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CATO.
23
Submit his actions to the public censure,
And stand the judgment of a Roman senate.
Bid him do this, and Cato is his friend.
Dec.Cato, the world talks loudly of your wisdom—
Cato.Nay more, tho' 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 stile like this becomes a conqueror.
Cato.Decius, a stile like this, becomes a Roman.
Dec.What is a Roman, that is Cesar's foe?
Cato.Greater than Cesar: 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 Cesar'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
Beset with ills, and cover'd with misfortunes;
But, by the gods I swear, millions of worlds
Shou'd never buy me to be like that Cesar.
Dec.Does Cato send this answer back to Cesar,
For all his gen'rous cares and proffer'd friendship?
Cato.His cares for me are insolent and vain:
Presumptuous man! the gods take care of Cato.
Wou'd Cesar 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 sheltring 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 Decius.
And stand the judgment of a Roman senate.
Bid him do this, and Cato is his friend.
Dec.Cato, the world talks loudly of your wisdom—
Cato.Nay more, tho' 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 stile like this becomes a conqueror.
Cato.Decius, a stile like this, becomes a Roman.
Dec.What is a Roman, that is Cesar's foe?
Cato.Greater than Cesar: 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 Cesar'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
Beset with ills, and cover'd with misfortunes;
But, by the gods I swear, millions of worlds
Shou'd never buy me to be like that Cesar.
Dec.Does Cato send this answer back to Cesar,
For all his gen'rous cares and proffer'd friendship?
Cato.His cares for me are insolent and vain:
Presumptuous man! the gods take care of Cato.
Wou'd Cesar 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 sheltring 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 Decius.
SCENE
