Por. Marcus, I beg thee give me not an office

That suits with me so ill. Thou know'st my temper.

Marc. Wilt thou behold me sinking in my

woes,

And wilt thou not reach out a friendly arm,
To raise me from amidst this plunge of sorrows?
Por. Marcus, thou canst not ask what I'd
refuse;

Lucia. Has not the vow already pass'd r
lips?

The gods have heard it, and 'tis seal'd in heav
May all the vengeance that was ever pour
On perjur'd heads o'erwhelm me if I break i
Por. Fix'd in astonishment, I gaze upon the
Like one just blasted by a stroke from heav
Who pants for breath, and stiffens, yet aliv
In dreadful looks; a monument of wrath!
Lucia. Think, Portius, think thou see'st th
dying brother

But here, believe me, I've a thousand reasons
Marc, I know thou'lt say my passion's out Stabb'd at his heart, and all besmear'd wit

of season,

That Cato's great example and misfortunes
Should both conspire to drive it from my
thoughts.

But what's all this to one that loves like me?
O Portius, Portius, from my soul I wish
Thou didst but know thyself what 'tis to love!
Then wouldst thou pity and assist thy brother.
Por. What should I do? If I disclose my

passion,

Our friendship's at an end; if I conceal it,

blood,

Storming at heav'n and thee! Thy awful sir
Sternly demands the cause, th' accursed caus
That robs him of his son:-
-farewell, my Portius
Farewell, though death is in the word-for ever
Por. Thou must not go; my soul still hov-
ers o'er thee,

And can't get loose.

Lucia. If the firm Portius shake

To hear of parting, think what Lucia suffers!
Por. 'Tis true, unruffled and serene, I've met

The world will call me false to friend and The common accidents of life; but here
Such an unlook'd-for storm of ills falls on me,
It beats down all my strength, I cannot bear it.
We must not part.

brother.
[Aside.
Marc. But see, where Lucia, at her wonted
hour,

Amid the cool of yon high marble arch,
Enjoys the noon-day breeze! Observe her,
Portius;

That face, that shape, those eyes, that heav'n
of beauty!

Observe her well, and blame me if thou canst.
Por. She sees us, and advances -
Marc. I'll withdraw,

And leave you for awhile. Remember, Portius,
Thy brother's life depends upon thy tongue.
[Exit.
Enter LUCIA.
Lucia. Did not I see your brother Marcus
here?
Why did he fly the place, and shun my presence?
Por. Oh, Lucia, language is too faint to show
His rage of love; it preys upon his life;
He pines, he sickens, he despairs, he dies!
Lucia. How wilt thou guard thy honour,

in the shock

Of love and friendship? Think betimes, my
Portius,

Think how the nuptial tie, that might ensure
Our mutual bliss, would raise to such a height
Thy brother's griefs, as might perhaps destroy
him.

Por. Alas, poor youth! What dost thou
think, my Lucia?

His gen'rous, open, undesigning heart
Has begg'd his rival to solicit for him!
Then do not strike him dead with a denial.
Lucia. No, Portius, no; I see thy sister's
tears,

Thy father's anguish, and thy brother's death,
In the pursuit of our ill-fated loves:
And, Portius, here I swear, to heav'n I swear,
To heav'n, and all the powers that judge
mankind,

Never to mix my plighted hands with thine,
While such a cloud of mischief hangs upon us;
But to forget our loves, and drive thee out
From all my thoughts-as far as I am able.
Por. What hast thou said?—I'm thunder-
struck-recall
Those hasty words, or I am lost for ever.

Lucia. What dost thou say? Not part!
Hast thou forgot the vow that I have made?
Are not there heavens, and gods, that thunder
o'er us?

But see, thy brother Marcus bends this way;
I sicken at the sight. Once more, farewell,
Farewell, and know thou wrong'st me, if thou
think'st,

Ever was love, or ever grief, like mine.

Enter MARCUS.

[Exit.

Mare. Portius, what hopes? How stands she? am I doom'd

To life or death?

Por. What wouldst thou have me say?
Marc. Thy downcast looks, and thy disor-
der'd thoughts,

Tell me my fate. I ask not the success
My cause has found.

Por. I'm griev'd I undertook it.
Marc. What, does the barbarous maid in-
sult my heart,

My aching heart, and triumph in my pains?
Por. Away, you're too suspicious in your
griefs;

Lucia, though sworn never to think of love,
Compassionates your pains, and pities you.
Marc. Compassionates my pains, and pities

me!

