按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
that he afterwards neglected to try again； whereas he had stood a
second time to be chosen praetor。 Cato answered that he lost the
praetorship the first time； not by the voice of the people； but by the
violence and corrupt dealing of his adversaries； whereas in the
election of consuls there had been no foul play。 So that he plainly
saw the people did not like his manners； which an honest man ought not
to alter for their sake； nor yet would a wise man attempt the same
thing again； while liable to the same prejudices。
Caesar was at this time engaged with many warlike nations； and was
subduing them at great hazards。 Among the rest； it was believed he had
set upon the Germans； in a time of truce； and had thus slain three
hundred thousand of them。 Upon which； some of his friends moved the
senate for a public thanksgiving； but Cato declared they ought to
deliver Caesar into the hands of those who had been thus unjustly
treated； and so expiate the offence and not bring a curse upon the
city； 〃Yet we have reason；〃 said he； 〃to thank the gods； for that they
spared the commonwealth； and did not take vengeance upon the army； for
the madness and folly of the general。〃 Hereupon Caesar wrote a
letter to the senate which was read openly； and was full of
reproachful language and accusations against Cato； who； standing up；
seemed not at all concerned； and without any heat or passion； but in a
calm and； as it were； premeditated discourse； made all Caesar's
charges against him show like mere common scolding and abuse； and in
fact a sort of pleasantry and play on Caesar's part； and proceeding
then to go into all Caesar's political courses； and to explain and
reveal （as though he had been not his constant opponent； but his
fellow…conspirator） his whole conduct and purpose from its
commencement； he concluded by telling the senate； it was not the
sons of the Britons or the Gauls they need fear； but Caesar himself；
if they were wise。 And this discourse so moved and awakened the
senate； that Caesar's friends repented they had had a letter read；
which had given Cato an opportunity of saying so many reasonable
things； and such severe truths against him。 However； nothing was
then decided upon； it was merely said； that it would be well to send
him a successor。 Upon that； Caesar's friends required that Pompey also
should lay down his arms； and resign his provinces； or else that
Caesar might not be obliged to either。 Then Cato cried out； what he
had foretold was come to pass； now it was manifest he was using his
forces to compel their judgment； and was turning against the state
those armies he had got from it by imposture and trickery。 But out
of the senate…house Cato could do but little； as the people were
ever ready to magnify Caesar； and the senate； though convinced by
Cato； were afraid of the people。
But when the news was brought that Caesar had seized Ariminum； and
was marching with his army toward Rome； then all men； even Pompey； and
the common people too； cast their eyes on Cato； who had alone foreseen
and first clearly declared Caesar's intentions。 He therefore told
them； 〃If you had believed me； or regarded my advice； you would not
now have been reduced to stand in fear of one man； or to put all
your hopes in one alone。〃 Pompey acknowledged that Cato indeed had
spoken most like a prophet； while he himself had acted too much like a
friend。 And Cato advised the senate to put all into the hands of
Pompey； 〃For those who can raise up great evils；〃 said he； 〃can best
allay them。〃
Pompey； finding he had not sufficient forces； and that those he
could raise were not very resolute； forsook the city。 Cato；
resolving to follow Pompey into exile； sent his younger son to
Munatius； who was then in the country of Bruttium； and took his eldest
son with him； but wanting somebody to keep his house and take care
of his daughters； he took Marcia again； who was now a rich widow；
Hortensius being dead； and having left her all his estate。 Caesar
afterward made use of this action also； to reproach him with
covetousness； and a mercenary design in his marriage。 〃For；〃 said
he； 〃if he had need of a wife why did he part with her？ And if he
had not； why did he take her again？ Unless he gave her only as a
bait to Hortensius； and lent her when she was young； to have her again
when she was rich。〃 But in answer to this； we might fairly apply the
saying of Euripides…
〃To speak of mysteries… the chief of these
Surely were cowardice in Hercules。〃
For it is much the same thing to reproach Hercules for cowardice；
and to accuse Cato of covetousness； though otherwise； whether he did
altogether right in this marriage； might be disputed。 As soon；
however； as he had again taken Marcia； he committed his house and
his daughters to her； and himself followed Pompey。 And it is said；
that from that day he never cut his hair； nor shaved his beard； nor
wore a garland； but was always full of sadness； grief； and
dejectedness for the calamities of his country； and continually showed
the same feeling to the last； whatever party had misfortune or
success。
The government of Sicily being allotted to him； he passed over to
Syracuse； where； understanding that Asinius Pollio was arrived at
Messena； with forces from the enemy； Cato sent to him； to know the
reason of his coming thither： Pollio； on the other side； called upon
him to show reason for the present convulsions。 And being at the
same time informed how Pompey had quite abandoned Italy； and lay
encamped at Dyrrhachium； he spoke of the strangeness and
incomprehensibility of the divine government of things； 〃Pompey；
when he did nothing wisely nor honestly； was always successful； and
now that he would preserve his country； and defend her liberty； he
is altogether unfortunate。〃 As for Asinius； he said； he could drive
him out of Sicily； but as there were larger forces coming to his
assistance； he would not engage the island in a war。 He therefore
advised the Syracusans to join the conquering party and provide for
their own safety； and so set sail from thence。
When he came to Pompey； he uniformly gave advice to protract the
war； as he always hoped to compose matters； and was by no means
desirous that they should come to action； for the commonwealth would
suffer extremely； and be the certain cause of its own ruin； whoever
were conqueror by the sword。 In like manner； he persuaded Pompey and
the council to ordain that no city should be sacked that was subject
to the people of Rome； and that no Roman should be killed but in the
heat of battle； and hereby he got himself great honour； and brought
over many to Pompey's party； whom his moderation and humanity
attracted。 Afterwards being sent into Asia； to assist those who were
raising men and preparing ships in those parts； he took with him his
sister Servilia； and a little boy whom she had by Lucullus。 For
since her widowhood； she had lived with her brother； and much