Disdains a life which he has power to offer. Dec. Rome and her senators submit to Caesar; 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 Caesar's friend? Cato. These very reasons thou hast urg'd forbid it.

Dec. Caesar is well acquainted with your virtues,

And therefore sets this value on your life.
Let him but know the price of Cato's friendship,
And name your terms.

Cato. Bid him disband his legions,
Restore the commonwealth to liberty,
Submit his actions to the public censure,

from our hands,

No, let us draw her term of freedom out
In its full length, and spin it to the last,
So shall we gain still one day's liberty:
Ant let me perish, but, in Cato's judgment,
A day, an hour, of virtuous liberty,
Is worth a whole eternity in bondage.
Enter JUNIUS.

Jun. Fathers, e'en now a herald is arriv'd From Caesar's camp, and with him comes old Decius,

The Roman knight: he carries in his looks Impatience, and demands to speak with Cato.

Bid him do this, and Cato is his friend. Dec. Cato, the world talks loudly of your wisdom

Cato. Nay, more; though Cato's voice was ne'er employ'd

To clear the guilty, and to varnish crimes, Myself will mount the rostrum in his favour, And strive to gain his pardon from the people. Dec. A style like this becomes a conqueror. Cato. Decius, a style like this becomes a

Roman.

Dec. What is a Roman, that is Caesar's foe? Cato. Greater than Caesar: he's a friend to virtue.

Dec. Consider, Cato, you're in Utica, And at the head of your own little senate: You don't now thunder in the capitol, With all the mouths of Rome to second you. Cato. Let him consider that, who drives us

hither.

'Tis Caesar'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;

Didst 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 them.

I know thou look'st on me as on a wretch

Beset with ills, and cover'd with misfortunes; But, by the gods I swear, millions of worlds Should never buy me to be like that Caesar. Dec. Does Cato send this answer back to

Caesar,

enter.

Decius was once my friend, but other prospects Have loos'd those ties, and bound him fast to

Caesar.

His message may determine our resolves.
Enter DECIUS.

Dec. Caesar sends health to Cato-
Cato. Could he send it
To Cato's slaughter'd friends, it would be wel-

come.

Are not your orders to address the senate? Dec. My business is with Cato; Caesar sees The straits to which you're driv'n; and, as he knows

Cato's high worth, is anxious for your life. Cato. My life is grafted on the fate of Rome. Would he save Cato, bid him spare his country. Tell your dictator this; and tell him, Cato

ship?

Cato. His cares for me are insolent and vain:

Presumptuous man! the gods take care of Cato.
Would Caesar show the greatness of his soul,
Bid him employ his care for these my friends,
And make good use of his ill-gotten pow'r,
By shelt'ring men much better than himself.
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. [Exit, attended.
Sem. Cato, we thank thee.
The mighty genius of immortal Rome
Speaks in thy voice; thy soul breathes liberty.
Caesar will shrink to hear the words thou utter'st,
And shudder in the midst of all his conquests.

account.

Lucius seems fond of life; but what is life? 'Tis not to stalk about, and draw fresh air From time to time, or gaze upon the sun; 'Tis to be free. When liberty is gone, Life grows insipid, and has lost its relish.

ness.

Juba. I do not mean to boast his power and greatness,

Luc. Others perhaps

May serve their country with as warm a zeal, Though 'tis not kindled into so much rage. 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. Let us not weaken still the weaker side By our divisions.

Sem. Cato, my resentments Are sacrific'd to Rome-I stand reprov'd. Cato. Fathers, 'tis time you come to a resolve. Luc. Cato, we all go into your opinion: Caesar's behaviour has convinc'd the senate, We ought to hold it out till terms arrive. 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, strive to fill

Did they know Cato, our remotest kings
Would pour embattled multitudes about him;
Their swarthy hosts would darken all our plains,
Doubling the native horror of the war,
And making death more grim.

Cato. And canst thou think

Cato will fly before the sword of Caesar!
Reduc'd, like Hannibal, to seek relief
From court to court, and wander up and down
A vagabond in Afric?

Juba. Cato, perhaps

This little interval, this pause of life
(While yet our liberty and fates are doubtful)
With resolution, friendship, Roman bravery,
And all the virtues we can crowd into it;
That heav'n may say, it ought to be prolong'd.
Fathers, farewell-The young Numidian prince
Comes forward, and expects to know our coun-
sels. [Exeunt Senators.
Enter JUBA.

