danger Cato boldly opposed him and made him appear so infamous that he was forc'd to leave the Town and when Cicero came to thank him for what he had done You must thank the Commonwealth said he for whose sake alone it was that he did every thing Thus he gained a great and wonderful Reputation so that a certain Advocate in a Cause where there was only one Witness against him told the Judges They ought not to rely upon a single Witness though it were Cato himself And it was grown proverbial among the People if any very unlikely and incredible thing were asserted to say They would not believe it though Cato himself should affirm it One day a debauched Prodigal talking in the Senate about Frugality and Temperance Amnoeus standing up cryed Who can endure this Sir to hear you that feast like Crassus and build like Lucullus talk like Cato So likewise those who were wild and dissolute in their Manners yet affected to seem grave and severe in their Discourses were in derision called Cato's At first when his Friends would have perswaded him to stand to be Tribune of the People he thought it not convenient for that the Power of so great an Office ought to be imployed only as the strongest Medicines when things are brought to the last necessity But afterward in Vacation-time as he was going accompanied with his Books and Philosophers to Leucania where he had a pleasant Seat by the way they met a great many Horses Carriages and Attendants of whom they understood that Metellus Nepos was going to Rome to stand to be Tribune of the People Hereupon Cato stopp'd and after a little pause gave Orders to return immediately At which the Company seeming to wonder Don't you know said he how dangerous of it self the Madness of Metellus is but now he comes assisted with the Counsel of Pompey he will fall like Lightning on the State and bring it to utter ruine wherefore this is no time for Idleness and Diversion but we must go and prevent this man in his Designs or bravely die in defence of our Liberty Nevertheless by the Perswasion of his Friends he went first to his Countrey-house where he stay'd but a very little time and then returned to Town He arrived in the Evening and went straight the next Morning to the Forum where he began to sollicit for the Tribuneship in opposition to Metellus The Power of this Office consists rather in controuling than performing any Business for tho' all the rest except any one Tribune should be agreed yet his denial or intercession could put a stop to the whole Matter Cato at first had not many that appeared for him but as soon as his Design was known all Persons of the best Quality and of his own Acquaintance took part with him for they looked upon him not as one that desired a Favour of them but one that sought to do a great Kindness to his Countrey and all honest men Who had many times refused the same Office when he might have had it without trouble but now sought it with danger that he might defend their Liberty and their Government It is reported that so great a number flock'd about him that he was like to be stifled amidst the Press and could scarce get through the Crowd He was declared Tribune with several others among whom was Metellus Now when Cato was chosen into this Office having observed that the Election of Consuls was grown very mercenary he sharply rebuked the People for this Corruption and in the conclusion of his Speech protested he would accuse whom ever he should find giving Money yet Passed by Silanus by reason of his Alliance for he had married Servilia Cato's Sister so that he did not prosecute him but Lucius Murena who was chosen Consul with Silanus he accused of Bribery There was a Law That the Party accused might set a Guard upon his Accuser to watch him lest he should use any indirect means in preparing the Accusation He that was set upon Cato by Murena at first followed and observed him strictly yet never found him dealing any way unfairly or unjustly but always generously and candidly going on in the just and open Methods of Proceeding So that he much admired Cato's great Spirit and noble Nature and easily trusted to his Integrity for meeting him abroad or going to his House he would ask him if he designed to do any thing that day in order to the Accusation and if Cato said No he went away freely relying on his Word When the Cause was pleaded Cicero who was then Consul and defended Murena did so wittily expose Cato and the Stoick Philosophers and their Paradoxes that he raised great Laughter in his Judges Whereupon Cato smiling said to the Standers by Sirs we have a very pleasant Consul Murena was acquitted and afterward shewed himself no passionate but a very prudent Man for when he was Consul he always took Cato's Advice in the most weighty Affairs and in all the time of his Office gave him much Honour and Respect Of which not only Murena's Prudence but also Cato's obliging Humour was the Cause for tho' he were terrible and severe as to Matters of Justice in the Senate and at the Bar yet he was very courteous and good-natured to all men in private Before Cato took upon him the Office of Tribune he assisted Cicero at that time Consul in many things that concerned his Office but most especially in prosecuting Catiline's Conspiracy which he did with great Courage and Success This Catiline had plotted a dreadful and entire Subversion of the Roman State contriving to raise great Seditions and drive them into a Civil War but being detected by Cicero was forced to fly the City Yet Lentulus and Cethegus conspired with several others and blaming Catiline as one that wanted Courage and had too much Caution for such desperate Designs they themselves resolved to set the whole Town on fire and utterly to ruine the Empire of the World by Tumults at home and War from abroad But the Design was discovered by Cicero as we have written in his Life and the Matter brought before the Senate Silanus who spoke first delivered his opinion That the Conspirators ought to suffer the last of Punishments and was therein followed by all that spoke after him till it came to Coesar who was very eloquent and looking upon all Changes and commotions in the State as Matter for him to work upon desired rather to increase than extinguish them Wherefore standing up he made a very merciful and perswasive Speech That they ought not to suffer otherwise than according to Law by which they could not be put to death and moved that they might be kept in Prison Thus was the House almost wholly turned by Coesar They were also afraid of the People insomuch that Silanus retracted and said he did not mean Death but Imprisonment for that was the utmost of what a Roman could suffer Upon this
succeed him in the same Office and Command of the same Men leading them out of the same Country to the War you ought also to offer such a Sacrifice as he made before he weighed Anchor Agesilaus soon remembred that the Sacrifice which Agamemnon offered was a Virgin he being so directed by the Oracle Yet was he not at all disturbed at it but as soon as he arose he telleth his Dream to his Friends adding withal That he would worship the Goddess with such Sacrifices as would be acceptable to her and not imitate the rude Barbarity of that General He therefore ordered an Hind to be crowned with Chaplets and delivered to his own Southsayer not to him whom the Baeotians did of course delegate to that Office When the Baeotian Governours understood it they were very much moved and sent Officers to Agesilaus to forbid his sacrificing contrary to the Laws of the Countrey These having deliver'd their Message to him immediately went to the Altar and threw down the Quarters of the Hind that lay upon it Agesilaus took this very ill and without further Sacrifice immediately hoised Sail being ever after a great Enemy to the Boeotians and much discouraged in his Mind at the bad Omen boading to himself an unsuccessful Voyage and a bad issue of the whole Expedition When he came to Ephesus he found the Power of Lysander grow very great and invidious all Applications made to him great Crowds of Suitors alway attending at his Door all Men following and worshipping of him at so high a rate as if nothing but the Name of Empire was left to Agesilaus the whole Power of it being devolved upon Lysander None of all the Commanders that were sent this Voyage into Asia was either so powerful or so formidable no one rewarded his Friends better or was more severe against his Enemies Which things made the greater Impression in Mens Minds because they observed the debonnair and popular Behaviour of Agesilaus whereas that of Lysander was high and rigid He took Men up short and by that fierceness of Carriage so subdued the Spirits of Men that they wholly submitted to him giving little Regard to Agesilaus This was first stomached by the other Captains who with Indignation resented it that they should be rather the Followers of Lysander than the Counsellors of Agesilaus At length Agesilaus himself though no envious Man in his Nature nor apt to be troubled at the Honours redounding upon other Men yet being highly jealous of his own Glory began to apprehend that Lysander's Greatness would soon eclipse his and carry away from him the Reputation of whatever great Action should happen He therefore went this way to work He first opposed him in all his Counsels whatever Lysander advised was rejected and other Proposals followed Then whoever made any Address to him if he found him a Retainer to Lysander certainly lost his Suit Whoever was prosecuted by him in Judiciary Matters was sure to get off with Victory and whoever was visibly favoured by him was used with all Severity and Rigor These things being not done by Chance but constantly and on set purpose Lysander was soon sensible of them and stuck not to tell his Friends that they suffered for his sake bidding them apply themselves to the King and such as were more powerful with him than he was Which Sayings of his when they seemed to be designed purposely to procure Envy to Agesilaus