Cato.
Ambassadors from Cæsar Address Cato.
“ Noblest of Romans, we come to save1
The pride of Rome from a timeless grave :2
Hear the greeting which Cesar sends—3
‘ Cæsar counts Cato among his friends.’ ”4
“ Bear back to Cæesar Cato’s reply—5
Cato’s friends are the friends of liberty.”6
“ Cæsar offers thee power, high station, and sway—7
Power that all next to Cæesar’s himself shall obey.”8
“ No power of value to Cato can be,9
Save the power of keeping his country free.”10
“ Cæsar offers thee wealth—riches we’ll bring11
That shall rival the stores of the Lydian king.”12
“ Freedom is of a price too high13
For all the wealth of Crœsus to buy.”14
“ Cæsar offers thee pleasure—the west and east15
Shall be traversed for beauty thy view to feast.”16
“ No beauty can equal in Cato’s eye17
The loveliness of liberty.”18
“ A grander offer of favour we bring ;19
Some subject kingdom shall call thee king.’20
“ In Cato’s eyes, the freeman’s grave21
Is grander far than the throne of a slave.”22
“ Ask aught in the power of Cæesar to give :23
There’s nought he’ll refuse if Cato will live.”24
“ Go, bear this answer to Cæsar home—25
The boon Cato asks is—the Freedom of Rome.”26