Page:Cato, a tragedy (Addison, 1712).djvu/47

To urge my cause! compassionates my pains!
Pr'ythee what art, what rhet'ric didst thou use
To gain this mighty boon? She pities me!
To one that asks the warm returns of love,
Compassion's cruelty, 'tis scorn, 'tis death. ———

Por.Marcus, no more! have I deserv'd this treatment?

Marc.What have I said? O Portius, O forgive me
A soul exasperated in ills, falls out
With ev'ry thing, its friend, itself. ———But hah!
What means that shout, big with the sounds of war?
What new alarm?

Por.A second, louder yet,
Swells in the wind, and comes more full upon us.

Marc.Oh, for some glorious cause to fall in battle!
Lucia, thou hast undone me! thy disdain
Has broke my heart: 'tis death must give me ease.

Por.Quick let us hence: who knows if Cato's life
Stands sure? O Marcus, I'm warm'd, my heart
Leaps at the trumpet's voice, and burns for glory.[Exit.


SCENE IV.

Enter Sempronius with the leaders of the mutiny.

Sem.At length the winds are rais'd, the storm blows high;
Be it your care, my friends, to keep it up
In its full fury, and direct it right,
Till it has spent itself on Cato's head.
Mean while, I'll herd among his friends, and seem
One of the number, that whate'er arrive,
My friends and fellow soldiers may be safe.[Exit.

1. Lead.We are all safe; Sempronius is our friend.
Sempronius is as brave a man as Cato.
But, hark! he enters. Bear up boldly to him;
Be sure you beat him down, and bind him fast,
This day will end our toils, and give us rest?
Fear nothing, for Sempronius is our friend.