our 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 Caesar's hands?
Retire, and learn obedience to a father,
Or know, young man--

_Por._ Look not thus sternly on me;
You know, I'd rather die than disobey you.

_Cato._ 'Tis well! again I'm master of myself.
Now, Caesar, let thy troops beset our gates,
And bar each avenue; thy gath'ring fleets
O'erspread the sea, and stop up ev'ry port;
Cato shall open to himself a passage,
And mock thy hopes.----

_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
I e'er shall call you so? Be not displeased,
Oh, be not angry with me whilst I weep,
And, in the anguish of my heart, beseech you
To quit the dreadful purpose of your soul!

_Cato._ Thou hast been ever good and dutiful.
[_Embracing him._
Weep not, my son, all will be well again;
The righteous gods, whom I have sought to please,
Will succour Cato, and preserve his children.

_Por._ Your words give comfort to my drooping heart.

_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 embark'd,
And tell me if the winds and seas befriend them.
My soul is quite weigh'd down with care, and asks
The soft refreshment of a moment's sleep.

_Por._ My thoughts are more at ease, my heart revives--
[_Exit_ CATO.

_Enter_ MARCIA.

Oh, Marcia! Oh, my sister, still there's hope
Our father will not cast away a life
So needful to us all, and to his country.
He is retired to rest, and seems to cherish
Thoughts full of peace.--He has dispatch'd me hence
With orders that bespeak a mind composed,
And studious for the safety of his friends.
Marcia, take care, that none disturb his slumbers. [_Exit._

_Marcia._ Oh, ye immortal powers, that guard the just,
Watch round his couch, and soften his repose,
Banish his sorrows, and becalm his soul
With easy dreams; remember all his virtues,
And show mankind that goodness is your care!

_Enter_ LUCIA.

_Lucia._ Where is your father, Marcia; where is Cato?

_Marcia._ Lucia, speak low, he is retired to rest.
Lucia, I feel a gentle dawning hope
Rise in my soul--We shall be happy still.

_Lucia._ Alas, I tremble when I think on