he stuck not to affront Lysander at a higher rate imposing upon him the Office of dividing the Flesh among the Souldiers and would in publick Companies speak scornfully of him bidding them go and pay their Observances to the Suttler of the Camp Lysander no longer able to brook these things complained at last to Agesilaus himself telling him That he knew very well how to Oppress his Friends To which Agesilaus answer'd I know who they be that pretend to more Power than myself That replied Lysander is rather said by you than done by me I desire onely this Favour of you that you will assign me some Office and Place in which I may serve you without incurring Envy Upon this Agesilaus sent him to the Hellespont on an Embassy whence he procured Mithridates a Persian of the Province of Pharnabazus to come to the Assistance of the Greeks with 200 Horse and a great Supply of Money Yet did not his Stomach so come down but he fell to forming a Design of wresting the Kingdom out of the Hands of the two Families which then enjoy'd it and make it wholly Elective and it is thought that he would have made a great Commotion in Sparta if he had not died in the Baeotian War Thus ambitious Spirits are apt to grow troublesom in a Common-wealth and when they transgress their Bounds do more harm than good Of this this Quarrel between two such great Men is an Example for though Lysander's Pride was unsufferable and his ambitious Projects very inconvenient to Agesilaus's Affairs yet might the King have found out many ways of taming him less reproachful to a Man of his Quality and ambitious Designs Indeed in my opinion they were both equally Guilty both blinded with the same Passion so as one not to know the Power of his Prince the other not to bear with the Imperfections of his Friend Tisaphernes being at first afraid of Agesilaus soon treated with him about setting the Grecian Cities at Liberty which was agreed on But soon after finding a sufficient Force drawn together he resolved upon War for which Agesilaus was not sorry For the Expectation of this Expedition was great and he did not think it for his Honour that Xenophon with 10000 Men should march through the heart of Asia to the Sea beating the King's Forces when and how he pleased and that Agesilaus in the Head of a Spartan Army so terrible both by Sea and Land should make so great a Voyage and raise no Monument of his Fame by any great Action Therefore to be even with Tisaphernes he revengeth his Perjury by a Stratagem he pretends to go to Caria whither when he had drawn Tisaphernes and his Army he suddenly turneth back and falleth upon Phrygia taking many of their Cities and carrying away great Booty He took this occasion of shewing that for Friends to break their Solemn Leagues and betray their Faith was a downright Contempt of the Gods but the Circumvention of an Enemy in War is not only Just but Honourable and of great Advantage to the Author of it Being weak in Horse and withal terrified by some ill Omen in the Sacrifices viz. a Calf's Liver wanted that little Lobe which the Southsayers call the Head he retired to Ephesus and there raised them He obliged the rich Men that were not minded to serve in Person to find Horse-men armed and mounted which being performed Agesilaus his Army was soon changed from shabby Foot into many gallant Regiments of Horse For
all in Commotion and raising Tumults in the City At this all the rest fell into Despair lamenting and bewailing their condition but Cato endeavour'd to comfort them and sent to the three hundred desiring them to have a little patience Then the Officers of the Horse returned with no very reasonable Demands They said they did not desire to serve Juba for his Pay nor should they fear Caesar while they follow'd Cato but they dreaded to be shut up with the Uticans Men of a traiterous Nature and Carthaginian Race for tho' they were quiet at present yet as soon as Caesar should appear without doubt they would conspire together and betray the Romans Therefore if he expected they should joyn with him he must drive out of the Town or destroy all the Uticans that he might receive them into a Place void both of Enemies and Barbarians This Cato thought very cruel and barbarous but he mildly answered He would consult the three hundred Then he returned to the City where he found the Men not framing Excuses or dissembling out of Reverence to him but openly refusing to make War against Coesar which they said they were neither able nor willing to do And some there were who muttered out something about retaining the Senators till Coesar's coming but Cato seemed not to hear this for he was a little deaf At the same time came one to him and told him The Horse were going away Cato fearing least the three hundred should take some desperate Resolution concerning the Senators he presently went out with some of his Friends and seeing they were gone some way he took Horse and rid after them They when they saw him coming were very glad and receiv'd him very kindly entreating him to save himself with them At this time 't is said Cato shed Tears while earnestly begging for the Senators and stretching out his Hands some of their Horses he stopp'd and hung upon their Arms till he had prevailed with them out of Compassion to stay only that one day to procure a safe Retreat for the Senators Having thus persuaded them to go along with him some he plac'd at the Gates of the Town and to others gave the charge of the Citadel Now the three hundred began to fear they should suffer for their Inconstancy and sent to Cato entreating him by all means to come to them but the Senators flocking about him would not suffer him to go and said They would not trust their Guardian and Saviour to the Hands of perfidious Traitors At this instant in my opinion did most evidently appear to all in Vtica the Excellence the Clearness and admirable Simplicity of Cato's Virtue how sincere untainted and free it was from any mixture of Self-regard that he who had long before resolv'd on his own Death should take such extream pains toil and care only for the sake of others that when he had secured their Lives he might put an end to his own for 't was easily perceived that he had determined to die tho' he did endeavour not to let it appear Therefore having pacified the Senators he hearkened to the Request of the three hundred and went to them alone without any Attendance They gave him many thanks and entreated him to imploy and trust them for the future but in that they were not Cato ' s and could not come up to his greatness of Courage they begg'd he would pity their weakness and told him they had decreed to send to Caesar and entreat him chiefly and in the first place for Cato and if they could not prevail for him they would not accept of pardon for themselves but as long as they had breath would fight in his defence Cato commended their good Intentions and advised them to send speedily for their own safety but by no means to ask any thing in his behalf for those who are conquer'd must submit and those who have done wrong beg pardon for himself he was never overcome in all his Life but rather so far as he thought fit had got the Victory and had conquered Caesar in what was just and honest And indeed Caesar might be look'd upon as one surpriz'd and vanquish'd for he was now forc'd to discover and own those Designs which he had so long deny'd and always practised against his Countrey When he had thus spoken he went out of the Assembly and being informed that Coesar was coming with his whole Army Alas said he does he come against us as against men Then he went to the Senators and urged them to make no delay but hasten to be gone while the Horsemen were yet in the City So ordering all the Gates to be shut except one toward the Sea he appointed Ships for those that were to depart and gave Money and Provision to those that wanted All which he did with great Order and Exactness taking care to suppress all Tumults and that no wrong should be done to the People Marcus Octavius coming with two Legions encamped near Vtica and sent to Cato to treat about the chief Command Cato return'd him no Answer but said to his Friends No wonder all goes ill with us who are so much taken up with Ambition even upon the point of our Ruine In the mean time word was brought him that the Horse were going away and about to spoyl and plunder the Vticans Cato ran to them and from the first he met snatch'd what they had taken the rest threw down all they had gotten and went away silent and asham'd of what they had done Then he called together the Citizens of Vtica and requested them in behalf of the three hundred not to exasperate Coesar against them but all to seek their common Safety together with them After that he went again to the Port to see those who were about to imbark and there he embrac'd and dismiss'd those of his Friends and Acquaintance whom he had persuaded to go As for his Son he did not counsel him to be gone nor did he think fit to persuade him to forsake his Father But there was one Statyllius a young Man in the flower of his Age one of a brave Spirit and very desirous to imitate the invincible Constancy of Cato who entreated him to go away for he was a noted Enemy to Coesar but he refused to go Then Cato looking upon Apollonides the Stoick Philosopher and Demetrius the Peripatetick It belongs to you said he to bring down this young man's Spirit and to make him know what is good for him Thus having dismiss'd all the rest he returned to his Affairs gave Audience and dispatch'd Business in which he spent that night and the greatest part of the next day Lucius Coesar a Kinsman of Julius Coesar's being appointed to go Deputy for the three hundred came to Cato and desired he would assist him to make a persuasive Speech for them And as to you your self said he I shall not scruple to kiss the Hands and fall at the Knees of
