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！
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； being but
propraetor； ought not to command in the presence of a proconsul （for
Scipio had been created proconsul）； besides that people took it as a
good omen to see a Scipio command in Africa； and the very name
inspired the soldiers with hopes of success。
Scipio； having taken upon him the command； presently resolved； at
the instigation of Juba； to put all the inhabitants of Utica to the
sword； and to raze the city； for having； as they professed； taken part
with Caesar。 Cato would by no means suffer this； but invoking the
gods； exclaiming and protesting against it in the council of war； he
with much difficulty delivered the poor people from this cruelty。
And afterwards； upon the entreaty of the inhabitants； and at the
instance of Scipio； Cato took upon himself the government of Utica；
lest； one way or the other； it should fall into Caesar's hands； for it
was a strong place； and very advantageous for either party。 And it was
yet better provided and more strongly fortified towers； and who
brought in great store of corn； repaired the walls； erected towers；
and made deep trenches and palisades around the town。 The young men of
Utica he lodged among these works； having first taken their arms
from them； the rest of the inhabitants he kept within the town； and
took the greatest care that no injury should be done nor affront
offered them by the Romans。 From hence he sent great quantity of arms；
money； and provision to the camp； and made this city their chief
magazine。
He advised Scipio； as he had before done Pompey； by no means to
hazard a battle against a man experienced in war； and formidable in
the field； but to use delay； for time would gradually abate the
violence of the crisis； which is the strength of usurpation。 But
Scipio out of pride rejected this counsel； and wrote a letter to Cato；
in which he reproached him with cowardice； and that he could not be
content to lie secure himself within walls and trenches； but he must
hinder others from boldly using their own good sense to seize the
right opportunity。 In answer to this； Cato wrote word again； that he
would take the horse and foot which he had brought into Africa； and go
over into Italy； to make a diversion there； and draw Caesar off from
them。 But Scipio derided this proposition also。 Then Cato openly let
it be seen that he was sorry he had yielded the command to Scipio； who
he saw would not carry on the war with any wisdom； and if； contrary to
all appearance； he should succeed； he would use his success as
unjustly at home。 For Cato had then made up his mind； and so he told
his friends； that he could have but slender hopes in those generals
that had so much boldness and so little conduct； yet if anything
should happen beyond expectation； and Caesar should be overthrown； for
his part he would not stay at Rome； but would retire from the
cruelty and inhumanity of Scipio； who had already uttered fierce and
proud threats against many。
But what Cato had looked for； fell out sooner than he expected。 Late
in the evening came one from the army； whence he had been three days
coming； who brought word there had been a great battle near Thapsus；
that all was utterly lost； Caesar had taken the camps； Scipio and Juba
were fled with a few only； and all the rest of the army were lost。
This news arriving in time of war； and in the night； so alarmed the
people； that they were almost out of their wits； and could scarce keep
themselves within the walls of the city。 But Cato came forward； and
meeting the people in this hurry and clamour； did all he could to
comfort and encourage them； and somewhat appeased the fear and
amazement they were in； telling them that very likely things were
not so bad in truth； but much exaggerated in the report。 And so he
pacified the tumult for the present。 The next morning he sent for
three hundred； whom he used as his council； these were Romans； who
were in Africa upon business； in commerce and money…lending； there
were also several senators and their sons。 They were summoned to
meet in the temple of Jupiter。 While they were coming together； Cato
walked about very quietly and unconcerned； as if nothing new had
happened。 He had a book in his hand； which he was reading； in this
book was an account of what provision he had for war； armour； corn；
ammunition； and soldiers。
When they were assembled； he began his discourse； first； as regarded
the three hundred themselves； and very much commended the courage
and fidelity they had shown； and their having very well served their
country with their persons； money； and counsel。 Then he entreated them
by no means to separate； as if each single man could hope for any
safety in forsaking his companions； on the contrary； while they kept
together； Caesar would have less reason to despise them； if they
fought against him； and be more forward to pardon them； if they
submitted to him。 Therefore he advised them to consult among
themselves； nor should he find fault whichever course they adopted。 If
they thought fit to submit to fortune； he would impute their change to
necessity； but if they resolved to stand firm； and undertake the
danger for the sake of liberty； he should not only commend； but admire
their courage； and would himself be their leader and companion too；
till they had put to the proof the utmost fortune of their country；
which was not Utica or Adrumetum but Rome； and she had often； by her
own greatness； raised herself after worse disasters。 Besides； as there
were many things that would conduce to their safety； so chiefly
this； that they were to fight against one whose affairs urgently
claimed his presence in various quarters。 Spain was already revolted
to the younger Pompey； Rome was unaccustomed to the bridle； and
impatient of it； and would therefore be ready to rise in
insurrection upon any turn of affairs。 As for themselves； they ought
not to shrink from the danger； and in this might take example from
their enemy； who so freely exposes his life to effect the most
unrighteous designs； yet never can hope for so happy a conclusion as
they may promise themselves； for notwithstanding the uncertainty of
war； they will be sure of a most happy life if they succeed； or a most
glorious death if they miscarry。 However； he said； they ought to
deliberate among themselves； and he joined with them in praying the
gods that in recompense of their former courage and good…will； they
would prosper their present determinations。 When Cato had thus spoken；
many were moved and encouraged by his arguments； but the greatest part
were so animated by the sense of his intrepidity； generosity； and
goodness； that they forgot the present danger； and as if he were the
only invincible leader； and above all fortune； they entreated him to
employ their persons； arms； and estates； as he thought fit； for they
esteemed it far b