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to see them； had formed a design； that they two should stand to be
chosen consuls a second time； and when they should be in their office；
they would continue to Caesar his government for five years more；
and take to themselves the greatest provinces； with armies and money
to maintain them。 This seemed a plain conspiracy to subvert the
constitution and parcel out the empire。 Several men of high
character had intended to stand to be consuls that year； but upon
the appearance of these great competitors； they all desisted； except
only Lucius Domitius； who had married Porcia； the sister of Cato；
and was by him persuaded to stand it out； and not abandon such an
undertaking； which； he said； was not merely to gain the consulship；
but to save the liberty of Rome。 In the meantime； it was the common
topic among the more prudent part of the citizens； that they ought not
to suffer the power of Pompey and Crassus to be united； which would
then be carried beyond all bounds； and become dangerous to the
state； that therefore one of them must be denied。 For these reasons
they took part with Domitius； whom they exhorted and encouraged to
go on； assuring him that many who feared openly to appear for him；
would privately assist him。 Pompey's party fearing this； laid wait for
Domitius； and set upon him as he was going before daylight； with
torches； into the Field。 First； he that bore the light next before
Domitius was knocked down and killed； then several others being
wounded； all the rest fled； except Cato and Domitius； whom Cato
held； though himself were wounded in the arm； and crying out； conjured
the others to stay； and not； while they had any breath； forsake the
defence of their liberty against those tyrants； who plainly showed
with what moderation they were likely to use the power which they
endeavoured to gain by such violence。 But at length Domitius； also； no
longer willing to face the danger； fled to his own house； and so
Pompey and Crassus were declared elected。
Nevertheless； Cato would not give over； but resolved to stand
himself to be praetor that year； which he thought would be some help
to him in his design of opposing them； that he might not act as a
private man； when he was to contend with public magistrates。 Pompey
and Crassus apprehended this； and fearing that the office of praetor
in the person of Cato might be equal in authority to that of consul；
they assembled the senate unexpectedly； without giving notice to a
great many of the senators； and made an order； that those who were
chosen praetors should immediately enter upon their office； without
attending the usual time； in which； according to law； they might be
accused； if they had corrupted the people with gifts。 When by this
order they had got leave to bribe freely； without being called to
account； they set up their own friends and dependents to stand for the
praetorship； giving money； and watching the people as they voted。
Yet the virtue and reputation of Cato was like to triumph over all
these stratagems； for the people generally felt it to be shameful that
a price should be paid for the rejection of Cato； who ought rather
to be paid himself to take upon him the office。 So he carried it by
the voices of the first tribe。 Hereupon Pompey immediately framed a
lie； crying out； it thundered； and straight broke up the assembly； for
the Romans religiously observed this as a bad omen； and never
concluded any matter after it had thundered。 Before the next time；
they had distributed larger bribes； and driving also the best men
out of the Field； by these foul means they procured Vatinius to be
chosen praetor； instead of Cato。 It is said； that those who had thus
corruptly and dishonestly given their voices hurried； as if it were in
flight； out of the Field。 The others staying together； and
exclaiming at the event； one of the tribunes continued the assembly；
and Cato standing up； as it were by inspiration； foretold all the
miseries that afterwards befell the state； exhorted them to beware
of Pompey and Crassus； who were guilty of such things； and had laid
such designs； that they might well fear to have Cato praetor。 When
he had ended this speech； he was followed to his house by a greater
number of people than all the new praetors elect put together。
Caius Trebonius now proposed the law for allotting provinces to
the consuls； one of whom was to have Spain and Africa； the other Egypt
and Syria； with full power of making war； and carrying it on both by
sea and land； as they should think fit。 When this was proposed； all
others despaired of putting any stop to it； and neither did nor said
anything against it。 But Cato； before the voting began； went up into
the place of speaking； and desiring to be heard； was with much
difficulty allowed two hours to speak。 Having spent that time in
informing them and reasoning with them； and in foretelling to them
much that was to come； he was not suffered to speak any longer； but as
he was going on； a serjeant came and pulled him down； yet when he
was down； he still continued speaking in a loud voice； and finding
many to listen to him； and join in his indignation。 Then the
serjeant took him； and forced him out of the forum； but as soon as
he got loose； he returned again to the place of speaking； crying out
to the people to stand by him。 When he had done thus several times；
Trebonius grew very angry； and commanded him to be carried to
prison； but the multitude followed him； and listened to the speech
which he made to them as he went along； so that Trebonius began to
be afraid again； and ordered him to be released。 Thus that day was
expended； and the business staved off by Cato。 But in the days
succeeding； many of the citizens being overawed by fears and
threats； and others won by gifts and favours； Aquillius； one of the
tribunes； they kept by an armed force within the senate…house； Cato；
who cried it thundered； they drove out of the forum； many were
wounded； and some slain； and at length by open force they passed the
law。 At this many were so incensed that they got together and were
going to throw down the statues of Pompey； but Cato went and
diverted them from that design。
Again； another law was proposed； concerning the provinces and
legions of Caesar。 Upon this occasion Cato did not apply himself to
the people； but appealed to Pompey himself； and told him； he did not
consider now that he was setting Caesar upon his own shoulders； who
would shortly grow too weighty for him； and at length； not able to lay
down the burden； nor yet to bear it any longer； he would precipitate
both it and himself with it upon the commonwealth； and then he would
remember Cato's advice； which was no less advantageous to him than
just and honest in itself。 Thus was Pompey often warned； but still
disregarded and slighted it； never mistrusting Caesar's change； and
always confiding in his own power and good fortune。
Cato was made praetor the following year； but； it seems；