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CATO THE YOUNGER
95…46 B。C。
by Plutarch
translated by John Dryden
THE family of Cato derived its first lustre from his
great…grandfather Cato； whose virtue gained him such great
reputation and authority among the Romans； as we have written in his
life。
This Cato was； by the loss of both his parents； left an orphan；
together with his brother Caepio； and his sister Porcia。 He had also a
half…sister； Servilia； by the mother's side。 All these lived together；
and were bred up in the house of Livius Drusus； their uncle by the
mother； who； at that time； had a great share in the government；
being a very eloquent speaker； a man of the greatest temperance； and
yielding in dignity to none of the Romans。
It is said of Cato that even from his infancy； in his speech； his
countenance； and all his childish pastimes； he discovered an
inflexible temper； unmoved by any passion； and firm in everything。
He was resolute in his purposes； much beyond the strength of his
age； to go through with whatever he undertook。 He was rough and
ungentle toward those that flattered him； and still more unyielding to
those who threatened him。 It was difficult to excite him to
laughter； his countenance seldom relaxed even into a smile； he was not
quickly or easily provoked to anger； but if once incensed； he was no
less difficult to pacify。
When he began to learn； he proved dull； and slow to apprehend； but
of what he once received； his memory was remarkably tenacious。 And
such in fact； we find generally to be the course of nature； men of
fine genius are readily reminded of things； but those who receive with
most pains and difficulty； remember best； every new thing they
learn； being； as it were； burnt and branded in on their minds。
Cato's natural stubbornness and slowness to be persuaded may also have
made it more difficult for him to be taught。 For to learn is to submit
to have something done to one； and persuasion comes soonest to those
who have least strength to resist it。 Hence young men are sooner
persuaded than those that are more in years； and sick men； than
those that are well in health。 In fine； where there is least
previous doubt and difficulty； the new impression is most easily
accepted。 Yet Cato； they say； was very obedient to his preceptor；
and would do whatever he was commanded； but he would also ask the
reason； and inquire the cause of everything。 And； indeed； his
teacher was a very well…bred man； more ready to instruct than to
beat his scholars。 His name was Sarpedon。
When Cato was a child； the allies of the Romans sued to be made free
citizens of Rome。 Pompaedius Silo； one of their deputies； a brave
soldier and a man of great repute； who had contracted a friendship
with Drusus； lodged at his house for several days； in which time being
grown familiar with the children； 〃Well；〃 said he to them； 〃will you
entreat your uncle to befriend us in our business？〃 Caepio； smiling；
assented； but Cato made no answer； only he looked steadfastly and
fiercely on the strangers。 Then said Pompaedius； 〃And you； young
sir； what say you to us？ will not you； as well as your brother；
intercede with your uncle in our behalf？〃 And when Cato continued to
give no answer； by his silence and his countenance seeming to deny
their petition； Pompaedius snatched him up to the window as if he
would throw him out； and told him to consent； or he would fling him
down； and； speaking in a harsher tone； held his body out of the
window； and shook him several times。 When Cato had suffered this a
good while； unmoved and unalarmed； Pompaedius； setting him down；
said in an undervoice to his friend； 〃What a blessing for Italy that
he is but a child！ If he were a man； I believe we should not gain
one voice among the people。〃 Another time； one of his relations； on
his birthday； invited Cato and some other children to supper； and some
of the company diverted themselves in a separate part of the house；
and were at play； the elder and the younger together； their sport
being to act the pleadings before the judges； accusing one another；
and carrying away the condemned to prison。 Among these a very
beautiful young child； being bound and carried by a bigger into
prison； cried out to Cato； who seeing what was going on； presently ran
to the door； and thrusting away those who stood there as a guard； took
out the child； and went home in anger； followed by some of his
companions。
Cato at length grew so famous among them； that when Sylla designed
to exhibit the sacred game of young men riding courses on horseback；
which they called Troy； having gotten together the youth of good
birth； he appointed two for their leaders。 One of them they accepted
for his mother's sake； being the son of Metella； the wife of Sylla；
but as for the other； Sextus； the nephew of Pompey； they would not
be led by him； nor exercise under him。 Then Sylla asking whom they
would have； they all cried out； Cato； and Sextus willingly yielded the
honour to him； as the more worthy。
Sylla； who was a friend of their family； sent at times for Cato
and his brother to see them and talk with them； a favour which he
showed to very few； after gaining his great power and authority。
Sarpedon； full of the advantage it would be； as well for the honour as
the safety of his scholars； would often bring Cato to wait upon
Sylla at his house； which； for the multitude of those that were
being carried off in custody； and tormented there； looked like a place
of execution。 Cato was then in his fourteenth year； and seeing the
heads of men said to be of great distinction brought thither； and
observing the secret sighs of those that were present； he asked his
preceptor； 〃Why does nobody kill this man？〃 〃Because；〃 said he；
〃they fear him； child； more than they hate him。〃 〃Why； then；〃
replied Cato； 〃did you not give me a sword； that I might stab him； and
free my country from this slavery？〃 Sarpedon hearing this； and at
the same time seeing his countenance swelling with anger and
determination； took care thenceforward to watch him strictly； lest
he should hazard any desperate attempt。
While he was yet very young； to some that asked him whom he loved
best； he answered； his brother。 And being asked； whom next； he
replied； his brother； again。 So likewise the third time； and still the
same； till they left off to ask any further。 As he grew in age； this
love to his brother grew yet the stronger。 When he was about twenty
years old； he never supped； never went out of town； nor into the
forum； without Caepio。 But when his brother made use of precious
ointments and perfumes； Cato declined them； and he was； in all his
habits； very strict and austere； so that when Caepio was admired for
his moderation and temperance； he would acknowledge that indeed he
might be accounted such； in comparison with some other men； 〃but；〃
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