What is compassion when 'tis void of love?
Fool that I was to choose so cold a friend
To urge my cause!-Compassionates my pains!
Pr'ythee what art, what rhet'ric didst thou use
To gain this mighty boon?-She pities me!
To one that asks the warm returns of love,
Compassion's cruelty, 'tis scorn, 'tis death-
Por. Marcus, no more; have I deserv'd this
treatment?

Marc. What have I said? Oh, Portius, oh
forgive me!

A soul, exasperate in ills, falls out
With every thing-its friend, itself-but, hah!
[Shouts and Trumpets.
What means that shout, big with the sounds
of war?

Vhat new alarm?

Sem. Cato, commit these wretches to my care; [Shouts and Trumpets repeated. First let them each be broken on the rack, Por. A second, louder yet, Then, with what life remains, impal'd, and left To writhe at leisure, round the bloody stake; There let them hang, and taint the southern wind.

Swells in the wind, and comes more full upon

us.

Marc. Oh, for some glorious cause to fall
in battle!

Lucia, thou hast undone me: thy disdain
Has broke my heart: 'tis death must give

me

But in their deaths remember they are men ; if Lucius, the base, degen'rate age requires Severity.

my When by just vengeance guilty mortals perish, The gods behold the punishment with pleasure, And lay th' uplifted thunderbolt aside.

Leaps at the trumpet's voice, and burns for
glory.
[Exeunt. Trumpets and shouting.

SCENE II.-Before the Senate-house.
Enter SEMPRONIUS, with the Leaders of the
Mutiny.

Sem. At length the winds are rais'd, the
storm blows high!

Be it your care, my friends, to keep it up
In all its fury, and direct it right,
Till it has spent itself on Cato's head.
Mean while, I'll herd among his friends, and

seem

One of the number, that, whate'er arrive,
My friends and fellow-soldiers may be safe.

1 Lead. We are all safe; Sempronius is
our friend.

Sem. Cato, I execute thy will with pleasure. Cato. Mean while, we'll sacrifice to liberty. Remember, O my friends! the laws, the rights, The gen'rous plan of power deliver'd down From age to age by your renown'd forefathers (So dearly bought, the price of so much blood): Oh, let it never perish in your hands! But piously transmit it to your children. Do thou, great liberty, inspire our souls, And make our lives in thy possession happy, Or our deaths glorious in thy just defence. [Exeunt Cato, etc. 1 Lead. Sempronius, you have acted like yourself, One would have thought you had been half in earnest...

[Exit. Sem. Villain, stand off; base, grov'ling, worthless wretches, Trumpets. Mongrels in faction, poor faint-hearted traitors! 2 Lead. Nay, now you carry it too far, Sempronius!

But, bark, Cato enters. Bear up boldly to him;
Be sure you beat him down, and bind him fast;
This day will end our toils.

Fear nothing, for Sempronius is our friend.

Trumpets. Re-enter SEMPRONIUS, with CATO,|
LUCIUS, PORTIUS, MARCUS, and Guards.
Cato. Where are those bold, intrepid sons

of war,

That greatly turn their backs upon the foe,
And to their general send a brave defiance?
Sem. Curse on their dastard souls, they
stand astonish'd! [Aside.
Cato. Perfidious men! And will you thus
dishonour

Your past exploits, and sully all your wars?
Why could not Cato fall

Without your guilt? Behold, ungrateful men,
Behold my bosom naked to your swords,
And let the man that's injur'd strike the blow.
Which of you all suspects that he is wrong'd,
Or thinks he suffers greater ills than Cato?
Am I distinguish'd from you but by toils,
Superior toils, and heavier weight of cares?
Painful pre-eminence!

Sem. Confusion to the villains! all is lost!
[Aside.

Throw off the mask, there are none here but friends.

Sem. Know, villains, wn such paltry slaves
presume

To mix ia treason, if the plot succeeds,
They're thrown neglected by; but, if it fails,
They're sure to die like dogs, as you shall do.
Here, take these factious monsters, drag them
forth
To sudden death.

1 Lead. Nay, since it comes to this-
Sem. Dispatch them quick, but first pluck
out their tongues,

Lest with their dying breath they sow sedition.
[Exeunt Guards, with the Lea-
ders of the Mutiny.

Enter SYPHAX.

Syph. Our first design, my friend, has prov'd
abortive;

Still there remains an after-game to play;
My troops are mounted;

Let but Sempronius head us in our flight,
We'll force the gate where Marcus keeps his
guard,

Cato. Hence, worthless men! hence! and And hew down all that would oppose our complain to Caesar,

You could not undergo the toil of war,
Nor bear the hardships that
your leader bore.
Luc. See, Cato, see the unhappy men! they
weep!

