Page:Plutarch's Lives (Clough, v.4, 1865).djvu/392

 384 CATO THE YOUNGER. ■what was said by Curio, who though he were his familiar friend, yet disliking the austerity of his temper, asked him one day, if when he left the army, he designed to see Asia, and Cato answering, " Yes, by all means," " You do well," replied Curio, " you will bring back with you a better temper and pleasanter manners ; " pretty nearly the very words he used. Deiotarus being now an old man, had sent for Cato, to recommend his children and family to his protection ; and as soon as he came, brought him presents of all sorts of things, which he begged and entreated him to accept. And his importunities displeased Cato so much, that though he came but in the evening, he stayed only that night, and went away early the next morning. After he was gone one day's journey, he found at Pessinus a yet greater quantity of presents provided for him there, and also letters from Deiotarus, entreating him to receive them, or at least to permit his friends to take them, who for his sake deserved some gratification, and could not have much done for them out of Cato's own means. Yet he would not suffer it, though he saw some of them very willing to receive such gifts, and ready to complain of his severity ; but he answered, that corruption would never want pretence, and his friends should share with him in whatever he should justly and honestly obtain, and so returned the presents to Deiotarus. When he took ship for Brundusium, his friends would have persuaded him to put his brother's ashes into another vessel; but he said, he would sooner part with his life than leave them, and so set sail. And as it chanced, he, we are told, had a very dangerous passage, though others at the same time went over safely enough. After he was returned to Rome, he spent his time for the most part either at home, in conversation with Atheno- dorus, or at the forum, in the service of his friends.