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DUKE 
 
 UNIVERSITY 
 
 LIBRARY 
 
 FRANK BAKER COLLECTION 
 
 OF 
 
 WESLEYANA 
 
 AND 
 
 .BRITISH METHODISM 
 
 .■jmai^^tixi'i,. 
 
n 
 
^a^i^i^c. / 
 
C A T O, 
 
 TRAGEDY, 
 
 By Mr A D D I S O N. 
 
 E9ce fpeSacuhm di^num, ad quod refp'tciat, intentus oper'i fufft 
 Deus ! Ecce tar Deo dtgtmm, vir fortis cum mala fortunx 
 compofitus ! l^on video, inquam, quid habeat in terris Jupiter, 
 puJchrius, ft convertere animum velit, quam ut fpedet Catonemt 
 jam partibus non femel fradiSt nihilominui inter ruinas publicds 
 trtdum. Sen. de Divin. Prov. 
 
 EDINBURGH: 
 
 Printed for John Wood, Bookfeller in the New 
 Exchange. 
 
 (Price Sixpence.) 
 
^ 
 
P R O L O G U E, 
 
 By Mr POPE, 
 
 Spoken by Mr WILKS. 
 
 CJ^O "wake the Sou/ by tender Strokes of Art, 
 
 -^ To raife the Genius ^ and to mend the Heart ^ 
 
 To make Mankind in confcioui Virtue hold^ 
 
 Live o'er each Scene, ajid be what they behold : 
 
 For this the Tragic- Mufe fir fl trode 'the Stage, 
 
 Conmianding Tears to jireain thro* every Age ; 
 
 Tyrants no more their fav age Nature kept, 
 
 And Foes to Virtue •wo?ider'd h(jw they wept. 
 
 Our Author Jhuns by vulgar fprings to ?nQv: 
 
 The Heroes Glory or the Virgm*s Love ; 
 
 In pitying Lo-vCy we but our IVeakncfs fJ^oiv, 
 
 And wild Ambition well defervss its H^'oe* ^ 
 
 Here Tears /hall fow from a fnore gin'rous Caufc, 
 
 Such Tears as Patriots /bed for dying Laws : 
 
 He bids your Breajls with ancier.t Ardcr rife, 
 
 And calls forth Roman Drops fro:n llnuraEycj ^ 
 
 Virtue confefs'd in human Shape he draws, 
 
 What Plato thought, and God-lih Cato wa: : 
 
 Ko cothmon Object /u sour Sight dfplays. 
 
 But what n;:ith Pleajure^ •Ne^hlffilffuryeyi. 
 
 A have Man flruggiing.ia the Stonnsoj Fate, 
 
 And greatly falling with m f^lli^^g State ! 
 
 While Cato gives his little ^'eaia'te Laws, 
 
 JVhat Bofo?n beats not in his Country^ s Caufc ? 
 
 Who fees him ad, but enViCs evry Deed P 
 
 Who hean hint groan, and does not wifh to bleed? 
 
 E-vn when proud Ctfar 'midji triumphal Cars, 
 
 The Spoils of Natijns, and the Pomp of Wars, 
 
 Ignobly vain, and iinpotently great 
 
 Shew d Rome her Cato*/ Figure dravjn in fate, 
 
 As her dead Father's rev rend T?nage pafl, 
 
 The Pomp was darkened, and the Day o'ercafl, 
 
 A 2 The 
 
4 PROLOGUE. 
 
 The Triumph ceased — Tears gujh*d frcrtM ev^ry Eje^ 
 The Wo, Id's great ViSi or p.-fid unheeded by ; 
 //<fr la j} good Man dejeBe.i Rome adordy 
 yfnd honoured Cefar'/ lefs than Cato*/ Swcrd. 
 
 Britons attend : Be H'orth like this approvd, 
 And ^f};e'w you have the Virtue to be viovd. 
 With honeji Scorn the firjl fani'd Cato viewed 
 Rome learning Arts f> ovi Greece, whom Jhe fubdu*d 
 Our Scene prtcarioujly fubfifis too Ung 
 On French Tranflution and Italian So fig. 
 Dare to have Senfe your fe Ives ; affert the Stagey 
 Be ]uj\ly u-armd ivith your oivn Native Rage, 
 Such Plays alor.e Jhould pleafe a Britifh Ear^ 
 Ai CatoV felf had not difdain'd to hear» 
 
 Dramatis Perfon^, 
 
 M E N. 
 
 CATO. 
 
 Lucius, a Senator, 
 Sempronius, a Senator, 
 Juba, Prince of Numidk. 
 Syphax, General of the Numidians. 
 
 1°"'""' 'Is.mofCHo. 
 Marcus, 3 
 
 Decius, Ambfllfaddr from Cclar. 
 
 Mr Booth, 
 Mr Keen, 
 Mr Mills, 
 Mr Wilks. 
 Mr Cibber. 
 Mr Powell, 
 Mr /^ian. 
 Mr Bo7r»ian, 
 
 I^htineer^f Cuardi, &c. 
 
 WOMEN. 
 
 Marcia, Dafighter tc Cato. 
 Lucia, Daughter to Lucius, 
 
 Mrs Oldfeld, 
 Mrs Porter,. 
 
 SCENE, A lajj^e llcdl in the Govetriof *s 
 Pakce of Utica. 
 
 CATO 
 
A 
 
 O, 
 
 ACT I. SCENE I. 
 
 Fortius, Marcus. 
 
 Fortius. 
 ^r^H E tUvvn is over-caft, the mdrning low*rs,, 
 
 t And heavily in clouds brings on the day, 
 TTie great, th' important day, big with the fate 
 
 OfCato and of /?(?;//.' Our father's death 
 
 Would fill up all the guilt of civil war, 
 And clofe the fcene of blood. Already Cc/ar 
 Has ravag'd more than half the globe, and fees 
 Mankind grown thin by his deftju(5live fword : 
 Should he go further, numbers would be wanting 
 To form new battles, and fupport his crimes. 
 Ye gods, what havock does ambition make 
 Among your works ! 
 
 Marc. Thy fteddy temper, Poriius, 
 Can look on guilt, rebellion, fraud, and Ce/ary 
 la the calm lights of mild philofophy : 
 I'm toftur'd e^en to madnefs when I think 
 On the proud vi<flor ; evVy time he's nam'd 
 
 Tharfalia rifes to my view 1 1 fee 
 
 Th* infulting tyrant prancing o'er the field 
 
 Strow'd with Rome\ citizens, and drench'd in fliUgbler, 
 
 His horfes hooves wet with Patrician blood ! 
 
 Oh portiuSy is there not fome chofen curfe. 
 
 Some hidden thunder in the ftores of heav'n 
 
 Red with uncommon wrath to blaft the mar, 
 
 Vv'ho owes his greatnefs to his country's ruin ? 
 
 Per. Believe me Marcusy 'tis an impious ^re.itnels. 
 And mix'd with too much horror to be envy'd. 
 How does the luftre of our father's a(5lions, 
 Through the dark cloud of ills that cover him, 
 
 A 3 Break 
 
6 C A T O. 
 
 Break nut, and burn with more triumphant brightnefs ! 
 
 His fuff'rings fhine and fpread a glory round him ; 
 
 Greatly unfortunate, he fights the caufe 
 
 OF honour, virtue, liberty, and Rome. 
 
 His fvvord ne'er ^A\ but on the guilty head j 
 
 Oppredion, tyranny, and power ufarp'd. 
 
 Draw all the vengeance of his arm upon 'em. 
 
 Marc. Who knows not this? But what can Caio do 
 Againft a world, a bale degenVate world, 
 That courts the yoke, and bows the neck to Ctfar ? 
 Pent up in Utica, he vainly forms 
 A poor epitome o? Roman greatnef*!. 
 And, covered with Numidian guards, direds 
 A feeble army, and an empty fenate, 
 Remnants of mighty battles fought in vain. 
 By heav'nSj fuch virtues, joined with fuch fuccefs, 
 Di{lra(5l my very foul : our father's fortune 
 Would almoft tempt us to renounce his precepts. 
 
 Por. Remember what our father oft has told us: 
 The ways of heav'n are dark and intricate ; 
 Puzzled in mazes, and pe*|)lex'd with errors ; 
 "Our underftanding traces *em in vain, 
 Loft and bevvilder'd in the fruitlefs fearch : 
 Nor fees with how much art the windings run. 
 Nor where the regular confufion ends. 
 
 Marc. Thefe are fuggeftions of a mind at eafe : 
 Oh Fortius^ didft thou tafte but half the griefs 
 That wring my foul, thou coudft not talk thus coldly: 
 Pafllon unpity'd, and faccefslefs love, 
 plant daggers in my heart, and aggravate 
 My other griefs. Were but my Lucia kind ! 
 
 For. Thou feeft not that thy brother is thy rival : 
 But I muft hide it> for I know thy temper. [^^Jids. 
 
 Now, Marcus, now, thy virtue's on the proof ; 
 Put forth thy utmoft ftrength, work evVy nerre. 
 And call up all thy fither in thy foul : * 
 To quell the tyrant love, and guard thy heart 
 On this weak lide, where moft our nature fails. 
 Would be a conqueft worthy Catoh fon. 
 
 Marc* Fortius, the counfel which I cannot takf, 
 Inftead of healing, but upbraids my weaknefs# 
 
 Bid 
 
C A T O. 7 
 
 Bid me for honour plunqe into a war"* 
 Of thickeft foes, and rurn on certain death. 
 Then flialt thou fee that Marcus is not flow 
 To follow glory, and confefs his father. 
 Love is not to be reafon'd down or loft 
 In hijih ambition and a thirft of greatnefs; 
 'Tis fecond life, it grows into the foul. 
 Warms ev'ry vein, and beats in ev'ry puife, 
 I feel it here: My refolution melts 
 
 For. Behold young Jubuj the Num'idiayi prince ! 
 With how much care he forms himftlf to glory 
 And breaks the fiercenefs of his native temper 
 To C( py out our father's bright example. 
 He loves our fifter Marc'ia, greatly lovts her, 
 His ej'es, his looks, his a^^lions, all betray it : 
 But ftill the fmothered fondntfs burns within him. 
 When mod it fwclls and labours for a vent. 
 The fenfe of honour and defire of fame 
 Diive the big palTion back into his heart. 
 What! (hall an yf/r/;-^//, fliall 7///;^*s heir 
 Reproach great Cato\ fon, and fhew the world 
 A virtue wanting in a Roman foul ? 
 
 Marc. Port'iUSf no more ! your words leave flings be- 
 hind 'em. 
 When -e'er did Juba, or did Porthn, fliew 
 A virtue that has caft me at a diftance. 
 And thrown me out in the purfuits of honour? 
 
 Por. Marcusy f know thy gen'rous temper well ; 
 Fling but th' appearance of difhonour on it. 
 It firaight takes fiic, and mounts into a blaze. 
 
 Marc. A brother's fufF'rings claim a brother's pfty. 
 
 Por, Hcav'n knows I pity thee : behold my eyes 
 
 Ev'n whilft I (peak do they not fwim in tears ? 
 
 Were but my heart as naked to thy view, 
 Marcui would fee it bleed in his behalf. 
 
 Marc Why then doft' treat me with rebukes, inaead 
 Of kind condoling cares, and friendly forrow ! 
 
 Por. O Marcus, did I know the way to cafe 
 Thy troubled heart, and mitigate thy pains, 
 Marcus, believe me, I could die to do it. 
 
 Mari^, 
 
8' CAT O. 
 
 Marc. Thou beft oPbiothers, and thou bed of friends ! 
 Pardon a weak diflemper'd foul that fv\'clls 
 With fuddcn gufts, and finks as foon in cahns, 
 
 The fport of paiTions; But SemprQ?iius comes : 
 
 He muft not find this foftncfs hanging on me. \_E\it. 
 
 SCENE IL 
 
 FjJer SF.>:rRONius, 
 Sevip. ConQ>iracies no fooner fliou'd be form'd 
 than executed. What means Portius here ? 
 1 like not that cold youth, I muft difTemble, 
 And fpeak a language foreign to my heart. \^Af!^^d. 
 
 Sempronius, Fortius. 
 Good morrow Portius ! let us once embrace, 
 Once more embrace ; whilft yet we both are free. 
 To-morrow (hou'd we thus exprefs our fiiendfhip, 
 Each might receive a Have into his arms : 
 This fun perhaps, this morning fun's the laft, 
 That e'er fhall rife on Roman liberty. 
 
 Por. My father has this morning call'd together 
 To this'poor hall his little R«7?ta?i fenate, 
 (The leavings of Fharfalia) to confult 
 If yet he can oppofe the mighty torrent 
 That bears down Ro7/ie, and all her gods before it^ 
 Or muft at length give up the world to Ccfar. 
 
 Semp. Not all the pomp and majefty oi Rome 
 Can raife her fenate more than Cato\ prefence : 
 His virtues render our aftembly awful, 
 They ftrike with fomcthing like religious fear, 
 And make ev'n Cefar tremble at the head 
 Of armies flufh'd with conqueft. O my Portius, 
 Could I but call that wond'rous man my father, 
 Wou*d but thy fifttr Marcia be propitious 
 To thy friend's vows, I might be blefs'd indeed ! 
 
 Por. Alas! Sempronius^ would'ft thou talk of love 
 To Marcia, whilft her father's life's in danger 7 
 Thou might 'ft as well court the pale trembling veftal 
 When (he beholds the holy flame expiring. 
 
 Sevip, 
 
C A T O. 9 
 
 Semp. The more I fee the wonders of thy race. 
 The more I'm charm'd. Thou inufl take heed, my 
 
 Portiui / 
 The world has all its eyes on Cato^s fou. 
 Thy father's merit lets thee up to view. 
 And fhews thee in the faireft point of light. 
 To make thy virtues, or thy faults confpicuous. 
 
 Por. Well doft thou feem to check my ling'ring here 
 On this important hour — Til (Iraight away, 
 And while the fathers of the fenate meet 
 In clofe debate to weigh th' events of war, 
 ril animate the foldicrs drooping courage. 
 With love of freedom, and contempt of life ; 
 I'll thunder in their ears their country's caufe. 
 And try to roufc up all that's Roman in *em. 
 * ris not in mortals to command fuccefs, 
 But we'll do more, Sempronlus ; we'll deferve it. \JEKith 
 
 Sempronius folus. 
 Curie on the ftripling! how he apes his fire ? 
 
 Ambitioufly fententiousi But I wonder 
 
 Old Sjphax conies not ; his Numidian genius 
 Is well difpos'd to mifchief, were he prompt 
 And eager on it ; but he muft be fpurr'd. 
 And ev'ry moment quicken'd to the courle* 
 
 ■ Cato has us'd me ill : He has refus'd 
 
 His daughter Marcia to my ardent vows, 
 
 Befides, his baffled arms and ruin'd caufe 
 
 Are bars to my ambition. Ccfar*i favour. 
 
 That (how'rs down greatnefs on his friends, will raife me 
 
 To Rowe*s firll honours. If I give up Cato, 
 
 I claim in my reward his captive daughter. 
 
 But Sjfphax comes I 
 
 SCENE in. 
 
 Enter Svphax, Sempronius. 
 S}'ph. Sempronius ! all is ready. 
 I've found my NumidiatUy man by man, 
 And find them ripe for a revolt ; they all 
 
 Complain 
 
lo C A T O. 
 