when he came to the Crown But it did more move the Indignation of all Men when he put himself into the Service of Tachos the Aegyptian They thought it too too much unworthy of a Man of his Quality who was then looked upon as the prime Commander in all Greece who had filled all Countries with his Renown to let himself out to Hire to a Barbarian an Aegyptian Rebel for Tachos was no better and to fight for Pay as Captain only of a Band of Mercenaries If at those Years of Eighty and odd after his Body had been worn out with Age and enfeebled with Wounds he had engaged in some very Honourable Cause as the Liberty of Greece or the like it had been however worthy of some Reproof To make an Action honourable it ought to be agreeable to the Age and other Circumstances of the Person for it is Circumstance that doth difference the Action and make it either good or bad But Agesilaus valued not other Mens Discourses he thought no publick Employment dishonourable the ignoblest thing in his esteem was for a Man to sit idle and resty at home till Death should come and take him napping The Money therefore that he received from Tachos he laid out in raising of Men wherewith having filled his Ships he took also 30 Spartan Captains with him as formerly he had done in his Asiatick Expedition and set Sail for Aegypt As soon as he arrived at Aegypt all the great Officers of the Kingdom came to pay their Compliments to him at his Landing His Reputation being so great had rais'd the Expectation of the whole Country which did flock in to see him but when they found instead of the great Prince whom they looked for a little Old Man of contemptible presence without all Ceremony lying down upon the Grass his Hair uncombed his Cloaths thread-bare they fell into Laughter and Scorn of him crying out that the old Proverb was now made good The Mountain had brought forth a Mouse They were much more scandalized at his Stupidity as they thought it who when Presents were made of all manner of Provisions took only the Meal the Calves and the Geese but rejected the Sweet-Meats the Confections and Perfumes When they did urge him to the acceptance of them he took them and gave them to the Helots that were in his Army yet he was taken with the Garlands they made of the Papyrus because of their native Simplicity and when he returned homewards he demanded one of the King which he carried with him When he joyned with Tachos he found his Expectation of being Generalissimo frustrated Tachos reserved that place for himself making Agesilaus only Captain of the Band of Mercenaries and Chabrias the Athenian Admiral This was the first occasion of his Discontent but there followed others he being daily tired with the Insolency and Vanity of this Aegyptian was at length forced to attend on him into Phaenicia in a condition much below his Spirit and Dignity which notwithstanding he was forced to digest for a while till he had opportunity of shewing his Resentment It was soon afforded him by Nectanabis the Uncle of Tachos and a great Captain under him who took an occasion to fall off from his Nephew and was soon Proclaimed King by the Aegyptians This Man invited Agesilaus to his Party and the like he did to Chabrias offering great Rewards to both Tachos having smelt it did immediately apply himself both to Agesilaus and Chabrias with great Humility to them both beseeching their continuance in his Friendship Chabrias consented to it and did what he could to sweeten Agesilaus in the matter but he gave this short Reply You O Chabrias came hither a Voluntier and may go and stay as you see cause but I am the Servant of Sparta sent hither on their Errand and must take my Measures from them This being said he soon dispatched Messengers to Sparta who were sufficiently instructed both in the Accusations of Tachos and the Commendations of Nectanabis The Two Aegyptians did also send their Ambassadors to Lacedaemon the one to claim Continuance of the old League already made the other to make great Offers for the breaking of it and making a new One. The Spartans having heard both sides gave in their publick Answer That they referred the whole Matter to Agesilaus but priyately wrote to him to act as he should find it best for the Profit of the Commonwealth Upon receipt of his Orders he soon changed sides carrying all the Mercenaries with him to Nectanabis prefacing so foul an Action with the plausible pretence of acting for the Benefit of his Country whereas the fine Veil being taken off the Fact was no better than downright Treachery But the Lacedaemonians who make it the first Principle of their Actions to serve their Country know not any thing to be just or unjust by any Measures but that Tachos being thus deserted by the Mercenaries fled for it Upon which one Mendesius being designed his Successor arose and came against Nectanabis with an Army of an 100000 Men. Nectanabis in his Discourse with Agesilaus despised them as new raised Men who though many in number were of no Skill in War being most of them Handicrafts-men and Trades-men never bred to War To whom Agesilaus answered That he despised their numbers but was afraid of their Ignorance which gave no room for treating them by Finenâ—ss and Stratagem for those are to be used only with cunning and crafly Men who being themselves full of Design and suspicious alway of yours do give opportunity of putting Tricks upon them but a Fool-hardy Man that neither sâ—eth nor feareth any thing giveth no more opportunity to the Enemy than he that stands stock-still without putting out his Leg giveth to a Wrestler This Mendesius was not wanting in the Solicitations of Agesilaus insomuch that Nectanabis grew jealous But when Agesilaus advised to Fight the Enemy presently before either their Skill or their Numbers increased it being imprudent to protract a War with such Men who rude and inexpert as they were would so increase in numbers as wholly to incompass them and prevent their Designs This confirmed him in his Jealousie and made him take the quite contrary course retreating into a strong Garison well Fortifi'd with Walls and Bulwarks Agesilaus finding himself mistrusted took it very ill and was full of Indignation yet was ashamed to change Sides again the other having been so lately done so that he was forced to follow Nectanabis into the Town When Mendesius came up and began to draw a Line about the Town and to intrench the Aegyptian was resolving upon a Battel thinking it much safer than to be begirt round with a Ditch and so starved out in a long Siege The Greeks were also of that mind the Provisions growing already scarce in the Town When Agesilaus opposed it the Aegyptians then suspected him much more publickly calling
should offer violence to these Laws wilt not thou be ready in assistance to the People Yes reply'd Pompey I shall always be ready and against those that threaten the Sword I 'll appear with Sword and Buckler But nothing ever was either said or done by Pompey to that very day that seem'd more insolent or odious to all Men than that one Saying Insomuch that his Friends endeavour'd to palliate the Offence and make an Apology for it as a word slipt out of joynt through Inadvertency but by his Actions and Practices afterwards it appear'd plainly that he was totally devoted to Caesar's Service For of a sudden Pompey beyond all Men's expectation Married with Julia the Daughter of Caesar who had been affianced before and was to be Married within a few days to Caepio And to appease Caepio's Wrath he gave him his own Daughter in Marriage who had been espous'd before to Faustus the Son of Sylla But Caesar himself Married Calpurnia the Daughter of Piso Upon this Pompey made a Garison of the City and filling it with Soldiers carried all things by Force as he pleas'd for as Bibulus the Consul was going to Court accompanied with Lucullus and Cato they fell upon him of a sudden and brake his Rods the Ensigns of Government and some body threw a Close-stool of Ordure upon the Head of Bibulus himself but the two Tribunes of the People that went among his Guards before him were desperately wounded in the Fray And thus by these means having clear'd the Court of all their Adversaries the Lex Agraria or Bill for the Division of Lands was established and passed into an Act And not only so but even the whole Populacy being thus decoyed and taken with this Bait became totally at their Devotion never regarding the Canvasses of the adverse Faction but passing quietly by Suffrage whatever they propounded Thus they confirmed all those Acts and Decrees of Pompey which were questioned and contested by Lucullus and to Caesar they granted the Provinces of Gallia Cisalpina and Transalpina together with Illyricum for five years and likewise a Battalion of four entire Legions Then they Elected Consuls for the year ensuing Piso the Father-in-Law of Caesar and Gabinius one of the chiefest Parasites about Pompey During all these Transactions Catulus kept close within Doors nor did he appear publickly in Person for the space of eight Months together notwithstanding he were Consul but sent out Proclamations full of bitter Invectives and Accusations against them both Cato turn'd Enthusiast and as if he had been possessed with a Spirit of Divination did nothing else in the Senate but foretel what Judgements should befal the Commonwealth and Pompey But Lucullus pleaded Dotage and retir'd upon a Writ of Ease as one already grown Feeble and Superannuate in the Affairs of State which gave occasion to that Satyrical Saying of Pompey That the Fatigues of Luxury were much more unseasonable for an old Man than those of Government Which in truth prov'd to be a Reflection upon himself for not long after he himself grew Effeminate in the Embraces of a young Wife Courting and Caressing her daily up and down through all the Gardens and Places of Pleasure in the Country whereby he neglected all the weighty Affairs of Courts and Councils Insomuch that Clodius who was then Tribune of the People began to dispise him and engage in many bold Attempts against him For when he had banished Cicero and sent away Cato into Cyprus under a colourable pretence of War when