Cato: A Tragedy, in Five Acts

 
 
 
Sem. But how to gain admission? For access
Is given to none but Juba, and her brothers.
 
 
Syph. Thou shalt have Juba's dress, and Juba's guards;
The doors will open, when Numidia's prince
Seems to appear before the slaves that watch them.
 
 
Sem. Heavens, what a thought is there! Marcia's my own!
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 seized off Proserpine, convey'd
To hell's tremendous gloom th' affrighted maid;
There grimly smiled, pleased with the beauteous prize,
Nor envied Jove his sunshine and his skies. [Exeunt.
 

ACT THE FOURTH

SCENE I

A Chamber

Enter Lucia and Marcia

 
Lucia. Now, tell me, Marcia, tell me from thy soul,
If thou believest 'tis possible for woman
To suffer greater ills than Lucia suffers?
 
 
Marcia. Oh, Lucia, Lucia, might my big swol'n heart
Vent all its griefs, and give a loose to sorrow,
Marcia could answer thee in sighs, keep pace
With all thy woes, and count out tear for tear.
 
 
Lucia. I know thou'rt doom'd alike to be beloved
By Juba, and thy father's friend, Sempronius:
But which of these has power to charm like Portius?
 
 
Marcia. Still, I must beg thee not to name Sempronius.
Lucia, I like not that loud, boist'rous man.
Juba, to all the bravery of a hero,
Adds softest love, and more than female sweetness;
Juba might make the proudest of our sex,
Any of womankind, but Marcia, happy.
 
 
Lucia. And why not Marcia? Come, you strive in vain
To hide your thoughts from one who knows too well
The inward glowings of a heart in love.
 
 
Marcia. While Cato lives, his daughter has no right
To love or hate, but as his choice directs.
 
 
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 lodged, I've track'd her to her covert.
How will the young Numidian rave to see
His mistress lost! If aught could glad my soul,
Beyond the enjoyment of so bright a prize,
'Twould be to torture that young, gay barbarian.
– But, hark! what noise! Death to my hopes! 'tis he,
'Tis Juba's self! there is but one way left —
 

Enter Juba

 
Jub. What do I see? Who's this that dares usurp
The guards and habits of Numidia's prince?
 
 
Sem. One that was born to scourge thy arrogance,
Presumptuous youth!
 
 
Jub. What can this mean? Sempronius!
 
 
Sem. My sword shall answer thee. Have at thy heart.
 
 
Jub. Nay then, beware thy own, proud, barbarous man.
 

[Sempronius falls.

 
Sem. Curse on my stars! Am I then doom'd to fall
By a boy's hand, disfigured in a vile
Numidian dress, and for a worthless woman?
Gods, I'm distracted! this my close of life!
Oh, for a peal of thunder, that would make
Earth, sea, and air, and heav'n, and Cato tremble! [Dies.
 
 
Jub. I'll hence to Cato,
That we may there at length unravel all
This dark design, this mystery of fate. [Exit Juba.
 

Enter Lucia and Marcia

 
Lucia. Sure 'twas the clash of swords; my troubled heart
Is so cast down, and sunk amidst its sorrows,
It throbs with fear, and aches at ev'ry sound.
Oh, Marcia, should thy brothers, for my sake —
I die 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;
Have I not cause to rave, and beat my breast,
To rend 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, listening

 
I will indulge my sorrows, and give way
To all the pangs and fury of despair;
That man, that best of men, deserved it from me.
 
 
Jub. What do I hear? and was the false Sempronius
That best of men? Oh, had I fall'n like him,
And could have been thus mourn'd, I had been happy.
 
 
Marcia. 'Tis not in fate to ease my tortured breast.
Oh, he was all made up of love and charms!
Whatever maid could wish, or man admire:
Delight of every eye; when he appear'd,
A secret pleasure gladden'd all that saw him;
But when he talk'd, the proudest Roman blush'd
To hear his virtues, and old age grew wise.
Oh, Juba! Juba!
 
 
Jub. What means that voice? Did she not call on Juba?
 
 
Marcia. Why do I think on what he was? he's dead!
He's dead, and never knew how much I loved him!
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!
 
 
Jub. Where am I? Do I live? or am indeed
What Marcia thinks? All is Elysium round me!
 
 
Marcia. Ye dear remains of the most loved of men,
Nor modesty nor virtue here forbid
A last embrace, while thus —
 
 
Jub. 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?
 
 
Jub. A wretch,
Disguised like Juba on a cursed 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 surprised in an unguarded hour,
But must not 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.
 
 
Jub. My joy, my best beloved, my only wish!
How shall I speak the transport of my soul!
 
 
Marcia. Lucia, thy arm. Lead to my apartment.
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.

 
Jub. 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 Cæsar have the world, if Marcia's mine. [Exit.
 