Juba, the Roman senate has resolv'd,
Till time give better prospects, still to keep
The sword unsheath'd, and turn its edge on
Caesar.

Juba. The resolution fits a Roman senate. But, Cato, lend me for awhile thy patience, And condescend to hear a young man speak. My father, when, some days before his death, He order'd me to march for Utica,

(Alas! I thought not then his death so near!)
Wept o'er me, press'd me in his aged arms;
And, as his griefs gave way, My son, said he,
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 them.

Virtues which shun the day, and lie conceal'd In the smooth seasons and the calms of life. Juba. I'm charm'd whene'er thou talk'st; I pant for virtue;

And all my soul endeavours at perfection. Cato. Dost thou love watchings, abstinence, and toil,

Laborious virtues all? Learn them from Cato: Success and fortune must thou learn from Caesar.

Juba. The best good fortune that can fall on Juba,

The whole success at which my heart aspires, Depends on Cato.

Cato. What does Juba say? Thy words confound me.

Juba. I would fain retract them.

Give them me back again: they aim'd at nothing. Cato. Tell me thy wish, young prince; make not my ear

A stranger to thy thoughts.
Juba. Oh! they're extravagant;
Still let me hide them.

Calo. What can Juba ask,

But heav'n thought otherwise.

Juba. My father's fate,

In spite of all the fortitude that shines
Before my face in Cato's great example,
Subdues my soul, and fills my eyes with tears.
Cato. It is an honest sorrow, and becomes thee.
Juba. His virtues drew respect from foreign
climes :

The kings of Afric sought him for their friend;

Juba. I fear to name it.

Marcia-inherits all her father's virtues.
Cato. What wouldst thou say?
Juba. Cato, thou hast a daughter.
Cato. Adieu, young prince; I would not
hear a word

Should lessen thee in my esteem. Remember
The hand of fate is over us, and heav'n
Exacts severity from all our thoughts.
It is not now a time to talk of aught

Syph. How's this, my prince? What, cover'd with confusion?

You look as if yon stern philosopher
Had just now chid you.

Juba. Syphax, I'm undone!

Syph. I know it well.

| Juba. Cato thinks meanly of me.
Syph. And so will all mankind.
Juba. I've open'd to him

The weakness of my soul, my love for Marcia.
Syph. Cato's a proper person to intrust
A love tale with!

Juba. Oh, I could pierce my heart,
My foolish heart!

Syph. Alas, my prince, how are you chang'd of late!

I've known young Juba rise before the sun,
To beat the thicket, where the tiger slept,
Or seek the lion in his dreadful haunts.
I've seen you,

Ev'n in the Libyan dog-days, hunt him down,
Then charge him close,

And, stooping from your horse,

Rivet the panting savage to the ground.
Juba. Pr'ythee, no more.

Syph. How would the old king smile,

To see you weigh the paws, when tipp'd with

gold,

Syph. I must appease this storm, or perish Aside.

in it. Young prince, behold these locks, that are

grown white

Beneath a helmet in your father's battles. Juba. Those locks shall ne'er protect thy insolence.

Syph. Must one rash word, the infirmity of

Syph. Why will you rive my heart with such expressions?

Does not old Syphax follow you to war!

ders!

Juba. Syphax, this old man's talk, though honey flow'd

In ev'ry word, would now lose all its sweetness. Cato's displeas'd, and Marcia lost for ever. Syph. Young prince, I yet could give you good advice;

Marcia might still be yours.

Juba. As how, dear Syphax?
Syph. Juba commands Numidia's hardy
troops,

Mounted on steeds unus'd. to the restraint
Of curbs or bits, and fleeter than the winds:
Give but the word, we snatch this damsel up,
And hear her off.

Juba. Can such dishonest thoughts
Rise up in man! Wouldst thou seduce my youth
To do an act that would destroy mine honour?
Syph. Gods, I could tear my hair to hear
you talk!

Honour's a fine imaginary notion,
That draws in raw and inexperienc'd men
To real mischiefs, while they hunt a shadow.
Juba. Wouldst thou degrade thy prince
into a ruffian?

Syph. The boasted ancestors of these great

men,

Whose virtues you admire, were all such ruffians.

This dread of nations, this almighty Rome, That comprehends in her wide empire's bounds All under heav'n, was founded on a rape; Your Scipios, Caesars, Pompeys, and your Catos (The gods on earth), are all the spurious blood Of violated maids, of ravish'd Sabines.

