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24
CATO.
SCENE III.
Sempronius, Lucius, Cato.
Semp.Cato, we thank thee.
The mighty genius of immortal Rome
Speaks in thy voice, thy soul breathes liberty.
Cesar will shrink to hear the words thou utter'st,
And shudder in the midst of all his conquests.
Luc.The senate owns its gratitude to Cato,
Who with so great a soul consults its safety,
And guards our lives, while he neglects his own.
Semp.Sempronius gives no thanks on this account.
Lucius seems fond of life; but what is life?
'Tis not to stalk about, and draw fresh air
From time to time, or gaze upon the sun:
'Tis to be free. When liberty is gone,
Life grows insipid, and has lost its relish.
O cou'd my dying hand but lodge a sword
In Cesar's bosom, and revenge my country,
By heav'ns I cou'd enjoy the pangs of death,
And smile in agony.
Luc.Others, perhaps
May serve their country with as warm a zeal,
Tho' 'tis not kindled into so much rage.
Semp.This sober conduct is a mighty virtue
In lukewarm patriots.
Cato.Come! no more, Sempronius.
All here are friends to Rome,———and to each other.
Let us not weaken still the weaker side
By our divisions.
Semp.Cato, my resentments
Are sacrific'd to Rome———I stand reprov'd.
Cato.Fathers, 'tis time you come to a resolve.
Luc.Cato, we all go in to your opinion.
Cesar's behaviour has convinc'd the senate
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 amidst the senate's.
Cato.Then let us rise, my friends, and strive to fill
This little interval, this pause of life,
(While yet our liberty and fates are doubtful)
Semp.Cato, we thank thee.
The mighty genius of immortal Rome
Speaks in thy voice, thy soul breathes liberty.
Cesar will shrink to hear the words thou utter'st,
And shudder in the midst of all his conquests.
Luc.The senate owns its gratitude to Cato,
Who with so great a soul consults its safety,
And guards our lives, while he neglects his own.
Semp.Sempronius gives no thanks on this account.
Lucius seems fond of life; but what is life?
'Tis not to stalk about, and draw fresh air
From time to time, or gaze upon the sun:
'Tis to be free. When liberty is gone,
Life grows insipid, and has lost its relish.
O cou'd my dying hand but lodge a sword
In Cesar's bosom, and revenge my country,
By heav'ns I cou'd enjoy the pangs of death,
And smile in agony.
Luc.Others, perhaps
May serve their country with as warm a zeal,
Tho' 'tis not kindled into so much rage.
Semp.This sober conduct is a mighty virtue
In lukewarm patriots.
Cato.Come! no more, Sempronius.
All here are friends to Rome,———and to each other.
Let us not weaken still the weaker side
By our divisions.
Semp.Cato, my resentments
Are sacrific'd to Rome———I stand reprov'd.
Cato.Fathers, 'tis time you come to a resolve.
Luc.Cato, we all go in to your opinion.
Cesar's behaviour has convinc'd the senate
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 amidst the senate's.
Cato.Then let us rise, my friends, and strive to fill
This little interval, this pause of life,
(While yet our liberty and fates are doubtful)
With
