;
Her gen'rals and her consuls are no more,
Who check'd his conquests, and denied his triumphs.
Why will not Cato be this Caesar's friend?

_Cato._ These very reasons thou hast urged forbid it.

_Dec._ Cato, I've orders to expostulate
And reason with you, as from friend to friend:
Think on the storm that gathers o'er your head,
And threatens ev'ry hour to burst upon it;
Still may you stand high in your country's honours--
Do but comply, and make your peace with Caesar;
Rome will rejoice, and cast its eyes on Cato,
As on the second of mankind.

_Cato._ No more;
I must not think of life on such conditions.

_Dec._ Caesar is well acquainted with your virtues,
And therefore sets this value on your life.
Let him but know the price of Cato's friendship,
And name your terms.

_Cato._ Bid him disband his legions,
Restore the commonwealth to liberty,
Submit his actions to the public censure,
And stand the judgment of a Roman senate.
Bid him do this, and Cato is his friend.

_Dec._ Cato, the world talks loudly of your wisdom----

_Cato._ Nay, more, though Cato's voice was ne'er employ'd
To clear the guilty, and to varnish crimes,
Myself will mount the rostrum in his favour,
And strive to gain his pardon from the people.

_Dec._ A style like this becomes a conqueror.

_Cato._ Decius, a style like this becomes a Roman.

_Dec._ What is a Roman, that is Caesar's foe?

_Cato._ Greater than Caesar: he's a friend to virtue.

_Dec._ Consider, Cato, you're in Utica,
And at the head of your own little senate:
You do not thunder in the capitol,
With all the mouths of Rome to second you.

_Cato._ Let him consider that, who drives us hither.
'Tis Caesar's sword has made Rome's senate little,
And thinn'd its ranks. Alas! thy dazzled eye
Beholds this man in a false glaring light,
Which conquest and success have thrown upon him;
Did'st thou but view him right, thou'dst see him black
With murder, treason, sacrilege, and crimes
That strike my soul with horror but to name them.
I know thou look'st on me as on a wretch
Beset with ills, and cover'd with misfortunes;
But, by the gods I swear, millions of worlds
Should never buy me to be like that Caesar.

_Dec._ Does Cato send this answer back to Caesar,
For all his gen'rous cares and proffer'd friendship?

_Cato._ His cares for me are insolent and vain:
Presumptuous man! the gods take care of Cato.
Would Caesar show the greatness of his soul,
Bid him employ his care fo