Cassius, just
before the act, is said to have looked towards Pompey's statue,
and silently implored his assistance, though he had been inclined
to the doctrines of Epicurus. But this occasion and the instant
danger, carried him away out of all his reasonings, and filled him
for the time with a sort of inspiration. As for Antony, who was
firm to Caesar, and a strong man, Brutus Albinus kept him outside
the house, and delayed him with a long conversation contrived on
purpose. When Caesar entered, the senate stood up to show their
respect to him, and of Brutus's confederates, some came about his
chair and stood behind it, others met him, pretending to add their
petitions to those of Tillius Cimber, in behalf of his brother,
who was in exile; and they followed him with their joint
supplications till he came to his seat. When he had sat down, he
refused to comply with their requests, and upon their urging him
further, began to reproach them severally for their importunities,
when Tillius, laying hold of his robe with both his hands, pulled
it down from his neck, which was the signal for the assault. Casca
gave him the first cut, in the neck, which was not mortal nor
dangerous, coming, as it did, from one who at the beginning of
such a bold action was probably very much disturbed.
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