Caesar was gone upon his Expedition to Gaul and that he found how the Populacy was Devoted to him as a Man forming all Things and Governing according to their Pleasure he attempted forthwith to unravel and repeal divers of Pompey's Decrees thereupon he drew Tigranes the Captive out of Prison and had him about with him as his Companion he Commenced likewise Actions and Accusations against several of Pompey's Friends designing by these Measures to take the extent of his Power At last upon a time when Pompey came to Court in a certain Cause this same Clodius accompanied with a crowd of dissolute and desperate Ruffians and standing up in an eminent Place above the rest uttered himself in these or the like Questions Who 's the Licentious General What Man is that that is to seek for a Man And who is it that scratcheth his Head so nicely with one Finger The Rabble upon the Signal of shaking his Gown with a great Shout to every Question as 't is usual among Songsters in the Chorus or Burden of a Song Answer'd Pompey This indeed was no small Affliction to Pompey a Man unaccustom'd to hear any thing ill of himself and unexperienced altogether in such kind of Rencounters but he was most extreamly grieved when he came to understand that the Senate rejoyced at this dirty Usage and imputed it as a just Revenge or Punishment upon him for his Treachery to Cicero But when it hapned through this Tumult in the Market-Place that it was come even to Blows and Wounds and that one of Clodius his Bondslaves was apprehended creeping through the Crowd towards Pompey with a Sword in his Hand Pompey laying hold of this Pretence though perhaps otherwise apprehensive of Clodius his Insolence and Reproaches never would go to any publick Assemblies during all the time he was Tribune but kept close at home and passed away his time in Consult with his Friends by what means he might best allay the Displeasure of the Senate and Nobles against him Among other Expedients Culleo advised the Divorce of Julia whereby he should meet with an easie passage from Caesar's Friendship to that of the Senate this he would not hearken to by any means Others again advised him to call home Cicero from Banishment a Man that was always the great Adversary of Clodius and as great a Favourite of the Senate to this he was easily persuaded and therefore he brought Cicero's Brother into the Market-Place attendèd with a strong Party to Petition for his Return where after a warm Dispute wherein several were wounded and some slain he got the Victory of Clodius No sooner was Cicero return'd home upon this Decree but that immediately he reconciled the Senate to Pompey and withal by his Rhetorick in defence of the Law for Importation of Corn did again in effect make Pompey Soveraign Lord of all the Roman Empire by Sea and Land For by that Law he had got within the verge of his Jurisdiction all Ports Staples and Store-Houses and in short all the Mysteries and Concerns both of the Merchant and Husbandman Which gave occasion to that malicious Charge of Clodius That the Law was not made because of the Dearth or scarcity of Corn but the Dearth or scarcity of Corn was made that they might make a Law whereby that Power of his which was now grown Feeble and Consumptive might be reviv'd again and Pompey reinstated in a new Empire
Others look'd upon it as a Politick Device of Spinther the Cousul whose Design it was to oblige Pompey with a greater Authority that he himself might be sent in Assistance to King Ptolomy However this is undoubtedly true That Canidius the Tribune preferr'd a Law to dispatch Pompey in the Nature of an Ambassador without an Army attended only with two Lictors or Vergers as a Mediator betwixt the King and his Subjects of Alexandria Neither did this Law seem ungrateful to Pompey though indeed the Senate cast it out upon a specious Pretence That they were unwilling to hazard the Person of so brave a Man However there were found several Pamphlets scattered about the Market Place and Senate-House intimating how grateful it would be to Ptolemy to have Pompey appointed for his General instead of Spinther But Timagenes relates it otherwise as if Ptolomy went away and left Egypt not out of necessity but purely upon the perswasion of Theophanes who designed an Advantage to Pompey laying a Foundation for him of Wealth and a new Command Yet for all this the crafty Practices of Theophanes could not make this Report so credible but that it was render'd much more incredible by that nobler Genius of Pompey which would never allow of such base and disingenious Arts even in favour of his Ambition Thus Pompey being appointed chief Provedore and having within his Administration and Management all the Corn Trade sent abroad his Factors and Agents into all Quarters and he himself sailing into Sicily Sardinia and Africa made up vast Stores of Corn. And now being just ready to set Sail upon his Voyage homeward bound there arose a mighty Storm of Wind upon the Sea which raised a Doubt even among the Commanders themselves whether it were safe to break Ground or no wherefore Pompey himself went first aboard and commanded the Mariners to weigh Anchor declaring with a loud Voice That there was a necessity for them to Sail but no necessity to Live So that he by his Spirit and Courage having met with that Fortune which favours the Bold made a prosperous Return whereby his Granaries were stor'd the Markets all filled with Corn and the Sea with Ships Insomuch that this great plenty and abundance of Provisions yielded a sufficient Supply not only to the City of Rome but even Foreigners too dispersing it self like a lively Fountain through many Rivulets into all Quarters of Italy All this time Caesar grew great and was highly extoll'd for his Wars and Conquests in Gaul and when in appearance he seem'd farthest distant from Rome as if he had been intangled in the Affairs of Belgia Suevia and Britany than in truth was he working craftily by secret Practices in the midst of the People and countermining Pompey in his chiefest Designs For having his Army always about him as his Body 't was not his Design to weaken or impair it in a formal War against the barbarous Enemy but by light Skirmishes only no otherwise than in Sports of Hunting or Hawking to exercise and harden it whereby he made it invincible and dreadful to the World Then for his Gold and Silver which was infinite together with those incredible Spoils and other Treasures which he had taken from the Enemy in his Conquests all those he sent to Rome in Presents and Bribes tempting and corrupting the Aediles Praetors and Consuls together with their Wives whereby he purchased to himself a multitude of Friends Insomuch that when he passed back again over the Alpes and took up his Winter-Quarters in the City of Luca there flocked to him an infinite number of the common People Men and Women even in Strife and likewise 200 Senators at least among whom were Pompey and Crassus so that there were to be seen at once before Caesar's Gates no less than sixscore Rods or Maces of Proconsuls and Praetors As for the rest of his Addressors he sent them all away full fraught with Hopes and Money but for Crassus and Pompey he enter'd into private Covenants and Articles of Agreement with them That they should stand Candidates for the Consulship next Year That Caesar on his part should send a good Company of Soldiers to give their Votes at the Election That as soon as they were Elected they should use their Interest to have the Government of some Provinces and Legions assigned to themselves and that Caesar should have his Charge now in being confirmed to him for five Years more But afterwards when these Designs came to be discovered and noised abroad the Matter was hainously resented by many Persons of the greatest Quality in Rome and therefore Marcellinus once in an open Assembly of the People demanded of them both Whether they designed to Sue for the Consulship or no And being urged by the People for their Answer Pompey spake first and told them Perhaps he would Sue for it perhaps he would not But Crassus was somewhat more politick and said That for his part he would be ready to do what should be judg'd most agreeable with the Interest of the Commonwealth However Marcellinus still inveighing against Pompey and seeming to reflect upon him more bitterly Pompey replied as sharply That this Marcellinus was a most ungodly Wretch without either Gratitude or Honour for that by him he was made an Orator of a Mute and of a poor Starvling one glutted even to a Vomit Now notwithstanding divers fell off from their Pretences and forsook their Canvas for the Consulship yet Cato perswaded and encouraged Lucius Domitius not to desist For that said he the Contest now is not for Government but for liberty against Tyrants and Usurpers Wherefore those of Pompey's Party fearing that inflexible Constancy in Cato whereby he ruled and governed the whole Senate lest by that likewise he should pervert and draw after him all the well-affected part of the Commonalty resolved to withstand Domitius at first and prevent his entrance into the Market-place To this end therefore they sent in a Band of armed Men who at the first Onset slew the Torch-bearer of Domitius as he was leading the way before him and immediately put all the rest to Flight last of all Cato himself retired having received a Wound upon his right Arm in defence of Domitius Thus by these means and practices they obtained the Government neither indeed did they behave themselves with more decency throughout all the rest of their Actions But in the first place when the People were choosing Cato Praetor and just ready with their Votes for the Poll Pompey broke up the Assembly charging his Reasons upon the Augury as if there had appeared something inauspicious in the Heavens and thereupon having corrupted the Tribes they publickly proclaimed Antias and Vatinius Praetors Then in pursuance of their Covenants with Caesar they published several Edicts by Trebonian the Tribune whereby they made an Enlargement of Caesar's Commission according to Agreement measuring out another five years Charge to his former Province To Crassus there