Fear and remorse, and sorrow for their crime,
Appear in ev'ry look, and plead for mercy.
Cato. Learn to be honest men, give up your
leaders,

And pardon shall descend on all the rest.

passage.

A day will bring us into Caesar's camp.
Sem. Confusion! I have fail'd of half my

Syphax, I long to clasp that haughty maid, Twould be to torture that young, gay barbaria
And bend her stubborn virtue to my passion:-But hark! what noise! Death to my hope
When I have gone thus far, I'd cast her off.
Syph. What hinders, then, but that thou Tis Juba's self! there is but one way left-
He must be murder'd, and a passage cut
Through those his guards.

find her out,

And burry her away by manly force?
Sem. But how to gain admission? For access
Is giv'n to none but Juba and her brothers.
Syph. Thou shalt have Juba's dress and Ju-

ba's guards;

'tis he,

Enter JUBA, with Guards.

Juba. What do I see? Who's this that dar

usurp

The doors will open, when Numidia's prince The guards and habits of Numidia's prince? Seems to appear before the slaves that watch Sem. One that was born to scourge thy a

them.

How will my bosom swell with anxious joy,
When I behold her struggling in my arms,
With glowing beauty, and disorder'd charms,
While fear and anger, with alternate grace,
Pant in her breast, and vary in her face!
So Pluto seiz'd off Proserpine, convey'd
To hell's tremendous gloom th' affrighted maid;
There grimly smil'd, pleas'd with the beauteous

prize,

By a boy's hand, disfigur'd in a vile Numidian dress, and for a worthless woman Nor envy'd Jove his sunshine and his skies. Gods, I'm distracted! this my close of life! [Exeunt. Oh, for a peal of thunder, that would make Earth, sea, and air, and heav'n, and Cato tremble

ACT IV:

[Dies Juba. With what a spring his furious sou broke loose,

And left the limbs still quiv'ring on the ground
Hence let us carry off those slaves to Cato,
That we may there at length unravel all
This dark design, this mystery of fate.

[Exit Juba; his Guards taking
those of Sempronius as Pri

soners.

Enter LUCIA and MARCIA. Lucia. Sure 'twas the clash of swords; my troubled heart

By Juba, and thy father's friend, Sempronius: Is so cast down, and sunk amidst its sorrows
But which of these has pow'r to charm like It
Portius?
Marcia. Still I must beg thee not to name
Sempronius.
Lucia, I like not that loud, boist'rous man.
Juba, to all the brav'ry of a hero,
Adds softest love and sweetness: he, I own,
Might make indeed the proudest woman happy.
Lucia. But should this father give you to
Sempronius?

Marcia. I dare not think he will: but if he
should-

Why wilt thou add to all the griefs I suffer,
Imaginary ills, and fancied tortures?

I hear the sound of feet! They march this way!
Let us retire, and try if we can drown
Each softer thought in sense of present danger:
When love once pleads admission to our hearts,
In spite of all the virtues we can boast,
The woman that deliberates is lost. [Exeunt.
Enter SEMPRONIUS, dressed like JUBA, with
Numidian Guards,

Sem. The deer is lodg'd, I've track'd her to
her covert.

Be sure you mind the word, and, when I give it,
Rush in at once, and seize upon your prey.
How will the young Numidian rave to see
His mistress lost! If aught could glad my soul,
Beyond th' enjoyment of so bright a prize,

throbs with fear, and aches at ev'ry sound Oh, Marcia, should thy brothers, for my sakedie away with horror at the thought! Marcia. See, Lucia, see! here's blood! here's blood and murder! Ha! a Numidian! Heav'n preserve the prince The face lies muffled up within the garment, But, ah! death to my sight! a diadem, And royal robes! O gods! 'tis he, 'tis he! Juba lies dead before us!

Lucia. Now, Marcia, now call up to thy
assistance

Thy wonted strength and constancy of mind;
Thou canst not put it to a greater trial.

Marcia. Lucia, look there, and wonder at
my patience;

lave I not cause to rave, and beat my breast, Torend my heart with grief, and run distracted? Lucia. What can I think, or say, to give

thee comfort?

Marcia. Talk not of comfort; 'tis for lighter ills: Behold a sight that strikes all comfort dead.

Enter JUBA, unperceived.

I will indulge my sorrows, and give way
To all the pangs and fury of despair;
That man, that best of men deserv'd it from me.
Juba. What do I hear? and was the false
Sempronius

That best of men? Oh, had I fall'n like him, That still broke foremost through the crowd And could have been thus mourn'd, I had

been happy.

of patriots,

[Aside. As with a hurricane of zeal transported, Marcia. Tis not in fate to ease my tortur'd And virtuous ev'n to madness

breast.

