Cato. Has Cæsar shed more Roman blood? Por. Not so. The traitor Syphax, as within the square I saw, and called to stop him, but in vain: see Thy brother Marcus acts a Roman's part. [Exit Por. -Lucius, the torrent bears too hard upon me: Justice gives way to force: the conquered world Is Cæsar's! Cato has no business in it. Luc. While pride, oppression, and injustice reign, The world will still demand her Cato's presence. Cato. Would Lucius have me live to swell the number Of Cæsar's slaves, or, by a base submission, Give up the cause of Rome, and own a tyrant? Luc. The victor never will impose on Cato Cato. Curse on his virtues! they have undone Such popular humanity is treason- Luc. Alas, poor prince! his fate deserves com- Enter JUBA. Juba. I blush, and am confounded to appear Before thy presence, Cato. Cato. What's thy crime? Cato. And a brave one too. Thou hast a Roman soul. Juba. Hast thou not heard of my false countrymen ? Cato. Alas, young prince! falsehood and fraud shoot up in every soil, The product of all climes-Rome has its Cæsars. Juba. 'Tis generous thus to comfort the distressed. Cato. 'Tis just to give applause where 'tis deserved; Thy virtue, prince, has stood the test of fortune, Like purest gold, that, tortured in the furnace, Comes out more bright, and brings forth all its weight. Juba. What shall I answer thee? My ravished heart O'erflows with sacred joy: I would rather gain Thy praise, O Cato! than Numidia's empire. Enter PORTIUS. Por. Misfortune on misfortune! grief on grief! My brother Marcus ? Cato. Ha! what has he done? Borne on the shields of his surviving soldiers, Por. Nor did he fall before His sword had pierced through the false heart of Yonder he lies. I saw the hoary traitor duty! -Portius, when I am dead, be sure you place His urn near mine. Por. Long may they keep asunder! Luc. Oh, Cato, arm thy soul with all its pa Cato. Whate'er the Roman virtue has subdued, The sun's whole course, the day and year are For him the self-devoted Decii died, Fallen into Cæsar's hand: Our great forefathers Luc. Cato, 'tis time thou save thyself and us. Cato. Lose not a thought on me; I am out of danger; Heaven will not leave me in the victor's hand. rors Rise in my soul. How shall I save my friends? Tis now, O Cæsar, I begin to fear thee! Luc. Cæsar has mercy if we ask it of him. Cato. Then ask it, I conjure you! let him know Whate'er was done against him, Cato did it. And, if you please, that I request it of him, That I myself, with tears, request it of him, The virtue of my friends may pass unpunished. Juba, my heart is troubled for thy sake. Should I advise thee to regain Numidia, Or seek the conqueror?— Juba. If I forsake thee Whilst I have life, may Heaven abandon Juba! Cato. Thy virtues, prince, if I foresee aright, Will one day make thee great; at Rome hereafter, [Twill be no crime to have been Cato's friend. me Spent, overpowered, despairing of success; And all our frugal ancestors were blessed Por. I hope my father does not recommend A life to Portius, that he scorns himself? Cato. Farewell, my friends! If there be any of you, Who dare not trust the victor's clemency, Know there are ships prepared by my command (Their sails already opening to the winds), That shall convey you to the wished-for port. Is there aught else, my friends, I can do for you? The conqueror draws near. Once more farewell! If e'er we meet hereafter, we shall meet [Pointing to his dead son. there, Who made the welfare of mankind his care, Though still by faction, vice, and fortune crost, Shall find the generous labour was not lost. [Exeunt. SCENE I. ACT V. CATO solus, sitting in a thoughtful posture: in Or whence this secret dread, and inward horror, The wide, the unbounded prospect lies before me; I'm weary of conjectures-this must end them. But thou shalt flourish in immortal youth, Oh, Marcia! Oh, my sister, still there is hope! With orders that bespeak a mind composed, Watch round his couch, and soften his repose; Banish his sorrows, and becalm his soul What means this sword, this instrument of