 Complain aloud of Cato's difcipline, 
 
 And wait but the command to change their mafter. 
 
 Semp. Believe me, SyphaXf there's no time to waftej 
 Kver whilH: we fpeak our conqueror comes on. 
 And gathers ground upon us evVy moment. 
 Alas ! thou know'ft not Cefarh aftive foul. 
 With what a dreadful courfe he rufhes on 
 From war to war ? in vain has nature form'd 
 Mountains and oceans to oppofe his pafTagc; 
 He bounds o'er all, viiflorious in his march ; 
 The Alps and Pyreneam fink before him, 
 Through winds and waves and ftorms he works his way^ 
 Impatient for the battle : One day more 
 Will fet the vi(5lor thundVing at our gates. 
 But tell me, haft thou yet drawn o'er young Jida ? 
 That (till would recommend thee more to Cefar, 
 And challenge better terms. 
 
 Syph. Alas! he's loft. 
 He's loft, Sempronius ; all his thoughts are full 
 OfCato*s virtues— —But I'll try onc€ more! 
 (For evVy inftant I expe<ft him here.) 
 If yet I can fubdue thofe ftubbom principles 
 Of faith, of honour, and I know not what. 
 That have corrupted his T^umi^iapi temper. 
 And ftru(5l th' infetftion into all his foul. 
 
 Semp. Be fure to prefs upon him evVy motive. 
 Juhas furrcndw, fmce his father's death, 
 Would give up Jfric into Ce/ar's hands, 
 And make him lord of half the burning zone. 
 
 Syph. But is it true, Sempronius, that your fenate 
 Is cail'd together ! goda! thou muft be cautious ! 
 Cato has piercing eyes, and will difcern 
 Our frauds, unlefs they're cover'd thick with art. 
 
 StfMp. Let me alone, good SyphaXy I'll conceal 
 My thoughts in paffion ('tis the fureft way ;) 
 1*11 bellow out for Rome^ and for my country, 
 And mouthe at Cefar 'till I fliake the fenate. 
 Your cold hypocrily's a ftale advice, 
 A worn out trick: would'ft thou be thought in earneft? 
 Clothe thy fcign'd zeal in rage, in fire, in fury I 
 
 Syph. In troth, thou'rt able to inftru*5t grey hairs. 
 And teach the wily Aj'kan deceit ! 
 
 Ssmp* 
 
C A T O. II 
 
 Ssrnp^ Once more, be fure to try thy fkill on 'Juha, 
 Mean while I'll haften to my Roman I'oldiers. 
 Inflame the mutiny, and underhand 
 Blow up their difcontents, 'till they break out 
 Unlook'd for, and difcharge themfelves on Cato, 
 Remember, Syphax, we muft work in hafte : 
 O think what anxious moments pafs between 
 The birth wf plot«, and their laft fatal periods. 
 Oh ! 'tis a dreadful interval of time, 
 Fill'd up with horror all, and big with death! 
 Dcftru(5tion hangs on ev*ry word we fpcak, 
 Qn ev'ry thought, 'till the concluding ftroke 
 Determines all, and clofes our defign. [^Exit, 
 
 Syphax folus, 
 I'll try if yet I can reduce to reafon 
 This headftrong youth, and make him fpurn at Cato* 
 The time is (hort, Cejar comes rufliing on us 
 
 But hold ! young Juba fees me, and approaches. 
 
 SCENE IV. 
 
 Enter JuBA, Syphax. 
 
 Jub. SyphaXi I joy to meet thee thus alone. 
 1 have obfervM of late thy looks are falTn, 
 O'ercaft with gloomy cares and difcontent ; 
 Then tell mCySyphaXy I conjure thee tell me, 
 What are the tlioughts that knit thy brow in frowns, 
 And turn thine eye thus coldly on thy prince ? 
 
 Syph. 'Tis not my talent to conceal my thoughts, 
 Or carry fmiies and fun-Oiine in my face. 
 When difcontent (its heavy at my heart : 
 I have not yet fo much the Roman in me. 
 
 'jub. Why doft thou caft out fuch ungenerous terms 
 Againft the lords and fov'reigns of the world? 
 Doft thou not fee mankind fall down before them, 
 And own the force of their fuperior virtue \ 
 Is there a nation in the wilds of Afr'tCy 
 Amidft our barren rocks, and burning fands, 
 T hat does not tremble at the Rirnan name ? 
 
 Syph. 
 
12 CAT O. 
 
 Syph. Gods ! Where's the worth that fets this people up 
 Above your own Num'id'ia% tawny Tons? 
 Do they with tougher finews bend the bow ? 
 Or flies the jav'iin fwifter to its mark, 
 Launch'd from the vigour of a Roman arm ? 
 Who like our adive African inftruds 
 The fiery fteed, and trains him to his hand ? 
 Or guides in troops th* embattled elephant/ 
 Loaden with war ? thefe, thefe are arts, my Prince, 
 In which your Zama does not ftoop to Ro7f(e. 
 Jub. Thefe all are virtoes of a meaner rank, 
 Terfe(5lions that are plac'd in bones and nerves. 
 A Roman foul is bent ty\\ higher views : 
 To civilize the rude unpolifii'd world, 
 To lay it under the reftraint of laws ; 
 To make man mild, and fociable to ncan ; 
 To cultivate the wild licentious favage 
 With wifdom, diftipline, and iibVal arts ; 
 Th' embellifhments of life : virtues like thefe. 
 Make human nature (hine, reform the foul, 
 And break our fierce barbarians into men. 
 
 Syph. Patience, kind heav'ns ! — Excufe an old man's 
 warmth. 
 What are thefe wondrous civilizing arts. 
 This Roman polifh, and this fmooth behaviour, 
 That render man thus tradable and tame ? 
 Are they not oiily to difguife our paflions, 
 To fet our looks at vaiiance with our thoughts, 
 To check the ftarts and fallies of the foul. 
 And break off all its commerce with the tongue j 
 In fhort, to change us into other creatures, 
 Than what our nature and the gods defign'd us ? 
 
 Juh. To ftrike thee dumb : turn up thy eyes to CaU! 
 There may 'ft thou fee to what a godlil^c height 
 The Roman virtues lift up mortal man. 
 While gaod, and juft, and anxious for his friends. 
 He's ftill feverely bent againfl himfelf ; 
 Renouncing fleep, and reft, and food, and eafe. 
 He ftrives with thirft and hunger, toil and heat ; 
 And when his fortune fets before him all 
 The pomps and pleafures that his foul can wi(h, 
 His rigid virtue will accept of none. 
 
 Syph. 
 
C A T O. 13 
 
 Syph. Believe me, Prince, there's not an ^^frican 
 That tra\'erfes our vaft Ninri'tdian defarts. 
 In queft of prty, and lives upon his bow. 
 But better praflices thefe boafted virtues. 
 Coarfe are his meals, the fortune of the chafe, 
 Amidft the running (Iream he flakes his thirft. 
 Toils all the day, and at th' approach of night 
 On the lirft friendly bank he throws him down.. 
 Or refts his head upon a rock 'till morn : 
 Then riles frelh, purfues his wonted game, 
 And if the following day bechance to (ind 
 A new repafl:, or an untafted fpring, 
 BlefTes his fliirs, and thinks it luxury, 
 
 Jiih. Thy prejudices, Syphax, won't difccrn 
 What virtues grow from ignorance and choice, 
 Nor how the hero differs from the brute. 
 But grant that others could with equal glory 
 Look down on pleafures, and the baits of fenfe ; 
 Where (liall we find the man that bears afflidlion, 
 Great and majedic in his griefs, like CatoP 
 Heav'ns ! with what ftrength, what (leadinefs of mind, 
 He triumphs in the midft of all his fuff'rings ! 
 How does he rife againft a load of woes, 
 And thank the gods that throw the weight upon hitri ! 
 
 S)ph. 'Tis pride, rank pride, and haughtinefs of foul: 
 I think the Roinam call it Stolciftn. 
 Had not your royal father thought fo highly 
 Of Romafi virtue, and ofCato's caufe. 
 He had not fall'n by a flave's hand, inglorious : 
 Nor would his flaughter'd army now have lain 
 On y^fric fands disfigur'd with their wounds. 
 To gorge the wolves and vultures of iXum'/cI/a. 
 
 Juif. Why doft thou call my forrows up afrefli ? 
 My father's name brings tears into my eyes- 
 
 Sjph. Oh, that you'd profit by your father's ills'. 
 JuS. What would'fl thou have me do ? 
 Sjpk. Abandon Cato, 
 
 Jub Sjpfmx, I (houid be more than twice an orphan 
 By fuch a lofs. 
 
 S}-p/}. Ay, there's the tie that binds you ? 
 You long to call him father. Marcia^s charms 
 
 B Work 
 
14 CAT O. 
 
 Work in your heart unfeen, and plead for Cafo, 
 No wonder you are deaf to all I fay. 
 
 Jub. SyphaXf your zeal becomes importunate; 
 I've hitherto permitted it to rave, 
 P\x\A talk at large ; but lenrn to keep it in, 
 Left it fhould take more freedom than I'll give it. 
 S)ph. Sir, your great father never us'd me thus. 
 Alas, he's dead! but can you e'er forget 
 The tender forrows and the pangs of nature, 
 The fond embraces, and repeated blefTings, 
 Which you drew from him in your laft farewell ? 
 Still muft I cherifh the dear, fad remembrance, 
 At once to torture, and to pleafe my foul. 
 The good old King at parting wrunf» my hand, 
 (His eyes brim-full of tears) thsn fighing cry'd, 
 
 Fry 'thee be careful of my Ton ! his grief 
 
 Swell'd up fo high, he could not utter more. 
 
 Jhb Alas, the (lory melts away my ioul. 
 That beft of fathers! how fhall 1 difcharge 
 The gratitude and duty which I owe him! 
 
 S)ph. By b.ying up his counfels in your heart. 
 
 Jub. His coupifv^'ls bade me yield to thy dire«5lions : 
 Then, SyphaXj chide me in fevcreft terms. 
 Vent all they paffion, and I'll ftand its fhock. 
 Calm and unruffled as a fummer fea. 
 When not a breath of wind flies o'er its furface, 
 
 Syph. Alas my Prince, I'd guide you to your faftty. 
 
 Jub. I do believe thou would'ft ; but t*ll me how I 
 
 Sjph. Fly from the fate that follows Ccfar\ foes. 
 
 Jul\ Mv father fcorn'd to do it. 
 
 ^yph. And therefore dy'd. 
 
 ']uh. Better to die ten thoufand thoufand deaths. 
 Than wound my honour. 
 
 ^yjh. llather fay your love. 
 
 ']iib. Syphax, Tve promis'd to preferve my temper, 
 Why wilt thou urge me to confefs a flame, 
 I long have ftiflcd, and would fun conceal ? 
 
 Syfh. Believe me. Prince^ tho* ha; I to conquer love, 
 *1 is eafy to divert and break Its force : 
 Abience might cure it, or a fecond miil:efs 
 Light up another flame, and put out this. 
 
 The 
 
C A T O. IS 
 
 The glowing dames of Zamus royal court 
 Have fdces fluflit with more exalted charms ; 
 The fjn that rolls his chariot o'er their heads, 
 Works up more fire and colour in their checks : 
 Were you with thefe, n:!y Prince, you'd ibon Jbrg'.t 
 The pale, unripen'd heauties of the Ncrth. 
 
 Jul. *Tis not a f.t of Featiics, or coir.p!f:.ion; 
 The tincture oFa Ikin that I admire. 
 Beauty Toon grows* familiar lo the lover. 
 Fades in, his eye, and palls upon the Isnle, 
 The virtuous Marcia low'rs above her lex: 
 True, fhe h f.iir, (Oh, how divinely fair !) 
 Ijut ftill the lovely maid improves hrr charms^ 
 With inward ^reatnefs, unaflefled wiidom. 
 And ian(5tity of manners. Cato% foul 
 Shines out in cvVy th'.ng fhe atfts or fpeaks, 
 While winning mildneis and attractive fmiles 
 Dwell in her looks, and with becoming grace 
 Soften the rigour of her father's virtii'^s. 
 
 ^'//'.How does your tongue grow wanton in her praifc. 
 But on my knees Ibcg yoa would confidcr 
 
 Rt.tcr Marcia and Lucia. 
 
 J*i. Ha ! SjphaXf is't not fhe ! — She moves this way •' 
 And with her Lucia, Lucius* fair daughter. 
 My heart beats thict— I pr'ythee Syf-kci\ leave me. 
 
 Sjph, Ten thoufand curfes faften on them both ! 
 Now will this woman with a iingle glance 
 Undo what I've been lab'ring all this while. [£.t/>, 
 
 SCENE V. 
 
 Sfiter JuBA, Marcia, Lucia. 
 
 JuL Hail, charming maid, how does thy beauly 
 fmooth 
 The face of war, and make ev'n horror fmile I 
 At fight of thee my heart fhakes off its forrows ; 
 I feel a dawn of joys break in upon me. 
 And for a while forget th' approach, of C^/^r. 
 
 B 2 * AUr. 
 
i6 C A T O. 
 
 ^lar. I (houM be griev'd, young Prince^ to think my 
 prefer ce 
 Unbent your tboughts, and flackcnM 'em to arms, 
 While warm with flaughter, oar victorious foe 
 Threatens aloud, and calls you to tlic fit-Id. 
 
 Jub, O Marcia, let me hope thy kind concerns 
 And gentle wifhes follow me to battle ! 
 The thought would give new vigour to my arm, 
 i^dd ftrength and weight to my dcfccnding fword, 
 And drive it in a tempeft on the foe. 
 
 Mar. My prayVs and wifiies always (hall attend 
 The friends ct'J^ome, the glorious caufe ofv'.rtue. 
 And men approv'd of by the gods and Cc.to. 
 
 Jub. That Juba may deferve thy pious cares, 
 I'll gaze for ever on thy godlike fiUher, 
 Tranfpl anting, one by one, into my life 
 His bright perfe61ions, *till I fliine like him. 
 
 Mar. My father never at a time like this 
 Wou'd lay out his great foul in words, and wafte 
 Such precious moments, 
 
 Jub. Thy reproofs are juft, 
 Thou virtuous maid ; I'll haften to my troops. 
 And fire their languid fouls with Cato''% virtuct 
 If e'er I lead them to the field, when all 
 The war fhall ftand rang'd in its jud aray, 
 And dreadful pomp : Then will I think on thee ! 
 O lovely m<iid, then will I think on thee ! 
 And in the fliock of charging hofts, reniember 
 What glorious deeds fliou'd grace the man, who hopes 
 For Marcia% love. [ I'^tt. 
 
 S C E N E VI. 
 
 Lucia, Marc; a. _ 
 
 Luc. Marc':a, youVc too feverc : 
 How cou'd you chide the young guod-natur'd Pjince, 
 And drive him from ycu with lb (tern an air, 
 .A Piince that loves and dotes on you to death ? 
 
 Mar. *Tis theitforc, Lucia, that 1 chide him from me. 
 His air, his voice, his looks, and honefl foul 
 Speak all fo Riovingly in hib behalf 
 i dare not iruft mylelf to hear him talk. 
 
 Luc, 
 
C A, TO. i-^ 
 
 Luc. Why wiM you fiijht again ft fo fweet a paflion, 
 And fteel your hea t to fuch a world of charms ? 
 
