And this they
did though it was told that Caesar was advancing; but neither fear nor
subserviency towards the conqueror nor their mutual differences and
quarrels dulled them towards doing honour to Cato. They decorated the
body in splendid style, and made a pompous procession and interred him
near the sea, where a statue of him now stands with a sword in his
hand, and then they began to think how they should save themselves and
their city.
LXXII. Caesar hearing from those who came to him that Cato was staying
in Utica and not flying away, and that he was sending off the rest,
while himself and his companions and his son were fearlessly going
about, thought it difficult to ascertain the intentions of the man,
but as he made most account of him he advanced with his force by quick
marches. When he heard of his death, it is reported that he said this,
"Cato, I grudge thee thy death, for thou hast grudged me thy safety."
For in fact if Cato had submitted to receive his life from Caesar, he
would not have been considered to have lowered his own fame so much as
to have added to the splendour of Caesar's. What would have been done
is uncertain, but with respect to Caesar the milder measures are more
probable.
LXXIII. When Cato died he was fifty[758] years of age save two. His
son[759] received no harm from Caesar, but he is said to have been fond
of pleasure and not free from blame with regard to women.
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