Page:Plutarch's Lives (Clough, v.4, 1865).djvu/413

CATO THE YOUNGEK. 405 commission in the case of Ptolemy, and have solicited to have the appointment, I think you alone are deserving of it, and I desire to give you the favor of the appoint- ment." Cato at once cried out, it was a mere design upon him, and no favor, but an injury. Then Clodius proudly and fiercely answered, " If you will not take it as a kindness, you shall go, though never so unwillingly ; " and immediately going into the assembly of the people, he made them pass a decree, that Cato should be sent to Cyprus. But they ordered him neither ship, nor soldier, nor any attendant, except two secretaries ; one of whom was a thief and a rascal, and the other a retainer to Clo- dius. Besides, as if Cyprus and Ptolemy were not work- sufficient, he was ordered also to restore the refugees of Byzantium. For Clodius was resolved to keep him far enough off, whilst himself continued tribune. Cato being in this necessity of going away, advised Cicero, who was next to be set upon, to make no resist- ance, lest he should throw the state into civil war and confusion, but to give way to the times, and thus become once more the preserver of his country. He himself sent forward Caniclius, one of his friends, to Cyprus, to per- suade Ptolemy to yield, without being forced ; which if he did, he should want neither riches nor honor, for the Eomans would give him the priesthood of the goddess at Paphos. He himself stayed at Rhodes, making some preparations, and expecting an answer from Cyprus. In the mean time, Ptolemy, king of Egypt, who had left Alexandria, upon some quarrel between him and his sub- jects, and was sailing for Rome, in hopes that Pompey and Caesar would send troops to restore him, in his way thither desired to see Cato, to whom he sent, supposing he would come to him. Cato had taken purging medi- cine at the time when the messenger came, and made answer, that Ptolemy had better come to him, if he