Page:The Pharsalia of Lucan; (IA cu31924026485809).pdf/69
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Book II
THE FLIGHT OF POMPEIUS
45
On Cato's lineaments the marks of griefWere still unsoftened, and the hoary hair 420Hung o'er his reverend visage; for since firstMen flew to arms, his locks were left unkemptTo stream upon his brow, and on his chinHis beard untended grew. 'Twas his aloneWho hated not, nor loved, for all mankindTo mourn alike. Nor did their former couchAgain receive them, for his lofty soulE'en lawful love resisted. 'Twas his ruleInflexible, to keep the middle pathMarked out and bounded; to observe the laws 430Of natural right; and for his country's sakeTo risk his life, his all, as not for selfBrought into being, but for all the world:Such was his creed. To him a sumptuous feastWas hunger conquered, and the lowly hut,Which scarce kept out the winter, was a homeEqual to palaces: a robe of priceSuch hairy garments as were worn of old:The end of marriage, offspring. To the StateFather alike and husband, right and law 440He ever followed with unswerving step:No thought of selfish pleasure turned the scaleIn Cato's acts, or swayed his upright soul.Meanwhile Pompeius led his trembling hostTo fields Campanian, and held the wallsFirst founded by the chief of Trojan race.[1]These chose he for the central seat of war,Some troops despatching who might meet the foeWhere shady Apennine lifts up the ridgeOf mid Italia; nearest to the sky 450
- ↑ Capua, supposed to be founded by Capys, the Trojan hero. (Virgil, 'Æneid,' x., 145.)