216 DRAMATIC SCENES. 



It is not C.ESAR, but the GODS, my fathers, 



The GODS declare against us, and repel 



Our vain attempts. To urge the foe to battle, 



(Prompted by blind revenge and wild despair) 



Were to refuse th' awards of providence, 



And not to rest in Heaven's determination. 



Already have \ve shown our love to ROME ; 



Now let us show submission to the GODS. 



We took up arms, not to revenge ourselves, 



But free the commonwealth : when this end fails, 



Arms have no further use. Our COUNTRY'S cause, 



That drew our swords, now wrests 'em from our hands, 



And bids us not delight in ROMAN blood 



Unprqfitably shed. What men could do, 



Is done already: heavn and earth will witness, 



If ROME must fall, that WE are innocent. 



SEM. This smooth discourse, and mild behaviour, oft 

 Conceal a traitor something whispers me 

 * All is not right. Cato, beware of Lucius. 



[Aside to Cato.] 



CATO. Let us appear nor rash nor diffident ; 

 Immod'rate valour swells into a fault ; 

 And fear admitted into public councils 

 Betrays like treason. Let us shun 'em both. 

 Fathers, I cannot see that our affairs 

 Are grown thus desp'rate : we have bulwarks round us : 

 Within our walls are troops inur'd to toil 

 In AFRIC'S heat, and season'd to the sun ; 

 NUMIDIA'S spacious kingdom lies behind us, 

 Ready to rise at its young prince's call. 

 While there is hope, do not distrust the GODS ; 

 But wait at least till CESAR'S near approach 

 Force us to yield. 'Twill never be too late 

 To sue for CHAINS, and own a CONQUEROR. 

 Why should ROME fall a moment ere her time ? 

 No, let us draw her term of freedom out 

 In its full length, and spin it to the last, 

 So shall we gain still one day's LIBERTY : 

 And let me perish, but iu CATO'S judgment, 

 A DAY, an HOUR, of virtuous LIBERTY, 

 Is worth a whole ETERNITY in bondage. 