 Mar. How, Lucia ^ wou'dft thou have nie fink away 
 In plealjiig dreams, and lofe myfelf in love. 
 When evVy moment Carols life's at ftake i 
 Cefar comes arm'd with terror and revenge, 
 And aims his thunder at my father's head : 
 Shou'd not the fad occafion fwallow up 
 My other cares, and draw them all into it ? 
 
 Luc. Why have not I this conftancy of mind. 
 Who have f) many griefs to try its force ? 
 Sure, nature formed me of her fofteft mould. 
 Enfeebled all my foul with tender pafTIans, 
 And funk me even below mine own weak fex-l 
 Pitv, and love, by turns opprefs my heart. 
 
 ]\iar. Lucia ^ difburden all thy cares on me, 
 And let me fhare thy moft ret'rr'd diib-efs; 
 Tell me vvl o raifes up this conflivfl in thee ? 
 
 Luc. I need not blufh to name them, when I tell thee 
 T\\^s-\-^ Marciah brothers, and the Tons ofCato. 
 
 Mir. They both behold thee with their liiler's -ey^js, 
 And often have reveaPd their padion to me : 
 But tell me whofe addrefs thou fjv'reft moft ? 
 1 long to knsw, and ytt I dread to hear it, 
 
 Luc. Which is it Marcia wilhes for ? 
 
 Aiar. For neither • 
 
 And yet for both — the youths have equal Hure 
 In Marcia i wifhes and divide their fifter : 
 But tell m.e, which of them is Lucia's choice ? 
 
 Luc. Marcia, they both are high in my- efteem, 
 But in my love — why wilt thou make me name him ! 
 Tlion know'ft it is a blind and foolifh pafTion, 
 Pleis'd and difgufted with it knows not what 
 
 Mar. O Lucia^ I'm perplcx'd, O tell me which 
 I mull hereafter call my happy brother f 
 
 Luc. Suppofc 'twere Fortius, could you blame tny 
 choice ? 
 
 G fortius, thou haft ftol'n away my fouLi 
 
 With what a graceful tendernefs he loves ! 
 And breathes the foftcft, the fmcercft vows ! 
 Complacency, and truth, and manly fwecineis 
 Dwell ever on hh tongue, andfmooth hit thought?. 
 
 ^ 3 ^Marcus- 
 
i8 C A T O. 
 
 Marcus is over-warm, his fond complaints 
 Have fo much earneftnefs and paiTion in them^ 
 I hear him with a fccret kind of liorror. 
 And tremble at his vehemence of temper. 
 
 Mar. Alas, poor youth ! how can'ft thou throw him 
 from thee ? 
 Luciay thou know'ft not half the love he hears thee ? 
 Whene'er he fpeaks of thee, his heart's in flames, 
 He fends out all his foul in ev'iy word. 
 And thinks, and talks, and looks like one tranfportcd* 
 Unhappy youth ! how will thy coldneis raife 
 1 empefts and ftorms in his affliiled bofpm ! 
 I dread the confe^uence. 
 
 Luc. You feem to plead 
 Againft your brother Fortius. 
 
 Mar. Heav'n forbid ! 
 Had Fortius been the unfuccefsful lover. 
 The fame compadion wou'd have fallen on him, . 
 
 Luc. Was ever virgin-love diltreft like mine! 
 Fortius himfelf oft falls in tears before me, 
 As if he mourn'd his rival's ill fuccefs, 
 Then bids me hide the motions of my heart, 
 Nor fhew which way it turns. So much he fears 
 The fad effcv5!s that it would have on Marcus. 
 
 Mar. He knows too well how eafily he's fir'd, 
 /^nd wou'd not plunge his brother in defpair. 
 But waits for happier times and kinder moments. 
 
 Luc. Alas, too late I find myfelf involv'd 
 In eudlefs griefs and labyrinths of woe. 
 Born to affli(5l my Aiarcia^s family 
 And Cow diflenfion in the hearts of brothers. 
 Tormenting thought! it cuts into the ioul. 
 
 Mar. Let us not, Lucia, aggravate our forrows, 
 But to the gods permit th' event of things. 
 Our lives, difcolour*d with our preient woes. 
 May ftill grow bright, and fmile with happier hours r 
 
 So the pure limpid ftream, when foul with ftains 
 Of rufhing torrents, and defending rains. 
 Works itfelfclear, and as it runs, refines ; 
 'Till by degrees the floating mirrour fhines, 
 Refie(5ls each flowV that on the border grows, 
 And a new heav'n in its fair bofom fliows. [^Exeuftt. 
 
 ACT 
 
C A T O. 
 
 19 
 
 A C T. II. SCENE L 
 
 The S E N A T E. 
 
 Semtronius, Lucius^ 
 no ME am furvlves in this airemblcd fenate ! 
 ■^ *- Let us remember we are Cato's friends, 
 And a(5t like men who claim that glorious title. 
 
 Luc.Cato will foon be here, and open to us 
 Th* occafion of our meeting. Hark ! he comes ! 
 
 [^ fo^("d of trumpets 
 May all the guardian-gods of i?o;;;<? dh-etfl hini ! 
 
 Enter Cato. 
 
 Cato. Fathers, we once again are met in counciL 
 Cefat*s .ipproach has fuinmon'd us together. 
 And Rome attends her fate from our refolves ; 
 How fhall we treat this bold afpirinir man ? 
 Succefs ftiJl follows him, and backs his crimes : 
 Pharfaiia gave him Rome, ^ypt has fince 
 Receiv'd hrs yoke, and the whole Nilt is CeFat 
 Why (liould r mention Juba% overthrow, ' 
 And Scifiw^ death I Nwnidiah burning fands 
 Still fmoke with blood. 'Tis time we fhould decree 
 What courfe to take. Our foe advances on us, 
 And envies us even Libya's fultry defarts. 
 Fathers, pronounce your thoughts, are they ftill fixt 
 To hold it out and fight it to the laft ? 
 Or are your hearts fubdu'd at length, and v/rought 
 By time ajid ill fuccefs to a fubmillion ? 
 Semproii'tuiy fpeak. 
 
 Sttnp. My voice is ftilJ for war. 
 Gods, can a RbiJian fenate long debate 
 Which of the two to choofe, flav'ry or death 1 
 No, let U3 rife at once, gird on our fwords. 
 And at the head of our remaining troops. 
 Attack the foe, break through the thick array 
 Of his throng'd legioijs,, and charge home upon him. 
 
 Perhaps 
 
 ar'%. 
 
20 e A T o. 
 
 Perhaps fbme arm more lucky than the rc-ft, 
 
 jMay reach his heart, and free the world from bonJdge.- 
 
 Rile, fathers, rile ! 'tis y?6/;/;f demands your help ; 
 
 Rife, and revenge her flaughter'd citizens, 
 
 Or fhare their fate! the corpfe of half her fenate 
 
 Manure the fields of 77;c;//'^/y, while we 
 
 Sit here delib'rating in cold debates 
 
 If we fhould ficrifice our lives to honour. 
 
 Or wear them out in fervitude and chains* 
 
 Roufe up for (liame! Our brothers o( Pharfalia 
 
 Point at their wounds, and cry aloud — To battle! 
 
 Great Pov.'f'ey'i fliide co iiplains tiiat we are flow, 
 
 And Scipio's ghcft walks unre.erg'd amongfl; us ! 
 
 Caio. Let not a torrent of impetuous zeal 
 Tranfport thee thus beyond the bounds of rcafon: 
 True fortitude is feen in great exploits 
 That juftice warrants, and that wifdom guides: 
 All elfe is tow\ing frenzy and diftracftion. 
 Are not the lives of thofe who draw the fword 
 In Rome\ defence entrufted to our care? 
 Should we thus lead them to a field of Haughter, 
 Might not th impartial world vn\\\ reafon lay, 
 We lavifh'd at our deaths the blood of thoufands, 
 To grace our fall, and make our ruin glorious? 
 Lucius f we next would know what*s your opinion. 
 
 Luc. My thoughts I muft confefs are turn'd on peace. 
 Already have our quarrels fill'd the world 
 With widows, and with orphans : Scjihia mourns 
 Our guilty wars, and earth's remoteft regions 
 Lie half unpeopled by the feuds oi Roi/ic: 
 'Tis time to fheath the fword, and fpare mankind. 
 It is not Cefaty but the gods, my fathers, 
 The gods declare againft us, an"d repel 
 Our vain attempts. To urge the foe to battle, 
 (Prompted by blind revenge, and wild de/pair) 
 Were to refufe ih'awards of providence, 
 And not to reft in heaven's determination. 
 Already have we iliewn our love to Rome, 
 Now let us inew fubmidion to the gods. 
 We took up arms, not to revenge ourlelvcs; 
 
 But 
 
C A T O. 21 
 
 But free the commonvveahh ; when this rnd fails, 
 
 Arms have no further ufe: our country's caufe, 
 
 That drew our fwords, now wrefts *em from our hands^ 
 
 And bids us not delight in Ro7?iafi blood, 
 
 Unprofitably fhed ,- what men could do 
 
 Is done already: heav'n and earth will witnefs, 
 
 \^ Roun: muft fall, that we are innocent.' 
 
 Se?np, This fmooth difcourfe, and mild behaviour oft 
 
 Conceal a traitor Something whifpers me 
 
 All is not right Cato beware o^ Lucius. 
 
 \_AJide /a Cato* 
 
 Cato. let us appear nor rafh nor diffident ; 
 Immod'iate valour fwells into a fault ; 
 And fear admitted into public councils, 
 Betrays like treafon. Let us (hun 'cm both. 
 Fathers, 1 cannot fee that our affairs 
 Are grown thus defp'rate,. we hav« bulwarks round us: 
 Within our walls are troops inur'd to toil 
 In JJric\ heats, and feafon'd to the fun ; 
 Nu7?iiJiai fpacious kingdom lies behind us. 
 Ready to rife at its young Prince's call. 
 While there is hope, do not diilruft the gods: 
 But wait at leafl till Cefar\ near approach 
 Force us to yield. Twill never be too late >, 
 
 Xo fje for chains, and own a conqueror. 
 Why fhould Rome fall a moment 'ere her time? 
 No, let us draw our term of freedom out 
 In its full length, and fpin it to the lall, 
 So (hall we giin flill one day's liberty ; 
 And let me peridi : but in C^/o's judgment 
 A day, an hour of virtuous liberty, 
 Is worth a whole eternity in bondage. 
 
 Enter Marcus. 
 Marc. Fathers, this moment, as I watch 'd the gate/ 
 Lodg'd on my poft, a herald is ariiv'd 
 From Cefur\ camp, and with him comes old Decius 
 The Reman knight •. he carries in his looks 
 Impatience, and demands to fpeak w'th Cato. 
 
 Cato. By your permilTion, fathers, bid him enter. 
 
 \^F.xit Ml reus, 
 Di'ciui 
 
22 C A T O. 
 
 Dcciuj was once my friend, but other profpecf^s 
 Have loos'd thcfe ties, and bound him faft to Cefaf, 
 Hi* njeflage may dttennine our refolves. 
 
 SCENE II. 
 
 D E c I us, Caxo. 
 
 Dec 1 us. 
 Cfffar fends health to Cato 
 
 Caio. CoU*d he fend it 
 To Catf/i flaughter'd friends, it would be welcome. 
 Are not your orders to addrefs the fenate? 
 
 Dec. My bufinefs is with Cato ; Cefar fees 
 The ftraits to which you're driven ; and, as he knows 
 Cato's, high worth, is anxious for your life. 
 
 Cato. My life is grafted on the fate oi Rome, 
 Wou'd he five Cato] Bid him fpare his country. 
 Tell your dictator this : and tell him, Cato 
 Diidains a life, which he has power to ofTer. 
 
 Dec, Rome and her fenalors fubmit to Cefar 
 Her gen'rals and her confuls are no more, 
 Who check'd his conquefts, and denied his triumphs.. 
 Why will not Cain be this Ccfaf.% friend ? 
 
 Cato. Thofe very reafcns thou hafl: urg'd, forbid its. 
 
 Dec. CatOy I've orders to expoftuLite, 
 And reafon with you, as from friend to friend ; 
 Think on the ftorm that gathers o'er your head. 
 And threatens ev'ry hour to burft upoo it ; 
 Still may you (land high in your country's honours. 
 Do but comply, and make your peace with Cefan, 
 Rmi! will rejoice, and caft its eyts, on Cato, 
 As on the fecond of mankind. 
 
 Cato. No more: 
 I. mull not think of life on fuch conditions. 
 
 Dec. Cefar is well acquainted with your vir tues» 
 And therefore ftts this value on your life: 
 Let him but know the price oiCato\ fjiendfhip, 
 And name your terms. 
 
 Cato. Hid him difb ind his legions. 
 Rtllore th« com mpn wealth to liberty^ 
 
 Submit 
 
C A T O. 23 
 
 Submit his a«5lions to the public cenfure, 
 T^nd (land the judgment of a Roj?ian fenate. 
 Bid him do this, and Cato is his friend. 
 
 Dec. CatOy the world talks loudly of your wifdom — 
 Cato, Nay more, tho' Cato's voice was ne'er ^mploy'd 
 To clear the guilty, and to vamifh crimes. 
 My ft If will mount the RoJInrf/i in his favour, 
 And drive to gain his paidon from the people. 
 Dec. A ftile like this becomes a conqueror, 
 Cato. Dec'tus, a ftile like this, becomes a Rovian, 
 Dec. What is a Rovtaiiy that is Ccfarh foe ? 
 Cato. Greater than Cejhr : He's .i friend to virtue. 
 Dec. Confider, Cato, you're in Ulica, 
 And at the head of your own little I'enate ; 
 You don't now thunder in thccapitol, 
 With all the mouths of Rome to fecond you. 
 
 Cato. Let him confider that, who drives us hither ! 
 *Tis Cefars fvvord has made Ri>mc\ fenate little. 
 And thinn d its ranks Alas, thy dazzled eye 
 Beholds this man in a falfe glaring light, 
 Which conqueft and fuccefs have thrown upon him ; 
 Did ft thou but view him right, thou'dft fee him black 
 With murder, trejfon, facrilege, and crimes, 
 That ftrike my foul with horror but to name 'em. 
 I know thou lookft on me, as on a wretch 
 Befet with ills, and cover'd with misfortunes j 
 B\Jt, by the gods I fwear, millions of worlds 
 Shou'd never buy me to be like that Cefar. 
 
 Dec. Does Cato fend this anfsier back to Cejar, 
 For all his gen'rous cares, and profFcr'd fricndfhip ? 
 
 Cato His cares for me are inlolent and vain : 
 Prefumptuous man I the gods take care of Cato. 
 Wou'd Cefur ftiew the greatnefs of his foul ; 
 Bid him employ his care for thefe my friends, 
 And make good ufe of his ill-gotten powV, 
 By fheltring men much better than himfelf. 
 
 Dec. Your high unconquer'd heart makes you forget 
 You are a man. You rufli tn your deftruJlion. 
 But I have done. When I relate hereafter 
 The tale of this unhappy embaft)', 
 All Rome will be in tears. \_Ex'it Decius. 
 
 SCENE 
 
24 C A T O. 
 
 SCENE III. 
 
 Sempronius, Lucius, Cato. 
 
 Sfmp. CatOf we thank thee. 
 The mighty genius of immortal JRovie 
 Speaks in thy voice, thy foul breathes liberty. 
 Cefar will flirink to hear the words thou utter'ft. 
 And fhudder in the midft of all his conquefts. 
 
