marcus brutus-第1章
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
MARCUS BRUTUS
85？…42 B。C。
by Plutarch
translated by John Dryden
MARCUS Brutus was descended from that Junius Brutus to whom the
ancient Romans erected a statue of brass in the capitol among the
images of their kings with a drawn sword in his hand； in remembrance
of his courage and resolution in expelling the Tarquins and destroying
the monarchy。 But that ancient Brutus was of a severe and inflexible
nature； like steel of too hard a temper； and having never had his
character softened by study and thought； he let himself be so far
transported with his rage and hatred against tyrants that； for
conspiring with them； he proceeded to the execution even of his own
sons。 But this Brutus； whose life we now write； having to the goodness
of his disposition added the improvements of learning and the study of
philosophy； and having stirred up his natural parts； of themselves
grave and gentle； by applying himself to business and public
affairs； seems to have been of a temper exactly framed for virtue；
insomuch that they who were most his enemies upon account of his
conspiracy against Caesar； if in that whole affair there was any
honourable or generous part； referred it wholly to Brutus； and laid
whatever was barbarous and cruel to the charge of Cassius； Brutus's
connection and familiar friend； but not his equal in honesty and
pureness of purpose。 His mother； Servilia； was of the family of
Servilius Ahala； who when Spurius Maelius worked the people into a
rebellion and designed to make himself king； taking a dagger under his
arm； went forth into the market…place； and upon pretence of having
some private business with him； came up close to him； and； as he
bent his head to hear what he had to say； struck him with his dagger
and slew him。 And thus much； as concerns his descent by the mother's
side； is confessed by all； but as for his father's family； they who
for Caesar's murder bore any hatred or ill…will to Brutus say that
he came not from that Brutus who expelled the Tarquins； there being
none of his race left after the execution of his two sons； but that
his ancestor was a plebeian； son of one Brutus； a steward； and only
rose in the latest times to office or dignity in the commonwealth。 But
Posidonius the philosopher writes that it is true indeed what the
history relates； that two of the sons of Brutus who were of men's
estate were put to death； but that a third； yet an infant； was left
alive； from whom the family was propagated down to Marcus Brutus；
and further； that there were several famous persons of this house in
his time whose looks very much resembled the statue of Junius
Brutus。 But of this subject enough。
Cato the philosopher was brother to Servilia； the mother of
Brutus； and he it was whom of all the Romans his nephew most admired
and studied to imitate； and he afterwards married his daughter Porcia。
Of all the sects of the Greek philosophers； though there was none of
which he had not been a hearer； and in which he had not made some
proficiency； yet he chiefly esteemed the Platonists； and not much
approving of the modern and middle Academy； as it is called； he
applied himself to the study of the ancient。 He was all his lifetime a
great admirer of Antiochus of the city of Ascalon； and took his
brother Aristus into his own house for his friend and companion； a man
for his learning inferior indeed to many of the philosophers； but
for the evenness of his temper and steadiness of his conduct equal
to the best。 As for Empylus； of whom he himself and his friends
often make mention in their epistles； as one that lived with Brutus；
he was a rhetorician； and has left behind him a short but well…written
history of the death of Caesar； entitled Brutus。
In Latin； he had by exercise attained a sufficient skill to be
able to make public addresses and to plead a cause； but in Greek； he
must be noted for affecting the sententious and short Laconic way of
speaking in sundry passages of his epistles； as when； in the beginning
of the war； he wrote thus to the Pergamenians： 〃I hear you have
given Dolabella money； if willingly； you must own you have injured me；
if unwillingly； show it by giving willingly to me。〃 And another time
to the Samians： 〃Your counsels are remiss and your performances
slow； what think ye will be the end？〃 And of the Patareans thus：
〃The Xanthians； suspecting my kindness； have made their country the
grave of their despair； the Patareans； trusting themselves to me；
enjoy in all points their former liberty； it is in your power to
choose the judgment of the Patareans on the pretence of the
Xanthians。〃 And this is the style for which some of his letters are to
be noted。
When he was but a very young man； he accompanied his uncle Cato to
Cyprus； when he was sent there against Ptolemy。 But when Ptolemy
killed himself； Cato； being by some necessary business detained in the
isle of Rhodes； had already sent one of his friends； named Canidius；
to take into his care and keeping the treasure of the king； but
presently； not feeling sure of his honesty； he wrote to Brutus to sail
immediately for Cyprus out of Pamphylia； where he then was staying
to refresh himself； being but just recovered of a fit of sickness。
He obeyed his orders； but with a great deal of unwillingness； as
well out of respect to Canidius； who was thrown out of this employment
by Cato with so much disgrace； as also because he esteemed such a
commission mean and unsuitable to him； who was in the prime of his
youth； and given to books and study。 Nevertheless； applying himself to
the business； he behaved himself so well in it that he was highly
commended by Cato； and having turned all the goods of Ptolemy into
ready money； he sailed with the greatest part of it in his own ship to
Rome。
But upon the general separation into two factions； when； Pompey
and Caesar taking up arms against one another； the whole empire was
turned into confusion； it was commonly believed that he would take
Caesar's side； for his father in past time had been put to death by
Pompey。 But he； thinking it his duty to prefer the interest of the
public to his own private feelings； and judging Pompey's to be the
better cause； took part with him； though formerly he used not so
much as to salute or take any notice of Pompey； if he happened to meet
him； esteeming it a pollution to have the least conversation with
the murderer of his father。 But now； looking upon him as the general
of his country； he placed himself under his command； and set sail
for Cilicia in quality of lieutenant to Sestius； who had the
government of that province。 But finding no opportunity there of doing
any great service； and hearing that Pompey and Caesar were now near
one another and preparing for the battle upon which all depended； he
came of his own accord to Macedonia to partake in the danger。 At his
coming it is said that Pompey was so surprised and so pleased that；
rising from his chair in the sight of all who were about him； he
saluted and embraced him； as one of the chiefest of his party。 All the
time that he was in the camp； excepting that which he spent in
Pompey's company； he employed in reading and in study； which he did
not neglect even the day before the great battle。 It was the middle of
summer； and the heat was very great； the camp having been pitched near
some marshy ground； and the people that carried Brutus's tent were a
long while before they came。 Yet though upon these accounts he was
extremely harassed and out of order； having scarcely by the middle
of the day anointed himself and eaten a sparing meal； whilst most
others were either laid to sleep or taken up with the thoughts and
apprehensions of what would be the issue of the fight； he spent his
time until the evening in writing an epitome of Polybius。
It is said that Caesar had so great a regard for him that he ordered
his commanders by no means to kill Brutus in the battle； but to
spare him； if possible； and bring him safe to him； if he would
willingly surrender himself； but if he made any resistance； to
s