Shipping he was forc'd to divert his course and march into Spain designing to joyn those Forces of Pompey there to his own In the mean time Pompey had rais'd a mighty Army both by Sea and Land As for his Navy 't was altogether invincible for there were 500 Men of War besides an infinite company of Galliots Foists and Pinaces Then for his Land-Forces the Cavalry made up a Body of 7000 Horse the very flower of Rome and Italy Men of Honour Wealth and Courage but the Infantry was a mixture of raw and unexperienc'd Soldiers and therefore he exercised and train'd them up daily near the City Beraea where he had quarter'd and lodg'd his Army himself no ways slothful but performing all his Exercises as if he had been in the flower of his Youth This exemplary Conduct raised the Spirits of his Soldiers extremely for it was no small Encouragement for them to see Pompey the Great 60 Years of Age wanting two one while trailing a Pike and handling his Arms among the Foot in all his Postures then again mounted among the Horse drawing out his Sword with ease in full career and sheathing it up as easily And in darting the Javelin there he shew'd not only his skill and dexterity in hitting the Mark but his strength and activity in throwing it so far that few of the youngest went beyond him Several Kings and Princes of other Nations came thither to him but there was a glorious appearance of Roman Magistrates and so numerous that they made up a compleat Senate Labienus forsook his old Friend Caesar whom he had serv'd throughout all his Wars in Gaul and came over to Pompey And Brutus Son to that Brutus that was put to Death in Gaul a Man of great Spirit and one that to that day had never so much as saluted or spoke to Pompey looking upon him as the Murderer of his Father came then and submitted himself to him as the defender of their Liberty Cicero likewise though he wrote and advis'd otherwise yet was asham'd not to be accounted in the number of those that would hazard their Lives and Fortunes for the safeguard of their Country And last of all there came to him even into Macedonia Tidius Sextus a Man extremely Old and Lame of one Leg others indeed mock'd and laugh'd at the Spectacle but Pompey as soon as he saw him rose and ran to meet him esteeming it no small assurance of their Good-will when Men of such Age and Infirmities should rather choose to be with him in danger than in safety at home Afterwards in a Council of War there passed a Decree which was pronounced by Cato as President That no Roman Citizen should be put to Death but in Battel and that they should not Sack or Plunder any City that was subject to the Roman Empire By these means Pompey's Party grew into greater Reputation insomuch that they who were no ways at all concern'd in the War either because they dwelt afar off or were thought incapable by reason of their Infirmities were yet in their opinions of his side and did in all their Discourses even fight for his Cause calling it the good or just Cause esteeming those as Enemies to the Gods and Men that wished not Victory to Pompey Neither was Pompey's Clemency such but that Caesar likewise shew'd himself as merciful a Conqueror for when he had taken and overthrown all Pompey's Forces in Spain he gave them Quarter leaving the Commanders at their Liberty and taking the common Soldiers into his own Pay Then repassing the Alpes and making a running March through Italy he came to Brundusium about the Winter Solstice and crossing the Sea there landed at the Port of Oricum Now Caesar having Jubius an intimate Friend of Pompey's with him as his Prisoner dispatch'd him to Pompey in an Embassage entreating That they meeting together in a Conference as one should disband both their Armies within three days and renewing their former Friendship with solemn Oaths should return together into Italy Pompey look'd upon this again as some new Stratagem or Device and therefore marching down in all haste towards the Sea-Coast possessed himself of all Forts and Places of Strength fit to encamp in and secure his Land-Forces as likewise of all Ports and Harbours commodious to receive any that came by Sea so that what Wind soever blew it must needs in some way or other be favourable to him bringing in either Provision Men or Money But Caesar on the contrary was so distressed both by Sea and Land that he was forc'd to desire Battel daily provoking the Enemy and assailing them in their very Forts and in these light Skirmishes for the most part had the better only once he was dangerously overthrown and likely to have lost his whole Army For Pompey having valiantly re-inforced the Battel made a desperate Charge upon him even to a total Rout of all his Army and the Slaughter of 2000 upon the Place but either he was not able to force their Camp or he was afraid to fall in pell-mell together with them Insomuch as Caesar told some of his Friends How that day had given an absolute Conquest to the Enemy if they had had but a Man that knew how to Conquer Pompey's Soldiers were so mightily encourag'd by this Victory that they would needs have it put to the decision of a Battel but Pompey himself though he wrote to Foreign Kings Princes and States in Confederacy with him as a Conqueror yet was afraid to hazard the Success of a Battel choosing rather by delays and distress of Provisions to tire out those who had never yet been Conquer'd by force of Arms but had always when they fought in a body been accustom'd to Victory Besides the Infirmities of their Age which now made them quickly weary of those other Hardships of War such as were long Marches and frequent Decampings making of Trenches and building of Fortifications made them willing to fight and venture the Battel with all speed Pompey had all along hitherto by his Perswasions pretty well quieted his Soldiers but after this last Engagement when Caesar for want of Provisions was forc'd to raise his Camp and had passed through Athamania into Thessaly it was impossible to curb or allay the heat of their Spirits any longer For all crying out with a general Voice That Caesar is fled some were for pursuing and pressing upon him others for returning into Italy some there were that sent their Friends and Servants before hand to Rome to hire Houses near the Forum or Market-place whereby they might be in a readiness to sue for Offices and Places in the Government But several were so vain as to sail for Lesbos in a Compliment to Cornelia with this joyful News That the War was brought to an end for Pompey had privately convey'd her thither from the Tumults in Rome Hereupon a Council of War was call'd and the Matter being under debate Afranius was
and gave no disturbance to any body but if there were no Inn they went to the Magistrates and desired them to help them to Lodgings and were always satisfied with what was allotted to them His Servants thus behaving themselves toward the Magistrates without noise and threatning were often not credited or neglected by them so that Cato did many times arrive before any thing was provided for him And indeed he himself was often despised and made little account of for sitting silent by himself on his Carriages he was looked upon as a contemptible Man and one of a mean Spirit therefore he would sometimes call the Townsmen together and say Ye ill-natured Men lay aside this inhospitable Humour you should by Courtesie endeavour to break the power of those Men who desire but a pretence to take from you by force what you give with such Reluctance While he travelled in this manner a pleasant Accident befell him in Syria As he was going into Antioch he saw a great multitude of People without the Gates ranked in order on either side the way here the young Men with long Cloaks there the Children decently dress'd others wore Crowns and white Garments which were the Priests and Magistrates Cato presently imagining all this was to do him Honour and for his Reception began to be angry with his Servants that were sent before for suffering it to be done then making his Friends alight he walked along with them on Foot As soon as he came near the Gate a reverend old Man who seemed to be Master of these Ceremonies with a Staff and a Crown in his Hand comes up to Cato and without shewing him any respect ask'd him Where he had left Demetrius and how soon he thought he would be there This Demetrius was Pompey's Servant and by all those who hoped for any Favour from Pompey he was highly honoured not for his own Desert but for his great Power with his Master Upon this Cato's Friends fell out into such a Laughter that they could not restrain themselves while they passed through the Crowd he himself much out of Countenance cryed O unhappy City and said no more yet afterward he used to tell this Story and laugh at it himself Pompey likewise after that made the People ashamed of their Ignorance and Folly for Cato in his Journey to Ephesus went to pay his Respects to him who was the elder Man had gained much Honour and was then General of a great Army Yet Pompey would not receive him sitting but as soon as he saw him rose up and going to meet him as the more honourable Person gave him his Hand and embraced him very kindly He said many things also in commendation of Cato's Virtue both in his presence and when he was gone away So that now all men began to respect Cato and admired him for the same things for which they despised him before having well considered the mildness of his Temper and the greatness of his Spirit Moreover the Civility that Pompey himself shewed him appeared to come from one that rather honoured than loved him For it was observed he was very kind to Cato while he was present with him but very glad when he was gone from him And when other young men came to see him he usually importuned and entreated them to continue with him Now he did not at all invite Cato to stay but as if his