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Cato did not fall sharply upon Metellus； as he often did； but urged
his advice in the most reasonable and moderate tone。 At last he
descended even to entreaty； and extolled the house of Metellus as
having always taken part with the nobility。 At this Metellus grew
the more insolent； and despising Cato； as if he yielded and were
afraid； let himself proceed to the most audacious menaces； openly
threatening to do whatever he pleased in spite of the senate。 Upon
this Cato changed his countenance； his voice； and his language； and
after many sharp expressions； boldly concluded that； while he lived；
Pompey should never come armed into the city。 The senate thought
them both extravagant； and not well in their safe senses； for the
design of Metellus seemed to be mere rage and frenzy； out of excess of
mischief bringing all things to ruin and confusion； and Cato's
virtue looked like a kind of ecstasy of contention in the cause of
what was good and just。
But when the day came for the people to give their voices for the
passing this decree； and Metellus beforehand occupied the forum with
armed men； strangers； gladiators； and slaves； those that in hopes of
change followed Pompey were known to be no small part of the people；
and besides； they had great assistance from Caesar； who was then
praetor； and though the best and chiefest men of the city were no less
offended at these proceedings than Cato； they seemed rather likely
to suffer with him than able to assist him。 In the meantime Cato's
whole family were in extreme fear and apprehension for him； some of
his friends neither ate nor slept all the night； passing the whole
time in debating and perplexity； his wife and sisters also bewailed
and lamented him。 But he himself； void of all fear； and full of
assurance； comforted and encouraged them by his own words and
conversation with them。 After supper he went to rest at his usual
hour； and was the next day waked out of a profound sleep by Minucius
Thermus； one of his colleagues。 So soon as he was up； they two went
together into the forum； accompanied by very few； but met by a great
many； who bade them have a care of themselves。 Cato； therefore； when
he saw the temple of Castor and Pollux encompassed with armed men； and
the steps guarded by gladiators； and at the top Metellus and Caesar
seated together； turning to his friends； 〃Behold；〃 said he； 〃this
audacious coward； who has levied a regiment of soldiers against one
unarmed naked man； and so he went on with Thermus。 Those who kept
the passages gave way to these two only； and would not let anybody
else pass。 Yet Cato taking Munatius by the hand； with much
difficulty pulled him through along with him。 Then going directly to
Metellus and Caesar； he sat himself down between them； to prevent
their talking to one another； at which they were both amazed and
confounded。 And those of the honest party； observing the
countenance； and admiring the high spirit and boldness of Cato； went
nearer； and cried out to him to have courage； exhorting also one
another to stand together； and not betray their liberty nor the
defender of it。
Then the clerk took out the bill； but Cato forbade him to read it；
whereupon Metellus took it； and would have read it himself； but Cato
snatched the book away。 Yet Metellus； having the decree by heart；
began to recite it without book； but Thermus put his hand to his
mouth； and stopped his speech。 Metellus seeing them fully bent to
withstand him； and the people cowed； and inclining to the better side；
sent to his house for armed men。 And on their rushing in with great
noise and terror； all the rest dispersed and ran away； except Cato；
who alone stood still； while the other party threw sticks and stones
at him from above； until Murena； whom he had formerly accused； came up
to protect him； and holding his gown before him； cried out to them
to leave off throwing； and； in fine； persuading and pulling him along；
he forced him into the temple of Castor and Pollux。 Metellus； now
seeing the place clear； and all the adverse party fled out of the
forum； thought he might easily carry his point； so he commanded the
soldiers to retire； and recommencing in an orderly manner； began to
proceed to passing the decree。 But the other side having recovered
themselves； returned very boldly； and with loud shouting； insomuch
that Metellus's adherents were seized with a panic； supposing them
to be coming with a reinforcement of armed men； fled every one out
of the place。 They being thus dispersed； Cato came in again； and
confirmed the courage； and commended the resolution of the people；
so that now the majority were； by all means； for deposing Metellus
from his office。 The senate also being assembled； gave orders once
more for supporting Cato； and resisting the motion； as of a nature
to excite sedition and perhaps civil war in the city。
But Metellus continued still very bold and resolute； and seeing
his party stood greatly in fear of Cato； whom they looked upon as
invincible； he hurried out of the senate into the forum； and assembled
the people； to whom he made a bitter and invidious speech against
Cato； crying out； he was forced to fly from his tyranny； and this
conspiracy against Pompey； that the city would soon repent their
having dishonoured so great a man。 And from hence he started to go
to Asia； with the intention； as would he supposed； of laying before
Pompey all the injuries that were done him。 Cato was highly extolled
for having delivered the state from this dangerous tribuneship； and
having in some measure defeated； in the person of Metellus； the
power of Pompey； but he was yet more commended when； upon the senate
proceeding to disgrace Metellus and depose him from his office； he
altogether opposed and at length diverted the design。 The common
people admired his moderation and humanity； in not trampling
wantonly on an enemy whom he had overthrown； and wiser men
acknowledged his prudence and policy in not exasperating Pompey。
Lucullus soon after returned from the war in Asia； the finishing
of which； and thereby the glory of the whole； was thus； in all
appearance； taken out of his hands by Pompey。 And he was also not
far from losing his triumph； for Caius Memmius traduced him to the
people； and threatened to accuse him； rather； however； out of love
to Pompey； than for any particular enmity to him。 But Cato； being
allied to Lucullus； who had married his sister Servilia； and also
thinking it a great injustice； opposed Memmius； thereby exposing
himself to much slander and misrepresentation； insomuch that they
would have turned him out of his office； pretending that he used his
power tyrannically。 Yet at length Cato so far prevailed against
Memmius that he was forced to let fall the accusations； and abandon
the contest。 And Lucullus having thus obtained his triumph； yet more
sedulously cultivated Cato's friendship； which he looked upon as a
great guard and defence for him against Pompey's p