XV. Norfolk's advice to the Duke of Buckingham, to restrain resentment. I ADVISE you, (And take it from a heart that wishes towards you What his high hatred would effect wants not with choler question Let your reason What 'tis you go about. your Requires slow pace at first. To climb steep hills A full-hot horse; who being allow'd his way, As you would to your Heat not a furnace for friend. Be advis'd; That it do singe yourself. We may outrun, And lose by over-running. Know you not, I say again, there is no English soul Be advis'd; Who's stronger to direct you than yourself; XVI. John of Gaunt encouraging his son Boling broke going into banishment. ALL places that the eye of heaven visits Are to a wise man ports and happy havens. Teach thy necessity to reason thus; There is no virtue like necessity. Think not the king did banish thee; But thou the king. Woe doth the heavier sit, To lie that way thou go'st, not whence thou com'st.: The grass whereon thou tread'st, the presence strew'd; The flowers, fair ladies; and thy steps, no more Than a delightful measure, or a dance: For gnarling sorrow hath less power to bite. XVII. Cato's senate. Cato. FATHERS, we once again are met in council! Cæsar's approach has summon'd us together, And Rome attends her fate from our resolves. How shall we treat this bold aspiring man? Success still follows him, and backs his crimes: Pharsalia gave him Rome: Egypt has since Receiv'd his yoke, and the whole Nile is Cæsar's. Why should I mention Juba's overthrow, And Scipio's death? Numidia's burning sands Still smoke with blood. 'Tis time we should decree What course to take. Our foe advances on us, And envies us even Lybia's sultry deserts. Fathers, pronounce your thoughts: are they still fix'd, Or are your hearts subdu'd at length, and wrought Sempronius. My voice is still for war. Attack the foe, break through the thick array May reach his heart, and free the world from bondage. Or share their fate! The corpse of half her senate Sit here delib'rating in cold debates If we should sacrifice our lives to honour, Cato. Let not a torrent of impetuous zeal That justice warrants, and that wisdom guides: Already have our quarrels fill'd the world With widows, and with orphans: Scythia mourns 'Tis time to sheathe the sword, and spare mankind. But free the commonwealth; when this end fails, Is done already: heav'n and earth will witness, Semp. This smooth discourse, and mild behaviour, oft All is not right Cato. Let us appear nor rash nor diffident; Are grown thus desp'rate; we have bulwarks round us : Enter Marcus. Marcus. Fathers, this moment, as I watch'd the gate, Lodg'd on my post, a herald is arriv’d From Cæsar's camp, and with him comes old Decius Cato. By your permission, fathers, bid him enter. Decius. Cato. Enter Decius. Cæsar sends health to Cato- To Cato's slaughter'd friends, it would be welcome. Decius. My business is with Cato; Cæsar sees Cato. My life is grafted on the fate of Rome. Would he save Cato ? Bid him spare his country. Tell your dictator this: and tell him, Cato Disdains a life, which he has power to offer. Decius. Rome and her senators submit to Caesar ; Her gen'rals and her consuls are no more, Who check'd his conquests, and denied his triumphs. Why will not Cato be this Cæsar's friend? Cato. Those very reasons thou hast urg'd forbid it. Decius. Cato, I've orders to expostulate, And reason with you, as from friend to friend; Think on the storm that gathers o'er your head, And threatens ev'ry hour to burst upon it;. Still may you stand high in your country's honours. Do but comply, and make your peace with Cæsar. Rome will rejoice, and cast its eyes on Cato, As on the second of mankind. Cato. No more: I must not think of life on such conditions. Decius. Cæsar is well acquainted with your virtues, And therefore sets this value on your life: Let him but know the price of Cato's friendship, And name your terms. Cato. Bid him disband his legions, Restore the commonwealth to liberty, Submit his actions to the public censure, And stand the judgment of a Roman senate. Bid him do this, and Cato is his friend. Decius. Cato, the world talks loudly of your wisdom--Cato. Nay more, tho' Cato's voice was ne'er employ'd To clear the guilty, and to varnish crimes, Myself will mount the rostrum in his favour, And strive to gain his pardon from his people. Decius. A style like this becomes a conqueror. |