 Luc. The fenate owns its gratitude to Ccfo, 
 Who with fo great a foul confults its fafety, 
 And guards our lives, while he negle<5ls his own. 
 
 Semj). SemproTiius gives no thanks on this account. 
 Lucius feems fond of life ? but what is life ? 
 'Tis not to ftalk about, and draw frefh air 
 From time to time, or gaze upon the fun : 
 'Tis to be free. When liberty is gone, 
 Life grows infipid, and has loft its relifh. 
 O cou'd my dying hand but lodge a fword 
 In Cefar s bofom, and revenge my country. 
 By heav'ns I cou'd enjoy the pangs of death, 
 And fmile in agony. 
 
 L71C. Others, perhaps, 
 May ferve their country with as warm a zeal, 
 Tho' *tis not kindled into fo much rage. 
 
 Sei?ip. This fober condud is a mighty virtue 
 In lukewarm patriots. 
 
 Cato Come! no more, Siv/pronius. 
 
 All here are friends to Rowe^ and to each other. 
 
 Let us not weaken ftill the weaker lide 
 By our divilions. 
 
 Stmp. CatOy my refentments 
 Are facrific'd to Fcms I ftand reprov'd. 
 
 Cato. Fathers, 'tis time yon come to a refolv€. 
 
 Ltic. Cato, we all go in to your opinion. 
 Cefar\ behaviour has convinc'd the fenate 
 We ought to hold it out 'till terms arrive. 
 
 Semp. We ought to hold it out 'till death ; but, Cato, 
 My private voice is drown'd amid the fenate's. 
 
 Cato. Then let us rife, my friends, and ftrive to fill 
 This little interval, this paufe of life, 
 (While yet our liberty and fates are doubtful) 
 
 With 
 
C A T O. ^ 
 
 With refolution, friendfhip, Ro7nan bravery. 
 And all the virtues we can crowd into it ; 
 That heav'n may fay it ought to be prolong'd. 
 
 Fathers, farewell The young Nuviidian Prince 
 
 Comes forward, and expedls to know our counfels. 
 
 [^E>:£unt Senators. 
 
 SCENE IV. 
 
 Cato, Juba. 
 
 Cato. Juhay the Roman fenate has refolv'd, 
 Till time give better profpe«5ls, ftill to keep 
 The fword unfheath'd, and turn its edge on Cefar, 
 
 Juba. The refolution (its a Roman fenate. 
 But, CatOf lend me for a while thy patience, 
 And condefcend to hear a young man fpeak. 
 My father, when fome days before his death 
 He order'd me to march for Utkay 
 (Alas, I thought not then his death ^o near !) 
 Wept o'er me, prefs'd me in his aged -arms, 
 And, as his griefs gave way. My fon, faid he, 
 Whatever fortune (hail befal thy father. 
 Be Ctf^o's friend ; he'll train thee up to great 
 And virtuous deeds : Do but obferve him well, 
 Thoul't fliun misfortunes, or thoul't learn to bear 'cm. 
 
 Cato. Jubay thy father was a worthy Prince, 
 And merited, alas ! a better fate; 
 But heav'n thought otherwife. 
 
 Juba. My father's fate. 
 In fpite of all the fortitude that (hines 
 Before my face, in Cato\ great example, 
 Subdues my foul, and fills my eyes with tears. 
 
 CatQ, It is an honed forrow, and becomes thee. 
 
 Jidb. My father drew refpeifl from foreign climes ; 
 The Kings of Afric fought him for their friend j 
 Kings far remote, that rule, as fame reports, 
 Behind the hidden fources of the Nihy 
 In diflant worlds, on t'other fjje the fun : 
 Oft have their black ambafTidors appear'd, 
 Loaden with gifts, and fiil'd the courts oiZama, 
 
 C Cat*, 
 
2 6 CAT O. 
 
 Cato. I am no ftranger to thy father's greatnefs ! 
 
 Jub. I would not boaft the greatnefs of my father, 
 But point out nevv alliances to Caio. 
 Had we not better leave this Ut'icay 
 To arm Numidiu in our caufe, and court 
 Th' alTiftance of my father's pow'rful friends? 
 Did they know Cato^ our remoteft: kings 
 Wou'd pour anbattled multitudes about him ; 
 Their fwarthy hofts would darken all our plains. 
 Doubling the native horror of the war, 
 And making death more grim. 
 
 Caio. And can'll thou think 
 Cato will fly before the fword o£ Cefar / 
 Reduc'd like Hannibal to feek relief 
 From court to court, and wander up and down 
 A vagabond in ^fr'u ! 
 
 Jub. CatOf perhaps 
 Vm too officious ; but my forward cares 
 Wou'd fain preferve a life of fo much value* 
 My heart is wounded, when I fee fuch virtue 
 Afflicted by the weight of fuch misfortunes. 
 
 Cato. Thy noblenefs of foul obliges me. 
 But know, young Prince, that valour foars above 
 What the world calls misfortune and afHitflion. 
 Thefe are not ills ; elfe wou'd they never fall 
 On heav'n's firft favVites, and the beft of men : 
 The gods, in bounty work up dorms about us. 
 That give mankind occafion to exert 
 Their hidden ftrength, and throw out into praflice 
 Virtues which fhun the day, and lie conceal'd 
 In the fmooth feafons and the calms of life. 
 
 Jt/b. I m charm 'd whene'er thou talk'ft.! I pant for 
 virtue ! 
 And all my foul endeavours at perfe(5lion. 
 
 Cata. Doft thou love watchings, abftinence, and toil, 
 Laborious virtues all ? Learn them from Cato : 
 Succefs and fortune muft thou learn from Cefar. 
 
 Jub. The beft good fortune that can fall on Jtiba, 
 The whole fuccefs, at which my heart afpires. 
 Depends on Cdto. 
 
 Cato. What does Juha fay ? 
 Thy words confound me. Jub, 
 
C A 1 O. If 
 
 Jul. I would fain retraft them. 
 Give *em me back again. They ainrd at nothing. 
 
 Cato. Tcil me thy wifli, young Prince ; make not 
 my ear 
 A flranger to thy thoughts. 
 
 *]ub. Oh, they're extravagant \ 
 Still let me hide them. 
 
 Cato. What can "juha alk 
 That Cato will refule ! 
 
 "Juh. I fear to name it. 
 JSUrc'ta inherit? all her father's virtucu 
 
 Cato. What woulMft thou Tiy ? 
 
 Jnh. CiilO, thou halt ,:i daiightrr. 
 
 'Cato. Adieu^. young Priiice ; J wovi'tl not hca\ a word 
 ShouM Icflen thee in my efteem : Kemetiiber 
 The hand of fate is over us, and heav*n 
 Exa<fls feverity from all our thoughts :" 
 It is not now a time to talk of ought 
 But chains, or conquefts i liberty, or death. \E^if, 
 
 S C E N E V. 
 
 SvpftAX, JUBA. 
 
 Syph. How's this, myPiiuce! what^ covered with 
 confufion I 
 You look as if yon flern philofopher 
 Had jull now chid you. 
 
 Juh. SyphaXf I'm undone ! 
 
 Syph. I know it well. 
 
 Jub. Cato thinks meanly of me. ' 
 
 Sjph. And fo will all mankind. 
 
 Jjcb. Iv'e open'd to hinr 
 The weaknefs of my foul, my love for Marc/a. 
 
 Sjph. Cato^s a pr )per peifon to intruft 
 »A love-tale with. 
 
 JuL Oh, I could pierce my heart, 
 My foolilh heart ! was ever wretch like Juha ! 
 
 Syph, Alas, my Prince, how are you chang'd of late ' 
 I've known young Juba rife before the fun. 
 To beat the thicket where the tiger Ilept, 
 Or feek the lion in his dreadful haunts : 
 How did the colour mount into your cheeks, 
 
 C 2 When 
 
28 CAT O. 
 
 When firft you rous'd him to the chace I I've fcfn y«u 
 Kv'n in tbe Lykian dog- days, hunt hiin down. 
 Then charge him dole, provoke him to the rage 
 Of fangs and claws, and ftooping from )or.r horfe 
 Rivet the panting favage to the ground. 
 
 Jub. Pr'ythee, no more ! 
 
 Syph. How would the old King fmile 
 To fee you weigh the paws, when tipp'd with gald, 
 And throw the ftiaggy fpoils about your ihonldcrs ! 
 
 J'ub. Syfhax, this old man's talk (tho' honey flowM 
 In ev'ry word) wou'd now lo(e all iVs fwectnefi. 
 Catoh difpleas'd, and iMarc'ia loft for ever ! 
 
 Sypf). Young Prince, I yet cou'dgive you good advice. 
 Marcia might fiill be yours. 
 
 Ji/L What fay ft thou, Syp^ax P 
 By heav'ns thou turn'ft me all into attention. 
 
 S/p6. Marcia might ftill be yours. 
 
 .7*y. As how, dear Syphax P 
 
 Sjfph, y//^i7 commands Numhiias hardy troops, 
 TVJounted on fteeds, unu&'d to the reftraint 
 Of curbs or bits, and fleeter than the winds: 
 Give but the word, we'll fnatcb this damfel up, 
 And bear her off. 
 
 yub. Can fuch difhoneft thonghti 
 Rile up in man ! v/ou'dft thou (educe my youth 
 To do an aft that wou'd deftroy m.y honour ! 
 
 Syph, Gods, I cou'd tear my beard to hear you talk I 
 Honour's a fine imaginary notion, 
 That draws in raw and unexpericnc'd men 
 To real mifchiefs, while they hunt a fhadow. 
 
 y^L Wou'dft thou degrade thy Prince into a ruffian ? 
 
 Syph, The boafted arceftors of tliefe great men, 
 Whofe virtues you admire, were all fuch ruffians ! 
 This dread of nations, this almighty Ro7?iej 
 That comprehends in her wide empire's bounds 
 Ali under heav'n, v/as founded on a rape. 
 Your ScipioSf Cefars, Pumpsys-, and yourC^/o/, 
 (Thefe gods on earth) are all the fpurious brood 
 Of violated maids, of ravifh'd Sahhies, 
 
 yub. SyphaXf I fear that hoary head of thine 
 Abounds too much in our Niunidiaii wiles. 
 
 Syph 
 
C A T O. 29 
 
 Syph, Indeed, my Prince, you want to know the wt)rld. 
 You have not read mankind, your youth admires 
 The throws and fv\'eHings of a Ro??ia?i foul, 
 Cato\ bold flights, th* extravagance of virtue. 
 
 Jub. [fknowledgeof the world makes men perfidious, 
 May Jti'ja ever liv^e in ignorance ! 
 
 Syph. Go, go, you're young. 
 
 jub. Gods, mud I tamely bear 
 This arrogance unanfwer'd! thou'rt a traitor, 
 A Falfe old traitor. 
 
 Syph I have gone too f^r. \^Afide, 
 
 Jub. Cato (hall know the bafenefs of thy foul. 
 
 Syph. 1 mull appeafe this ilorm, or perilh in it. [_Afldc, 
 Young Prince, behold thefe locks that arc grown white 
 Beneath a helmet in your father's battles. 
 
 Jub. Thofe locks fhall ne'er protefl thy infolence. 
 
 Syph' Muft one ra(h word, th' infirmity of age, 
 Throw down the merit of my better years ? 
 This the reward of a whole life of fervice ! 
 —Curie on the boy I how fteadily he hears me ! [^Afi^f 
 
 Jub. Is it beciufe the throne of my forefathers ^^ 
 Still (lands unfilTd, and that Nu7?:idias crown 
 Hangs doubtful yet, whofe head it (hill indole, 
 _ Thou thus prefumft to treat thy Prince with fcorn ? 
 
 Syph. Why will you rive my heart with lijch exprcJTi- 
 Does not old Syphax follow you to war ? [ons ? 
 
 What are his aims I why does he load with darts 
 His trembling hand, and crufh beneath a cade 
 His wrinkled brows ? what is it he afpires to? 
 Is it hot this ? to Hied the flow remains, 
 His lafl poor ebb of blood, in your defence i* 
 
 Jub. Syphax^ no mo^e 1 I would not hear you talk. 
 
 Syph. Not hear meialk! what, when my fdith to Jula, 
 My royal mailer's fon, is call'd m qurftion ? 
 My Prince may (Irike me dead, and I'li be dumb : 
 But whilft I live I n^uft not hold my tdna-je, 
 And languiili out old age in his difplealure. 
 
 Jub. Th6u know'it the way too well into my heart, 
 I ido believe thee loyal to thy Prince. 
 
 Syph. What greater indance can I ^rive ? I've offtr'd 
 To do an a^JlfoB, wLith my foul abhors. 
 And gain you whom you love at any price. 
 
 C 3 Ju^. 
 
so C A T O. 
 
 yuif. Was tills thy motive ? I've been too hafty. 
 
 S}'/>h. And 'tis for this my Prince has call'd me traitor, 
 
 Jub. Sure thou miftak'il ; I did not call thee lb. 
 
 Syp/). You did indeed, my Prince, you call'd me traitor. 
 Nay, further, thretten'd you'd complain to Cato. 
 Of what, my Prince, wou'd you complain to Ca/o ? 
 That ^yphax loves you, and wou'd facrifice 
 His life, nay more, his honour in your fervice. 
 
 Juh. Syfhaxy I know thou lov'll me ; but indeed 
 Thy zeal for Juha carry 'd thee too far. 
 Honour's Hicred tie, the law of Kings, 
 The nobl» mind's diftinguilhing pertet^iion. 
 That aids, and ftrengthens virtue, where it meets her^ 
 And imitates her avftions, where flie is not : 
 It ought not to be fpoi ted with. 
 
 Sjph. By heav'ns 
 I'm ravifh'd when you talk thus, tho' you chide me 1 
 Alas, I've hitherto been us'd to think 
 A blind officious zeal to ferve my King 
 The ruling principle, that ought to burn, 
 Amdi quench all others in a fubjec^'s heart. 
 Happy the people, who preferve their honour 
 By the fime duties, that oblige their Prince 1 
 
 Jub. SyphaXy thou now begin'ft to fpeak thyfelf- 
 f^umidia\ grown a (corn among the nations 
 For breach of public vows. Our Pufik faith 
 Is infamous, and branded to a proverb. 
 Syphax we'll, join our carcs; to purge away 
 Our country's aime?, and clear our reputation. 
 
 Syph. Bflieve me, Prince, you n^ake old Syphax weep> 
 
 Te hear you talk but 'tis with tears of joy. 
 
 If e'er your father's crown adorn your biaws, 
 Numtdla will be bleft by Cato'i lc<ftures 
 
 ']iib Syphax, thy hand ! we'll mutually forget 
 The warmth of youth, and frowardnefs of age. 
 Thy Prince efteems thy worth, and loves thy peifon> 
 If e'er the fcepter comes into my hand, 
 Syphax (hall ftand the lecond in my kingdom. 
 
 Sypb. Why will you overwhelm my age with kind* 
 nefs ? 
 My joy grows burdenfom, I Ihan't fupport it. 
 
C A T O. 31 
 
 Jtih. Syphax, farewell. I'll hence and try to find 
 Some bleft occafion that may fet me right 
 In Cuto's thoughts. I'd rather have that man 
 Approve my deeds, than woilds fur my admirers. [_Ex'it. 
 