own Power were lessened by the other's Presence he very willingly dismiss'd him Yet to Cato alone of all those that went for Rome he recommended his Children and his Wife who was also her self allied to Cato After this all the Cities through which he passed strove and emulated each other in shewing him Respect and Honour They invited him to great Entertainments at which he desired his Friends to be present and take care of him lest he should make good what was said by Curio who tho' he were his familiar Friend yet disliking the austerity of his Temper asked him one day If when he left the Army he designed to see Asia And Cato answering Yes by all means You do well replied Curio and I hope you will return thence a litle more softned and less an Enemy to Pleasure Those were his words Deiotarus being now an old Man had sent for Cato with design to recommend his Children and Family to his Protection and as soon as he came brought him Presents of all sorts of things which he begg'd and entreated him to accept This so displeased Cato that tho' he came but in the evening he stay'd only that night and went away early the next morning After he was gone one days Journey he found at Pessinuns a greater number of Presents provided for him there and also Letters from Deiotarus entreating him to receive them or at least to permit his Friends to take them who for his sake deserved something And indeed Cato's own Estate was not very great yet he would not suffer it tho' he saw some of them were willing to receive such Gifts and ready to complain of his Severity But he told them That at this rate Corruption would never want pretence and for his Friends they should share with him in what-ever he could get justly and honestly so he returned the Presents to Deiotarus When he took Ship for Brundusium his Friends would have perswaded him to put his Brother's Ashes into another Vessel but he said He would sooner part with his Life than leave them and so he set Sail. 'T is said he passed the Sea not without some danger tho' others at the same time went over very safely After he was returned to Rome he spent his Time for the most part either at home in Conversation with Athenodorus or at the Forum in the service of his Friends When the Office of Quoestor was allotted to him he would not take the Place till he had perfectly studied the Laws concerning it and diligently enquired of experienced Men the Duty and Authority belonging to it Being thus instructed as soon as he came into the Office he made a great Reformation among the Clerks and under-Officers of the Treasury For they being well versed in the Records and Methods of the Office into which continually succeeded new Quoestors who for their Ignorance and Unskilfulness were fit only to learn and not able to manage the Business These Officers therefore had taken to themselves all the Power and were in effect the Treasurers Till Cato applying himself roundly to the Work had not only the Title and Honour of a Quoestor but an insight and understanding of whatever belonged to the Office So that he used the Clerks and under-Officers like Servants as they were reprehending them that were corrupt and instructing those that were Ignorant Yet being bold impudent Fellows they flattered the other Quoestors his Collegues and by their means made great opposition against Cato But he caught the chiefest of them dealing dishonestly in the division of an Estate and turned
Pompey's Son being incens'd would rashly and in a heat have punish'd all those who were going away and in the first place have laid hands on Cicero but Cato reprehended him in private and diverted him from that Design Thus apparently he sav'd the Life of Cicero and preserv'd several others besides Now understanding that Pompey the Great was fled toward Aegypt or Lybia Cato resolved to hasten after him and having taken all his Men aboard he set Sail but first to those who were not willing to engage he gave free liberty to depart When they came to the Coast of Africk they met with Sextus Pompey's younger Son who told them of the Death of his Father in Aegypt at which they were all exceedingly griev'd and declared that after Pompey they would follow no other Leader but Cato Out of compassion therefore to so many worthy Persons who had given such testimones of their Fidelity and whom he could not for shame leave in a desart Countrey amidst so many Difficulties he took upon him the Command and march'd toward the City of Cyrene which presently received him tho' not long before they had shut their Gates against Labienus Here he was inform'd that Scipio Pompey's Father-in-law was received by King Juba and that Appius Varus whom Pompey left Governour of Lybia had joyn'd them with his Forces Cato therefore resolved to march toward them by land it being Winter and having got together a great many Asses to carry Water he furnished himself likewise with plenty of all other Provision and a number of Carriages he took also with him some of those they call Pssilli who cure the biting of Serpents by sucking out the Poyson with their Mouths and have likewise certain Charms by which they stupifie and lay asleep the Serpents Thus they marched seven days together Cato all the time went on Foot at the Head of his Men and never made use of any Horse or Chariot Ever since the Battel of Pharsalia he used to sit at Table and added this to his other ways of Mourning that he never lay down but to sleep Having pass'd the Winter in Lybia Cato drew out his Army which amounted to little less than ten thousand The Affairs of Scipio and Varus went very ill by reason of their Dissentions and Quarrels among themselves and their Submissions and Flatteries to King Juba who was insupportable for his Vanity and the Pride he took in his Strength and Riches The first time he came to a conference with Cato he had ordered his own Seat to be placed in the middle between Scipio and Cato which Cato observing took up his Chair and set himself on the other side of Scipio to whom he thus gave the Honour of sitting in the middle tho' he were his Enemy and had formerly published a scandalous Libel against him There are some who approve not this Action of Cato's and yet on the other side blame him for that in Sicily walking one day with Philostratus he gave him the middle Place out of the Respect he bore to Philosophy Thus did Cato pull down the Spirit of Juba who before treated Scipio and Varus no better than his own Subjects he reconciled them also to one another All the Army desired Cato to be their Leader Scipio likewise and Varus gave way to it and Offer'd him the Command but he said He would not break those Laws which he fought to defend and he being but Pro-proetor ought not to command in the presence of a Pro-Consul for Scipio had been created Pro-Consul besides that the People would take it as a good Omen to see a Scipio command in Africk and the very Name would give Courage to the Souldiers Scipio having taken upon him the Command presently resolv'd at the Instigation of Juba to put all the Inhabitants of Vtica to the Sword and to raze the City for having as they pretended taken part with Coesar Cato would by no means suffer this but invoking the Gods exclaiming and protesting against it in the Council of War he with much difficulty delivered the poor People from their Cruelty Afterward upon the Entreaty of the Inhabitants and at the Instance of Scipio Cato took upon himself the Government of Vtica lest it should fall into Coesar's hands for it was a strong Place and very advantageous for either Party yet it was better provided and more fortified by Cato who brought in great store of Corn repair'd the walls erected Towers made deep Trenches and Out-works round the Town The young Men of Vtica he lodg'd in the Trenches having first taken their Arms from them the rest of the Inhabitants he kept within the Town and took great care that no Injury should be done nor Affront offer'd them by the Romans From hence he sent great quantity of Arms Money and Provision to the Camp and made this City their chief Magazine He advis'd Scipio as he had before done Pompey by no means to hazard a Battel against a Man experienc'd in War and encourag'd with Success but to use delay for time would cool the Heats and Passions of men which are the chief support and strength of Vsurpers But Scipio out of Pride rejected this Counsel and writ a Letter to Cato in which he reproach'd him with Cowardice and that he could not content himself to lie secure within Walls and Trenches but he must hinder others that they might not make use of the Courage and Reason they have to lay hold an Occasions In Answer to this Cato writ word again That he would take the Horse and Foot which he had brought into Africk and go over into Italy to give Caesar some Diversion there But Scipio derided this Proposition also Then Cato openly avow'd He was sorry he had yielded the Command to Scipio who he saw would not use his Power wisely in the War and if contrary to all appearance he should succeed doubtless he would use his Success as unjustly at home For Cato did then think and so he told his Friends That he could have but slender Hopes in those Generals that had so much Boldness and so little Conduct Yet if any thing should happen beyond Expectation and Caesar should be overthrown for his part he would not stay at Rome but would retire from the Cruelty and Inhumanity of Scipio who had already given out fierce and proud Threats against many But what Cato had look'd for fell out sooner than he expected For about midnight came one from the Army who brought word There had been a great Battel near Thapsus that all was utterly lost Caesar had taken both the Camps Scipio and Juba were fled with a few only and the rest cut to pieces This News as 't is usual in War and coming in the night too did so frighten the People that they were almost out of their Wits and could scarce keep themselves within the Walls of the City but Cato went out and meeting the People in this Hurry and Clamour did comfort and
