HAving shewed Rome at last came to be a free state, by meanes of the conspiracy of Lucius Brutus a∣gainst the Tarquines; I conceive it necessary to exa∣mine, why the conspiracy of Marcus Brutus against Caesar, having been moved with the same intention, yet wrought not the same effect; and no better Page  22 way to come to know it, then by comparing them together.

Many things are wont to concurre in favour of an action; whereof some are antecedents, and give it as it were birth; other are concomitant, and give it nou∣rishment; others againe are subsequent, and procure it strength.

The action of Brutus in killing Tarquin, was aided by the three foresaid things, to make Rome a free state; First the ordinances of Romulus, which tended rather to bring in liberty, then to preserve a Monarchy: then the aptnesse of the Cittizens, who now grown fit of themselves to governe, could no longer endure to be governed by others; and lastly the insolency and proud tyranny of Tarquin, so extreamely distastfull to all the Citizens. Thus Romulus set them in a way; the perfection of the Cittizens made them fit; and the insolency of the Tarquines made them de∣sirous. Now if we looke upon the action of Marcus Brutus in killing Caesar; we shall finde there were all the three causes too; but because they were contrary, they therefore brought forth a contrary effect. The first was the domination of Cinna, of Sylla, of Pompey and of Marcus Crassus: who set the City in a way, and made it plyant to tolerate Monarchy. The second was the imperfection of the Citizens, which was growne so great, that where Rome had sometimes been a City much honoured for vertue; it was now become through evill custome, most abhominable. Thirdly, there concurred the great clemency and goodnesse of Caesar; with which he had gotten and tied unto him the hearts of the people; so as, instead of the ordinances of Romulus, to set them in a way of liberty; there prae∣ceded here the waies of Marius and others, to lead them into servitude. In stead of perfection of the Ci∣tizens, which made them fit to live a free people; there Page  23 concurred here imperfection, which made them good for nothing but to live in bondage; and where in the one there concurred the cruelty and Pride of the Tar∣quines, to make them desire liberty; in the other, there concurred the affability and clemency of Caesar, to make them content with servitude.

Now againe if we come to speake of the causes con∣comitant, there were three things concurred in ayd of the conspiracy against the Tarquins. First, the ra∣vishing of Lucretia; sufficient of it selfe, as a publique injury, to cause a publique insurrection. And there∣fore Virginius speaking against Appius Claudius, who would have ravished his daughter, said to the people, with a purpose to set them in commotion; Illis enim quoque filias, sorores, conjuges esse; sed quo impunitior sit, eo effraenatiorem fore, aliena calamitate documentum datum illis cavendae similis injuriae. Secondly, the just indignation of Lucius Brutus against Tarquinius. Thirdly, his ac∣quainting the people with his intention: letting them know the causes that moved him; and so, they having a part in the conspiracy, could not choose but ap∣prove it; and having a part in the danger, not choose but maintaine it. Thus the adultery committed with Lucretia, gave a color to the conspiracy: the just indig∣nation of Lucius Brutus, set a glosse upon the Authour; the communicating it to the people, made them a party in the cause, and facilitated the action. Now in the fact of Marcus Brutus against Caesar, there concur∣red the many favours and graces which the Prince had alwaies shewed to all; the many benefits which Marcus Brutus had received, the murder committed in the Se∣nate, without the peoples knowledge; and where the ravishing of Lucretia; gave a colour to the banish∣ing of the Tarquins; the favours of Caesar discovered the ill intention of the conspirators; and where in the one, the offence done to Lucius Brutus, set a glosse of Page  24 praise upon the authour: in the other, the benefits bestowed by Caesar, set a blot of ignominy upon Mar∣cus Brutus, and made him hatefull to all the people: and where the Commons being made partakers of the conspiracy against the Tarquins, conceived it was done for the publicke good; here the Commons knowing nothing of the matter, conceaved it was done for private profit. Lastly, if we looke to the things subsequent; we shall also in them finde great contrariety. For after the death of the Tarquins, first, there followed an easing the people of taxations; and a maintaining them in plenty, to the end they might tast the benefit of liberty; secondly, they put to death those Noblemen, that had been adherents to the Tar∣quines; to the end they might be made sure for ma∣king innovation. Thirdly, they extinguished the whole race of the Tarquins, to the end they might be out of feare, of the States ever comming to any of them againe. And thus they secured themselves from the people, from the Nobility, and from the blood Royall. Now after the death of Caesar, all things were cleane contrary: First, where in that case, the benefit of liberty was made appeare to the people: Here An∣tonius with a most eloquent Oration, reading Caesars Will, wherein he had given a great Donative to the people; made them sensible, how much more it would be for their profit to have a Prince. Secondly, where in that case, the partakers were all put to death; here, they were all left living. Thirdly, where in that case, there were Armies levied against the line of the Tar∣quines; to the end, they might never be able to reco∣ver the government: here, Armies were levied in ayd of Augustus, to the end, he might more easily make himselfe Prince. Let no man therefore marvell, if where the intention was equall, yet the successe was not equall; by reason of the difference, and inequa Page  25 lity of the accidents. I have omitted in this discourse some other differences, that were between these two conspiracies; meaning to speake of them in another place.