Book II
THE FLIGHT OF POMPEIUS
43
'He too will claim the Empire of the world.'
'Then let him, conquering with my service, learn
'Not for himself to conquer.' Thus he spoke
And stirred the blood that ran in Brutus' veins
Moving the youth to action in the war.
Soon as the sun dispelled the chilly night,
The sounding doors flew wide, and from the tomb
Of dead Hortensius grieving Marcia came.[1] 370
First joined in wedlock to a greater man
Three children did she bear to grace his home:
Then Cato to Hortensius gave the dame
To be a fruitful mother of his sons
And join their houses in a closer tie.
And now the last sad offices were done
She came with hair dishevelled, beaten breast,
And ashes on her brow, and features worn
With grief; thus only pleasing to the man.
'When youth was in me and maternal power 380
'I did thy bidding, Cato, and received
'A second husband: now in years grown old
'Ne'er to be parted I return to thee.
'Renew our former pledges undefiled:
'Give back the name of wife: upon my tomb
'Let 'Marcia, spouse to Cato,' be engraved.
'Nor let men question in the time to come,
'Did'st thou compel, or did I willing leave
'My first espousals. Not in happy times,
'Partner of joys, I come; but days of care 390
'And labour shall be mine to share with thee.
'Then let him, conquering with my service, learn
'Not for himself to conquer.' Thus he spoke
And stirred the blood that ran in Brutus' veins
Moving the youth to action in the war.
Soon as the sun dispelled the chilly night,
The sounding doors flew wide, and from the tomb
Of dead Hortensius grieving Marcia came.[1] 370
First joined in wedlock to a greater man
Three children did she bear to grace his home:
Then Cato to Hortensius gave the dame
To be a fruitful mother of his sons
And join their houses in a closer tie.
And now the last sad offices were done
She came with hair dishevelled, beaten breast,
And ashes on her brow, and features worn
With grief; thus only pleasing to the man.
'When youth was in me and maternal power 380
'I did thy bidding, Cato, and received
'A second husband: now in years grown old
'Ne'er to be parted I return to thee.
'Renew our former pledges undefiled:
'Give back the name of wife: upon my tomb
'Let 'Marcia, spouse to Cato,' be engraved.
'Nor let men question in the time to come,
'Did'st thou compel, or did I willing leave
'My first espousals. Not in happy times,
'Partner of joys, I come; but days of care 390
'And labour shall be mine to share with thee.
- ↑ Marcia was first married to Cato, and bore him three sons; he then yielded her to Hortensius. On his death she returned to Cato. (P1utarch, 'Cato,' 25, 52.) It was in reference to this that Cæsar charged him with making a traffic of his marriage; but Plutarch says 'to accuse Cato of filthy lucre is like upbraiding Hercules with cowardice.' After the marriage Marcia remained at Rome while Cato hurried after Pompeius.
