Moral essays. With an English translation by J.W. Basore

—ON PROVIDENCE, ii. lO-iii. i" all the world has fallen under one man's sway,although Caesar's legions guard the land, his fleetsthe sea, and Caesar's troops beset the city gates,yet Cato has a way of escape ; with one singlehand he will open a wide path to freedom. Thissword, unstained and blameless even in civil war,shall at last do good and noble service : the freedomwhich it could not give to his country it shall giveto Cato ! Essay, my soul, the task long planned ;deUver yourself from human affairs. Already Petreiusand Juba have met and he fallen, each slain by theother's hand." Their compact with Fate was braveand noble, but for my greatness such would be unfit.For Cato it were as ignoble to beg death from anyman as to beg hfe." I am sure that the gods lookedon with exceeding joy while that hero, most ruthlessin avenging himself, took thought for the safety ofothers and arranged the escape of his departingfollowers ; while even on his last night he pursuedhis studies ; while he drove the sword into his sacredbreast ; while he scattered his vitals, and drew forthby his hand that hohest spirit, too noble to be defiledby the steel.* I should hke to beheve that this iswhy the wound was not well-aimed and efficaciousit was not enough for the immortal gods to look butonce on Cato . His virtue was held in check and calledback that it might display itself in a harder role ;for to seek death needs not so great a soul as toreseek it. Surely the gods looked with pleasureupon their pupil as he made his escape by soglorious and memorable an end ! Death consecratesthose whose end even those who fear mustpraise.But as the discussion progresses, I shall show how13