came back again, telling her that he had great matters to impart unto him.

And one Artemidorus also born in the isle of Cnidos, a doctor of rhetoric in the Greek tongue, who by means of his profession was very familiar with certain of Brutus' confederates and therefore knew the most part of all their practices against Cæsar, came and brought him a little bill, written with his own hand, of all that he meant to tell him. He marking how Cæsar received all the supplications that were offered him, and that he gave them straight to his men that were about him, pressed nearer to him and said: "Cæsar, read this memorial to yourself, and that quickly, for they be matters of great weight and touch you nearly."

Cæsar took it of him but could never read it, though he many times attempted it, for the number of people that did salute him: but holding it still in his hand, keeping it to himself, went on with all into the senate-house. Howbeit others are of opinion that it was some man else that gave him that memorial, and not Artemidorus, who did what he could all the way as he went to give it Cæsar, but he was always repulsed by the people.

For these things they may seem to come by chance, but the place where the murder was prepared, and where the senate were assembled, and where also there stood up an image of Pompey, dedicated by himself, amongst other ornaments which he gave unto the theatre - all these were manifest proofs that it was the ordinance of some god that made this treason to be executed specially in that very place. It is also reported that Cassius, beholding the image of Pompey, before they entered into the action of their traitorous enterprise, he did softly call upon it to aid him but the instant danger of the present time, taking

away his former reason, did suddenly put him into a furious passion, and made him like a man half beside himself. Now Antonius that was a faithful friend to Cæsar, and a valiant man besides of his hands, him Decius Brutus Albinus entertained out of the senate-house, having begun a long tale of set purpose.

So Cæsar coming into the house, all the senate stood up on their feet to do him honor. Then part of Brutus' company and confederates stood round about Cæsar's chair, and part of them also came towards him as though they made suit with Metellus Cimber to call home his brother again from banishment; and thus prosecuting still their suit they followed Cæsar till he was set in his chair. Who denying their petitions, and being offended with them one after another because the more they were denied the more they pressed upon him and were the earnester with him, Metellus at length, taking his gown with both his hands, pulled it over his neck, which was the sign given the confederates to set upon him. Then Casca behind him struck him in the neck with his sword; howbeit the wound was not great nor mortal, because it seemed the fear of such a devilish attempt did amaze him, and take his strength from him that he killed him not at the first blow.

But Cæsar turning straight unto him, caught hold of his sword and held it hard, and they both cried out, Cæsar in Latin, "O vile traitor, Casca, what doest thou?" and Casca in Greek to his brother, "Brother, help me."

At the beginning of this stir they that were present, not knowing of the conspiracy, were so amazed with the horrible sight they saw, they had no power to fly, neither to help him nor so much as once to make any outcry. They on the other side that had conspired his death compassed him in on every side with their swords drawn in their hands

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that Cæsar turned him nowhere but he was stricken at by some and still had naked swords in his face, and was hacked and mangled among them as a wild beast taken of hunters. For it was agreed among them that every man should give him a wound because all their parts should be in this murder.

Men report also that Cæsar did still defend himself against the rest, running every way with his body: but when he saw Brutus with his sword drawn in his hand then he pulled his gown over his head and made no more resistance, and was driven either casually or purposely by the counsel of the conspirators, against the base whereupon Pompey's image stood, which ran all of gore-blood till he was slain. Thus it seemed that the image took just revenge of Pompey's enemy being thrown down on the ground at his feet and yielding up the ghost there for the number of wounds he had upon him. For it is reported that he had three and twenty wounds upon his body; and divers of the conspirators did hurt themselves striking one body with so many blows.

When Cæsar was slain, the senate (though Brutus stood in the midst amongst them as though he would have said somewhat touching this fact) presently ran out of the house, and flying, filled all the city with marvellous fear and tumult. Insomuch as some did shut to the doors, others forsook their shops and ware-houses, and others ran to the place to see what the matter was, and others also that had seen it ran home to their houses again. But Antonius and Lepidus, which were two of Cæsar's chiefest friends, secretly conveying themselves away, fled into other men's houses and forsook their own.

Brutus and his confederates, on the other side, being yet hot with this murder they had committed, having their

swords drawn in their hands, came all in a troop together out of the senate and went into the market-place, not as men that made countenance to fly, but otherwise, boldly holding up their heads like men of courage, and called to the people to defend their liberty and stayed to speak with every great personage whom they met in their way. Of them some followed this troop and went amongst them as if they had been of the conspiracy, and falsely challenged part of the honor with them.

The next morning Brutus and his confederates came into the market-place to speak unto the people, who gave them such audience that it seemed they neither greatly reproved nor allowed the fact: for by their great silence they showed that they were sorry for Cæsar's death, and also that they did reverence to Brutus. Now the senate granted general pardon for all that was past, and to pacify every man ordained besides that Cæsar's funeral should be honored as a god, and established all things that he had done, and gave certain provinces also and convenient honors unto Brutus and his confederates, whereby every man thought all things were brought to good peace and quietness again.

But when they had opened Cæsar's testament and found a liberal legacy of money bequeathed unto every citizen of Rome, and when they saw his body (which was brought into the market-place) all bemangled with gashes of swords, then there was no order to keep the multitude and common people quiet, but they plucked up forms, tables, and stools, and laid them all about the body, and setting them afire, burnt the corpse. Then when the fire was well kindled they took the fire-brands and went unto their houses that had slain Cæsar, to set them afire. Others also ran up and down the city to see if they could meet