Ob, he was all made up of love and charms!
Whatever maid could wish, or man admire:
Delight of ev'ry eye; when he appear'd,
A secret pleasure gladden'd all that saw him.
Ob, Juba, Juba!

Juba. What means that voice? Did she not
call on Juba?

Cato. Trust me, Lucius,

Our civil discords have produc'd such crimes,
Such monstrous crimes, I am surpris'd at nothing.
-Oh, Lucius, I am sick of this bad world!
The daylight and the sun grow painful to me.
Enter PORTIUS,

[Aside. But see where Portius comes: what means

Marcia. He's dead, and never knew how much I lov'd him;

this haste?

Why are thy looks thus chang'd?
Por. My heart is griev'd:

bring such news as will afflict my father. Cato. Has Caesar shed more Roman blood? Por. Not so.

Lucia, who knows but his poor, bleeding heart,
Amidst its agonies, remember'd Marcia,
And the last words he utter'd call'd me cruel!
Alas! he knew not, hapless youth, he knew not
Marcia's whole soul was full of love and Juba! The traitor Syphax, as within the square
Juba. Where am I? Do I live? or am indeed He exercis'd his troops, the signal giv'n,
What Marcia thinks? All is Elysium round me! Flew off at once with his Numidian horse
[Aside. To the south gate, where Marcus holds the

Marcia. Ye dear remains of the most lov'd

of men,

Nor modesty nor virtue here forbid
A last embrace, while thus-
Juba. See, Marcia, see,

[Throwing himself before her.
The happy Juba lives! he lives to catch
That dear embrace, and to return it too
With mutual warmth and eagerness of love.
Marcia. With pleasure and amaze I stand
transported!

If thou art Juba, who lies there?
Juba. A wretch,

Disguis'd like Juba on a curs'd design.
I could not bear

To leave thee in the neighbourhood of death,
But flew, in all the haste of love, to find thee;
I found thee weeping, and confess this once,
Am rapt with joy, to see my Marcia's tears.
Marcia. I've been surpris'd in an unguarded
hour,

But must not now go back; the love, that lay
Half-smother'd in my breast, has broke through all
Its weak restraints, and burns in its full lustre.
I cannot, if I would, conceal it from thee.
Juba. My joy, my best belov'd, my only wish!
How shall I speak the transport of my soul?
Marcia. Lucia, thy arm. Lead to my apart-

ment.

Oh, prince! I blush to think what I have said,
But fate has wrested the confession from me;
Go on, and prosper
in the paths of honour.
Thy virtue will excuse my passion for thee,
And make the gods propitious to our love.
[Exeunt Marcia and Lucia.
Juba. I am so blest, I fear 'tis all a dream.
Fortune, thou now hast made amends for all
Thy past unkindness: I absolve my stars.
What though Numidia add her conquer'd towns
And provinces to swell the victor's triumph,
Juba will never at his fate repine:

Let Caesar have the world, if Marcia's mine.
[Exit.

SCENE II.-Before the Palace. A March at a Distance.

Enter CATO and LUCIUS.

watch;

I saw, and call'd to stop him, but in vain:
He toss'd his arm aloft, and proudly told me,
He would not stay and perish like Sempronius.
Cato. Perfidious man! But haste, my son,
and see
Thy brother Marcus acts a Roman's part.
Exit Portius.

Lucius, the torrent bears too hard upon me:
Justice gives way to force: the conquer'd world
Is Caesar's! Cato has no business in, it.

Luc. While pride, oppression, and injuste
reign,

The world will still demand her Cato's presence.
In pity to mankind submit to Caesar,
And reconcile thy mighty soul to life.

Cato. Would Lucius have me live to swell
the number

Of Caesar's slaves, or by a base submission
Give up the cause of Rome, and own a tyrant?
Luc. The victor never will impose on Cato
Ungen'rous terms. His enemies confess
The virtues of humanity are Caesar's.

Cato. Curse on his virtues! they've undone
his country.
Such popular humanity is treason-
But see young Juba; the good youth appears,
Full of the guilt of his perfidious subjects!
Luc. Alas, poor prince! his fate deserves
compassion.

Luc. I stand astonish'd! What, the bold Thy virtue, prince, has stood the test of fortune, Like purest gold, that, tortur'd in the furnace,

Sempronius,

Cato. Ha! what has he done?
Has he forsook his post? Has he giv'n way?
Did he look tamely on, and let them pass?
Por. Scarce had I left my father, but I met
27-him

.