 Syphax filui. 
 Young men foon give and foon forget affronts ; 
 
 Old age is flow in both A falfe old traitor! 
 
 Thofe words, rafh boy, may chance to cofl thee dear. 
 My heart had flill fome foolifh fondnefs for thee : 
 But hence! 'tis gone: I give it to the winds : — 
 Cefary I'm wholly thine 
 
 SCENE VI. 
 
 Sythax, Sempronius. 
 
 Syph. All hail, Siinpronius ! 
 Weill Cato\ fenate is refblv'd to wait 
 The fury of a fiege before it yields. 
 
 Sc7}ip: Syphax, we both were on the verge of fate: 
 Lucius declar'd for peace, and terms were offer'd 
 To Cato by a meffenger from Cefar. 
 Shou'd they fubmit, 'ere our defigns are rrpe> 
 We both niuft perifh in the common wreck. 
 Loft in a gcn'i-al undiftinguifh'd ruin. 
 
 Syph. But how ftands Cato ? 
 
 Semp. Thou hafl feen movant At fas : 
 While ftorms and tempefl thunder on its brow. 
 And oceans break their billows at its feet. 
 It ftands unmov'd and glories in its height. 
 Such is that haughty man ; his tow'i ing foul, 
 'Midft all the fliocks and injuries of fortune, 
 Rifes fuperior, and looks down on Cefar » 
 
 Syph. But what's this meffenger f 
 
 Semp. Tve praiftis'd with him. 
 And found a means to let the vi<5lor know 
 That Syphax and Sempronius are his friends. 
 But let me now examine in my turn : 
 Is Jitkit tixt ? 
 
 Sjfpb. 
 
 L 
 
32 
 
 C A T O. 
 
 Syph. Yes, but it is to Cato. 
 
 I've try'd the force of ev*ry reafon on him, 
 Sooth'd and carefs'd, been angry, footh'd again, 
 Laid fafety, life, and intVeft in his fight : 
 But all are vain, he fcorns them all for Cato. 
 
 S(V}p. Gome, 'tis no matter, we fhalldo without him. 
 He'll make a pretty figure in a triumph, 
 And ferve to trip before the vigor's chariot. 
 SyphaXy I now may hope thou hafl: forfook 
 Thy Juhas caufe, and wiOicft Marcia mine. 
 
 Syph, M^y ihe be thine as faft as thou wouldfthave her. 
 
 Semp. SyphaXf I love that woman ; tho' I curfe 
 Her and mylelf, yet fpite of me, I love her. 
 
 Syph . Make Cato fure, and give up Utica ; 
 Cefar will ne*er refufe thee fuch a trifle. 
 But are thy troops prepai'd for a revolt ? 
 Does the fedition catch from man to man, 
 And run among their ranks ? 
 
 Semp. All, all is ready, 
 The fa(^ious leaders are our friends, that fpread 
 Murmurs and difcontents among the foldiers. 
 They count their toilfom marches, long fitigues 
 Unufual fallings, and will bear ro more 
 This medley of pliilofophy and war. 
 Within an hour they'll ftorm the feuate houfe. 
 
 Syph. Mean while III draw up my Numidian troops 
 Within the fquare, to exercife theii arms, 
 And as I fee occafion favour thee. 
 I laugh to think how your unfhaken Cato 
 Will look aghaft, while unforefeen dcftruiftjon 
 Pours in upon him thus from every fide. 
 So, where our wide Nuviidian vvaftes extend, 
 Sudden th'impetuous hurricanes defcend, 
 Wheel through the air, in circling eddies play, 
 Tear up the fands, and fwecp whole plains away. 
 The helplefs traveller, with wild furprife. 
 Sees the dry defart all around him rife. 
 And fmother'd in the duUy whirlwind dies. 
 
 - Exeufit.l 
 
 ACT 
 
C A T O 
 
 ACT Iir. SCENE L 
 
 Marcus and Fortius. 
 
 TH A N K S to my ftars, I have not rang'd about 
 The wilds of life, e'er I could find a friend; 
 Nature firfl pointed out my Porttus to me, 
 And early taught me, by her fecret force. 
 To love thy perfon, ere I knew thy merit : 
 Till what was inftincf^ grew up into friendfliip. 
 
 Pot. Marcui the friendfliips of the world are oft 
 Confcd'racies in vice, or leagues of pleafure j 
 Ours has fevereft virtue for it« balls. 
 And fuch' a friendlhip ends not but with life. 
 
 Mar, Fortius thou know 'ft my foul in all its weak- 
 nefs. 
 Then pr*ythee (pare me on its tender fide, 
 Indulge me but in love, my other pafllons 
 Shall rife and fall by virtue's niceft rules. 
 Por. When love's welltim'd, 'tis not a fault to love. 
 The ttrong, the brave, the virtuous, and the wiie 
 Sink in the fofc captivity together. 
 I would not urge thee to difmifs thy paflion, 
 (I know 'twere vain) but to fupprefs its force. 
 Till better times may make it look more gracefut. 
 
 Marc. Alas'. Thou talk'ft like one who never felt 
 Th* impatient throbs and longings of a foul, 
 That pants and reaches after diftant good. 
 A lover does not live by vulgar time : 
 Relieve me, Portiris, in my Lucia's abfence 
 Life hangs upon me, and becoms a burden ; 
 And yet, when I behold the charming maid, 
 I'm ten times more undone ; while hope and fear,, 
 And grief, and rage, and love fife up at once. 
 And with variety of pain di.{tra<5t roe, 
 
 Por. What can thy Poftius do to give thee help ? 
 
 Marc. 
 
34 C A T O. 
 
 Marc. Fortius, thou oft enjoy'll the fair one's prc- 
 fence ; 
 Then undertake my caufe, and plead it to her 
 With all the ftrength and heats of eloquence 
 Fratt^rnrJ love and friendfhip can infpire. 
 Tell her thy brother languifhes to death, 
 And fades away, and witheis in his bloom ; 
 That he forgets his fleep, and loaths his food, 
 That youth, and healtli, and war are joylefs to him : 
 Defcrihc his anxious days and reftlefs nights, 
 And all the torments that thou fee'ft mc fuffer. 
 
 For, Marcus, I beg thee give me not an oiHce, 
 That fuits with me To ill. . Thou know'fl my temper. 
 
 Marc. Wilt thou behold me finking in my woet ? 
 And wilt thou not rea:h out a friendly arm, 
 To raife me from amidft this plunge of forrows ? 
 
 For, Marcus, thou can'ft not afli what I'd refufe. 
 But here, believe me, I've a thoufand reafons 
 
 Marc. I know thoul't fay my paflion's out of feafon. 
 That Cato*s great example and misfortunes 
 Should both confpire to drive it from my thoughts : 
 But what's all this to one who loves like me 1 
 
 Oh Fortius, Fortius, from my foul I wifh 
 Thou did'fi; but know thyfeif what 'tis to love ! 
 Then would'ft thou pity .and afTift thy brother. 
 
 For. What (hou'd I do ! if I difclofe my pallion, 
 Our friendfhip's at an end : If I conceal it. 
 The world will call me falfc to a ftiend and brother^ 
 
 Marc. But fee where Lucia, at hel- wonted hour, -. /y 
 Amid the cool of yon high marble arch, . 'f 
 
 Enjoys the noon-day breeze! obferve her, Fortius^! /^ 
 That face, that (hape, thofe eyes, that heav'n of beautyT' 
 Obferve her well, and blame me if thou can'ft. 
 
 For. She fees us and advances — 
 
 Marc. I'll withdraw, 
 And leave you for a while. Remember Fortius, 
 Thy brother's life depends upon thy tongue. [£x/r. 
 
 SCENE 
 
C A T O. 35 
 
 SCENE II. 
 
 Lucius. Fortius. 
 
 Lt/c. Did not I fee your brother Marcus here 1 
 Why did he fly the place, and fhun my prefence? 
 
 Per. Oh, Lucia, language is too fiint to flievv 
 His rai^ii of love ; it preys upon his life ; 
 He pines, he fickens, he defpairs, he dies ; 
 His pallions and his virtues lie confus'd. 
 And mixt together in Co wild a tumult, 
 That the whole man is quite disfigured in him. 
 Heav'ns! would one think 'twere pofTible for love 
 To make fuch ravage in a noble foul ! 
 Oh, Luciay I'm diltrefs'd ! my heart bleeds for liim ; 
 Ev'n now, while thus I fl:and bled in thy prefence, 
 A fecret damp of grief comes o'er my thoughts, 
 And I'm unhappy, though thou fmil'ft upon me. 
 
 Luc. How wilt thou gunrd thy honour, in the (hock 
 Of love and fiiend(hip! think betimes my Fortius, 
 Think how the nuptial tits, that might enfure 
 Our mutual blifs, would raife to fuch a height 
 Thy brother's griefs, as might perhaps deftioy him. 
 
 For, Alas, poor youth ? what doll thou think, my 
 Lucia P 
 His gen'roup, open, undefigning heart 
 Has begg'd his rival to folicit for him. 
 Then do not ftrike him dead with a deni.l, 
 But hold him up in life, and cheer his foul 
 With the faint glimm'ring of a doubtful hope ; 
 Perhaps when we have pafs'd thefe gloomy hours. 
 And weather' out the dorm that beats upon us 
 
 Luc. No, Fortius, no! I fee thy fifter's tears: 
 
 Thy father's anguifh, and thy brother's death, 
 In thepurfuit of our ill-fated loves. 
 And, Fortiui here I fwcar, to heav'n I fwear, 
 To heav'n and all the pow'rs that judge mankind. 
 Never to mix my plighted hands with thine. 
 While fuch a cloud of mifchiefs hings about us. 
 But to forget our loves and drive thee out 
 From all my thoughts, as far — as I am able. 
 
 Per, 
 
3^ 
 
 C A T O. 
 
 Por. What hafi thou faid ! I'm thunder-ftruck— — 
 recall 
 Thofe hafty words, or I am loft for ever. 
 
 Luc. Has not the vow already pafs'd my lips? 
 The gods have h^ard it, and 'tis feal'd in heav'n. 
 May all the vengeance that was ever pourM 
 On perjur'd heads o'erwhelm mc, if 1 break it ! 
 
 \_yijter apaufe, 
 
 Por. Fixt in aftonifliment, I gaze upon thee, 
 Like one juft blafted by a ftroke from heav'n, 
 Who pants for breath, and ftifFens, yet alive. 
 In dreadful looks : a monument of wrath ! 
 
 hue. At length I've adled my fevereft part, 
 I feel the woman breaking in upon me, 
 And melt about my heart! my tears will flow 
 But oh I'll think no more ! the hand of fate 
 Has torn thee from me, and I muft forget thee. 
 
 Por. Hard-hearted cruel maid I 
 
 hue. Oh ftop thofe founds, 
 Thofe killing founds ? Why doft thou frown upon me 
 My blood runs cold, my heart forgets to heave. 
 And life itfelf goes out at thy difpleafure. 
 The gods forbid us to indulge our loves. 
 But ohi I cannot bear thy hate and live I 
 
 Vor, Talk not of love, thou never knew'ft its force, 
 I've been deluded, led into a dream 
 Of fancied blifs. O hucta, cruel maid ! 
 Thy di-adful vow, loaden with death, ftill founds 
 In my ftun'd ears. What fliall I fay or do ? 
 Quick let us part ! perdition's in thy prefence. 
 
 And horror dwells about thee !~ Ha, fhe faints ! 
 
 Wretch that I am what has my rafhnefs done ! 
 hucia, thou injur'd innocent ! thou beft 
 And lovelieft of the fex ! awake my hue/a. 
 Or Fortius ruflies on his fword to join thee. 
 —Her. imprecations reach not to the tomb, 
 
 They (hut not out fbciety in death 
 
 But hah ! flie moves ! life wanders up and down 
 Thro' all her fice, and lights up ev'ry charm. 
 
 hue. O PortiuSy was this well ! to frown on her 
 
 That lives upon thy fmiles ! to call in doubt 
 The faith of one expiring at thy feet, 
 
 That 
 
C A T O. 37 
 
 That loves thee more than ever woman lov'd ! 
 — What do I fay ? my half-recover'd fenfe 
 Forgets the vow in which my foul is bound. 
 Deftrudlion ftands betwixt us ! we muft part, 
 
 Por. Naine not the word, my frighted thoughts run 
 br.ck, 
 And ftartle into madncfs at the found. 
 
 Luc. What wouldft thou have me do ? Confider well 
 The train of ills our love wou'd draw behind it. 
 Think, Port'tus, think thou feeft thy dying brother 
 Stabb'd at his heart, and all befmcar'd with blood. 
 Storming at heav'n and thee ! thy awful fire 
 Sternly demands the caufe, th'accurfed caufe 
 That robs him of his fon ! poor Marcia trembles. 
 Then tears her hair, and frantic in her griefs, 
 Calls out on Lucia ! what could Lucia anfwer, 
 Or how ftand up in fuch a fcene of forrow? 
 
 Por, To my confufion, and eternal grief, 
 1 muft approve the fentence that deftroys me. 
 The mift, that hung about rhy mind, clears up ; 
 And now, athwart the terrors that thy vow 
 Has planted round thee thou appear'ft more fair, 
 More amiable, and rifell in thy charms. 
 Lovely'ft of women! heav'n is in thy foul, 
 Beauty and virtue rtiinefor ever round thee, 
 Brightning each other ! thou art all divine ! 
 
 Luc. Portius no more ! thy words (hoot through my 
 heart, 
 Melt my rcfolvcs, and turn me all to love. 
 Why are thofe tears of fondnefs in thy eyes ? 
 Why heaves thy heart ? why fwells thy foul withforro^ 
 
 It fcftens me too much farewel, my Portius^ 
 
 Farewel, tho' death is in the word, for ever ! 
 
 Por. Stay, Lucia, flay ! what dofl thou fay ? for ever? 
 
 Luc. Have I not fvvorn ? if, Portius, thy fucccfs 
 Muft throw thy brother on his fate, farewel. 
 Oh, how fliall I repeat the word! for ever! 
 
 Por. Thus o*er the dying lamp th'unfteady fla-ne 
 Hangs quiv'ring on a point, leaps off by fits. 
 And falls again, as loth to quit its hold ; 
 — Thou muft not go, my foul ftill hovers o'er thee. 
 And can't get loofe. 
 
 D Lr,c, 
 
38 CAT O. 
 
 Luc, If the firm Pcriius fhake 
 To hear of parting, think vhat Lucia fuffers ! 
 
 Por. 'Tis true ; unruffled anJ ferene I've met 
 The common accidtnts of life ; but here 
 Such an unlook*d-for ftorm of His falls on me, 
 It beats down all my ftrength. I cannot bear it. 
 We muft not part. 
 
 Luc. What doft thou fay ? not part ? 
 Haft thou forgot the vow that I have made ? 
 Are there not heav'ns, and gods, and thunder o*er us ? 
 — But fee thy brother Marcus bends this way ! 
 I fickcn at the fight. Once more farcwel, 
 Farewel, and know thou wrong'ft me if thou think'ft 
 Ever was love, or ever grief, like mine. [£x/V. 
 
 SCENE III. 
 
 Marcus, Fortius. 
 Marc. Fortius, what hopes? how ftanJs (he? am I 
 doom'd 
 To life or death ? 
 