death? With easy dreams; remember all his virtues, Let me convey it hence. Cato. Rash youth, forbear! Por. Oh, let the prayers, the intreaties of your friends, Their tears, their common danger, wrest it from you! Cato. Wouldst thou betray me? Wouldst thou give me up A slave, a captive into Cæsar's hands? Por. Look not thus sternly on me; Por. Oh, sir! forgive your son, Whose grief hangs heavy on him. Oh, my father! How am I sure it is not the last time Weep not, my son, all will be well again; Cato. Portius, thou may'st rely upon my conduct: Thy father will not act what misbecomes him. But go, my son, and see if aught be wanting Among thy father's friends; see them embarked, And tell me if the winds and seas befriend them. My soul is quite weighed down with care, and asks The soft refreshment of a moment's sleep. And shew mankind that goodness is your care! Enter LUCIA. Luc. Where is your father, Marcia, where is Mar. Lucia, speak low, he is retired to rest. Luc. Alas! I tremble when I think on Cato! Mar. Though stern and awful to the foes of He is all goodness, Lucia, always mild, Luc. "Tis his consent alone can make us blessed: Loose of my vow. But who knows Cato's thoughts? Who knows how yet he may dispose of Portius, Mar. Let him but live, commit the rest to Enter Lucrus. Lucius. Sweet are the slumbers of the virtu ous man! Oh, Marcia, I have seen thy godlike father! In pleasing dreams; as I drew near his couch, He smiled, and cried, Cæsar, thou cans't not hurt me. Mar. His mind still labours with some dreadful thought. Lucius. Lucia, why all this grief, these floods of sorrow? Dry up thy tears, my child; we all are safe While Cato lives-his presence will protect us. Enter JUBA. Juba. Lucius, the horsemen are returned from viewing The number, strength, and posture of our foes, mets, And covers all the field with gleams of fire. Lucius. Marcia, 'tis time we should awake thy father; Cæsar is still disposed to give us terms, Enter PORTIUS. Portius, thy looks speak somewhat of importance. What tidings dost thou bring? Methinks I see Unusual gladness sparkling in thy eyes. Por. As I was hasting to the port, where now Calls out for vengeance on his father's death, But, hark! what means that groan! Oh, give me And placed him in his chair, where, pale and faint, He gasps for breath, and, as his life flows from him, Demands to see his friends. His servants weeping, Obsequious to his order, bear him hither. Mar. Oh, Heaven! assist me in this dreadful hour, To pay the last sad duties to my father! Lucius. Now is Rome fallen indeed! CATO brought in on a chair. Cato. Here set me down Portius, come near me-Are my friends embarked? Can any thing be thought of for their service? A Roman breast; oh, Cato! oh, my friend! [Exeunt omnes. Scene-A great hall in the court of Pyrrhus, at Buthrotos, the capital city of Epirus. ACT I. SCENE I-The Palace of Pyrrhus. Enter ORESTES, PYLADES, and Attendants. Orest. OPYLADES! what's life without a friend? At sight of thee my gloomy soul cheers up; My hopes revive, and gladness dawns within me. After an absence of six tedious moons, How could I hope to find my Pylades, My joy, my comfort, on this fatal shore? Even in the court of Pyrrhus! in these realms, These hated realms, so cross to all my wishes. Oh, my brave friend! may no blind stroke of fate Divide us more, and tear me from myself. Pyl. O prince! O my Orestes! O my friend! Thus let me speak the welcome of my heart. [Embracing. Since I have gained this unexpected meeting, Blest be the powers who barred my way to Greece, And kept me here, e'er since the unhappy day, When warring winds (Epirus full in view) Sundered our barks on the loud, stormy main. VOL. I. Orest. It was, indeed, a morning full of horror! Pyl. A thousand boding cares have racked my soul In your behalf. Often, with tears, I mourned I feared to what extremities the black despair, That preyed upon your mind, might have betrayed you, And lest the gods, in pity to your woes, But now with joy I see you!The retinue, Orest. Alas, my friend, who knows Rr |