Page:Plutarch's Lives (Clough, v.4, 1865).djvu/408

400 CATO THE YOUNGER. And now Pompey also returning with glory from the war, and confiding in the good-will of the people, shown in their splendid reception of him, thought he should be denied nothing, and sent therefore to the senate to put off the assembly for the election of consuls, till he could be present to assist Piso, who stood for that office. To this most of the senators were disposed to yield ; Cato, only, not so much thinking that this delay would be of great importance, but, desiring to cut down at once Pom- pey's high expectations and designs, withstood his request, and so overruled the senate, that it was carried against him. And this not a little disturbed Pompey, who found he should very often fail in his projects, unless he could bring over Cato to his interest. He sent, therefore, for Munatius, his friend ; and Cato having two nieces that were marriageable, he offered to marry the eldest himself, and take the youngest for his son. Some say they were not his nieces, but his daughters. Munatius proposed the matter to Cato, in presence of his wife and sisters ; the women were full of joy at the prospect of an alliance with so great and important a person. But Cato, without delay or balancing, forming his decision at once, answered, " Go, Munatius, go and tell Pompey, that Cato is not assailable on the side of the women's chamber ; I am grateful indeed for the intended kindness, and so long aa his actions are upright, I promise him a friendship more sure than any marriage alliance, but I will not give hos- tages to Pompey's glory, against my country's safety." This answer was very much against the wishes of the women, and to all his friends it seemed somewhat harsh and haughty. But afterwards, when Pompey, endeavor- ing to get the consulship for one of his friends, gave pay to the people for their votes, and the bribery was notori- ous, the money being counted out in Pompey's own gar- dens, Cato then said to the women, they must necessarilv