DRAMATIC SCENES. 217 



[Enter Junius.~\ 



JUN. Fathers, this moment, as I watch'd the gate, 

 Lodg'd on my post, a herald is arriv'd 

 From CAESAR'S camp, and with him comes old DECIUS, 

 The ROMAN knight ; he carries in his looks 

 Impatience ; and demands to speak with CATO. 



CATO. By your permission, fathers bid him enter. 



[Exit Junius. 



DECIUS was once my friend, but other prospects 

 Have loos'd those ties, and bound him fast to C.ESAR. 

 His message may determine our resolves. 

 [Enter Decius and Junius.] 

 DEC. C.ESAR sends health to CATO. 

 CATO. Could* he send it 



To CATO'S slaughter'd FRIENDS, it would be welcome. 

 Are not your orders to address the senate ? 



DEC. My business is with CATO. C.ESAR sees 

 The straits to which you're driven ; and as he knows 

 CATO'S high wortli, is anxious for your LIFE. 



CATo.f My life is grafted on the fate of ROME. 

 Would he save CATO? bid him spare his COUNTRY. 

 Tell your DICTATOR this; and tell him, CATO 

 Disdains^ a life which lie has power to offer. 



DEC. ROME and her senators submit to C.ESAR ; 

 Her gen'rals and her consuls are no more, 

 Who check'd his conquests, and deny'd his triumphs. 

 Why will not CATO be this CESAR'S friend? 



CATO. These very reasons thou hast urg'd/or&id it. 

 DEC. CATO, I have orders to expostulate, 

 And reason with you, as from friend to friend : 

 Think on the STORM that gathers o'er your head, 

 And threatens ev'ry hour to burst upon it: 

 Still may you stand high in your country's honours; 

 Do but comply, and make your peace with C.ESAR, 

 ROME will rejoice, and cast its eyes on CATO, 

 As on the second of mankind. 



* Cato here assumes much sternness of manner. 



f Enthusiastic manner. 



j Haughtiness of manner, with an expression of disdain, 



Great solemnity of manner. 



