DRAMATIC SCENES. 219 



DEC. Does CATO send this answer back to C.ESAR, 

 For all his gen'rous cares, and proffer'd friendship? 



CATO. His cares for me are insolent and vain: 

 Presumptuous* man! the GODS take care of CATO. 

 Would C.ESAR show the greatness of his soul, 

 Bid him employ his care for these my friends, 

 And make good use of his ill-gotten pow'r, 

 By sheltering men much better than himself. 



DEC. Your high unconquered heart makes you forget 

 You are a MAN. You rush on your destruction. 

 But I have done. When I relate hereafter 

 The tale of this unhappy embassy 

 All ROME will be in tears. 



[Exit DECirs with JUNIUS.] 



SEM. CATO, we thank thee ; 



The mighty genius of immortal ROME 

 Speaks in thy voice; thy soul breathes LIBERTY. 

 CAESAR will shrink to hear the words thou utter'st, 

 And shudder in the midst of all his conquests. 



Luc. The senate owns its gratitude to CATO, 

 Who with so great a soul consults its safety, 

 And guards our lives, while he neglects his own. 



SEM. Sempronius gives no thanks on this account. 

 Luciusf seems fond of life ; but what is life ? 

 'Tis not to stalk about, and draw fresh air 

 From time to time, or gaze upon the sun ; 

 'Tis to be FREE. When LIBERTY is gone, 

 Life grows insipid, and has lost its relish. 

 Oh, could my dying hand but lodge a sword 

 In CESAR'S bosom, and revenge my COUNTRY ! 

 By heav'ns! I could enjoy the pangs of death, 

 And smile in agony. 



Ltrc. Others, perhaps, 



May serve their country with as warm a zeal, 

 Though 'tis not kindled into so much rage. 



SEM. This sober conduct is a mighty virtue 

 In lukewarm patriots. 



CATO. Come, no more, Sempronius ; 



All here are friends to ROME, and to each other. 



Most disdainful manner. f With a contemptuous sneer 



L 2 



