214 DRAMATIC SCENES. 



CATO'S SENATE. 



Cato having vainly tried to bring about an agreement between Pompey and 

 Csesar, sided with the former, and after Pompey's death fled with his party 

 to Utica in Africa. Being pursued by Csesar, he called his friends toge- 

 ther, and advised them to leave him instantly and throw themselves on 

 Caesar's clemency. They left him accordingly, and Cato, being unwilling to 

 fall into the power of Csesar, put himself to death with his own hands. 

 The poet here describes Cato deliberating with his senate as to the mode 

 of conduct to be pursued, now they were so hotly pressed by Csesar. 



CHARACTERS. 



CATO. DECIUS. 



SEMPRONIDS. JUNIUS. 



Lucius. 



Cato seats himself, and the senators take their places around him. 

 Cato's tone and manner are most grave, earnest, and dignified 

 throughout : Sempronius is particularly animated and energetic ; 

 Lucius is mild and persuasive ; Decius is solemn and forcible ; 

 Junius's address is rather hurried and monotonous. 



CATO. FATHERS, we once again are met in council : 

 CESAR'S approach has summon'd us together, 

 And Rome attends her fate from our resolves ; 

 How shall we treat this bold aspiring man ? 

 Success still follows him, and backs his crimes ; 

 Pharsalia gave him ROME, EGYPT has since 

 Receiv'd his yoke, and the whole NILE is CAESAR'S. 

 Why should I mention Jubus overthrow, 

 And Scipio's death? NUMIDIA'S burning sands 

 Still smoke with blood. 'Tis time we should decree 

 What course to take. Our foe advances on us, 

 And envies us even LYBIA'S sultry deserts. 

 Fathers, pronounce your thoughts : are they still fix'd 

 To hold it out, and fight it to the last ? 

 Or are your hearts subdued at length, and wrought 

 By time, and ill success, to a submission ?. 

 SEMPRONIUS, speak. 



SEM. My voice is still for WAR. 



GODS ! can a ROMAN senate long debate 

 Which of the two to choose, SLAV'RY or DEATH ! 



