Page:Plutarch's Lives (Clough, v.4, 1865).djvu/419

CATO THE YOUNGER. 411 Lucius Domitius, who had married Porcia, the sister of Cato, and was by him persuaded to stand it out, and not abandon such an undertaking, which, he said, was not merely to gain the consulship, but to save the liberty of Rome. In the mean time, it was the common topic among the more prudent part of the citizens, that they ought not to suffer the power of Pompey and Crassus to be united, which would then be carried beyond all bounds, and become dangerous to the state ; that therefore one of them must be denied. For these reasons they took part with Domitius, whom they exhorted and encouraged to go on, assuring him, that many who feared openly to appear for him, would privately assist him. Pompey's party fearing this, laid wait for Domitius, and set upon him as he was going before daylight, with torches, into the Field. First he that bore the light next before Domi- tius, was knocked clown and killed ; then several others being wounded, all the rest fled, except Cato and Domi- tius, whom Cato held, though himself were wounded in the arm, and crying out, conjured the others to stay, and not while they had any breath, forsake the defence of their liberty against those tyrants, who plainly showed with what moderation they were likely to use the power, which they endeavored to gain by such violence. But at length Domitius also, no longer willing to face the danger, fled to his own house, and so Pompey and Crassus were declared consuls. Nevertheless, Cato would not give over, but resolved to stand himself to be preetor that year, which he thought would be some help to him in his design of opposing them ; that he might not act as a private man, when he was to contend with public magistrates. Pompey and Crassus apprehended this ; and fearing that the office of prastor in the person of Cato might be equal in authority to that of consul, they assembled the senate unexpect-