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renewed their suspicion of his design。 Then laying himself down； he
took into his hand Plato's dialogue concerning the soul。 Having read
more than half the book； he looked up； and missing his sword； which
his son had taken away while he was at supper； he called his
servant； and asked who had taken away his sword。 The servant making no
answer； he fell to reading again； and a little after； not seeming
importunate； or hasty for it； but as if he would only know what had
become of it； he bade it be brought。 But having waited some time； when
he had read through the book； and still nobody brought the sword； he
called up all his servants； and in a louder tone demanded his sword。
To one of them he gave such a blow in the mouth； that he hurt his
own hand； and now grew more angry； exclaiming that he was betrayed and
delivered naked to the enemy by his son and his servants。 Then his
son； with the rest of his friends； came running into the room； and
falling at his feet； began to lament and beseech him。 But Cato raising
himself； and looking fiercely； 〃When；〃 said he； 〃and how did I
become deranged； and out of my senses； that thus no one tries to
persuade me by reason； or show me what is better； if I am supposed
to be ill…advised？ Must I be disarmed； and hindered from using my
own reason？ And you； young man； why do you not bind your father's
hands behind him that； when Caesar comes； he may find me unable to
defend myself？ To despatch myself I want no sword； I need but hold
my breath awhile； or strike my head against the wall。〃
When he had thus spoken； his son went weeping out of the chamber；
and with him all the rest； except Demetrius and Apollonides； to
whom； being left alone with him； he began to speak more calmly。 〃And
you；〃 said he； 〃do you also think to keep a man of my age alive by
force； and to sit here and silently watch me？ Or do you bring me
some reasons to prove； that it will not be base and unworthy for Cato；
when he can find his safety no other way； to seek it from his enemy？
If so； adduce your arguments； and show cause why we should now unlearn
what we formerly were taught； in order that rejecting all the
convictions in which we lived； we may now by Caesar's help grow wiser；
and be yet more obliged to him for life only。 Not that I have
determined aught concerning myself； but I would have it in my power to
perform what I shall think fit to resolve； and I shall not fail to
take you as my advisers； in holding counsel； as I shall do； with the
doctrines which your philosophy teaches in the meantime； do not
trouble yourselves； but go tell my son that he should not compel his
father to what he cannot persuade him to。〃 They made him no answer；
but went weeping out of the chamber。 Then the sword being brought in
by a little boy； Cato took it； drew it out； and looked at it； and when
he saw the point was good； 〃Now；〃 said he； 〃I am master of myself；〃
and laying down the sword； he took his book again； which； it is
related； he read twice over。 After this he slept so soundly that he
was heard to snore by those that were without。
About midnight； he called up two of his freedmen； Cleanthes； his
physician； and Butas； whom he chiefly employed in public business。 Him
he sent to the port； to see if all his friends had sailed； to the
physician he gave his hand to be dressed； as it was swollen with the
blow he had struck one of his servants。 At this they all rejoiced；
hoping that now he designed to live。
Butas； after a while； returned； and brought word they were all
gone except Crassus； who had stayed about some business； but was
just ready to depart； he said； also； that the wind was high； and the
sea very rough。 Cato； on hearing this； sighed； out of compassion to
those who were at sea； and sent Butas again to see if any of them
should happen to return for anything they wanted； and to acquaint
him therewith。
Now the birds began to sing； and he again fell into a little
slumber。 At length Butas came back； and told him all was quiet in
the port。 Then Cato； laying himself down； as if he would sleep out the
rest of the night； bade him shut the door after him。 But as soon as
Butas was gone out； he took his sword； and stabbed it into his breast；
yet not being able to use his band so well； on account of the
swelling； he did not immediately die of the wound； but struggling；
fell off the bed； and throwing down a little mathematical table that
stood by； made such a noise that the servants； hearing it； cried
out。 And immediately his son and all his friends came into the
chamber； where； seeing him lie weltering in his blood； great part of
his bowels out of his body； but himself still alive and able to look
at them； they all stood in horror。 The physician went to him； and
would have put in his bowels； which were not pierced； and sewed up the
wound； but Cato； recovering himself； and understanding the
intention； thrust away the physician； plucked out his own bowels；
and tearing open the wound； immediately expired。
In less time than one would think his own family could have known
this accident； all the three hundred were at the door。 And a little
after； the people of Utica flocked thither； crying out with one voice；
he was their benefactor and their saviour； the only free and only
undefeated man。 At the very same time； they had news that Caesar was
coming； yet neither fear of the present danger； nor desire to
flatter the conqueror； nor the commotions and discord among
themselves； could divert them from doing honour to Cato。 For they
sumptuously set out his body； made him a magnificent funeral； and
buried him by the seaside； where now stands his statue； holding a
sword。 And only when this had been done； they returned to consider
of preserving themselves and their city。
Caesar had been informed that Cato stayed at Utica； and did not seek
to fly； that he had sent away the rest of the Romans； but himself；
with his son and a few of his friends； continued there very
unconcernedly； so that he could not imagine what might be his
design。 But having a great consideration for the man； he hastened
thither with his army。 When he heard of his death； it is related he
said these words； 〃Cato； I grudge you your death； as you have
grudged me the preservation of your life。〃 And； indeed； if Cato
would have suffered himself to owe his life to Caesar； he would not so
much have impaired his own honour； as augmented the other's glory。
What would have been done； of course； we cannot know； but from
Caesar's usual clemency； we may guess what was most likely。
Cato was forty…eight years old when he died。 His son suffered no
injury from Caesar； but； it is said； he grew idle； and was thought
to be dissipated among women。 In Cappadocia； he stayed at the house of
Marphadates； one of the royal family there； who had a very handsome
wife； and continuing his visit longer than was suitable； he made
himself the subject of various epigrams； such as； for example…
〃To…mor