Page:Cato, a tragedy (Addison, 1712).djvu/57

Cato.Trust me, Lucius,
Our civil discords have produc'd such crimes,
Such monstrous crimes, I am surpris'd at nothing.
———O Lucius, I am sick of this bad world!
The day-light and the fun grow painful to me.

Enter Portius.
But see where Portius comes! what means this haste?
Why are thy looks thus chang'd?

Por.My heart is griev'd',
I bring such news as will afflict my father.

Cato.Has Cesar shed more Roman blood?

Por.Not so.
The traitor Syphax, as within the square
He exercis'd his troops, the signal given,
Flew off at once with his Numidian horse
To the south gate, where Marcus holds the watch.
I saw, and call'd to stop him, but in vain;
He tost his arm aloft, and proudly told me.
He would not stay and perish like Sempronius,

Cato.Perfidious men! but haste my son, and see
Thy brother Marcus acts a Roman''s part[Exit Portius.
———Lucius, the torrent bears too hard upon me:
Justice gives way to force: the conquer'd world
Is Cesar's: Cato has no business in it.

Luc.While pride, oppression, and injustice reign,
The world will still demand her Cato's presence.
In pity to mankind, submit to Cesar,
And reconcile thy mighty soul to life.

Cato.Would Lucius have me live to swell the number
Of Cesar's slaves, or by a base submission
Give up the cause of Rome, and own a tyrant?

Luc.The victor never will impose on Cato
Ungen'rous terms. His enemies confess,
The virtues of humanity are Cesar's.

Cato.Curse on his virtues! they've undone his country.
Such popular humanity is treason———
But see young Juba! the good youth appears
Full of the guilt of his perfidious subjects.

Luc.Alas poor prince! his fate deserves compassion.