 Por. What wouldft thou have me fay ? 
 Marc. What means this penlive pofturc ? thou ap- 
 pear'ft 
 Like one amaz'd and terrified. 
 Por. I've reafon. 
 
 Marc. Thy downcaft looks, and thy diforderM 
 thoughts 
 Tell me my fate. I afli not the fucceft 
 My caufe has found. 
 
 Por. I'm gricv'd I undertook it. 
 Marc. What ? does the barbarous maid infult my 
 heart, 
 My aking heart ! and triumph in my pains ? 
 
 That I could caft her from my thoughts for everi 
 Per. Away ! you're too fufpicious in your griefs ; 
 Lucia, though fworn never to think of love, 
 Compaffionates your pains, and pities you 1 
 
 Marc. Compaffionates my pains, and pities me J 
 What is compaffign when 'tis void of love, .. ' 
 Fool that i was to choofe fo cold a friend 
 
 To 
 
CATC. 
 
 To urge iry caufc ! coirpaflionates mv pains I 
 Pr'ythee what art, what ihet'ric didft rhoii ule 
 To gain this mighty bvOon ? fhe pities me ! 
 To one that ailis the ^varm returns of love, 
 Compaffion's cruelty, 'tis fcor;i, 'tis death. ■ 
 
 Por. A^arcuu no more ! have I deftr.-.'d this treat 
 
 rnent 
 
 Marc. What have T fiiJ ! O rorti:!S,0 forgive me, 
 A foul exafperated in ills falls out 
 
 With ev'iy tiling, its friend;, itfcif. Bur, h.ih 1 
 
 What means that fhout, big with the lounds of war ^ 
 \\'hat new alarm ? 
 
 Por, A fecond, louder yet. 
 Swells in the winds, nnd coincs more full upon us. 
 
 Marc. Oh, for lomc glorious caufe to fall ia battle \ 
 Luciay thou haft undone n)e ! thy difdain 
 Has broke my heart : 'tis death muft give me eafe. 
 
 Por. Quick, let us hence : who knows if Cato^s life 
 Stands fure ? O Marcus, I'm waini'd, my heart 
 Leaps at the trumpet's voice^ and burns fur glory. 
 
 SCENE IV. 
 
 Enter Sempronius with the leaders of the mutiny. 
 
 Senip, At length the winds arc rais'd, the ftorm blows 
 higli ; 
 Be it your care, my friends, to keep it up 
 In its full fury, and direcft it right, 
 Till it has fpent itfelf on Catt)'% head. 
 Mean while I'll herd among his friends, and feem 
 One of the number, that whatc'er arrive. 
 My friends and fellow foldiers may be fafe. [^Exit, 
 
 I. Leacf. We all are C^ie, SejJipronius is our friend. 
 Sempronius is as brave a man as Cato. 
 But hark i he enters. Bear up boldly to him ; 
 Be fure you beat him down, and bind him fift, 
 This day will end our toils, and give us reft \ 
 Fear nothing, for Sempronius is our friend. 
 
 SCENE 
 
40 C A T O. 
 
 SCENE V. 
 
 Efiter ChTOy Sei^.tronius, Lucius, Fortius, ar.d 
 Marcus. 
 
 Cato. Where are thofc bold intrepid H ns of war, 
 That greatly turn their backs upon the foe. 
 And to their genVal fend a brave defiance ! 
 
 Semp, Curfe on their daftard fouls, they (land afto- 
 nifh'd! l^fide, 
 
 Cato Perfidious men ! and will you thus di(honour 
 Your pail exploits, and fully all your \vars ? 
 Do you confefs 'twas not a zeal for Romey 
 Nor love of liberty, nor thirft of honour. 
 Drew you thus far ; but hopes to fhare the fpoil 
 Of conquer'd towns, and plunder'd provinces \ 
 Fir'd with fuch motives you do well to join 
 With Cato*s foes, and follow Cefar\ banners. 
 Why did rfcape th'envom'd afpic's rage, 
 -And all the fiery monfters of the defart. 
 To fee this day ? why could not Cato fall 
 Without your guilt ? Behold ungrateful men. 
 Behold my bofom naked to your fwords. 
 And let the man that's injur'd ftrike the blow. 
 Which of you all fufpe»51s that he is wrong'd, 
 Or thinks he fiifTers greater ills than Cato P 
 Am I diftinguiili'd from you but by toils, 
 Superior toils, and heavier weiglit of cares? 
 Painful pre-eminence ! 
 
 Semp. By Heav'ns tliey droop! 
 Confufion to the villains ! all is lofl-. {^Afidc. 
 
 Cato. ria\'e yon forgotten Lybia"?, burning walte, 
 Its barren rock?, parch'd earth, and hills of faiid, 
 ]fs tainted air, and all its broods of poifon ? 
 Who was the firft to explore th*untrodJen path, 
 Wlien life wns hazarded in ev'ry flep I 
 Or, tainting in the long laborious march, 
 When on the banlj of an uulook'4-fGr ilream 
 You fjnk the river with repeated draughts. 
 Who was the laft in all your holt that thirfted ? 
 
 * Semp, 
 
C A T O. 
 
 41 
 
 Semf}. If fome penurious fource by chance appear*d, 
 Scanty of waters, when you fcoop*d it dry, 
 And offered the full helmet up to Caio ; 
 Did he not dafli th' untafted moifture from him ? 
 Did not he lead you thro* the mid-day fun, 
 And clouds of dud ? did not his temples glow 
 In the fame fultry winds, and fcorching heats ? 
 
 Cato. Hence, worthlefs men I hence ? and complaia 
 to Cefar^ 
 You could not undergo the toils of war, 
 Nor bear the hardfhips that your leader bore. 
 
 Luc. See, Cato, fee th* unhappy men ! they weep ! " 
 Fear, and remorfc, and forrow for their crime, 
 Appear in every look, and plead for mercy. 
 
 Cato, Learn to be honeft men, give up yoiH" leaders, 
 And pardon (hall defcend on all the reft. 
 
 Setnp. Cato, commit thefe wretches to my care. 
 Firft let 'em each be broken on the rack. 
 Then, with what life remains, impal'd and left 
 To writhe at leafure round the bloody ftake. 
 There let *em hang, and taint the fouthern wind. 
 The partners of their crime w'ill learn obedience, 
 When they look up and fee their fellow-traitors 
 Stuck on a fork, and black'ning in the fun. 
 
 Luc. SempromuSy why, why wilt thou urge the fate 
 Of wretched men ? 
 
 Semp. How ! wouldft thou clear rebellion.' 
 Lueius (good man) pities the poor offenders 
 That wou'd embrue their hands in Cato*s blood. 
 
 Cu(o. Forbeai', Semprontus ! — fee they fuffer death, 
 But in their deaths remember tliey are men. 
 Strain not the laws to make their tortures grievous. 
 LuciuSy the bale degen'rate age requires 
 Severity, and juftice iii its rigour ; 
 This awes an impious, bold offending world. 
 Commands obeditnce, and gives force to laws. 
 When by juft vengeance guilty mortals perifh, 
 The gf^ds behold their punilhment with plcafure, 
 And lay th' uplit'ted ihunderbolt afide. 
 
 &;«/. CatOf I execute thy will with plcafure. 
 
 D 3 Cato. 
 
42 C A T O. 
 
 Cato. Mean while, we'll facrifice to Liberty. 
 Remember, O my friends, the laws, the rights. 
 The gen'rous plan of power deliver'd down, 
 From age to age, by your renownM forefathers, 
 (So dearly bought, the price of fo much blood) 
 O let it never perifh in your hands ! 
 But pioufly tranfmit it to your children. 
 Do thou, great Liberty, infpire our fouls. 
 And make our lives in thy poflefTion happy, 
 Or our deaths glorious in thy juft defence. 
 
 \^Exlt Caio, &c» 
 
 SCENE VL 
 
 Sempronius, and the Ieads)S of the muttry. 
 
 V. head. SemproniuSy you have afled like yourfelf. 
 One wou'd have thought you had been half in earneft. 
 Semp, Villain, (land offj bafe grov'ling worthlefs 
 wretches, 
 Mongrels in faiftion, poor faint hearted traitors. 
 
 z.Le^d. Nay, now you carry it too far, Sempronius : 
 Throw off the mafk, there are none here but friends. 
 Semp, Know, villains, when fuch paultry flaves pre- 
 fame 
 To mix in treafon, if the plot fucceeds, 
 They're thrown negle*5led by : But if it fails, 
 I They're fure to die like dogs, as you fhall do. 
 Here, take thefe fadlious monfters, drag 'em forth 
 To fudden death. 
 
 Efiter Guards. . 
 
 1. Lead, Nay, fince it comes to this 
 
 Sei?tp, Difpatch 'em quick, but firft pluck out their 
 tongues, 
 Left with their dying breath they fow fedition. 
 
 [^Exeunt Guards with their Leaders. 
 
 SCENE 
 
C A T O, 
 
 43 
 
 SCENE VII. 
 
 Syphax ^WSempronius, 
 
 Syph. Our firft defign, my friend, has prov*d abor- 
 tive ; 
 Still there remains an after-^ame to play ; 
 My troops are mounted ; their Nmmdlan fteeds 
 SnufFup the wind, and long to fcour the defart : 
 Let but Sempronius head us in our flight, 
 We'll force the gate where Marcus keeps his guard. 
 And hew down all that would oppofe ourpalfage. 
 A day will bring us into Cefar\ camp. 
 
 Semp. Confufion ! I have fail'd of half my purpofe : 
 Marcia the charming Marcias left behind ! 
 
 Syph. How ? will Semprofiius turn a woman's flave ! 
 ScMp. Think not thy friend can ever teel the foft 
 Unmanly warmth and tendernefs of love. » 
 Sjphdx I long to clafp that haughty maid. 
 And bend her ftubborn virtue to my paflion. 
 When I have gone thus far, I'd caft her off. 
 
 Syph. Well faid ! that's fpoken likethyfelf, Sempronius, 
 What hinders then, but that thou find her out, 
 And hurry her away by manly force ? 
 
 Semp. But how to gain admilRon ? For accefs 
 Is giv*n to none but Jida, and her brothers. 
 
 Sjrph. Thou fhalt have Jui>a*s drcfs, ^nd Ju^ai guards: 
 The doors will open, when Nmnidia'fVnuct 
 Seenife^ appear before the flaves, thit watch them, 
 leav'ns, what a thought is there ! lyiaicias 
 )y own 1 
 
 ly bolbm fwell with anxious joy, 
 1 behold her ftruggling in my arm?, 
 glowing beauty and difordered charms, 
 ' fear and anger, with alternate grace, 
 'ler bread, and vary in her face ', 
 feiz'd of ProferphiCy convey'd 
 tremendous gloom th'affrighted maid, 
 Hmly fmil'd, pleas'd with the beauteous prize. 
 
 Nor envy'd Jove his (iin-fhine and his flcies. 
 
 A C T, 
 
44 C A T O. 
 
 ACT IV. SCENE I. 
 
 Lucia and Marcia. 
 Lucia. 
 
 NO W tell me, Marcia, tell me from thy foul. 
 If thou believ'il 'tis podible for woman 
 To fuffer greater ills than Lucia fuffers ? 
 
 Mar. O Luc'iay Lucia^ might my big fwoln heart 
 Vent all its griefs, and give a loofe to forrciw ; 
 Marcia cou'd anfwer thee in fighs^ keep pace 
 With all thy woes, and count out tear for tear. 
 
 hue. I know thou'rt doom'd alike, to he btlov'd 
 By *]uhay and thy father's friend Sempronius. 
 But which of thefe has power to charm like Portiits ! 
 - Marc, Still I muft beg thee not to name Sempro?iius ! 
 Lucia, I like not that loud boift'rous man ; 
 Juha to all the brav'ry of a hero 
 Adds fofteft love, and more than female fweetnefs j 
 Juha might make the proudeft o£ our fex. 
 Any of woman-kind, but Marcia, happy. 
 
 Luc. And why not Marcia ? Come, you flrive in 
 vain 
 To hide your thoughts from one, who knows too well 
 The inward glowings of a heart in love 
 
 Marc. While Cafo Jives, bis daughter has no right 
 To love or hate, but as his choice dire<5^s. 
 
 Luc. But fhou'd this father give you to Setnprojiius ! 
 
 Marc. I dare not think he will : but if he (hould — 
 Why wilt thou add to all the griefs I fuffer 
 Imaginary ills, and fancy'd tortures ? 
 J hear the found of feet ! they march this way 
 Let us retire, and try if we can drown 
 Kach fofter thought in fenfe of prefent danger. 
 When love once pleads admifliort to our hearts 
 (In fpite of all the virtues w^e can boaft) 
 The woman that deliberates is ioft. {^Exeunt, 
 
 SCEN£ 
 
C A T O. 45- 
 
 SCENE II. 
 
 £;//^/- Semprontus, drejs'd like Jiiba, u'ir^ Numl- 
 
 dian guards. 
 Sew[>. The deer is lodg'd,lhave trae'dhfr to bcr cover. 
 Be fure you mind the word, and when I give it, 
 Rufli in at once, and feize upon your prey. 
 Let not her cries or tears have force to move you. 
 — ■- How will the young Nuviidtan rave to fee 
 His miftrefs loft \ If ought could glad my foul. 
 Beyond th'enjoymcnt of fo bright a prize, 
 'Twoiild be to torture that young gay barbarian. 
 
 • But hark, what noife ! Death to my hopes 1 'tis he 
 
 'Tis Jubah felf! there is but one way left- 
 He muft be murder'd, and a palliige cut 
 
 Thro'thofe his guards Hah,daftards, do you tremble 
 
 Or a«5t like men, or by yon azure heav'n— 
 
 Enter Juba. 
 
 Juk What do I fce ? who's this that dares ufurp 
 The guards and habit of Numidia\ Prince ? 
 
 Semp. One that was born to Icourge thy arrogance, 
 Prefumptuous youth ! 
 
 Juha. What can this mean ! Sempronius'\ 
 
 Se?7ip. My fword fliall anfwer thee. Have at thy heart* 
 
 yul. Nay, then beware thy own, proud barb'rous man. 
 [Semp falls. His guards furrcndcr. 
 
 Semp. Curfe on my ftars! am I then doom'd to fill 
 By a boy's hand, dibfigur'd in a vile 
 Numidia7i drefs, and for a worthlefs woman ? 
 Gods, I'm diftrafled! this my clofe of life ! 
 O for a peal of thunder that would makey 
 Earth, fea, and air, and heav*a and Cato tremble I \_Dief, 
 
 yub. With what a fpringhis furious foul bri)ke loofe. 
 And left the limbs ftill quiv'ring on the ground ! 
 Hence let us carry off thofe flaves to Cato^ 
 That we may there at length unravel all 
 This dark delign, this myllery of fate. 
 
 {Exit Juba imth PrifonerSy &c. 
 
 SCENE 
 
46 CAT O. 
 
 SCENE III. 
 
 Enter Lucia andHhKCik. 
 Luc. Sure 'twas the clafh of (words • my troubled 
 heart 
 Is fo c.^fl down, and funk arridil its farrows, 
 It throbs with fear, and akes at t\Q\'^ found. 
 
