Page:Plutarch's Lives (Clough, v.5, 1865).djvu/326

 318 MARCUS BRUTUS. the thing is now no secret." This said, he departed, and left them in great suspicion that the design had taken wind. Li the mean while, there came one in all haste from Brutus's house, and brought him news that his wife was dying. For Porcia, being extremely disturbed with expectation of the event, and not able to bear the great- ness of her anxiety, could scarce keep herself within doors ; and at every little noise or voice she heard, start- ing up suddenly, like those possessed with the bacchic frenzy, she asked every one that came in from the forum what Brutus was doing, and sent one messenger after another to inquire. At last, after long expectation, the strength of her body could hold out no longer ; her mind was overcome with her doubts and fears, and she lost the control of herself, and began to faint away. She had not time to betake herself to her chamber, but, sitting as she was amongst her women, a sudden swoon and a great stupor seized her, and her color changed, and her speech was quite lost. At this sight, her women made a lotid cry, and many of the neighbors running to Brutus's door to know what was the matter, the report was soon spread abroad that Porcia^ was dead; though with her women's help she recovered in a little while, and came to herself again. When Brutus received this news, he was ex- tremely troubled, nor without reason, yet was not so carried away by his private grief as to quit his public 23urpose. For now news was brought that Ctesar was coming, car- ried in a litter. For, being discouraged by the ill omens that attended his sacrifice, he had determined to under- take no affairs of any great importance that day, but to defer them till another time, excusing himself that he was sick. As soon as he came out of his litter, Popilius Laenas, he who but a little before had wished Brutus good success in his undertaking, coming up to him, conversed