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an end to his own。 For it was easily perceived that he had
determined to die； though he did not let it appear。
Therefore； having pacified the senators； he complied with the
request of the three hundred； and went to them alone without any
attendance。 They gave him many thanks； and entreated him to employ and
trust them for the future； and if they were not Catos； and could not
aspire to his greatness of mind； they begged he would pity their
weakness； and told him they had determined to send to Caesar and
entreat him； chiefly and in the first place； for Cato； and if they
could not prevail for him； they would not accept of pardon for
themselves； but as long as they had breath； would fight in his
defence。 Cato commended their good intentions； and advised them to
send speedily； for their own safety； but by no means to ask anything
in his behalf； for those who are conquered； entreat； and those who
have done wrong； beg pardon； for himself； he did not confess to any
defeat in all his life； but rather； so far as he had thought fit； he
had got the victory； and had conquered Caesar in all points of justice
and honesty。 It was Caesar that ought to be looked upon as one
surprised and vanquished； for he was now convicted and found guilty of
those designs against his country； which he had so long practised
and so constantly denied。 When he had thus spoken； he went out of
the assembly； and being informed that Caesar was coming with his whole
army； 〃Ah；〃 said he； 〃he expects to find us brave men。〃 Then he went
to the senators； and urged them to make no delay； but hasten to be
gone； while the horsemen were yet in the city。 So ordering all the
gates to be shut； except one towards the sea； he assigned their
several ships to those that were to depart； and gave money and
provision to those that wanted； all which he did with great order
and exactness； taking care to suppress all tumults； and that no
wrong should be done to the people。
Marcus Octavius； coming with two legions； now encamped near Utica；
sent to Cato to arrange about the chief command。 Cato returned him
no answer； but said to his friends； 〃Can we wonder all has gone ill
with us； when our love of office survives even in our very ruin？〃 In
the meantime； word was brought him； that the horse were going away；
and were beginning to spoil and plunder the citizens。 Cato ran to
them； and from the first he met； snatched what they had taken； the
rest threw down all they had gotten； and went away silent and
ashamed of what they had done。 Then he called all the people of Utica；
and requested them； upon the behalf of the three hundred； not to
exasperate Caesar against them； but all to seek their common safety
together with them。 After that； he went again to the port to see those
who were about to embark； and there he embraced and dismissed those of
his friends and acquaintance whom he had persuaded to go。 As for his
son； he did not counsel him to be gone； nor did he think fit to
persuade him to forsake his father。 But there was one Statyllius； a
young man； in the flower of his age； of a brave spirit； and very
desirous to imitate the constancy of Cato。 Cato entreated him to go
away； as he was a noted enemy to Caesar； but without success。 Then
Cato looked at Apollonides； the stoic philosopher； and Demetrius；
the peripatetic； 〃It belongs to you to cool the fever of this young
man's spirit； and to make him know what is good for him。〃 And thus； in
setting his friends upon their way； and in despatching the business of
any that applied to him； he spent that night and the greatest part
of the next day。
Lucius Caesar； a kinsman of Caesar's； being appointed to go deputy
for the three hundred； came to Cato； and desired he would assist him
to prepare a persuasive speech for them； 〃And as to you yourself；〃
said he； 〃it will be an honour for me to kiss the hands and fall at
the knees of Caesar； in your behalf。〃 But Cato would by no means
permit him to do any such thing； 〃For as to myself；〃 said he； 〃if I
would be preserved by Caesar's favour； I should myself go to him；
but I would not be beholden to a tyrant for his acts of tyranny。 For
it is but usurpation in him to save； as their rightful lord； the lives
of men over whom he has no title to reign。 But if you please； let us
consider what you had best say for the three hundred。〃 And when they
had continued some time together； as Lucius was going away； Cato
recommended to him his son and the rest of his friends； and taking him
by the hand bade him farewell。
Then he retired to his house again； and called together his son
and his friends； to whom he conversed on various subjects； among the
rest he forbade his son to engage himself in the affairs of state。 For
to act therein as became him was now impossible； and to do
otherwise； would be dishonourable。 Toward evening he went into his
bath。 As he was bathing； he remembered Statyllius and called out loud；
〃Apollonides； have you tamed the high spirit of Statyllius； and is
he gone without bidding us farewell？〃 〃No；〃 said Apollonides； 〃I
have said much to him； but to little purpose； he is still resolute and
unalterable； and declares he is determined to follow your example。〃 At
this； it is said； Cato smiled； and answered； 〃That will soon be
tried。〃
After he had bathed； he went to supper； with a great deal of
company； at which he sat up； as he had always used to do ever since
the battle of Pharsalia； for since that time he never lay down but
when he went to sleep。 There supped with him all his own friends and
the magistrates of Utica。
After supper； the wine produced a great deal of lively and agreeable
discourse； and a whole series of philosophical questions was
discussed。 At length they came to the strange dogmas of the stoics；
called their Paradoxes； and to this in particular。 That the good man
only is free； and that all wicked men are slaves。 The peripatetic；
as was to be expected； opposing this； Cato fell upon him very
warmly； and somewhat raising his voice； he argued the matter at
great length； and urged the point with such vehemence； that it was
apparent to everybody he was resolved to put an end to his life； and
set himself at liberty。 And so； when he had done speaking； there was a
great silence and evident dejection。 Cato； therefore； to divert them
from any suspicion of his design； turned the conversation； and began
again to talk of matters of present interest and expectation；
showing great concern for those that were at sea； as also for the
others； who； travelling by land； were to pass through a dry and
barbarous desert。
When the company was broke up； he walked with his friends； as he
used to do after supper； gave the necessary orders to the officers
of the watch； and going into his chamber； he embraced his son and
every one of his friends with more than usual warmth； which again
renewed their suspicion of his design。 Then laying himself down； he
took into his hand Plato's dialogue concernin