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CATO.
Decius was once my friend, but other prospects
Have loos'd those ties, and bound him fast to Cesar.
His message may determine our resolves.
Have loos'd those ties, and bound him fast to Cesar.
His message may determine our resolves.
SCENE II.
Decius, Cato.
Decius.
Cesar sends health to Cato———
Cato.Cou'd he send it
To Cato's slaughter'd friends, it would be welcome.
Are not your orders to address the senate?
Dec.My business is with Cato; Cesar sees
The straits 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 of Rome.
Wou'd he save Cato? Bid him spare his country.
Tell your dictator this: and tell him, Cato
Disdains a life, which he has power to offer.
Dec.Rome and her senators submit to Cesar
Her gen'rals and her consuls are no more,
Who check'd his conquests, and denied his triumphs.
Why will not Cato be this Cesar's friend?
Cato.Those very reasons thou hast urg'd, forbid it.
Dec.Cato, I've orders to expostulate,
And reason with you, as from friend to friend;
Think on the storm that gathers o'er your head,
And threatens ev'ry hour to burst upon it;
Still may you stand high in your country's honours,
Do but comply, and make your peace with Cesar.
Rome will rejoice, and cast its eyes on Cato,
As on the second of mankind.
Cato.No more:
I must not think of life on such conditions.
Dec.Cesar is well acquainted with your virtues,
And therefore sets this value on your life:
Let him but know the price of Cato's friendship,
And name your terms.
Cato.Bid him disband his legions,
Restore the commonwealth to liberty,
Cesar sends health to Cato———
Cato.Cou'd he send it
To Cato's slaughter'd friends, it would be welcome.
Are not your orders to address the senate?
Dec.My business is with Cato; Cesar sees
The straits 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 of Rome.
Wou'd he save Cato? Bid him spare his country.
Tell your dictator this: and tell him, Cato
Disdains a life, which he has power to offer.
Dec.Rome and her senators submit to Cesar
Her gen'rals and her consuls are no more,
Who check'd his conquests, and denied his triumphs.
Why will not Cato be this Cesar's friend?
Cato.Those very reasons thou hast urg'd, forbid it.
Dec.Cato, I've orders to expostulate,
And reason with you, as from friend to friend;
Think on the storm that gathers o'er your head,
And threatens ev'ry hour to burst upon it;
Still may you stand high in your country's honours,
Do but comply, and make your peace with Cesar.
Rome will rejoice, and cast its eyes on Cato,
As on the second of mankind.
Cato.No more:
I must not think of life on such conditions.
Dec.Cesar is well acquainted with your virtues,
And therefore sets this value on your life:
Let him but know the price of Cato's friendship,
And name your terms.
Cato.Bid him disband his legions,
Restore the commonwealth to liberty,
Submit
