concerned in it； and
suffering none to escape； but reaching all who in any sort or kind
were either actually engaged in the fact； or by their counsels any way
promoted it。
The most remarkable of mere human coincidences was that which befell
Cassius； who； when he was defeated at Philippi； killed himself with
the same dagger which he had made use of against Caesar。 The most
signal preternatural appearances were the great comet； which shone
very bright for seven nights after Caesar's death； and then
disappeared； and the dimness of the sun； whose orb continued pale
and dull for the whole of that year； never showing its ordinary
radiance at its rising； and giving but a weak and feeble heat。 The air
consequently was damp and gross for want of stronger rays to open
and rarefy it。 The fruits； for that reason； never properly ripened；
and began to wither and fall off for want of heat before they were
fully formed。 But above all； the phantom which appeared to Brutus
showed the murder was not pleasing to the gods。 The story of it is
this。
Brutus； being to pass his army from Abydos to the continent on the
other side； laid himself down one night； as he used to do； in his
tent； and was not asleep； but thinking of his affairs； and what events
he might expect。 For he is related to have been the least inclined
to sleep of all men who have commanded armies； and to have had the
greatest natural capacity for continuing awake； and employing
himself without need of rest。 He thought he heard a noise at the
door