Dec. Rome and her senators submit to Cæsar; Her gen❜rals and her consuls are no more, Who check'd his conquests, and deny'd his triumphs. Why will not Cato be this Cæsar's friend? Cato. These very reasons thou has urg'd forbid it. And reason with you, as from friend to friend : Cato. No more: I must not think of life on such conditions. Dec. Cæsar is well acquainted with your virtues, Cato. Bid him disband his legions, Restore the commonwealth to liberty, And stand the judgment of a Roman senate. Dec. Cato, the world talks loudly of your wisdom- To clear the guilty, and to varnish crimes, Myself will mount the rostrum in his favour, Dec. A style like this becomes a conqueror. Cato. Greater than Cæsar: he's a friend to virtue. And at the head of your own little senate; With all the mouths of Rome to second you. Cato. Let him consider that who drives us hither. 'Tis Cæsar's sword has made Rome's senate little, And thinn'd its ranks. Alas! thy dazzled eye Beholds this man in a false glaring light; Which conquest and success have thrown upon him; Did'st thou but view him right, thou'dst see him black With murder, treason, sacrilege, and crimes, That strike my soul with horror but to name 'em. I know thou look'st on me, as on a wretch Dec. Does Cato send this answer back to Cæsar, Dec. Your high unconquer'd heart makes you forget You are a man. You rush on your destruction. But I have done. When I relate hereafter The tale of this unhappy embassy All Rome will be in tears. Sem. Cato, we thank thee. The mighty genius of immortal Rome, [Exit Decius. Speaks in thy voice; thy soul breathes liberty. Sem. Sempronius gives no thanks on this account. Luc. Others, perhaps, May serve their country with as warm a zeal, Sem. This sober conduct is a mighty virtue In lukewarm patriots. Cato. Come; no more, Sempronius, All here are friends to Rome, and to each other. By our divisions. Sem. Cato, my resentments Are sacrific'd to Rome-I stand reprov'd. Cato. Father's, 'tis time you come to a resolve. Sem. We ought to hold it out till death; but, Cato, My private voice is drown'd amidst the senate's. Cato. Then let us rise, my friends, and strive to fill This little interval, this pause of life (While yet our liberty and fates are doubtful) Enter JUBA. Juba, the Roman senate has resolv'd, [Exeunt Senators. Till time give better prospects, still to keep (Alas! I thought not then his death so near!) Whatever fortune shall befall thy father, Be Cato's friend; he'll train thee up to great And virtuous deeds; do but observe him well, Thou'lt shun misfortunes, or thou❜lt learn to bear 'em. In spite of all the fortitude that shines Cato. It is an honest sorrow, and becomes thee. Jub. My father drew respect from foreign climes: The kings of Afric sought him for their friend; "Kings far remote, that rule, as fame reports, "Behind the hidden sources of the Nile, "In distant worlds, on t'other side the sun;" Oft have their black ambassadors appear'd, Loaden with gifts, and fill'd the courts of Zama. Cato. I am no stranger to thy father's greatness. Jub. I would not boast the greatness of my father, But point out new alliances to Cato. Had we not better leave this Utica, To arm Numidia in our cause, and court And making death more grim. E |