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since her widowhood； she had lived with her brother； and much
recovered her reputation； having put herself under his care；
followed him in his voyages； and complied with his severe way of
living。 Yet Caesar did not fail to asperse him upon her account also。
Pompey's officers in Asia； it seems； had no great need of Cato；
but he brought over the people of Rhodes by his persuasions； and
leaving his sister Servilia and her child there； he returned to
Pompey； who had now collected very great forces both by sea and
land。 And here Pompey； more than in any other act； betrayed his
intentions。 For at first he designed to give Cato the command of the
navy； which consisted of no less than five hundred ships of war；
besides a vast number of light galleys； scouts； and open boats。 But
presently bethinking himself； or put in mind by his friends； that
Cato's principal and only aim being to free his country from all
usurpation； if he were master of such great forces； as soon as ever
Caesar should be conquered； he would certainly call upon Pompey； also；
to lay down his arms； and be subject to the laws； he changed his mind；
and though he had already mentioned it to Cato； nevertheless made
Bibulus admiral。 Notwithstanding this； he had no reason to suppose
that Cato's zeal in the cause was in any way diminished。 For before
one of the battles at Dyrrhachium； when Pompey himself； we are told；
made an address to soldiers and bade the officers do the like； the men
listened to them but coldly and with silence； until Cato； last of all；
came forward； and in the language of philosophy； spoke to them； as the
occasion required； concerning liberty； manly virtue； death； and a good
name； upon all which he delivered himself with strong natural passion；
and concluded with calling in the aid of the gods； to whom he directed
his speech； as if they were present to behold them fight for their
country。 And at this the army gave such a shout and showed such
excitement that their officers led them on full of hope and confidence
to the danger。 Caesar's party were routed and put to flight； but his
presiding fortune used the advantage of Pompey's cautiousness and
diffidence to render the victory incomplete。 But of this we have
spoken in the life of Pompey。 While； however； all the rest rejoiced；
and magnified their success； Cato alone bewailed his country； and
cursed that fatal ambition which made so many brave Romans murder
one another。
After this Pompey； following Caesar into Thessaly； left at
Dyrrhachium a quantity of munitions； money； and stores； and many of
his domestics and relations； the charge of all which he gave to
Cato； with the command only of fifteen cohorts。 For though he
trusted him much； yet he was afraid of him too； knowing full well；
that if he had bad success； Cato would be the last to forsake him； but
if he conquered； would never let him use his victory at his
pleasure。 There were； likewise； many persons of high rank that
stayed with Cato at Dyrrhachium。 When they heard of the overthrow at
Pharsalia； Cato resolved with himself； that if Pompey were slain； he
would conduct those that were with him into Italy； and then retire
as far from the tyranny of Caesar as he could； and live in exile；
but if Pompey were safe； he would keep the army together for him。 With
this resolution he passed over to Corcyra； where the navy lay； there
he would have resigned his command to Cicero； because he had been
consul； and himself only a praetor： but Cicero refused it； and was
going for Italy。 At which Pompey's son being incensed； would rashly
and in heat have punished all those who were going away； and in the
first place have laid hands on Cicero； but Cato spoke with him in
private； and diverted him from that design。 And thus he clearly
saved the life of Cicero； and rescued several others also from
ill…treatment。
Conjecturing that Pompey the Great was fled toward Egypt or
Africa； Cato resolved to hasten after him； and having taken all his
men aboard； he set sail； but first to those who were not zealous to
continue the contest； he gave free liberty to depart。 When they came
to the coast of Africa they met with Sextus； Pompey's youngest son；
who told them of the death of his father in Egypt； at which they
were all exceedingly grieved； and declared that after Pompey they
would follow no other leader but Cato。 Out of compassion； therefore；
to so many worthy persons； who had given such testimonies of their
fidelity； and whom he could not for shame leave in a desert country；
amidst so many difficulties； he took upon him the command； and marched
toward the city of Cyrene； which presently received him； though not
long before they had shut gates against Labienus。 Here he was informed
that Scipio； Pompey's father…in…law； was received by King Juba； and
that Attius Varus； whom Pompey had made governor of Africa； had joined
them with his forces。 Cato therefore resolved to march toward them
by land； it being now winter； and got together a number of asses to
carry water； and furnished himself likewise with plenty of all other
provision； and a number of carriages。 He took also with him some of
those they call Psylli； who cure the biting of serpents； by sucking
out the poison with their mouths； and have likewise certain charms； by
which they stupefy and lay asleep the serpents。
Thus they marched seven days together； Cato all the time going on
foot at the head of his men； and never making use of any horse or
chariot。 Ever since the battle of Pharsalia； he used to sit at
table； and added this to his other ways of mourning； that he never lay
down but to sleep。
Having passed the winter in Africa； Cato drew out his army； which
amounted to little less than ten thousand。 The affairs of Scipio and
Varus went very ill； by reason of their dissensions and quarrels among
themselves； and their submissions and flatteries to King Juba； who was
insupportable for his vanity； and the pride he took in his strength
and riches。 The first time he came to a conference with Cato； he had
ordered his own seat to be placed in the middle； between Scipio and
Cato； which Cato observing； took up his chair and set himself on the
other side of Scipio； to whom he thus gave the honour of sitting in
the middle； though he were his enemy； and had formerly published
some scandalous writing against him。 There are people who speak as
if this were quite an insignificant matter； and who； nevertheless；
find fault with Cato； because in Sicily； walking one day with
Philostratus； he gave him the middle place； to show his respect for
philosophy。 However； he now succeeded both in humbling the pride of
Juba； who was treating Scipio and Varus much like a pair of satraps
under his orders； and also in reconciling them to each other。 All
the troops desired him to be their leader； Scipio； likewise； and Varus
gave way to it； and offered him the command； but he said he would
not break those laws which he sought to defend； and he；