218 DRAMATIC SCENES. 



CATO. No* more ? 



I must not think of life on such conditions. 



DEC. CAESAR is well-acquainted with your virtues? 

 And therefore sets this value on your LIFE ; 

 Let him but know the price of CATO'S friendship, 

 And name your terms. 



CATO. Bidf him disband his LEGIONS, 



Restore the commonwealth to LIBERTY, 

 Submit his actions to the public CENSURE, 

 And stand the judgment of a ROMAN senate. 

 Bid him do this, and CATO is his FRIEND. 



DEC. CATO, the world talks loudly of your wisdom. 



CATO. Nay, more; tho' CATO'S voice was ne'er employ'd 

 To clear the guilty, and to varnish crimes, 

 Myself will mount the ROSTRUM in his favour, 

 And strive to gain his pardon from the people. 



DEC. A style like this becomes a CONQUEROR. 



CATO. DECIUS, a style like this becomes a ROMAN. 



DEC. What is a ROMAN, that is CAESAR'S foe ? 



CATO. Greater than CAESAR : he's a friend to VIRTUE, 



DEC. Consider, CATO, you're in UTICA, 

 And at the head of your own little senate : 

 You don't now thunder in the capitol, 

 "With all the mouths of ROME to second you. 



CATO. Let him consider that, who drives us hither. 

 "Tis CESAR'S SWORD has made ROME'S SENATE little, 

 And thinn'd its ranks. Alas! thy dazzled eye 

 Beholds this man in a false glaring light ; 

 Which CONQUEST and SUCCESS have thrown upon him ; 

 Did'st thou but view him right, thoud'st see him black 



With MURDER, TREASON, SACRILEGE, and CRIMES, 



That strike my soul with HORROR but to NAME 'em. 

 I know thou look'st on me, as on a wretch 

 Beset with ills, and cover'd with misfortunes j 

 But, by the GODS I SWEAR, MILLIONS OF WORLDS 

 Should never buy ME to J be like that C.ESAR. 



* In an angry tone. 



f Assumes great dignity and earnestness, with a tone of command. 

 J This requires a protracted utterance ; thus, to be like that 

 Csesar. 