again to see if any of them should happen to return for any thing they wanted and to acquaint him therewith Now the Birds began to sing and Cato again fell into a little Slumber At length But as came back and told him All was quiet in the Haven Then Cato laying himself down as if he would sleep out the rest of the night bid him shut the Door after him But as soon as But as was gone out he took his Sword and stabb'd it into his Breast yet not being able to use his Hand so well by reason of the Swelling he did not immediately die of the Wound but struggling fell out of the Bed and throwing down a little Mathematical Table that stood by made such a noise that the Servants hearing it cry'd out And immediately his Son and all his Friends came into the Chamber where seeing him lie weltring in his Blood great part of his Bowels out of his Body himself not quite dead but looking ghastly they all stood amazed The Physician went to him and would have put in his Bowels which were not pierced and sow'd up the Wound Cato hereupon coming to himself thrust away the Physician pluck'd out his own Bowels and tearing open the Wound immediately expired In less time than one would think his own Family could have known this Accident all the three hundred were at the Door And a little after the People of Vtica flock'd thither crying out with one Voice He was their Benefactor and their Saviour the only free and only invincible man At the very same instant they had News that Caesar was coming yet neither fear of the present Danger nor desire to flatter the Conquerer nor the Commotions and Discord among themselves could divert them from doing Honour to Cato for they sumptuously set out his Body made him a magnificent Funeral and buried him by the Sea-side where now stands his Statue holding a Sword Which being done they returned to consider of preserving themselves and their City Coesar had been advertised that Cato stay'd at Vtica and did not seek to fly that he had sent away the rest of the Romans but himself with his Son and a few of his Friends continued there very unconcernedly so that he could not imagine what might be his Design but having a great Consideration for the Man he hastned thither with his Army When he heard of Cato's Death 't is reported he said these words Cato I envy thee thy Death for thou hast envy'd me the preservation of thy Life And indeed if Cato would have suffer'd himself to be preserved by Coesar 't is like he would not so much have impar'd his own Honour as augmented the others Glory yet what would have been done we cannot know but from Coesar's usual Clemency we may guess what was most likely Cato was forty eight years old when he Dy'd His Son suffered no Injury from Coesar but 't is said he grew idle and debauch'd with Women In Cappadocia he lodg'd at the House of Marphadates one of the Royal Family who had a very handsom Wife where staying longer than was decent he was reflected on by some that made such Jests as these upon him Cato goes to morrow after thirty days and Porcius and Marphadates are two Friends that have but one Soul for Marphadates Wife was named Psyche i. e. Soul and Cato is very well born and an illustrious Man for he has a Royal Soul But all these Stains were clearly wip'd off by the Bravery of his Death for in the Battle of Philippi where he fought for his Countrey 's Liberty against Caesar and Antony when the Army was broken he disdaining to fly or to escape called out to the Enemy shew'd them who he was and encouraged those of his Party to stay At length he fell and left his Enemies in admiration of his Valour Nor was the Daughter of Cato inferiour to the rest of her Family for Prudence and greatness of Spirit She was married to Brutus who killed Caesar was acquainted with that Conspiracy and ended her Life as became one of her Birth and Vertue All which is related in the Life of Brutus Statyllius who said he would imitate Cato was at that time hindred by the Philosophers when he would have put an end to his Life He afterward follow'd Brutus to whom he was very faithful and very serviceable and died in the Field of Philippi AGIS AND CLEOMENES 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 MBurg sculp THE LIFE OF AGIS Translated from the Greek by Sir Robert Thorald THe Fable of Ixion who imbracing a Cloud instead of Juno begot the Centaurs was ingeniously enough invented to represent to us ambitious Men whose Minds doting on Glory which is a meer Image of Vertue produce nothing that is genuine or uniform but born away by violent and contrary Passions their Actions being the off-spring of such a Conjunction must needs be deform'd and unnatural and they may say with the Hersdmen in the Tragedy of Sophocles We follow those whom we ought to govern And they command us tho' th' are dumb That is indeed the true condition of those ambitious Men who to gain a vain Title of Magistracy are content to subject themselves to the Humours of the People for as they who row in the fore-part of the Ship may seem to guide the Motions of it yet have continually an eye on the Pilot who sits at the Helm and must proceed in the Course he will steer so these Men steer'd as I may say by popular Applause tho' they bear the Name of Governours are in reality Slaves to the Mobile The Man who is compleatly wise and virtuous regards not Glory but only as it disposes and prepares his way to great Attempts A young Man I grant may be permitted to glory a little in his good Actions for as Theophrastus says his Vertues which are yet tender and as it were in the bud cherish'd and supported by Praises grow stronger and take the deeper root but when this Passion is exhorbitant 't is dangerous in all men and especially in those who govern a Commonwealth for being joyn'd with an unlimited Power it often transports men to a degree of Madness so that now they no more seek Glory by Vertue but will have those Actions only esteem'd good that are glorious As Phocion therefore answered King Antipater who sought his Approbation of some unworthy Action I cannot be your Flatterer and your Friend so these men shou'd answer the People I cannot govern and obey you lest it shou'd happen to the Commonwealth as to the Serpent in the Fable whose Tayl rising in rebellion against the Head complain'd as of a great Grievance that it was always forc'd to follow and pray'd it might be permitted by Turns to lead the way which being granted but for a day quickly discover'd the Folly by the Mischiefs which befell the whole Body and particularly to the Head in following contrary to Nature a
choose others in their room then he began to consider how he might entrap Agis At first he endeavour'd by fair means to perswade that he wou'd come and partake with him as was his Right in the Kingdom the People he said wou'd easily pardon the Errors of a young Man ambitious of Glory and deceiv'd by the Craft of Agesilaus But finding Agis was suspicious and not to be prevail'd with to quit his Sanctuary he gave over that Design yet what cou'd not then be effected by the Dissimulation of an Enemy was soon after brought to pass by the Treachery of a Friend Amphares Demochares and Archesilaus did often visit Agis and he was so confident of their Fidelity that after a while he was prevail'd with to accompany them to the Baths which were not far distant they constantly returning to see him safe again in the Temple Amphares had borrow'd a great deal of Plate and rich Household stuff of Agesistrata and hop'd if he cou'd destroy her and the whole Family he might peaceably enjoy those Goods To so base an intent he was ready to serve Leonidas in any treacherous way and being one of the Ephori did all he cou'd to incense the rest of his Collegues against Agis These men therefore finding that Agis wou'd never stir from his Sanctuary but only when he went with them to the Bath resolv'd to make use of that occasion And one day in his return they met and saluted him as formerly discoursing pleasantly by the way as familiar Friends use to do till coming to the turning of a Street which led to the Prison Amphares by virtue of his Office arrested Agis and told him He must go with him before the other Ephori to answer for his Misdemeanors At the same time Demochares who was a tall strong man threw his Cloak over his Head and dragg'd him after by the Neck whilst the others went behind to thrust him on so that none of Agis his Friends being near to assist him they easily got him into the Prison where Leonidas was already arriv'd with a Company of Souldiers who strongly guarded all the Avenues the Ephori were also there with as many of the Senators as they knew to be true to their Party being desirous to proceed with some resemblance of Justice First they bad him give an Account why he had gone about to alter the Government To which Agis only smiling at their Craft and Dissimulation answer'd not a word Amphares told him It was more seasonable to weep for now the time was come in which he shou'd be punish'd for his Presumption Another of the Ephori seeming more favourable and offering as it were an occasion of Excuse said He was confident Agis had been seduc'd and in a manner constrain'd to what he did by Lysander and Agesilaus But Agis answer'd He had not been seduc'd or constrain'd by any man nor had any other intent in what he did but only to follow the Example of Lycurgus and to govern conformably to his Laws They ask'd him Whether now at least he did not repent his Rashness To which he reply'd That tho' he saw unavoidable Death before his Eyes yet he cou'd never repent of so just and so glorious a Design They had not the patience to hear him any longer but commanded the Serjeants to carry him into the Decade which was a place in the prison where they us'd to strangle Malefactors The Officers refus'd to obey and the very mercenary Souldiers declin'd it believing it an insolent and a Wicked Act to lay violent hands on a King which as soon as Demochares perceiv'd threatning and reviling them for it he himself thrust