Were not my orders that I would be private ? Por. Alas, my father! What means this sword, this instrument of death? Let me convey it hence. Cato. Rash youth, forbear! Por. Oh, let the pray'rs, th' entreaties of your friends, Their tears, their common danger, wrest it from you! Cato. Wouldst thou betray me? Wouldst thou give me up A slave, a captive, into Cæsar's hands? Por. Look not thus sternly on me; Por. Oh, sir! forgive your son, Whose grief hangs heavy on him. Oh, my father! I e'er shall call you so? Be not displeased, Por. Your words give comfort to my drooping. heart. Cato. Portius, thou may'st rely upon my conduct: Thy father will not act what misbecomes him. Por. My thoughts are more at ease, my heart re[Exit CATO. vives→→ Enter MARCIA. Oh, Marcia! Oh, my sister, still there's hope So needful to us all, and to his country. With orders that bespeak a mind composed, [Exit. Marcia. Oh, ye immortal powers, that guard the just, Watch round his couch, and soften his repose, With easy dreams; remember all his virtues, Enter LUCIA. Lucia. Where is your father, Marcia, where is Cato? Marcia. Lucia, speak low, he is retired to rest. Lucia, I feel a gentle dawning hope Rise in my soul-We shall be happy still. Lucia. Alas, I tremble when I think on Cato! In every view, in every thought, I tremble! Cato is stern and awful as a god; He knows not how to wink at human frailty, Marcia. Though stern and awful to the foes of He is all goodness, Lucia, always mild; In the same intricate, perplex'd distress. Marcia. Let him but live, commit the rest to Enter LUCIUS. Luc. Sweet are the slumbers of the virtuous man! Oh, Marcia, I have seen thy godlike father! Some power invisible supports his soul, And bears it up in all its wonted greatness. A kind, refreshing sleep is fall'n upon him: I saw him stretch'd at ease; his fancy lost In pleasing dreams; as I drew near his couch, He smiled, and cried, "Cæsar, thou canst not hurt me." Marcia. His mind still labours with some dreadful thought. Enter JUBA. Jub. Lucius, the horsemen are return'd from viewing The number, strength, and posture of our foes, Plays on their shining arms, and burnish'd helmets, Luc. Marcia, 'tis time we should awake thy father. Cæsar is still disposed to give us terms, And waits at distance, till he hears from Cato. Enter PORTIUS. Portius, thy looks speak somewhat of importance. Por. As I was hasting to the port, where now From Pompey's son, who, through the realms of Spain, Calls out for vengeance on his father's death, And rouses the whole nation up to arms. Were Cato at their head, once more might Rome Assert her rights, and claim her liberty. But, hark! what means that groan?. me way, . And let me fly into my father's presence! Oh, give [Exit. Luc. Cato, amidst his slumbers, thinks on Rome, And, in the wild disorder of his soul, Mourns o'er his country.-Ha! a second groan Heav'n guard us all! Marcia. Alas, 'tis not the voice Of one who sleeps; 'tis agonizing pain"Tis death is in that sound Enter PORTIUS. Por. Oh, sight of woe! Oh, Marcia, what we fear'd is come to pass !- Luc. Oh, Portius, Hide all the horrors of thy mournful tale, Por. I've raised him up, And placed him in his chair; where, pale and faint, Marcia. Oh, Heav'n! assist me in this dreadful hour, To pay the last sad duties to my father! CATO brought on, in a Chair. Cato. Here set me down - Portius, come near me-Are my friends embark'd? Can any thing be thought of for their service? Whilst I yet live, let me not live in vain Oh, Lucius, art thou here?—Thou art too goodLet this our friendship live between our childrenMake Portius happy in thy daughter LuciaMarcia, my daughter Oh, bend me forward!. -Juba loves thee, Marcia A senator of Rome, while Rome survived, Would not have match'd his daughter with a king— I've been too hasty!- -Oh, ye powers, that search The best may err, but you are good, and -Oh! Dies. |