 Marciay fhould thy brothers for my fake!— — 
 
 1 die away with horror at the thought. _ 
 
 jyjarcSee, Lucia, fee! here's blood ! here's blood ! j| 
 and murder ! ■ 
 
 Hah ! a Numidlan ! Hcav*ns preferve the Prince : 
 The face lies muffled up within the garment. 
 But, hah ! death to my fight ! a diidem, 
 And purple robes ! O gods ! 'tis he, 'tis he ! 
 Juha the lovclieft youth that ever warm'd 
 A virgin's heart, Juba lies dead before us ! 
 
 Luc* Now, Marciay now call up to thy ailillance 
 Thy wonted ftrength, and conftancy of mind ; 
 Thou can'ft not put it to a greater trial. 
 
 Marc, Luciay look there and wonder at my paticrtce. 
 Have I not caufe to rave, and beat my breaft, 
 To rend my heart with grief, and run diftratfted ! 
 
 Luc. What can I think or fay to give thee comfort ^ 
 
 Marc. Talk not of comfort, 'tis for lighter ills:- 
 Behold a fight that ftrikes all comfort dead. 
 
 Enter Juba HJlsning, 
 I will indulge my forrows, and give way 
 To all the pangs and fury of defpair ; 
 That man, that beft of men, deferv'd it from me. 
 
 Jub. What do 1 hear ? and was the falfe Scmpronius 
 That bcft of men ? Chad I fili'n like him, 
 And could have thus been mourn'd, I had been happy. 
 
 Luc. Here will I ftand, companion in thy woes, 
 And help thee with my tears, when I behold 
 A lofs like thine, I half forget my own. 
 
 Marc. *Tis not in fate to cafe my tovtur'd breaft, 
 This empty worH, to me a joylefs defart, 
 Has nothing left to make poor Marcia happy. 
 
 Jub. I'm on thei-ack 1 was he io near her heart ! 
 
 Marc- 
 
C A T O. 47 
 
 Marc, O he was all made up of love and charms ! 
 Whatever maid cou'd wi(h, or man admire ; 
 Delight of ev*ry eye : when he appcar'd, 
 A lecret pleafure gladenM all that faw him : 
 But, when he talk'd, the proudcfl: Rovian blufli'd. 
 To hear his virtue, and old age grew wife. 
 
 "joib. I (hail run mad 
 
 Mar. Juba! Juha! Jul'a! 
 
 jfub. What means that voice? did Hienot call on JiihaP 
 Mar. Why do I think on what he was? he's deadi 
 He's dead, and never knew how much I lov'd him. 
 Lucia, who knows but his poor bleeding heart, 
 Amid'ft its agonies, remember'd Marcia ! 
 And the laft woids he utter'd call'd me cruel! 
 Alas, he knew not, bapleCv youth, he knew not 
 Marcia\ whole Ibul was full of love and Jubal 
 Juha. Where am I ! do I live ! or am indeed 
 What Marcia thinks I all Elyfimn round me ! 
 
 Marc. Ye dear remains of the mod lov'd of men I 
 Nor modefty nor virtue here forbid 
 
 A lad embrace, while thus 
 
 Juh. See Marcia, fee [Throwing hirnfelf b if ore her. 
 The happy Juba lives ! he lives to catch 
 That dear embrace, and to return it too 
 With mutual warmth and eagernels of love. 
 
 Marc* With pleafure and amaze I (land tranfported! 
 Sure 'tis a dream ! dead and alive at once I 
 If thou art Jubaj who lies there,? 
 
 Jub. A wretch, 
 Difguis'd like Juba on a curs'd defign. 
 The tale is long, nor have I heard it out, 
 Thy father knows it all. I could not bear 
 To leave thee in the neighbourhood of death. 
 But flew, in all the halle of love to find thee ; 
 I found thee weeping, and confefs this once. 
 Am wrapM with joy to fee my Marcia^ tears. 
 
 Marc. I've been furpris'd in an unguarded hour, 
 But mull not now go back : the love that lay 
 Half-fmother'd in my breaft, has broke through all 
 Its weak reftraints, and burns in its full luftre j 
 I cannot, if I wou'd, conceal it from thee. 
 
 Juh, 
 
48 C A T O. 
 
 Juh. I'm loft in ecftafy ! and doft thou love. 
 Thou charming maid ? 
 
 Alarc. And doil thou live to a(k it ? 
 
 Jub. This, this is life indeed 1 life worth preferving, 
 Such life as Juba never felt till now. 
 Marc» Believe me, prince, before I ihonght thee dead, 
 I did not know myfelf how much I lov'd thee. 
 
 Jub. O fortunate miftake ! 
 
 Marc. O happy Marcia ! 
 
 Jub. My joy ! my beft belov*d ! my only wilh ! 
 How (hall [ fpeak the tranfport of my foul ! 
 
 Marc. Luciay thy arm ! Oh let me reft upon it i 
 The vital blood, that had forfook my heart, 
 Returns again in fuch tumultuous tides, 
 It quite o'ercoraes me. Lead to my apartment.—— 
 O Prince, I blufti to think what I hive faid. 
 But fate has wrefted the confeflion from me ; 
 Go on and profper in the paths of honour. 
 Thy virtue will excufe my paftion for thee. 
 And make the gods propitious to our love. 
 
 \Ex. Marc, ani Luc. 
 
 Jub. I am fo bleft, I fear 'tis all a dreajn. 
 Fortune, thou now haft made amends for all 
 Thy paft unkindnefs. I abfolve my Itars. 
 What tho' Numidia add her conquer'd towns 
 And provinces to fwell the vi(5lor*s triumph ! 
 Juba will never at his fate repine ; 
 Let Cefar have the world, if Marcia s mine. T^Exh. 
 
 SCENE IV. 
 
 y^ March at a aiftance* 
 
 Enter Cato and'Lvcws. 
 luC' I ftand aftonifh'd ! what, the bold Sempronius I 
 That ftill broke foremoft through the croud of patriots, 
 As with a hurricane of zeal tranfported, 
 
 And virtuous ev'n to madnefs 
 
 Cato ^ 
 
C A T O. 49 
 
 Cato, Truft me, Lucius, 
 Our civil difcordshave producM fuch crimes, 
 Such monftrous crimes, I am furpris'd at nothing. 
 
 O LuciuSy I am lick of this bad world ! 
 
 The day-light and the fun grow painful to me. 
 
 E?2ter Fortius. 
 But fee where Fortius comes 1 what means this hafte ? 
 Why are thy looks thus chang'd ? 
 
 For. My heart is griev'd', 
 I bring fuch news as will affli<fl my father. 
 Cato. Has Cefar (hed more Roman blood \ 
 For. Not fo. 
 The traitor Syphax, as within the fquare 
 He exercis d his troops, thelignal given, 
 Flew off at once with his Nuniidiati horfe 
 To the fouth gate, where Marcus holds the watch. 
 1 faw, and call'd to (lop him, but in vain ; 
 He toft his arm aloft, and proudly told me. 
 He would not ftay and perifli like Se7npronius, 
 
 Cato. Perfidious men ! but hafte my fon/and fee 
 Thy brother Marcus adls a Ro?na?i\ part. \_Exit Fortius. 
 , Lucius, the torrent bears too hard upon me : 
 
 Juftice gives way to force : the conquer'd world 
 Is Cefar % : Cato has no bufinefs in it. 
 
 Luc. While pride, oppreflion, and injuftice reign. 
 The world will ftill demand her Cato^ prefence. 
 In pity to mankind, fubmit to Cefar, 
 And reconcile thy (nighty foul to life. 
 
 Cato. Would Lucius have me live to fwell the number 
 Of Cefar\ flaves, or by a bafe fubmiflion 
 Give up the caufe o^ Rojue, and own a tyrant ? 
 
 Luc. The vidlor never will impofe on Cato 
 Ungen'rous terms. His enemies confels, 
 The virtues of humanity SiYtCefarh, 
 
 Cato. Curie on his virtues! they've undone his country. 
 
 Such popular humanity is treafon 
 
 I But lee young Juba ! the good youth appears 
 
 Full of the guilt of his perfidious fubjefts. 
 I Luc, Alas poor prince ! his fate deferves compaflion. 
 
 Enter 
 B 
 
fa C A T O. 
 
 Evt^r JuBA. 
 
 Ju^. I bluth, and am confounded to appear 
 Eefbre thy prefence, Cato. 
 
 Cato. What's thy crime ? 
 
 Jnb. I'm a Niimidictn. 
 
 Cato. And a brave one too. 
 Thou haft .1 Roman foul. 
 
 yub. Halt thou not heard 
 Of my falfe country-men ? 
 
 Cato, Alas, young Prince, 
 FaKhood and fraud fhoot up in ev'ry foil, 
 The produifl of all climes Roine has its Csfars, 
 
 Jub, 'Tis generous thus to comfort the diftreft, 
 
 Cato. *Tis juft to give applaufe where 'lis deferv'd. 
 Thy virtue, Prince, has ftood the teft of foitune, 
 Like pureft gold, that, tortur'd in the furnace, 
 Comes out more bright, and brings forth all its -weight. 
 
 Jub. What fhall I anfA'cr thee ? my ravifh'd heart 
 O'erflows with fecret joy : I'd rather gain 
 Thy praife, O Cato, than Ntwiidia''% empire 
 
 Re-enter PoRTi us. 
 
 Tar, Misfortune on missfortune ! grief on grief ! 
 Aly brother Marcus 
 
 Cato. Hah ! what has he done ? 
 Has he for look his port \ hath he giv'n way ? 
 Did he look tamely on, and let *em pafs ? 
 
 P'jr. Scarce had I left my father, but I met him 
 Borne on the (hields of his lurviving foldicrs, 
 Breathlefs and pale, and cover'd o'er with woundc. 
 Ivong, at the head of his few faithful friends, 
 He ftood the fhock of a whole hofl of foes, 
 'Till obftinately brave, and bent on death, 
 Oppreft with multitudes he greatly fell. 
 
 Cato. rmfatifcfied. 
 
 Por, Not did he fall before 
 His fword had pierc'd through the falfe heart oi Syphax, 
 Yonder he lies. I faw the hoary traitor 
 Grin in the pangs of death, and bite the ground. 
 
 Cato. Thanks to thv gods ! my boy has done his duty. 
 
 "- Fortius, when 1 am dead, be fure thou place 
 
 His urn near tnine. 
 
 For, 
 
C A T O. 5^ 
 
 Per. Lon^ may tliey keep .ifundeK ! 
 
 Luc. O Cato, arm thy Ibul with all its patieuce : 
 See where the corple of thy dead fon approaches : 
 The citizens and fenators, aiarm'd, 
 Have gather'd round it, and attend it weepinjr. 
 
 [Cato tnset'mg the Corpfe. 
 
 Cato. Welcome, my Ton ! here lay him down, 
 my friends, 
 Full in my fight, that I may view at leifurc 
 The bloody corfe, and count thofe glorious wounds. 
 How beautiful is death, when earn'd by virtue ! 
 Who would not he that youth I what pity is it 
 Tliat we can die but oikc to ierve our country ! 
 
 Why fits this fadncfs on your brows, my friends J 
 I fhould have blufli'd \^Cato\ houfe had ftood 
 Secure, and flourifh'd in a civil war. 
 
 ■ PcrtiuSf behold thy brother, and remember 
 
 Thy life is not thy own, when Rome demands: it. 
 
 Jub, Was ever man like this ! \^Afide, 
 
 Cata. Alas, my friends ! 
 Why mourn you thus ? let not a private lofs 
 Affliv.1 your hearts. 'Tis Rovie requires our tears. 
 The miftrefs of the world, the feat of empire, 
 The nurfe of heroes, the delight of gods, 
 That humbled the proud tyrants of the earth, 
 And fet the nations free, Rome is no more. 
 O liberty ! O virtue ! O my country ! 
 
 JhIk Behold that upright man ! RGi?ie fills his eyes 
 With tears that flow'd not o'er his own dead fon. [Afida, 
 
 Cato. Whate'er the Roman virtue has fubdu'd. 
 The fun's whole courfe, the day and year are Cefar*^^ 
 For him the felf-devoted Decii dy*d. 
 The Fa'^ii fell, and the great Scipios conquered : 
 Ev'n Fompey fought for Cefar. Oh my friends ! 
 How is the toil of fate, the work of ages. 
 The R&Man empire fa ITn 1 O curfl: ambition! 
 Fall'n into Cefar\ hands ! our great fore-fathers 
 Had left him nought to conquer but his country. 
 
 Ji4b. While Cata lives, Cefar will blufh to fee 
 Mankind enflav'd, and be aOic.m'd of empire. 
 
 Cato. Cefar afham'd ! has not he leen Pharfalia / 
 
 J.uc. Cato, 'tis time thou fave thyfelf and us. 
 
 Cato. 
 
52 C A T O. 
 
 Cato. Lofe not a thought on me, I'm out of danger. 
 Heav'n will not leave me in the victor's hand. 
 Ce/ar (hall never fay, " I conquer'd Cato.*' 
 But, Oh my friends, your fafety fills my heart 
 With anxious thoughts : a thoufand fccret terrors 
 Rife in my foul : how (hall I fave my friends ! 
 'Tis now, O Ccfary I begin to fear thee. 
 
 Luc. Cefar has mercy, if we afli it of him. 
 
 Caio. Then aflc it, I conjure you ! let him know 
 Whatever was done againft him, Caio did it. 
 Add, if you pleafe, that I requeft it of him. 
 That I myfelf, with tears requeft it of him. 
 The virtue of my friends may pafs unpunilh'd. 
 Juhay my heart is troubled for thy fake. 
 Shou'd I advife thee to regain Nuniidia, 
 Or feek the conqueror ? ■ 
 
 Jub. If I forfake thee, 
 Whilft I have life, may heav*n abandon Juba \ 
 
 Cato, Thy virtues, Prince, if I forefee aright, 
 Will one day make thee great; at Rowe hereafter^ 
 'Twill be no crime to have been Cato*s friend. 
 PortiiHf draw near ! m.y fon ! thou oft haft feen 
 Thy fire engag'd in a corrupted ftate, 
 Wreftling with vice and faction : now thou fee'ft me 
 Spent, Gv'rpowr'd, defpairing of fuccefs ; 
 Let me advife thee to retreat betimes 
 To thy paternal feat, the Sab'me field, 
 Where the great Ccnfor toiPd with his own hanJ?, 
 And all our frugal anctftors were blefo'd 
 In humble virtues, and a rural life. 
 There live retir'd : pray for the peace of Rome, 
 Content thyfelf to be obfcurely good. 
 When vice prevails, ^j^Vi^ impious men bear fway, 
 The poll of honour is a private ftation. 
 
 For, I hope, my father does not recommend 
 A life to Port'mSy that he fcorns himfelf. 
 
 Cato, Farewel, my friends ! if there be any of you 
 Who dare not truft the vi(5tor's clemency, 
 Know there are (hips prepar'd by my command, 
 (Their fails already op'ning to the winds) 
 That (hall convey you to the wifli'd for port. 
 
 Is 
 
C A T O. 53 
 
 Is tliere aught elfe, my friends, I can do for you ? 
 The conqueror draws near. Once more firevvel ! 
 If e'er we meet hereafter, we fhall meet 
 In happier climes, and on a fafer (liore, 
 Where Ce/ar never (hall approach us more. 
 
 \_Po:nthig to h'n dead/on* 
 There the brave youth, with love of virtue fir'd, 
 Who greatly in his country's caufe expir'd. 
 Shall know he conquer'd. The firm patriot there 
 (Who m?ide the welfare of mankind his care) 
 Tho' fliil by fiflion, vice, and fortune crof), 
 Shall tind the gen'rous labour was not loft. 
 
