Cato the Younger : 37
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he vast quantity of rich perfumes and costly garments whichwere burnt with the corpse, and the monument of Thasianmarble, which he erected, at the cost of eight talents, in thepublic place of the town of Anus. For there were some whotook upon them to cavil at all this, as not consistent with hisusual calmness and moderation, not discerning that though hewere steadfast, firm, and inflexible to pleasure, fear or foolishentreaties, yet he was full of natural tenderness and brotherlyaffection.. Divers of the cities and princes of the country senthim many presents, to honour the funeral of his brother; but hetook none of their money, only the perfumes and ornaments hereceived, and paid for them also. And afterwards, when theinheritance was divided between him and Czpio’s daughter, hedid not require any portion of the funeral expenses to be dis-charged out of it. Notwithstanding this, it has been affirmedthat he made his brother’s ashes be passed through a sieve, tofind the gold that was melted down when burnt with the body,But he who made this statement appears to have anticipated anexemption for his pen, as much as for his sword, from all questionand criticism. The time of Cato’s service in the army being expired, hereceived, at his departure, not only the prayers and praises, butthe tears and embraces of the soldiers, who spread their clothesat his feet and kissed his hand as he passed, an honour which theRomans at that time scarcely paid even to a very few of theirgenerals and commanders-in-chief. Having left the army, heresolved, before he would return home and apply himself to stateaffairs, to travel in Asia, and observe the manners, the customs,and the strength of every province. He was also unwilling torefuse the kindness of Deiotarus, King of Galatia, who havinghad great familiarity and friendship with his father, was verydesirous to receive a visit from him. Cato’s arrangements in hisjourney were as follows. Early in the morning he sent out hisbaker and his cook towards the place where he designed to staythe next night; these went soberly and quietly into the town,in which, if there happened to be no friend or acquaintance ofCato or his family, they provided for him in an inn, and gave nodisturbance to anybody; but if there were no inn, then and inthis case only, they went to the magistrates, and desiring themto help them to lodgings, took without complaint whateverwas allotted to them. His servants thus behaving themselvestowards the magistrates, without noise and threatening, wereoften discredited, or neglected by them, so that Cato many times 38 ° Plutarch’s Lives arrived and found nothing provided for him. And it was all theworse when he appeared himself; still less account was taken ofhim. When they saw him sitting, without saying anything, onhis baggage, they set him down at once as a person of no con-sequence, who did not venture to make any demand. Some-times, on such occasions, he would call them to him and tellthem, “‘ Foolish people, lay aside this inhospitality. All yourvisitors will not be Catos. Use your courtesy, to take off thesharp edge of power. There are men enough who desire butapretence, to take from you by force, what you give with suchreluctance.” While he travelled in this manner, a diverting accident befellhim in Syria. As he was going into Antioch, he saw a greatrnultitude of people outside the gates, ranged in order on eitherside the way; here the young men with long cloaks, there thechildren decently dressed; others wore garlands and whitegarments who were the priests and magistrates. Cato imagin-ing all this could mean nothing but a display in honour of hisreception, began to be angry with his servants, who had beensent before, for suffering it to be done; then making his friendsalight, he walked along with them on foot. As soon as he camenear the gate, an elderly man, who seemed to be master of theseceremonies, with a wand and a garland in his hand, came up toCato, and without saluting him, asked him where he had leftDemetrius, and how soon he thought he would be there. ThisDemetrius was Rompey’s servant, and as at this time the wholeworld, so to say, had its eyes fixed upon Pompey, this man alsowas highly honoured, on account of his influence with his master.Upon this Cato’s friends fell into such violent laughter, thatthey could not restrain themselves while they passed throughthe crowd; and he himself, ashamed and distressed, uttered thewords, ‘“‘ Unfortunate city!” and said no more. Afterwards,however, it always made him laugh, when he either told thestory or was otherwise reminded of it. Pompey himself shortly after made the people ashamed oftheir ignorance and folly in thus neglecting him, for Cato, comingin his journey to Ephesus, went to pay his respects to him, whowas the elder man, had gained much honour, and was thengeneral of a great army. Yet Pompey would not receive himsitting, but as soon as he saw him, rose up, and going to meethim, as the more honourable person, gave him his hand, andembraced him with great show of kindness. He said much incommendation of his virtue both at that time when receiving
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