Page:Cato, a tragedy (Addison, 1712).djvu/60

Cato. Lose not a thought on me, I'm out of danger.
Heav'n will not leave me in the victor's hand.
Cesar shall never say, "I conquer'd Cato."
But, Oh my friends, your safety fills my heart
With anxious thoughts: a thousand secret terrors
Rise in my soul: how shall I save my friends!
'Tis now, O Cesar, I begin to fear thee.

Luc. Cesar has mercy, if we ask it of him.
 
Cato. Then ask it, I conjure you! let him know
Whatever was done against him, Cato did it.
Add, if you please, that I request it of him,
That I myself, with tears request it of him,
The virtue of my friends may pass unpunish'd.
Juba, my heart is troubled for thy sake.
Shou'd I advise thee to regain Numidia,
Or seek the conqueror? ———

Jub. If I forsake thee,
Whilst I have life, may heav'n abandon Juba!

Cato. Thy virtues, Prince, if I foresee aright,
Will one day make thee great; at Rome hereafter,
'Twill be no crime to have been Cato's friend.
Portius draw near! my son! thou oft hast seen
Thy fire engag'd in a corrupted state,
Wrestling with vice and faction: now thou see'st me
Spent, ov'rpowr'd, despairing of success;
Let me advise thee to retreat betimes
To thy paternal seat, the Sabine field,
Where the great Censor toil'd with his own hands,
And all our frugal ancestors were bless'd
In humble virtues, and a rural life.
There live retir'd: pray for the peace of Rome.
Content thyself to be obscurely good.
When vice prevails, and impious men bear sway,
The post of honour is a private station.

Por. I hope, my father does not recommend
A life to Portius that he scorns himself.

Cato. Farewel, my friends! if there be any of you
Who dare not trust the victor's clemency,
Know there are ships prepar'd by my command,
(Their sails already op'ning to the winds)
That shall convey you to the wish'd for port.