SCENE II

The Street

A March at a distance

Enter Cato and Lucius

 
Luc. I stand astonish'd! What, the bold Sempronius,
That still broke foremost through the crowd of patriots,
As with a hurricane of zeal transported,
And virtuous even to madness —
 
 
Cato. Trust me, Lucius,
Our civil discords have produced such crimes,
Such monstrous crimes, I am surprized at nothing.
– Oh Lucius, I am sick of this bad world!
The daylight and the sun grow painful to me.
 

Enter Portius

 
But see, where Portius comes: what means this haste?
Why are thy looks thus changed?
 
 
Por. My heart is grieved,
I bring such news as will afflict my father.
 
 
Cato. Has Cæsar shed more Roman blood?
 
 
Por. Not so.
The traitor Syphax, as within the square
He exercised his troops, the signal given,
Flew off at once with his Numidian horse
To the south gate, where Marcus holds the 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 Cæsar's! Cato has no business in it.
 
 
Luc. While pride, oppression, and injustice reign,
The world will still demand her Cato's presence.
In pity to mankind submit to Cæsar,
And reconcile thy mighty soul to life.
 
 
Cato. Would Lucius have me live to swell the number
Of Cæsar'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 Cæsar'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.
 

Enter Juba

 
Jub. I blush, and am confounded to appear
Before thy presence, Cato.
 
 
Cato. What's thy crime?
 
 
Jub. I'm a Numidian.
 
 
Cato. And a brave one, too. Thou hast a Roman soul.
 
 
Jub. Hast thou not heard of my false countrymen?
 
 
Cato. Alas, young prince!
Falsehood and fraud shoot up in ev'ry soil,
The product of all climes – Rome has its Cæsars.
 
 
Jub. 'Tis generous thus to comfort the distress'd.
 
 
Cato. 'Tis just to give applause, where 'tis deserved:
Thy virtue, prince, has stood the test of fortune,
Like purest gold, that, tortured in the furnace,
Comes out more bright, and brings forth all its weight.
 
 
Jub. What shall I answer thee?
I'd rather gain
Thy praise, O Cato! than Numidia's empire.
 

Enter Portius

 
Por. Misfortune on misfortune! grief on grief!
My brother Marcus —
 
 
Cato. Ha! what has he done?
Has he forsook his post? Has he given way?
Did he look tamely on, and let them pass?
 
 
Por. Scarce had I left my father, but I met 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 satisfied.
 
 
Por. Nor did he fall, before
His sword had pierced thro' 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
His urn near mine.
 
 
Por. Long may they keep asunder!
 
 
Luc. Oh, Cato, arm thy soul with all its patience;
See where the corpse of thy dead son approaches!
The citizens and senators alarm'd,
Have gather'd round it, and attend it weeping.
 

Cato meeting the Corpse. – Senators 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!
– Why 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.
 
 
Jub. Was ever man like this!
 
 
Cato. Alas, my friends,
Why mourn you thus? let not a private loss
Afflict your hearts. 'Tis Rome requires our tears,
The mistress of the world, the seat of empire,
The nurse of heroes, the delight of gods,
That humbled the proud tyrants of the earth,
And set the nations free; Rome is no more.
Oh, liberty! Oh, virtue! Oh, my country!
 
 
Jub. Behold that upright man! Rome fills his eyes
With tears, that flow'd not o'er his own dear son.[Aside.
 
 
Cato. Whate'er the Roman virtue has subdued,
The sun's whole course, the day and year, are Cæsar's:
For him the self-devoted Decii died,
The Fabii fell, and the great Scipios conquer'd:
Ev'n Pompey fought for Cæsar. Oh, my friends,
How is the toil of fate, the work of ages,
The Roman empire, fall'n! Oh, cursed ambition!
Fall'n into Cæsar's hands! Our great forefathers
Had left him nought to conquer but his country.
 
 
Jub. While Cato lives, Cæsar will blush to see
Mankind enslaved, and be ashamed of empire.
 
 
Cato. Cæsar ashamed! Has he not seen Pharsalia?
 
 
Luc. 'Tis time thou save thyself and us.
 
 
Cato. Lose not a thought on me; I'm out of danger:
Heaven will not leave me in the victor's hand.
Cæsar shall never say, he conquer'd Cato.
But oh, my friends! your safety fills my heart
With anxious thoughts; a thousand secret terrors
Rise in my soul. How shall I save my friends?
'Tis now, O Cæsar, I begin to fear thee!
 
 
Luc. Cæsar 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 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?
 
 
Jub. If I forsake thee
Whilst I have life, may Heaven 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 engaged in a corrupted state,
Wrestling with vice and faction: now thou see'st 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 retired, 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 prepared, 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
In happier climes, and on a safer shore,
Where Cæsar never shall approach us more.
 

[Pointing to his dead son.

 
There, the brave youth, with love of virtue fired,
Who greatly in his country's cause expired,
Shall know he conquer'd. The firm patriot 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. [Exeunt.