I am going to a place where, undoubtedly, ethics is acknowledged and rewarded. This<hr>
dreadful specter of death that Brutus bravely faced near the city of<hr>
Sardis, and later, near that of Philippi does not appear to me. I only see the spirit of my husband,<hr>
who calls to me and seems eager for my soul to join him. I see that of Cato,<hr>
who, maintaining his fatherly authority, appears to ask me to leave a place unworthy of my<hr>
wisdom. Judge, Volumnius, if this vision frightens me and if I have trouble choosing between the two<hr>
paths presented to me. On one side, I observe my devastated homeland, all the earth<hr>
covered in the blood of our friends, our persecutors turned masters, all my fellow men<hr>
reduced to slavery, and me venerating the ashes of Brutus.<hr>
There you have it, Volumnius, what I see on this side. But on the other, I only see well-<hr>
being: my father and my husband waiting for me; the former asks me for the fruit of the lessons he has<hr>
given me and the latter, the reward of the love he showed me. Yes,<hr>
noble Cato, yes, glorious Brutus, I will do what I should do on this occasion and nothing can<hr>
prevent me. Do not think, Volumnius, that the will is something that can be<hr>
forced. It is thanks to it that we resemble the gods, it is a privilege that heaven<hr>
has given us. Tyrants cannot force it, it is not under their control, and when<hr>
one has a firm and resolute soul, one never changes the options that one has set. So, do not<hr>
think that the care of my relatives could prevent me from dying, much less that<hr>
your reasoning can make my mind doubt. Cato didn't succumb to his son's tears, neither will I<hr>
get moved by my loved ones' weeping nor by your speeches. Brutus, to<hr>
avoid slavery, took his own life, wouldn't it be more logical and fairer for me to<hr>
end my own? My freedom is as important to me as his was to him, but I have<hr>
this advantage and this sweetness in death that he could not have. While he could only be<hr>
free by abandoning me, I just have to follow him to maintain my liberty. You therefore<hr>
see clearly, wise Volumnius, after all that I have said, that death is glorious, necessary<br>
and sweet to me. So, do not even attempt to prevent me, for your efforts would be futile.<br>
Those who have been convinced to change their minds on such a decision no doubt wanted to be<hr>
persuaded. Secretly, they opposed this will, and their own weakness was a<br>
strong enough guard to preserve their life by seizing an opportunity or using an excuse to<hr>
change their opinions. Those are people who wanted to play with proclaiming their own death so<br>
that they might afford one the chance to prevent it.<hr>
But for me, it will not be so. I do not hide my intention, I have no wish<br>
to deceive my guards, I say to them frankly that I evade them and that death will deliver me<br>
from the pain I feel. Yes, Volumnius, I am going to die. Great Cato, noble Brutus,<br>
come receive my soul. See, dear shadows, if I am worthy of the name I bear.<br>
Approve of me for who I am, for if I am right, my death will be worthy of a true<br>
Roman.<hr>
<hr>
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                                                      56<hr>