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employ their persons； arms； and estates； as he thought fit； for they
esteemed it far better to meet death in following his counsel； than to
find their safety in betraying one of so great virtue。 One of the
assembly proposed the making a decree to set the slaves at liberty；
and most of the rest approved the motion。 Cato said that it ought
not to be done； for it was neither just nor lawful； but if any of
their masters would willingly set them free； those that were fit for
service should be received。 Many promised so to do； whose names he
ordered to be enrolled； and then withdrew。
Presently after this he received letters from Juba and Scipio。 Juba；
with some few of his men； was retired to a mountain； where he waited
to hear what Cato would resolve upon； and intended to stay there for
him； if he thought fit to leave Utica； or to come to his aid with
his troops； if he were besieged。 Scipio was on shipboard； near a
certain promontory； not far from Utica； expecting an answer upon the
same account。 But Cato thought fit to retain the messengers till the
three hundred should come to some resolution。
As for the senators that were there； they showed great
forwardness； and at once set free their slaves； and furnished them
with arms。 But the three hundred being men occupied in merchandise and
money…lending； much of their substance also consisting in slaves；
the enthusiasm that Cato's speech had raised in them did not long
continue。 As there are substances that easily admit heat； and as
suddenly lose it； when the fire is removed； so these men were heated
and inflamed while Cato was present； but when they began to reason
among themselves； the fear they had of Caesar soon overcame their
reverence for Cato and for virtue。 〃For who are we；〃 said they； 〃and
who is it we refuse to obey？ Is it not that Caesar who is now invested
with all the power of Rome？ and which of us is a Scipio； a Pompey；
or a Cato？ But now that all men make their honour give way to their
fear； shall we alone engage for the liberty of Rome； and in Utica
declare war against him； before whom Cato and Pompey the Great fled
out of Italy？ Shall we set free our slaves against Caesar； who have
ourselves no more liberty than he is pleased to allow？ No； let us；
poor creatures； know ourselves； submit to the victor； and send
deputies to implore his mercy。〃 Thus said the most moderate of them；
but the greatest part were for seizing the senators； that by
securing them they might appease Caesar's anger。 Cato； though he
perceived the change； took no notice of it； but wrote to Juba and
Scipio to keep away from Utica； because he mistrusted the three
hundred。
A considerable body of horse； which had escaped from the late fight；
riding up towards Utica； sent three men before to Cato； who yet did
not all bring the same message； for one party was for going to Juba；
another for joining with Cato； and some again were afraid to go into
Utica。 When Cato heard this； he ordered Marcus Rubrius to attend
upon the three hundred； and quietly take the names of those who； of
their own accord； set their slaves at liberty； but by no means to
force anybody。 Then taking with him the senators； he went out of the
town； and met the principal officers of these horsemen； whom he
entreated not to abandon so many Roman senators； not to prefer Juba
for their commander before Cato； but consult the common safety； and to
come into the city； which was impregnable； and well furnished with
corn and other provision； sufficient for many years。 The senators
likewise with tears besought them to stay。 Hereupon the officers
went to consult their soldiers； and Cato with the senators sat down
upon an embankment； expecting their resolution。 In the meantime
comes Rubrius in great disorder； crying out； the three hundred were
all in commotion； and exciting revolt and tumult in the city。 At
this all the rest fell into despair； lamenting and bewailing their
condition。 Cato endeavoured to comfort them； and sent to the three
hundred； desiring them to have patience。 Then the officers of the
horse returned with no very reasonable demands。 They said； they did
not desire to serve Juba for his pay； nor should they fear Caesar；
while they followed Cato； but they dreaded to be shut up with the
Uticans； men of traitorous temper； and Carthaginian blood； for
though they were quiet at present； yet as soon as Caesar should
appear； without doubt they would conspire together； and betray the
Romans。 Therefore； if he expected they should join with him； he must
drive out of the town or destroy all the Uticans； that he might
receive them into a place clear both of enemies and barbarians。 This
Cato thought utterly cruel and barbarous； but he mildly answered； he
would consult the three hundred。
Then he returned to the city； where he found the men； not framing
excuses； or dissembling out of reverence to him； but openly
declaring that no one should compel them to make war against Caesar；
which； they said； they were neither able nor willing to do。 And some
there were who muttered words about retaining the senators till
Caesar's coming； but Cato seemed not to hear this； as indeed he had
the excuse of being a little deaf。 At the same time came one to him
and told him the horse were going away。 And now； fearing lest the
three hundred should take some desperate resolution concerning the
senators； he presently went out with some of his friends； and seeing
they were gone some way； he took horse； and rode after them。 They；
when they saw him coming； were very glad； and received him very
kindly； entreating him to save himself with them。 At this time； it
is said； Cato shed tears； while entreating them on behalf of the
senators； and stretching out his hands in supplication。 He turned some
of their horses' heads； and laid hold of the men by their armour； till
in fine he prevailed with them out of compassion； to stay only that
one day； to procure a safe retreat for the senators。 Having thus
persuaded them to go along with him； some he placed at the gates of
the town； and to others gave the charge of the citadel。 The three
hundred began to fear they should suffer for their inconstancy； and
sent to Cato； entreating him by all means to come to them； but the
senators flocking about him； would not suffer him to go； and said they
would not trust their guardian and saviour to the hands of
perfidious traitors。
For there had never； perhaps； been a time when Cato's virtue
appeared more manifestly； and every class of men in Utica could
clearly see； with sorrow and admiration； how entirely free was
everything that he was doing from any secret motives or any mixture of
self…regard； he； namely； who had long before resolved on his own
death； was taking such extreme pains； toil； and care； only for the
sake of others； that when he had secured their lives； he might put
an end to his own。 For it was easily perceived that he had
determined to die； though he did not let it appea