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trouble of defending it。 〃For；〃 said he； 〃though Cato have no need
of Rome； yet Rome has need of Cato； and so likewise have all his
friends。〃 Of whom Cicero professed he himself was the chief； being
at that time aimed at by Clodius； who openly threatened to fall upon
him； as soon as ever he should get to be tribune。 Thus Cato； they say；
moved by the entreaties and the arguments of his friends； went
unwillingly to take the oath； which he did the last of all； except
only Favonius； one of his intimate acquaintance。
Caesar； exalted with this success； proposed another law； for
dividing almost all the country of Campania among the poor and needy
citizens。 Nobody durst speak against it but Cato； whom Caesar
therefore pulled from the rostra and dragged to prison： yet Cato did
not even thus remit his freedom of speech； but as he went along
continued to speak against the law； and advised the people to put down
all legislators who proposed the like。 The senate and the best of
the citizens followed him with sad and dejected looks； showing their
grief and indignation by their silence； so that Caesar could not be
ignorant how much they were offended； but for contention's sake he
still persisted； expecting Cato should either supplicate him； or
make an appeal。 But when he saw that he did not so much as think of
doing either； ashamed of what he was doing and of what people
thought of it； he himself privately bade one of the tribunes interpose
and procure his release。 However； having won the multitude by these
laws and gratifications； they decreed that Caesar should have the
government of Illyricum； and all Gaul； with an army of four legions；
for the space of five years； though Cato still cried out they were； by
their own vote； placing a tyrant in their citadel。 Publius Clodius；
a patrician； who illegally became a plebeian； was declared tribune
of the people； as he had promised to do all things according to
their pleasure； on condition he might banish Cicero。 And for
consuls； they set up Calpurnius Piso； the father of Caesar's wife； and
Aulus Gabinius； one of Pompey's creatures； as they tell us； who best
knew his life and manners。
Yet when they had thus firmly established all things； having
mastered one part of the city by favour； and the other by fear； they
themselves were still afraid of Cato； and remembered with vexation
what pains and trouble their success over him had cost them； and
indeed what shame and disgrace； when at last they were driven to use
violence to him。 This made Clodius despair of driving Cicero out of
Italy while Cato stayed at home。 Therefore having first laid his
design； as soon as he came into his office； he sent for Cato； and told
him that he looked upon him as the most incorrupt of all the Romans；
and was ready to show he did so。 〃For whereas；〃 said he； 〃many have
applied to be sent to Cyprus on the commission in the case of
Ptolemy and have solicited to have the appointment； I think you
alone are deserving of it； and I desire to give you the favour of
the appointment。〃 Cato at once cried out it was a mere design upon
him； and no favour； but an injury。 Then Clodius proudly and fiercely
answered； 〃If you will not take it as a kindness； you shall go； though
never so unwillingly；〃 and immediately going into the assembly of
the people he made them pass a decree； that Cato should be sent to
Cyprus。 But they ordered him neither ship； nor soldier； nor any
attendant； except two secretaries； one of whom was a thief and a
rascal； and the other a retainer to Clodius。 Besides； as if Cyprus and
Ptolemy were not work sufficient； he was ordered also to restore the
refugees of Byzantium。 For Clodius was resolved to keep him far enough
off whilst himself continued tribune。
Cato； being in this necessity of going away； advised Cicero； who was
next to be set upon； to make no resistance； lest he should throw the
state into civil war and confusion； but to give way to the times；
and thus become once more the preserver of his country。 He himself
sent forward Canidius； one of his friends； to Cyprus； to persuade
Ptolemy to yield； without being forced； which if he did； he should
want neither riches nor honour； for the Romans would give him the
priesthood of the goddess at Paphos。 He himself stayed at Rhodes；
making some preparations； and expecting an answer from Cyprus。 In
the meantime； Ptolemy； King of Egypt； who had left Alexandria； upon
some quarrel between him and his subjects； and was sailing for Rome；
in hopes that Pompey and Caesar would send troops to restore him； in
his way thither desired to see Cato； to whom he sent； supposing he
would come to him。 Cato had taken purging medicine at the time when
the messenger came； and made answer； that Ptolemy had better come to
him； if he thought fit。 And when he came； he neither went forward to
meet him； nor so much as rose up to him； but saluting him as an
ordinary person； bade him sit down。 This at once threw Ptolemy into
some confusion； who was surprised to see such stern and haughty
manners in one who made so plain and unpretending an appearance； but
afterwards； when he began to talk about his affairs； he was no less
astonished at the wisdom and freedom of his discourse。 For Cato blamed
his conduct； and pointed out to him what honour and happiness he was
abandoning； and what humiliations and troubles he would run himself
into； what bribery he must resort to； and what cupidity he would
have to satisfy when he came to the leading men at Rome； whom all
Egypt turned into silver would scarcely content。 He therefore
advised him to return home； and be reconciled to his subjects；
offering to go along with him； and assist him in composing the
differences。 And by this language Ptolemy being brought to himself； as
it might be out of a fit of madness or delirium； and discerning the
truth and wisdom of what Cato said； resolved to follow his advice； but
he was again over…persuaded by his friends to the contrary； and so；
according to his first design； went to Rome。 When he came there； and
was forced to wait at the gate of one of the magistrates； he began
to lament his folly in having rejected； rather； as it seemed to him；
the oracle of a god than the advice merely of a good and wise。
In the meantime； the other Ptolemy； in Cyprus； very luckily for
Cato； poisoned himself。 It was reported he had left great riches；
therefore； Cato designing to go first to Byzantium； sent his nephew
Brutus to Cyprus； as he would not wholly trust Canidius。 Then；
having reconciled the refugees and the people of Byzantium； he left
the city in peace and quietness； and so sailed to Cyprus； where he
found a royal treasure of plate； tables； precious stones and purple；
all which was to be turned into ready money。 And being determined to
do everything with the greatest exactness； and to raise the price of
everything to the utmost； to this end he was always present at selling
the things； and went carefully into all the accounts