Juba. Syphax, I fear that hoary head of thine Abounds too much in our Numidian wiles. Syph. Indeed, my prince, you want to know the world.

His last poor ebb of blood in your defence? Juba. Syphax, no more! I would not hear

you talk.

Syph. Not hear me talk! what, when my faith to Juba,

My royal master's son, is call'd in question? My prince may strike me dead, and I'll be dumb; But whilst I five I must not hold my tongue, And languish out old age in his displeasure. Juba. Thou know'st the way too well into my heart.

I do believe thee loyal to thy prince.

Syph. What greater instance can I give?
I've offer'd

To do an action which my soul abhors,
And gain you whom you love, at any price.
Juba. Was this thy motive? I have been
too hasty.

Syph. And 'tis for this my prince has call'd me traitor.

Juba. Sure thou mistak'st; I did not call thee so. Syph. You did indeed, my prince, you call'd me traitor.

Nay, further, threaten'd you'd complain to Cato. Of what, my prince, would you complain to Cato?

That Syphax loves you, and would sacrifice
His life, nay more, his honour, in your service?
Juba. Syphax, I know thou lov'st me; but
indeed

Thy zeal for Juba carried thee too far.
Honour's a sacred tie, the law of kings,
The noble mind's distinguishing perfection,
That aids and strengthens virtue where it meets
her,

And imitates her actions where she is not:
It ought not to be sported with.

phax weep

person.

If e'er the sceptre come into my hand, Syphax shall stand the second in my kingdom. Syph. Why will you o'erwhelm my age with kindness?

My joys grow burdensome, I shan't support it. Juba. Syphax, farewell. I'll hence, and try

Will look aghast, while unforeseen destruction Pours in upon him thus from every side.

So, where our wide Numidian wastes extend, Sudden th' impetuous hurricanes descend, Wheel through th' air, in circling eddies play, Tear up the sands, and sweep whole plains

away.

ers.

[Exit.

Syph. Young men soon give, and soon for

get affronts;

Old age is slow in both-A false old traitor!These words, rash boy, may chance to cost thee dear.

My heart had still some foolish fondness for thee,

But hence, 'tis gone! I give it to the winds: Caesar, I'm wholly thine.

To Cato, by a messenger from Caesar.
Syph. But how stands Cato?

Sem. Thou hast seen mount Atlas:
Whilst storms and tempets thunder on its brows,
And oceans break their billows at its feet,
It stands unmov'd, and glories in its height:
Such is that haughty man; his tow'ring soul,
'Midst all the shocks and injuries of fortune,
Rises superior, and looks down on Caesar.
Syph. But what's this messenger?
Sem. I've practis'd with him,
And found a means to let the victor know,
That Syphax and Sempronius are his friends.
But let me now examine in my turn;
Is Juba fix'd?

Syph. Yes-but it is to Cato. I've tried the force of ev'ry reason on him, Sooth'd and caress'd; been angry, sooth'd again; Laid safety, life, and interest in his sight; But all are vain, he scorns them all for Cato. Sem. Well, 'tis no matter; we shall do without him.

Syphax, I now may hope, thou hast forsook
Thy Juba's cause, and wishest Marcia mine.
Syph. May she be thine as fast as thou
wouldst have her.

But are thy troops prepar'd for a revolt?
Does the sedition catch from man to man,
And run among the ranks?

Sem. All, all is ready;

ACT III.

SCENE I.-The Palace.

[Exeunt.

The strong, the brave, the virtuous, and the wise Sink in the soft captivity together.

Marc. Alas, thou talk'st like one that never felt.

Th' impatient throbs and longings of a soul,
That pants and reaches after distant good!
A lover does not live by vulgar time:
Believe me, Portius, in my Lucia's absence
Life hangs upon me, and becomes a burden;
And yet, when I behold the charming maid,
I'm ten times more undone; while hope, and
fear,

And grief, and rage, and love, rise up at once,
And with variety of pain distract me.

Por. What can thy Portius do to give thee help?

Marc. Portius, thou oft enjoy'st the fair one's presence;

Then undertake my cause, and plead it to her
With all the strength and heat of eloquence
Fraternal love and friendship can inspire.
Tell her thy brother languishes to death,
And fades away, and withers in his bloom;
That he forgets his sleep, and loathes his food,
That youth, and health, and war, are joyless
to him;

tigues,