Page:Plutarch's Lives (Clough, v.4, 1865).djvu/386

 378 CATO THE YOUNGER. their canvass, to tell them the names of the citizens ; * and Cato, when he sued to be elected tribune, was the only man that obeyed this law. He took great pains to learn by his own knowledge to salute those he had to speak with, and to call them by their names ; yet even those who praised him for this, did not do so without some envy and jealousy, for the more they considered the excel- lence of what he did, the more they were grieved at the difficulty they found to do the like. Being chosen tribune, he was sent into Macedon to join Rubrius, who was general there. It is said that his wife showing much concern, and weeping at his departure, Munatius, one of Cato's friends, said to her, "Do not trouble yourself, Atilia, I will engage to watch over him for you." " By all means," replied Cato ; and when they had gone one day's journey together, " Now," said he to Munatius, after they had supped, " that you may be sure to keep your promise to Atilia, you must not leave me day nor night," and from that time, he ordered two beds to be made in his own chamber, that Munatius might lie there. And so he continued to do, Cato making it his jest to see that he was always there. There went with him fifteen slaves, two freedmen, and four of his friends; these rode on horseback, but Cato always went on foot, yet would he keep by them, and talk with each of them in turn, as they went. When he came to the army, which consisted of several legions, the general gave him the command of one ; and as he looked upon it as a small matter, and not worthy a low-citizens being, at Rome, one of the commonest arts of candidates for office. Mercemur servura qui dictet nomina, lsevum Qui fodiat latus, et cogat trans pondera dextram Porrigere, hie multum in Fabia valet, ille Velina. The appointment which Cato was seeking was that of tribune in the army.
 * Nomenclatores ; the appearance of knowing the names of their fel-