that of Cato who, retaining his paternal authority, seems to ask me to leave a place<hr>
unworthy of my wisdom. Judge, Volumnius, if this vision terries me and if I encounter<hr>
difficulties in choosing one of the two paths available to me. On one side, I see my homeland<hr>
ravished, the whole earth covered with the blood of our friends, our persecutors become our masters,<hr>
all my kin reduced to slavery, and me worshipping the ashes of Brutus.<hr>
       This, Volumnius, is what I see on this side. But on the other, I see only well-<hr>
being: my father and my husband who await me; the former asks me for the fruit of the<hr>
lessons he has taught me and the latter, for the reward of the affection he has shown me. Yes,<hr>
noble Cato, yes, glorious Brutus, I will do what I ought to do on this occasion and nothing can<hr>
stop me. Do not think, Volumnius, that the will is something that can be<hr>
forced. It's thanks to it that we resemble the gods, it's a privilege that heaven<hr>
has granted us. Tyrants cannot force it, it is not under their domination, and when<hr>
one possesses a firm and resolved soul, one never changes the plans one has set. So do not<hr>
believe that the cares of my parents will prevent me from dying, or even more so that<hr>
your reasons can sway my mind. Cato did not succumb to his son's tears, and neither will I<hr>
be moved by the tears of my loved ones nor by your speeches. Brutus, to<hr>
avoid slavery, gave himself death, would it not be more logical and just for me to<hr>
end my life? My liberty is as important to me as his was to him, but I have<hr>
this advantage and this sweetness in death that he couldn't experience. While he could only be<hr>
free by abandoning me, I only have to follow him to retain my freedom. So you see very<hr>
well, wise Volumnius, after all I have just said, that death is glorious to me, necessary<hr>
and sweet. Therefore, don't think about preventing me, because in any case, your efforts would be useless.<hr>
Those who have succeeded in changing their minds about such a decision probably wanted<hr>
to be persuaded. Secretly, they opposed this will, and their own weakness was a<hr>
strong enough guard to preserve their lives, jumping at an opportunity or an excuse to<hr>
change their opinions. These are people who wanted to enjoy announcing their death so that<hr>
they would have the leisure to be prevented from committing it.<hr>
       But for me, it won't be like that. I do not hide my intention, I do not want to<hr>
deceive my guards, I frankly tell them that I will escape them and that death will deliver me<hr>
from the pain I feel. Yes, Volumnius, I am going to die. Great Cato, noble Brutus,<hr>
come receive my soul. See, dear shadows, if I am worthy of the name I bear.<hr>
Approve me for what I am, for if I am right, my death will be worthy of a true<hr>
Roman. See, my dear Brutus, if I tremble in this last hour, see my extreme<hr>
impatience to be with you. You see, noble Cato, that they have taken away the daggers, the<hr>
poisons and all that could serve me to execute my resolution. My room has become my prison, there is no cliff or rope for me, and I have guards who watch me.<hr>
But in taking all these things away from me, they do not take away my will to die or the memory of<hr>
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                                                    55<hr>