Thus am I doubly arm'd: my death and life,
My bane and antidote, are both before me:
This in a moment brings me to an end:
But this informs me I fhall never die.
The foul, fecur'd in her existence, fmiles
At the drawn dagger, and defies its point.
The ftars fhall fade away, the fun himself
Grow dim with age, and nature fink in years;
But thou fhalt flourish in immortal youth,
Unhurt amidit the war of elements,

The wrecks of matter, and the crush of worlds.
What means this heavinefs that hangs upon me?
This lethargy that creeps through all my fenfes ?
Nature opprefs'd, and harrass'd out with care,
Sinks down to rest. This once I'll favour her,
That my awaken'd soul may take her flight,
Renew'd in all her strength, and fresh with life,
An offering fit for heaven. Let guilt or fear
Disturb man's ref: Cato knows neither of them,
Indifferent in his choice, to fleep or die.

Enter PORTIUS.

But ha! how's this, my fon? why this intrufion ? Were not my orders that I would be private?

Why am I difobey`d?

PORTIU S.

Alas, my

father!

What means this fword? this inftrument of death?

Let me convey it hence!

CATO.

САТО.

Rafh youth, forbear!

PORTIU S.

Olet the prayers, th' entreaties of your friends, Their tears, their common danger, wrest it from you.

САТО.

Wouldst thou betray me? would'ft thou give me up A flave, a captive, into Cæfar's hands? Retire, and learn obedience to a father,

Or know, young man !

PORTIUS.

Look not thus fternly on me;

You know I'd rather die than disobey you.

САТО.

'Tis well! again I'm master of myself.
Now, Cæfar, let thy troops befet our gates,
And bar each avenue, thy gathering fleets
O'er-fpread the fea, and ftop up every port;
Cato shall open to himself a paffage,
And mock thy hopes--

PORTIU S.

O Sir, forgive your fon,
Whofe grief hangs heavy on him! O my father
How am I fure it is not the last time

I e'er fhall call you fo! Be not displeas'd,
O be not angry with me whilft I weep,

And, in the anguish of my heart, befeech you
To quit the dreadful purpose of your

САТО.

foul.

Thou hast been ever good and dutiful.

[Embracing him

Weep

To the fouth gate, where Marcus holds the watch.
I faw, and call'd to stop him, but in vain ;
He tofs'd his arm aloft, and proudly told me,
He would not ftay and perish like Sempronius.

САТО.

Perfidious men! but hafte my fon, and fee Thy brother Marcus acts a Roman's part.

[Exit PORTIUS. -Lucius, the torrent bears too hard upon me: Juftice gives way to force: the conquer'd world Is Cæfar's: Cato has no business in it.

LUCIUS.

While pride, oppreffion, and injuftice reign, The world will ftill demand her Cato's prefence. In pity to mankind, fubmit to Cæfar,

And reconcile thy mighty foul to life.

САТО.

Would Lucius have me live to fwell the number

Of Cæfar's flaves, or by a base fubmiffion
Give up the cause of Rome, and own a tyrant?

LUCIUS.

The victor never will impofe on Cato Ungenerous terms. His enemies confess The virtues of humanity are Cæfar's.

CATO.

Curfe on his virtues ! they've undone his country.

Such popular humanity is treason

But fee young Juba! the good youth appears
Full of the guilt of his perfidious fubjects.

LUCIUS.

LUCIU S.

Alas, poor prince! his fate deferves compaffion.

Enter JUBA.

JUBA.

I blush, and am confounded to appear

Before thy presence, Cato.

Alas! young prince,

up in every foil,

The product of all climes--Rome has its Cæfars.

JUBA.

'Tis generous thus to comfort the distress'd.

САТО.

'Tis juft to give applause where 'tis deferv'd; Thy virtue, prince, has stood the test of fortune, Like pureft gold, that, tortur'd in the furnace, Comes out more bright, and brings forth all its weight.

Weep not, my fon.

All will be well again.

The righteous gods, whom I have fought to please, Will fuccour Cato, and preferve his children.

PORTIUS.

Your words give comfort to my drooping heart.
САТО.

Portius, thou may'ft rely upon my conduct.
Thy father will not act what mifbecomes him.
But go, my fon, and fee if aught be wanting
Among thy father's friends: fee them embark'd;
And tell me if the winds and feas befriend them.
My foul is quite weigh'd down with care, and asks
The foft refreshment of a moment's fleep.

PORTIUS.

[Exit.

My thoughts are more at eafe, my heart revives.

Enter MARCIA.

O Marcia, O my fifter, ftill there's hope!
Our father will not caft away a life

So needful to us all, and to his country.

He is retir'd to reft, and feems to cherish

Thoughts full of peace. He has dispatch'd me hence
With orders, that befpeak a mind compos'd,
And ftudious for the fafety of his friends.

Marcia, take care that none disturb his flumbers. [Exit.

MARCI A.

O ye 4mmortal powers, that guard the just,
Watch round his couch, and foften his repofe,
Banish his forrows, and becalm his foul
With easy dreams; remember all his virtues!
And thow mankind that goodness is your care.

Enter