Page:Plutarch's Lives (Clough, v.4, 1865).djvu/439

CATO THE TOUNGKR. 431 Cato walked about very quietly and unconcerned, as if nothing new had happened. He had a book in his hand, which he was reading ; in this book was an account of what provision he had for war, armor, corn, ammunition, and soldiers. When they were assembled, he began his discourse ; first, as regarded the three hundred themselves, and very much commended the courage and fidelity they had shown, and their having very well served their country with their persons, money, and counsel. Then he en- treated them by no means to separate, as if each single man could hope for any safety in forsaking his compan- ions ; on the contrary, while they kept together, Cassar would have less reason to despise them, if they fought against him, and be more forward to pardon them, if they submitted to him. Therefore, he advised them to consult among themselves, nor should he find fault, whichever course they adopted. If they thought fit to submit to fortune, he would impute their change to ne- cessity ; but if they resolved to stand firm, and under- take the danger for the sake of liberty, he should not only commend, but admire their courage, and would himself be their leader and companion too, till they had put to the proof the utmost fortune of their country; which was not Utica or Adrumetum, but Rome, and she had often, by her own greatness, raised herself after worse disasters. Besides, as there were many things that would conduce to their safety, so chiefly this, that they were to fight against one whose affairs urgently claimed his pres- ence in various quarters. Spain was already revolted to the younger Pompey ; Rome was unaccustomed to the bridle, and impatient of it, and would therefore be ready to rise in insurrection upon any turn of affairs. As for themselves, they ought not to shrink from the danger ; and in this might take example from their enemy, who