Page:Plutarch's Lives (Clough, v.5, 1865).djvu/341

 MARCUS BRUTUS. 333 was the first time they had seen one another shice they parted at the Pirteus in Athens, one for Syria, and the other for Macedonia. They were both extremely joyful and had great confidence of their success at the sight of 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 furnished with shipjjing 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 show no less respect and honor to Brutus than Brutus did to him ; but Brutus was still beforehahd with him, coming for the most part to him, both because he was the elder man, and of a weaker con- stitution than himself Men generally reckoned Cassius a very expert soldier, but of a harsh and angry nature, and one that desired to command rather by fear than love ; though, on the other side, among his familiar ac- quaintance he Avould easily give way to jesting, and play the bufibon. But Brutus, for his virtue, was esteemed by the people, beloved by his friends, admired by the best men, and hated not by his enemies themselves. For he was a man of a singularly gentle nature, of a great spirit, insensible of the passions of anger or pleasure or covetousness ; steady and inflexible to maintain his pur- pose for what he thought right and honest. And that which gained him the greatest affection and rej^utation was the entire feith in his intentions. For it had not ever been supposed that Pompey the Great himself, if he had overcome Caesar, would have submitted his power to the laws, instead of taking' the management of the state upon himself, soothing the people with the spe- cious name of consul or dictator, or some other milder title than king. And they were well persuaded that