him into the Room By this time the News of Agis his Imprisonment having reach'd all Parts of the City had occasion'd a great Concourse of People with Lanthorns and Torches about the Prison-gates and in the midst of them the Mother and the Grandmother of Agis crying out with a loud Voice That their King ought to appear and to be heard by the People and shou'd at least be proceeded with in the usual Forms of Justice But this Clamour instead of preventing hasten'd his Death his Enemies fearing if the Tumult shou'd increase he might that very night be rescued out of their hands Agis being now at the point to die perceiv'd one of the Serjeants bitterly bewailing his Misfortune Weep not Friend says he for me who die innocent but rather grieve for those who are guilty of this wicked Act my condition is much better than theirs As soon as he had spoken these words not shewing the least sign of Fear he patiently stretch'd out his Neck to the Executioner Immediately after Agis was dead Amphares went out of the Prison-gate where he found Agesistrata who casting her self at his Feet he gently rais'd her up pretending still the same Friendship as formerly he assur'd her she needed not fear any farther Violence shou'd be offer'd against her Son and that if she pleas'd she might go in and see him she begg'd her Mother might also have the favour to be admitted and he reply'd No body shou'd hinder it When they were enter'd he commanded the Gate shou'd again be lock'd and the Grandmother to be first introduc'd she was now grown very old and had liv'd all her days with great reputation of Vertue and Wisdom As soon as Amphares thought she was dispatch'd he told Agesistrata She might now go in if she pleas'd she enter'd where beholding her Son's Body stretch'd on the Ground and her Mother hanging by the Neck she stood at first astonish'd at so horrid a Spectacle but after a while recollecting her Spirits the first thing she did was to assist the Souldiers in taking down the Body then covering it decently she laid it by her Son 's whom embracing and kissing his Cheeks O my Son said she 't is thy too great Mercy and Goodness which has brought thee and us to this untimely End Amphares who stood watching behind the Door hearring this rush'd in hastily and with a furious Tone and Countenance said to her Since you approve so well of your Sons Actions 't is fit you shou'd partake in his Reward She rising up to meet her Destiny only utter'd these few words I pray the Gods that all this may redound to the good of Sparta And now the three Bodies being expos'd to view and the Fact divulg'd no fear of Magistrates cou'd hinder the people from expressing a detestation of it or from hating the chief Contrivers and especially Leonidas and Amphares They were not afraid openly to declare that so wicked and barbarous an Act had never been committed in Sparta since first the Doriens inhabited Pelopennesus the very Enemies in War they said were always cautious of spilling the Bloud of a Lacedoemonian King insomuch that in any Encounter they wou'd decline and endeavour to avoid them so great a Respect they bore to the Royal Majesty I must needs say 't is very remarkable that
to speak more truly they took away those things which were the cause of all their Calamities and so restor'd their City to its ancient Grandeur However this must be confess'd in the behalf of the Gracchi That their Undertakeings were always opposed by Men of the the greatest Quality But on the other side those which were first attempted by Agis and afterwards consummated by Cleomenes were supported by the famous Authority of those ancient Laws concerning Frugality and Levelling which were instituted by Lycurgus ratified and confirmed by Apollo It is also further observable That from the Transactions of the Gracchi the City of Rome received no Additions to her former Greatness whereas by the Conduct of Cleomenes Greece presently saw that Sparta exerted the soveraign power over all Peloponnesus and she still sought to enlarge her Dominions with the greatest Princes of that Age designing by all her warlike Actions to set Greece at liberty from her subjection to the Gauls and Illyrians and restore her Government as formerly to the Race of Hercules From their different manner of Dying we may also make some Observations in relation to their Courage The Gracchi fighting with their fellow-Citizens were both slain as they endeavour'd to make their Escape but Agis willingly submitted to his Fate rather than any Citizen should be in danger of their Lives Cleomenes also after his being affronted and abused tho' he did design to be revenged yet having fail'd of that opportunity he then generously fell by his own Hand But on the contrary we must consider That Agis never did a great Action worthy a Commander being prevented by an untimely Death And as for those heroick Actions of Cleomenes we may justly compare with them that of Tiberius's when he was the first who attempted to scale the Walls of Carthage it being look'd upon as no mean Exploit To which may be added likewise the Peace which he concluded with the Numantines by which he saved the Lives of 20000 Romans who otherwise had certainly been cut off And Caius not only at this Place but in Sardinia too behaved himself very valiantly that their early Actions were no small Argument that afterwards they might have been deservedly compared with the chiefest of the Roman Commanders if they had not dyed so young Agis proceeded very mildly in the management of publick Affairs and meeting too with some Disappointments by the Craft of Agesilaus he frustrated the Expectations of the Citizens as to the division of the Lands and was constrained to leave all his Designs imperfect and unfinish'd only for want of a manly Resolution Cleomenes on the contrary acted more boldly and rashly in all his publick Transactions and unjustly slew the Ephori whom he might by Conquest have gain'd over to his Party or else might easily have banish'd not only them but several others also of the City for to cut off any Members unless in the extreamest necessity is neither the part of a good Chirurgeon nor a Politician but argues unskilfulness in both By this therefore Cleomenes appears cruel as well as unjust Neither of the Gracchi were forward to be engaged in a Civil War and Caius is reported to have avoided all manner of Revenge even when his Life was aim'd at showing himself always valiant against a foreign Enemy but wholly unactive in a Sedition This was the Reason that he went from his own House unarm'd and was present in the Battel which makes it evident that he had consulted rather not to do any harm to others than not to suffer any himself Even the very flight of the Gracchi must not be look'd upon as an argument of their mean Spirit but an honourable Retreat from endangering of others for if they had stay'd they must either have yielded to those who assail'd 'em or else have sought 'em in their own defence The greatest Crime that can be laid to Tiberius's charge was the deposing of his fellow Tribune and that he afterwards substituted Caius in his room and as for the Death of Attyllius it is falsly and unjustly attributed to Caius for he was slain unknown to him and much to his Grief On the contrary Cleomenes not to mention the Murther of the Ephori set all the Slaves at liberty and govern'd by himself alone in reality having a Partner only for show which was the Reason he made choice of his Brother Euclid who was of the same Family He also prevail'd upon Archidamus who was the next Heir to the Kingdom of the other Line that he would venture to return home from Messene but after this being slain because Cleomenes did not endeavour to revenge his Death he gave an occasion of being justly suspected that he was privy to it himself Truly Lycurgus whose Example he pretends to imitate after he had voluntarily settled his Kingdom upon Charilaus his Brother's Son fearing lest if the Youth should chance to die by Accident he might be suspected for it he travell'd a long time and would not return again to Sparta till Charilaus had a Son and an Heir to his Kingdoms But we have ne'er another Grecian who is worthy to be compared with Lycurgus for amongst the Deeds of Cleomenes there were greater Innovations and worse Faults than these They therefore who strictly examine their different Manners may observe That the two Grecians were warlike even from their Youth and inclining to be Tyrants that Tiberius and Caius by nature had too great an Emulation after Glory and Honours and besides they never stood in Competition for any thing but as soon as the Contention began with their Adversaries their Heat and Passions would so far prevail beyond their natural Temper that by them as by ill Winds they were driven afterwards to all their rash Undertakings What could be more just and honourable than their first Design had not the Power and the Faction of the Rich by endeavouring to abrogate that Law engag'd 'em both in those fatal Quarrels the one for his own Preservation the other to revenge his Brother's Death who was murder'd without any Law or Justice From the account therefore which has been given you your self may perceive the Difference which if it were to be pronounc'd of every one singly I should affirm Tiberius to have excell'd 'em all in Virtue that young Agis had been guilty of the fewest Miscarriages and that in Action and Boldness Caius came far short of Cleomenes FINIS Books Printed for Jacob Tonson at the Judge's Head in Chancery Lane near Fleetstreet History PLutarch's Lives in Five Volumes translated from the Greek by several the most Eminent hands adorn'd with fifty five Copper Cuts Mezeray's Chronological History of France Sir Paul Rycaut's History of the Spaniards Conquest of Peru with several Cuts explaining the Natural Customs of the Natives there The most diverting Travels of Ferdinando Pinto Camden's History of the Life and Reign of Queen Elizabeth The History of the Wars c. between the League and the two Kings