Borne on the shields of his surviving soldiers,
Breathless and pale, and cover'd o'er with
wounds.

Long, at the head of his few faithful friends,
He stood the shock of a whole host of foes,
Till, obstinately brave, and bent on death,
Oppress'd with multitudes, he greatly fell.
Cato. I'm satisfy'd.

Por. Nor did he fall, before
His sword had pierc'd through the false heart
of Syphax.

Yonder he lies. I saw the hoary traitor
Grin in the pangs of death, and bite the ground.
Cato. Thanks to the gods, my boy has done
-his duty.

-Portius, when I am dead, be sure you place
Ilis urn near mine.

Por: Long may they keep asunder!
-Luc. Oh, Cato, arm thy soul with all its
patience;

See where the corpse ofthy dead son approaches!
The citizens and senators, alarm'd,
Have gather'd round it, and attend it weeping.
Dead March. CATO meets the Corpse. Lu-
CIUS, Senators, Guards, etc. attending.
Cato. Welcome, my son! Here lay him
down, my friends,

Full in my sight, that I may view at leisure
The bloody corse, and count those glorious
wounds.

---How beautiful is death, when earn'd by virtue!
Who would not be that youth? What pity is it
That we can die but once to serve our country!
--VVhy sits this sadness on your brows, my
friends?

I should have blush'd if Cato's house had stood
Secure, and flourish'd in a civil war.
Portius, behold thy brother, and remember
Thy life is not thy own when Rome demands it.
When Rome demands; but Rome is now no

more.

Rise in my soul. How shall I save my friends:
Tis now, O Caesar, I begin to fear thee!

Luc. Caesar has mercy, if we ask it of him.
Cato. Then ask it, I conjure you; let him

know

Whate'er was done against him, Cato did it.
Add, if you please, that I request it of him-
That I myself, with tears, request it of him—
The virtue of my friends may pass unpunish'd.
Juba, my heart is troubled for thy sake.
Should I advise thee to regain Numidia,
Or seek the conqueror ?—

Juba. If I forsake thee

Whilst I have life, may heav'n abandon Juba!

Cato. Thy virtues, prince, if I foresee aright, Will one day make thee great; at Rome, hereafter,

Twill be no crime to have been Cato's friend.
Portius, draw near: my son, thou oft hast seen
Thy sire engag'd in a corrupted state,
Wrestling with vice and faction: now thou

seest me

Spent, overpower'd, despairing of success;
Let me advise thee to retreat betimes
To thy paternal seat, the Sabine field;
Where the great Censor toil'd with his own
hands,

And all our frugal ancestors were bless'd
In humble virtues, and a rural life;
There live retir'd, pray for the peace of Rome;
Content thyself to be obscurely good.
When vice prevails, and impious men bear

sway,

The post of honour is a private station.
Por. I hope my father does not recommend
A life to Portius that he scorns himself.

Cato. Farewell, my friends! If there be any
of you,

Who dare not trust the victor's clemency, Know there are ships prepar'd, by my command, That shall convey you to the wish'd-for port. Is there aught else, my friends, I can do for you? The conqueror draws near. Once more, farewell! If e'er we meet hereafter, we shall meet Oh, liberty! oh, virtue! oh, my country! In happier climes, and on a safer shore, Juba. Behold that upright man! Rome fills Where Caesar never shall approach us more. [Pointing to his dead Son. With tears, that flow'd not o'er his own dear There the brave youth, with love of virtue fir'd, [Aside. Who greatly in his country's cause expir'd, Cato. Whate'er the Roman virtue has subdu'd, Shall know he conquer'd. The firm patriot The sun's whole course, the day and year, are Caesar's:

his eyes

son.

For him the self-devoted Decii died,
The Fabii fell, and the great Scipios conquer'd:
Ev'n Pompey fought for Caesar. Oh, my friends,
How is the toil of fate, the work of ages,
The Roman empire, fall'n! Oh, curs'd ambition!
Fall'n into Caesar's hands! Our great forefathers
Had left him nought to conquer but his country.
Juba. While Cato lives, Caesar will blush
Mankind enslav'd, and be asham'd of empire. |

to see

there,

Who made the welfare of mankind his care,
Though still by faction, vice, and fortune crost,
Shall find the gen'rous labour was not lost.

[Dead March. Exeunt in fu-
neral Procession.

ACT V.

SCENE I-A Chamber. CATO solus, sitting in a thoughtful Posture; in his Hand, Plato's Book on the Immor