Cato the Younger 39
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im, and also yet more after he had withdrawn. So that nowall men began at once to display their respect for Cato, and dis-covered in him the very same things for which they despisedhim before, an admirable mildness of temper and greatness ofspirit. And indeed the civility that Pompey himself showedhim appeared to come from one that rather respected thanloved him; and the general opinion was, that while Cato wasthere he paid him admiration, but was not sorry when he wasgone. For when other young men came to see him he usuallyurged and entreated them to continue with him. Now he didnot at all invite Cato to stay, but as if his own power werelessened by the other’s presence, he very willingly allowed himto take his leave. Yet to Cato alone, of all those who went forRome, he recommended his children and his wife, who wasindeed connected by relationship with Cato. After this, all the cities through which he passed strove andemulated each other in showing him respect and honour. Feastsand entertainments were made for his reception, so that he badehis friends keep strict watch and take care of him, lest he shouldend by making good what was said by Curio, who though hewere his familiar friend, yet disliking the austerity of his temper,asked him one day if, when he left the army, he designed to seeAsia, and Cato answering, “ Yes, by all means.” ‘“ You dowell,” replied Curio, ‘ you will bring back with you a bettertemper and pleasanter manners; ”’ pretty nearly the very wordshe used. Deiotarus, being now an old man, had sent for Cato, to recom-mend his children and family to his protection; and as soon ashe came, brought him presents of all sorts of things, which hebegged and entreated him to accept. And his importunitiesdispleased Cato so much, that though he came but in the even-ing, he stayed only that night, and went away early the nextmorning. After he was gone one day’s journey, he found atPessinus a yet greater quantity of presents provided for himthere, and also letters from Deiotarus entreating him to receivethem, or at least to permit his friends to take them, who forhis sake deserved some gratification, and could not have muchdone for them out of Cato’s own means. Yet he would notsuffer it, though he saw some of them very willing to receivesuch gifts, and ready to complain of his severity; but heanswered, that corruption would never want pretence, and hisfriends should share with him in whatever he should justly andhonestly obtain, and so returned the presents to Deiotarus.
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