This letter, notwithstanding the poor butler's manner of writing it, gave us such an idea of our good old friend, that upon the reading of it there was not a dry eye in the club. Sir Andrew open5 ing the book, found it to be a collection of acts of parliament. There was in particular the Act of Uniformity, with some passages in it marked by Sir Roger's own hand. Sir Andrew found that they related to two or three points, which he had 10 disputed with Sir Roger the last time he appeared at the club. Sir Andrew, who would have been merry at such an incident on another occasion, at the sight of the old man's handwriting burst into tears, and put the book into his pocket. Cap15 tain Sentry informs me, that the knight has left rings and mourning for every one in the club.

Cato

(1713.)

ACT V. SCENE I.

CATO solus, sitting in a thoughtful posture: In his hand Plato's book on the Immortality of the Soul. A drawn sword on the table by him.

It must be so-Plato, thou reason'st well!

Else whence this pleasing hope, this fond desire,
This longing after immortality?

Or whence this secret dread, and inward horror,
Of falling into nought? why shrinks the soul
Back on herself, and startles at destruction?
'Tis the divinity that stirs within us;

'Tis heaven itself, that points out an hereafter,
And intimates eternity to man,

Eternity! thou pleasing, dreadful thought!
Through what variety of untried being,

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ΤΟ

Through what new scenes and changes must we pass !
The wide, th' unbounded prospect, lies before me;
But shadows, clouds, and darkness, rest upon it.
Here will I hold. If is there's a power above us,
(And that there is all nature cries aloud

Through all her works) he must delight in virtue ;
And that which he delights in, must be happy.

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But when or where !-This world was made for

Cæsar.

I'm weary of conjectures—This must end them.
[Laying his hand on his sword.

Thus am I doubly armed: my death and life,
My bane and antidote are both before me:
This in a moment brings me to an end;
But this informs me I shall never die.
The soul, secured in her existence, smiles
At the drawn dagger, and defies its point.
The stars shall fade away, the sun himself
Grow dim with age, and nature sink in years,
But thou shalt flourish in immortal youth,
Unhurt amidst the war of elements,

The wrecks of matter, and the crush of worlds.
What means this heaviness that hangs upon me?
This lethargy that creeps through all my senses?
Nature oppressed, and harassed out with care,
Sinks down to rest. This once I'll favour her,
That my awakened soul may take her flight,
Renewed in all her strength, and fresh with life,
An offering fit for heaven. Let guilt or fear
Disturb man's rest: Cato knows neither of them,
Indifferent in his choice to sleep or die.

SCENE II.

CATO, PORTIUS,

САТО.

But hah! how's this, my son ! why this intrusion ?
Were not my orders that I would be private ?
Why am I disobeyed?

What means this sword? this instrument of death?

Let me convey it hence !

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CATO.

Rash youth, forbear!

PORTIUS.

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O let the prayer, th' entreaties of your friends, Their tears, their common danger, wrest it from you.

САТО.

Would'st thou betray me? would'st thou give me up

A slave, a captive, into Cæsar's hands?

Retire, and learn obedience to a father,

Or know, young man !

PORTIUS.

Look1 not thus sternly on me;

You know I'd rather die than disobey you.

CATO.

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'Tis well! again I'm master of myself.
Now, Cæsar, let thy troops beset our gates,
And bar each avenue, thy gathering fleets
O'erspread the sea, and stop up every port;
Cato shall open to himself a passage,
And mock thy hopes

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PORTIUS.

O Sir, forgive your son,

Whose griefs hangs heavy on him! O my father!
How am I sure it is not the last time

I e'er shall call you so! be not displeased,

O be not angry with me whilst I weep,

And, in the anguish of my heart, beseech you

To quit the dreadful purpose of your soul!

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1 1713, does not contain this speech of Portius and the following one by Cato.

САТО.

Thou hast been ever good and dutiful.

[Embracing him.

Weep not, my son. All will be well again.

The righteous gods, whom I have sought to please,
Will succour Cato, and preserve his children.

PORTIUS.

Your words give comfort to my drooping heart.

CATO.

Portius, thou may'st rely upon my conduct.
Thy father will not act what misbecomes him.
But go, my son, and see if aught be wanting
Among thy father's friends; see them embarked;
And tell me if the winds and seas befriend them.

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My soul is quite weighed down with care, and asks 75 The soft refreshment of a moment's sleep.2

PORTIUS.

My thoughts are more at ease, my heart revives.

SCENE III.

PORTIUS AND MARCIA,

PORTIUS.

O Marcia, O my sister, still there's hope!

Our father will not cast away a life

So needful to us all, and to his country.

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He is retired to rest, and seems to cherish

Thoughts full of peace. He has dispatched me hence
With orders, that bespeak a mind composed,
And studious for the safety of his friends.

Marcia, take care that none disturb his slumbers.

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