Cato the Younger 49
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amented him. But he himself, void of all fear, and full ofassurance, comforted and encouraged them by his own wordsand ‘conversation with them. After supper he went to rest athis usual hour, and was the next day waked out of a profoundsleep by Minucius Thermus, one of his colleagues. So soon ashe was up, they two went together into the forum, accompaniedby very few, but met by a great many, who bade them have acare of themselves. Cato, therefore, when he saw the temple_of Castor and Pollux encompassed with armed men, and thesteps guarded by gladiators, and at the top Metellus and Cesarseated together, turning to his friends, “ Behold,” said he, “ thisaudacious coward, who has levied a regiment of soldiers againstone unarmed naked man;” and so he went on with Thermus.Those who kept the -passages gave way to these two only, andwould not let anybody else pass. Yet Cato taking Munatius bythe hand, with much difficulty pulled him through along withhim. Then going directly to Metellus and Cesar, he sat himselfdown between them, to prevent their talking to one another, atwhich they were both amazed and confounded. And those of_ the honest party, observing the countenance, and admiring thehigh spirit and boldness of Cato, went nearer, and cried out tohim to have courage, exhorting also one another to standtogether, and not betray their liberty nor the defender of it.Then the clerk took out the bill, but Cato forbade him to readit, whereupon Metellus took it, and would have read it himself,but Cato snatched the book away. Yet Metellus, having the_decree by heart, began to recite it without book; but Thermusput his hand to his mouth, and stopped his speech. Metellusseeing them fully bent to withstand him, and the people cowed,and inclining to the better side, sent to his house for armed men.And on their rushing in with great noise and terror, all the restdispersed and ran away, except Cato, who alone stood still, whilethe other party threw sticks and stones at him from above, untilMurena, whom he had formerly accused, came up to protect him,and holding his gown before him, cried out to them to leave offthrowing; and, in fine, persuading and pulling him along, heforced him into the temple of Castor and Pollux. Metellus, nowseeing the place clear, and all the adverse party fled out of theforum, thought he might easily carry his pot; so he com-manded the soldiers to retire, and recommencing in an orderlymanner, began to proceed to passing the decree. But the otherside having recovered themselves, returned very boldly, andwith loud shouting, insomuch that Metellus’s adherents were
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