ACT V. SCENE I.-A Chamber in the Palace.-CATO dis- Or whence this secret dread and inward horror "Tis Heaven itself that points out an hereafter, Eternity!-[Rises and comes forward.]-Thou pleasing, dreadful, thought!— Through what variety of untried being, Through what new scenes and changes must we pass! Through all her works-he must delight in virtue; But when? or where?-This world was made for I'm weary of conjectures: This must end 'em. [Goes back to the table, laying his hand on his sword. Thus am I doubly arm'd: my death and life, My bane and antidote, are both before me: But this informs me, I shall never die. [Comes forward with a roll of paper and a sword. The soul, secur'd in her existence, smiles At the drawn dagger, and defies its point.- The wreck of matter, and the crush of worlds.- Nature oppress'd, and harass'd out with care, [Returns and sits. Enter PORCIUS, R. But hah! how's this?-My son! Why this intrusion? Were not my orders that I would be private? Why am I disobey'd? Por. Alas, my father! What means this sword? this instrument of death? Cato. Rash youth, forbear! [Takes it up. Por. O let the prayers, the entreaties of your friends, Their tears, their common danger, wrest it from you. Cato. Would's thou betray me? would'st thou give me up, A slave, a captive, into Cæsar's hands? : Retire and learn obedience to a father; Por. Look not thus sternly on me: [Rises. [Lays it down. Cato. "Tis well: again I'm master of myself. [CATO takes the sword. Now, Cæsar, let thy troops beset our gates, [Comes forward, R. Por. [Kneels, R. c.] O, sir, forgive your son, Whose grief hangs heavy on him!-O, my fatherHow am I sure it is not the last time I e'er shall call you so :-be not displeas'd, [Lays his hand on his head. Por. Your words give comfort to my drooping heart. [Rises. Cato. Porcius, thou may'st rely upon my conduct: Cato will never act what misbecomes him.But go, my son; take care that nought be wanting Among thy father's friends; see them embark'd; And tell me if the winds and seas befriend 'em.My soul is quite weigh'd down with care, and asks The soft refreshment of a moment's sleep. [CATO goes up the Stage.-PORCIUS follows him and kneels at his feet.-CATo looks kindly upon him, and then exit, L. Por. My thoughts are more at ease; my heart revives.— O, Marcia, O, my sister, still there's hope: So needful to us all, and to his country. He is retir'd to rest, and seems to cherish Thoughts full of peace. He has dispatch'd me hence Marcia, take care that none disturb his slumbers. [Exit PORCIUS, R. D. Mar. (c.) O, ye immortal powers, that guard the just, Watch round his couch, and soften his repose! Banish his sorrows, and becalm his soul With easy dreams! Remember all his virtues, Enter LUCIA, L. Luc. (L.) Where is your father, Marcia? Where is Cato? Mar. Lucia, speak low:-he is retir'd to rest. My friend, I feel a gentle dawning hope Rise in my soul: we may be happy still. Luc. (L. c.) 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, Or pardon weakness that he never felt. Mar. Though stern and awful to the foes of Rome, He is all goodness, Lucia, always mild, Compassionate and gentle, to his friends: Fill'd with domestic tenderness-the best, The kindest father!-I have ever found him Easy, and good, and bounteous to my wishes. Luc. 'Tis his consent alone can make us happy. Who knows how yet he may dispose of Porcius? Mar. Let him but live, commit the rest to heaven. Enter LUCIUS, L. Luci. (c.) Sweet are the slumbers of the virtuous man. O Marcia, I have seen thy godlike father: In pleasing dreams: as I drew near his couch, He smil'd, and cried, Cæsar, thou canst not hurt me. Mar. (R. c.) His mind still labours with some dreadful thought. Enter JUBA, R. Juba. (R.) 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, Luci. Marcia, 'tis time we should awake thy father, Cæsar is still dispos'd to give us terms; And waits at distance, till he hears from Cato. Enter PORCIUS, R. Porcius, 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 Were Cato at their head, once more might Rome Assert her rights and claim her liberty. [Groans are heard, L. E But hark! what means that groan ?—O give me way, [Exit PORCIUS, L. Luci. Cato amidst his slumbers, thinks on Rome, And in the wild disorder of his soul Mourns o'er his country. [Groans again, L. Hah! a second groan!-Heaven guard us all! Of one who sleeps: 'tis agonizing pain, 'Tis death is in that sound. Enter PORCIUS, L. advances between MARCIA and JUBA. Por. (L.) O sight of woe! O Marcia, what we fear'd is come to pass !- Luci. (L. c.) O Porcius, Hide all the horrors of thy mournful tale, And let us guess the rest. Por. I've rais'd him up, And plac'd him in his chair; where, pale and faint, Demands to see his friends. His servants weeping, Mar. O Heaven, assist me in this dreadful hour Enter two Freedmen leading CATO, L. supported by his two Freedmen.-Two first Freedmen remove the table, R. and remain by it.-MARCIA runs to assist CATO. Takes his right arm and helps to bring him to his chair, c. Juba. (R. C.) These are thy triumphs, thy exploits, Luci. (L. c.) Now is Rome fallen indeed! Porcius, come near me ;-are my friends embark'd? O Lucius, art thou here ?-Thou art too good!— |