CATO's ANSWER TO LABIENUS

What should I ask my friend, which best would be, To live enslav'd, or thus in arms die free! If any force can Honour's price abate? Or Virtue bow beneath the blows of Fate? If Fortune's threats a steady soul disdains? Or if the joys of life be worth the pains? If it our happiness at all import Whether the foolish scene be long or short? If when we do but aim at noble ends, Th' attempt alone immortal fame attends? If for bad accidents, which thickest press On merit, we should like a good cause less; Or be the fonder of it for success? All this is clear, wove in our minds it sticks, Nor Ammon, nor his priests, can deeper fix; Without the clergy's venial cant and pains, God's never-frustrate will holds ours in chains, Nor can we act but what th' All-wise ordains: Who needs no voice, nor perishing words, to awe Our wild desires, and give his creatures law. Whate'er to know, or needful was or fit, In the wise frame of human souls 'tis writ; Both what we ought to do, and what forbear, He, once for all, did at our births declare. But never did he seek out desart lands, To bury truth in unfrequented sands: Or to a corner of the world withdrew, Head of a sect, and partial to a few. Nature's vast fabrick is his house alone, This globe his foot-stool, and high heaven his throne. In earth, air, sea, and in whoe'er excels, In knowing heads and honest hearts he dwells. Why seek we then among these barren sands, In narrow shrines, and temples built with hands, Him, whose dread presence does all places fill? Or look but in our reason for his will? All we e'er saw is God! in all we find Apparent prints of the eternal mind. Let doating fools their course by prophets steer, And always of the future live in fear; No oracle, or dream the croud is told, Can make me more or less resolv'd and bold: But surer Death, which equally on all, Both on the coward and the brave must fall. This said, and turning with disdain about, He left scorn'd Ammon to the vulgar rout.