 ACT V. SCENE I. 
 
 C A T Q fblus, fitting in a thoughtful pofture : Jn hh 
 handV\\\o's bock on the inmifjrtality of the foul. A 
 drav-n fiK.ord on the table by h'mu 
 
 IT muft b- io— Plato, thou rt-afimTt well — 
 FJfe whence this pK-aflng hope, this fond de[ire, 
 'I'his longing after immorfality ? 
 Or whence this fecret dread, and inward hoiTor, 
 Of falling into nought? why (hrinks the foul 
 Euck on herfelf, and ftartles at deflru.5lion ? 
 ' ris the divinity that ftirs within us ; 
 'Ti^ heav*n itfelf that points out an hereafter. 
 And intimites eternity to man. 
 Eternity \ thou pleafing, dreadful, thought! 
 Through what variety of untry'd being. 
 Through what new fcenes a,nd changes muft we pafs \^ 
 The wide, th' unbounded profpe^ lies before me ; 
 But (hadows, clouds, and darknefs, reft upon it. 
 Here will I hold. }f there's a pov^'r above us^ 
 (And that there is, all Nature cries aloud 
 Through all her works) he muft delight in virtje ; 
 And that which ht delights in muft be happy. 
 But when ! or where !— this world was made for C>/^,r. 
 I'm weary of conjc<5tures — this muft^end 'em. 
 
 \_Laywg hii hund qu his fvord. 
 Thus 
 
54 C A T O. 
 
 Thus am I doubly armM: My death and life, 
 My bane and antidote are both before me: 
 This in a moment brinj^s me to an end ; 
 But this informs me I fhall never die. 
 The foul, fecur'd in her exiftence, finiles 
 At the drawn dagger, and defies its point. 
 The itars fhall fade away, the fun himfelf 
 Grow dim with age, and nriture fmk in years. 
 But thou fhalt flourifh in immortal youth. 
 Unhurt amidft the war of elements, 
 The wrecks of matter, and the crafh of worlds. 
 
 What means this heavinefs that hangs upon me ? 
 This lethargy that creeps through all my fenfes ? 
 Nature opprefs'd, and harrafs'd out with care, 
 Sinks down to reft. This once I'll favour her^ 
 That my awaken'd foul fnay take her flight, 
 Renew'd in all her ftrength, and frefh with life. 
 An offering fit for heav'n. Let guilt or fear 
 Difturb man*s reft : Cato knows neither of 'em, 
 IndifF'rent in his choice to fleep or die. 
 
 SCENE II. 
 
 Cato, Fortius. 
 Cato^ But, hah! whofe this ? my fon ! why this in^ 
 
 I 
 
 trufi 
 
 on 
 
 Were not my orders that I would be private ? 
 Why am I difobey'd ? 
 
 Por. Alas, my f^ither I 
 What means this fword ? this inftrunient of death ? 
 Let me convey it hence ! 
 
 Cato. Rafti youth, forbear ! 
 
 Por, O let the pray'rs, th' intreaties of your friends, 
 Their tears, their common danger, wreft it from you. 
 
 Cato, Wou*dft thou betray me ? wou'dil thou give 
 A flave, a captive, into Cefar's hands ? [me up 
 
 Retire, and learn obedience to a father, 
 Or know, young man I 
 
 Por. Look not thus fternly on me ; 
 You know rd rather <lie than difobey you. 
 
 Cat9, 
 
C A T O. 55 
 
 Calo- *Tis well ! again I'm mafter ofmyfelf. 
 Now, Cefar, let thy troops befet our c;ates, 
 And bar eath avenue, thy gathVing fleets 
 O'erfpread the lea, and ftop up evVy port I 
 Cato (hall open to himfelf a pafTage, 
 And mock thy hopes — 
 
 Por. O Sir, forgive your Ton, 
 Whofe grief hangs heavy on him I O my father ! 
 How am I fure it is not the lafl time 
 I e'er (hall calk you fo ! be not difpieas'd, 
 O be not angry with me whiift I weep. 
 And, in the anguifh of my heart, befeech you 
 To quit the dreadful purpofe of your foul ! 
 
 Cato. Thou- haft been ever good and dutiful. 
 
 \_E7ubracivg him. 
 Weep not my fon, all will be well a^rain, 
 The righteous gods, whom I have fought to pleafe. 
 Will (uccour Cato, and preferve his children. 
 
 Por. Your words give comfort to my drooping heart. 
 
 Cato. Fortius, thou may'ft rely upon my condujfl. 
 Thy father uill not ac^ what niifbecomes him. 
 But go, my (on, and fee if aught be wanting 
 Among thy father's friends ; fee them e;7ihark'd ; 
 And tell me if t!;e winds and feas befriend them. 
 My Ibul is quite vveigh'd down with care, and afks 
 The foft reftcfhment of a moment's deep. [Exit. 
 
 Por. My thoughts are more at ea(e, my heart revives. 
 
 SCENE III. 
 
 Fortius a^id Marci a. 
 Por. O Marcia, O my (ifter, ftill there's hope ! 
 Our father will not caft away a life 
 So needful to us all and to his country.' 
 He is retir'd to reft, and feems to cherifh 
 Thoughts full of peace. He has difpatch'd me hence 
 With orders, that befpeak a mind compos'd, 
 And ftudious for the iafety of his friends. 
 Mania, take care that none difturb hi^ flumbers. {^Exit, 
 
 Mate, 
 
55 CATC. 
 
 Marc. O ye mimortal powerF, that guard the juft, 
 Watch round his couch, and foften his repofe, 
 Banilh his lorrows, and becalm his foul 
 With eafy dreams ; remember all his viritues! 
 A:id (how mankind that goodnefs b your c^re. 
 
 SCENE IV. 
 
 Luc FA ^n({MARC\A. 
 
 Luc. Where is your father, Marcia, where is Cato P 
 
 Mar. Lucia fpeak low, he is retir'd to reft. 
 Lucidf I feel a gentle dawning hope 
 Rife in my foul. We fhali be happy ft ill. 
 
 Luc. Alas, I tremble when I think on CaiOf 
 In every view, m every thought I tremble 1 
 Cato is ftern and awful a? a god, 
 He knows not how to wink at human frailty, 
 Or pardon weaknefs, that he never ftlt. 
 
 .I\'Iarc. Though ftern and awful to the foes o^ Rotna^ 
 He is all goodneHi, Lucia, always mild, 
 CompafTionate and gentle to his fiends, 
 Fill'd withdomeftic tendernefs, the beft, 
 The kindefl father ! I have ever found him 
 Eafy, and good, and bounteous to my wishes. 
 
 Luc. *Tis his confent alone can make us bleii'd, 
 Marc'ia, we both are equally involved 
 in the fame intricate, perplex'd, diftrefi. 
 The cruel hand of fate, that has deftroy'd 
 
 Thy brother Marcus, whom we both lament 
 
 Mate. And ever (l^.all lament; unhappy youth ! 
 Luc. Has fet my foul at large, and now ! 1 ftand 
 Loofe of my vow. But who knows Cato'^ thoughts ? 
 Who knows how yet he may difpofe oi Fortius, 
 Oi" how he has determined of thyfelf ? 
 
 Marc. Let him but live ! commit the reft to heav'n. 
 
 Ehter Luc t rs. 
 Luc. Sweet are the fluinbers of the virtuous man ? 
 O Marcioy I have feen thy g)dlike father ; 
 Some pow'r invilibie lupports his foul. 
 And bears it up iaail its wonted grcatneis, 
 
 A 
 
C A T O. 57 
 
 A kind refi efliing fleep is fdlTn upon him : 
 I faw him ftretch'd at eafe, his fancy loft 
 In pleallng dreams ; as I drew near his couch, 
 He fmil'd, and cry'd, Cefar thou can'ft not hurt me. 
 Marc. His mind (till lahours with fomedreadful thought. 
 Luc. Marcia, vvliy all this grief, thefe floods of forrow? 
 Dry up thy tears, iny child, we all are fafe 
 While Cato lives, His prefence will protetft us. 
 
 Enter JuBA. 
 
 ']ub, Lucius, the horfemen are rcturn'd from viewinp 
 The number, ftrength, and pofture of our foes. 
 Who now encamp within a fhort hour's march. 
 On the high point of yon bright weftern tower 
 We ken them from afar, the fetting fun 
 Plays on their fliining arms and burnifli'd helmets. 
 And covers all the fitlds with gleames cf fire. 
 
 Luc. Marcia^ 'tis time we Hiould awake thy father. 
 Cefar is ftill difpos'd to give us terms, 
 And waits at diftance till he hears from CatQ. 
 
 Enter Portius. 
 Tortius, thy looks fpeak fomewhat of importance. 
 What tidings doft thou bring ? methinks I fee 
 Unufual gladnefs fparkling in thy C)'cs. 
 
 Par. As I was hafting to the port where now 
 My tather's friends impatient for a paflage, 
 Accufe the lingVing winds, a fail arriv'd 
 From Pompcyh fon, who through the realms o^ Sl>aln 
 Calls out for vengeance on his father's death. 
 And roufes the whole nation up to arms. 
 Were Cato at their head, once more might Rjme 
 AfTert her rights, and claim her liberty. 
 13ut hark ! what means that groan ! O give me way, 
 And let me fly into my father's prefence. [/Tx/V. 
 
 Luc, Cato, amidft his flumbers, thinks on RomCy 
 And in the wild diforder of his foul 
 
 Mourns o'er his country ; Hah! a fecond groan 
 
 Heav'n guard us all 
 
 Marc. Alas, 'tis not the voice 
 Of one who fleeps ! 'tis agonizing pain, 
 
 *Tis death is ill that found. — 
 
 Rs-s?tt!r 
 
5:8 C A T O. 
 
 Rcr^enter Fortius. 
 
 T^r. O fight of woe ! 
 O Marciay what we fear'd is come to pafs ! 
 Cato is fiH'n upon his fword 
 
 LuC, O pQrtiuSy 
 
 Hide all the horrors of thy mournful tale, 
 And let us guefs the refh 
 For. I've rais'd him up, 
 And plac'd him in his chair, where pale, and faint. 
 He gafps for breath, and, as his lite flows from him. 
 Demands to fee his friends. His fervants weeping, 
 Obfequious to his orditrs, bear him hither. 
 
 [The back fcene opens, and difcoveri Cato, 
 Marc. O heav'n aflift me in this dreadful hour 
 To pay the laft fad duties to my father. 
 
 Jub. Thefe are thy triumphs, thy exploits, O Cefarl 
 
 J^ic^ Noiy is Rome fall'n indeed ? 
 
 [Cato brought fonuc^-d in Bis chair, 
 
 Cato. Here fet me down 
 
 FoitiuSy come near me — are my friends embark*d ? 
 Can any thing be thought of for their fervice ? 
 Whirft I yet live, let me not live in vain. 
 — O Lucius, art thou here — Thou art too good — . 
 Let this our friendfhip live bet\Yeen our children. 
 Make Portius happy in thy daughter Lucia. 
 
 Alas, poor man, he weeps ! — Marcia, my daughter , 
 
 O bend rae forward I y«^« loves thee, Marcia ; 
 A fenator of Rome, while Rome furviv'd, 
 Would not have match'd his daughter with a King, 
 But Cefarh arms have thrown down all diftinftion ; 
 
 Whoe'er is brave and virtuous, is a Roman 
 
 — I'm (ick to death — O when Hi a 11 I get loofe 
 
 From this vain world, th'abode of guilt and forrow ! 
 
 ■ And yet, methink?, a beam of light breaks in 
 
 On my departing foul. Alas ! I fear 
 
 I've been too hafly. O ye pow'rs that fearch 
 
 The heart of man, and weigh his ininoft thoughts. 
 
 If I have done amifs, impute it not ! 
 
 The bell may err, but you are good, and — OH! {Dies. 
 
 Luc. There fled the greateft foul that ever vvarmM. 
 A Rowan breaft ; O Cato! O my fritnd J 
 
 Thy 
 
CAT O. 59 
 
 Thy will fiiall be rdigioufly obferv'd. 
 But let us bear this awful corpfe to Cefar^ 
 And lay it in his fight, that it may ftand 
 A fence beiwixt us and the vi6lor's wratb ; 
 CatOy tho' dead, fiiall dill proted his friends. 
 From hence, let fterce contending nations know 
 What dire effcds from civil difcord flow. 
 'Tis this that (hakes our country with alarms. 
 An d gives up Rcvie a prey to Rwian arms, 
 Produces fraud, and cruelty, and (Irife, 
 And robs the guilty world of Caio\ life. 
 
 \ Exeunt ovmeu 
 
 EPILOGUE, 
 
 By Dr G J RT H. 
 
 W^ 
 
 spoken i'j Mrs PORTER. 
 
 Hj^T odd f ant a flic Things we Women d^ ! -> 
 
 Who woud not I'lflai 'when yomig Lovers woo, C 
 
 But die a Maid, jet have the Choice oj Tivof j 
 
 Ladies are often cruel to their Cojl ; 
 
 To givejou Pain, t/yem/e'/ves they punij}} mop. 
 
 Vows of Virginity Jhould well be weighed : 
 
 Too ojt they're canceled, Md' inCunvenfj made, 
 
 Wotid you revenge fuch rafl) Refolves — yot4 may : -s 
 
 Be fpiteful aJid believe the Thing we fay, C 
 
 We hate you when you're eafiiy faid Nay, J 
 
 How needlefsy if you knew us, were 'your Fears P 
 Let Love have Eyes, a?id Beauty will have Ears, 
 Our Hearts are fornid as you yourfelves would chufe, 
 Too proud to ajky too humble to refufe : 
 We give to Merit, and to Wealth we fell ; 
 He fighs with mofl Succefs that fettles well. 
 The Woes of Wedlock uith the Joys we mix : 
 *Tis bejl repenting m a Coach and Six, 
 
 Blame 
 
6o EPILOGUE 
 
 Blams-jiot our Condu^, fmce idc but purfue 
 Thoft lovely Lejfcfis we have learn* d from you : 
 TourSr'eafls no more the Fire of Beauty ivarmSf 
 But wicked Wealth ufurps the PowW of Charms , 
 What palm to get the gaudy Thingyou hate, 
 Tofwellinfhowy arid be a Wretch in {late I 
 At plays you ogle, at the Ring you bow ; 
 Evn churches are 720 Sanfluaries now .• 
 There, golden Idols allyour Vows receive. 
 She is no Coddefs that has nought to give : 
 Oh, may once more the happy Age appear, 
 When Words were artlefs, and the Thoughts fincere 
 When Gold and Grandeur were unenvy^d Things, 
 And Courts lefs coveted than Groves and Springs, 
 Love then Jhall only mourn when Truth co7nplainSy 
 ^nd Conflancy feel Tranfport in its chains, 
 Sighs with Succefs their own foft Anguifh tell. 
 And Eyes Jhall utter what the Lips conceal ; 
 y'ntue again to its bright Station climb, 
 And Beauty fear no Enemy hut Time, 
 The Fair Jhall lijlen to Defert alone, 
 And every LMcia.fnJ a Cato*J Sefh 
 
 F IN I s. 
 
:»"•''.' i^^a 
 
 i^ 
 
 (PrZf X 
 
 ''•iC A 
 
 ■«, 
 
 i-A 
 
 r)?;:,,. 
 
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