Page:Plutarch's Lives (Clough, v.5, 1865).djvu/317

MARCUS BRUTUS. 309 Now several proetorsliips being vacant, it was all men's opinion, that that of the chiefest dignity, which is called the prtetorship of the city, would be conferred either upon Brutus or Cassius ; and some say that, there having been some little difference upon former accounts between them, this competition set them much more at variance, though they were connected in their families, Cassius having married Junia, the sister of Brutus. Others say that the contention was raised between them by Csesar's doing, who had privately given each of them such hopes of his favor as led them on, and provoked them at last into this open competition and trial of their interest. Brutus had only the reputation of his honor and virtue to oppose to the many and gallant actions performed by Cassius against the Parthians. But Csesar, having heard " each side, and deliberating about the matter among his friends, said, " Cassius has the stronger plea, but we must let Brutus be first praetor." So another prastorship was given to Cassius; the gaining of which conld not so much oblige him, as he was incensed for the loss of the other. And m all other things Brutus was partaker of Caesar's power as much as he desired ; for he might, if he had pleased, have been the chief of all his friends, and had authority and command beyond them all, but Cassius and the company he met with him drew him off from Caesar. Indeed, he was not yet wholly reconciled to Cas- sius, since that competition which was between them ; but yet he gave ear to Cassius's friends, who were perpet^ nally advising him not to be so blind as to 'suffer himself to be softened and won upon by C«sar, but to shun the kindness and favors of a tyrant, which they intimated that Caesar showed him, not to express any honor to his merit or virtue, but to unbend his strength, and under- mine his vigor of purpose.