Page:Plutarch's Lives (Clough, v.4, 1865).djvu/427

CATO THE YOUNGER. 419 ter. Cato stood up, and, contrary to all expectation, seconded this motion, concluding, that any government was better than mere confusion, and that he did not ques- tion but Ponipey would deal honorably, and take care of the commonwealth, thus committed to his charge. Poin- pey being hereupon declared consul, invited Cato to see him in the suburbs. When he came, he saluted and em- braced him very kindly, acknowledged the favor he had done him, and desired his counsel and assistance, in the management of this office. Cato made answer, that what he had spoken on any former occasion was not out of hate to Pompey, nor what he had now done, out of love to him, but all for the good of the commonwealth ; that in private, if he asked him, he would freely give his advice ; and in public, though he asked him not, he would always speak his opinion. And he did accordingly. For first, when Pompey made severe laws for punishing and laying great fines on those who had corrupted the people with gifts, Cato advised him to let alone what was already passed, and to provide for the future ; for if he should look up past misdemeanors, it would be difficult to know where to stop ; and if he would ordain new penalties, it would be unreasonable to punish men by a law, which at that time they had not the opportunity of breaking. After- wards, when many considerable men, and some of Pom- pey's own relations were accused, and he grew remiss, and disinclined to the prosecution, Cato sharply reproved him, and urged him to proceed. Pompey had made a law, also, to forbid the custom of making commendatory ora- tions in behalf of those that were accused ; yet he him- self wrote one for Munatius Plancus, and sent it while the cause was pleading ; upon which Cato, who was sit- ting as one of the judges, stopped his ears with his hands, and would not hear it read. Whereupon Plancus, before sentence was given, excepted against him, but was con-