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foreign wars。 But the design was discovered by Cicero （as we have
written in his life）； and the matter brought before the senate。
Silanus； who spoke first； delivered his opinion； that the conspirators
ought to suffer the last of punishments； and was therein followed by
all who spoke after him； till it came to Caesar； who being an
excellent speaker； and looking upon all changes and commotions in
the state as materials useful for his own purposes； desired rather
to increase than extinguish them； and standing up； he made a very
merciful and persuasive speech； that they ought not to suffer death
without fair trial according to law； and moved that they might be kept
in prison。 Thus was the house almost wholly turned by Caesar；
apprehending also the anger of the people； insomuch that even
Silanus retracted； and said he did not mean to propose death； but
imprisonment； for that was the utmost a Roman could suffer。
Upon this they were all inclined to the milder and more merciful
opinion； when Cato； standing up； began at once with great passion
and vehemence to reproach Silanus for his change of opinion； and to
attack Caesar； who would； he said； ruin the commonwealth by soft words
and popular speeches； and was endeavouring to frighten the senate；
when he himself ought to fear； and be thankful； if he escaped
unpunished or unsuspected； who thus openly and boldly dared to protect
the enemies of the state； and while finding no compassion for his
own native country； brought； with all its glories； so near to utter
ruin； could yet be full of pity for those men who had better never
have been born； and whose death must deliver the commonwealth from
bloodshed and destruction。 This only of all Cato's speeches； it is
said； was preserved； for Cicero； the consul； had disposed in various
parts of the senate…house； several of the most expert and rapid
writers； whom he had taught to make figures comprising numerous
words in a few short strokes； as up to that time they had not used
those we call shorthand writers； who then； as it is said；
established the first example of the art。 Thus Cato carried it； and so
turned the house again； that it was decreed the conspirators should be
put to death。
Not to omit any small matters that may serve to show Cato's
temper； and add something to the portraiture of his mind； it is
reported； that while Caesar and he were in the very heat； and the
whole senate regarding them two； a little note was brought in to
Caesar which Cato declared to be suspicious； and urging that some
seditious act was going on； bade the letter be read。 Upon which Caesar
handed the paper to Cato； who； discovering it to be a love…letter from
his sister Servilia to Caesar； by whom she had been corrupted； threw
it to him again； saying； 〃Take it； drunkard；〃 and so went on with
his discourse。 And； indeed； it seems Cato had but ill…fortune in
women； for this lady was ill…spoken of for her familiarity with
Caesar； and the other Servilia； Cato's sister also； was yet more
ill…conducted； for being married to Lucullus； one of the greatest
men in Rome； and having brought him a son； she was afterwards divorced
for incontinency。 But what was worst of all； Cato's own wife Atilia
was not free from the same fault； and after she had borne him two
children； he was forced to put her away for her misconduct。 After
that； he married Marcia； the daughter of Philippus； a woman of good
reputation； who yet has occasioned much discourse； and the life of
Cato； like a dramatic piece； has this one scene or passage full of
perplexity and doubtful meaning。
It is thus related by Thrasea； who refers to the authority of
Munatius； Cato's friend and constant companion。 Among many that
loved and admired Cato； some were more remarkable and conspicuous than
others。 Of these was Quintus Hortensius； a man of high repute and
approved virtue； who desired not only to live in friendship and
familiarity with Cato； but also to unite his whole house and family
with him by some sort or other of alliance in marriage。 Therefore he
set himself to persuade Cato that his daughter Porcia； who was already
married to； Bibulus； and had borne him two children； might
nevertheless be given to him； as a fair plot of land； to bear fruit
also for him。 〃For；〃 said he； 〃though this in the opinion of men may
seem strange； yet in nature it is honest； and profitable for the
public that a woman in the prime of her youth should not lie
useless； and lose the fruit of her womb； nor； on the other side；
should burden and impoverish one man； by bringing him too many
children。 Also by this communication of families among worthy men；
virtue would increase； and be diffused through their posterity； and
the commonwealth would be united and cemented by their alliances。〃 Yet
if Bibulus would not part with his wife altogether； he would restore
her as soon as she had brought him a child； whereby he might be united
to both their families。 Cato answered； that he loved Hortensius very
well； and much approved of uniting their houses； but he thought it
strange to speak of marrying his daughter； when she was already
given to another。 Then Hortensius； turning the discourse； did not
hesitate to speak openly and ask for Cato's own wife； for she was
young and fruitful； and he had already children enough。 Neither can it
be thought that Hortensius did this； as imagining Cato did not care
for Marcia； for； it is said； she was then with child。 Cato； perceiving
his earnest desire； did not deny his request； but said that Philippus；
the father of Marcia； ought also to be consulted。 Philippus；
therefore； being sent for； came； and finding they were well agreed；
gave his daughter Marcia to Hortensius in the presence of Cato； who
himself also assisted at the marriage。 This was done at a later
time； but since I was speaking of women； I thought it well to
mention it now。
Lentulus and the rest of the conspirators were put to death； but
Caesar； finding so much insinuated and charged against him in the
senate； betook himself to the people； and proceeded to stir up the
most corrupt and dissolute elements of the state to form a party in
his support。 Cato； apprehensive of what might ensue； persuaded the
senate to win over the poor and unprovided…for multitude by a
distribution of corn； the annual charge of which amounted to twelve
hundred and fifty talents。 This act of humanity and kindness
unquestionably dissipated the present danger。 But Metellus； coming
into his office of tribune； began to hold tumultuous assemblies； and
had prepared a decree； that Pompey the Great should presently be
called into Italy； with all his forces； to preserve the city from
the danger of Catiline's conspiracy。 This was the fair pretence； but
the true design was to deliver all into the hands of Pompey； and to
give him an absolute power。 Upon this the senate was assembled； and
Cato did not fall sharply upon Metellus； as he often did； but urged
his advice in the most rea