University of Virginia Library

Cato's Answer to Libanius,

when he advis'd him to go and consult the Oracle of Jupiter Hamon;

translated out of the 9th Book of Lucan, beginning at quid. quin. Labiene jubes, &c.

What should I ask my Friends which best would be,
To live enslav'd, or thus in Arms die free;
If any force can honours price abate,
Or Vertue bow beneath the Blows of Fate:
If Fortune's Threats a steady Soul disdains;
Or if the Joys of Life be worth the pains:
If it our Happiness at all import,
Whether the foolish Scene be long or short:
If when we do but aim at noble ends,
The attempt alone immortal Fame attends:
If for bad accidents which thickest press,
On Merit we should like a good cause less,
Or be the fonder of it for success.
All this is clear, words in our Minds it strikes,
Nor Hamon nor his Priest can deeper fix,
Without the Clergies venial Cant and Pains,
Gods never frustrate will holds ours in Chains,
Nor can we act but what th'all-Wise ordains,
Who need no Voice nor perishing Word to awe
Our wild Desires, and give his Creatures Law;
Whate'er to know or needfull was or fit,
In the wise frame of humane Souls is writ,
Both what we ought to do and what forbear,
He once for all did at our Birth declare;
But never did he seek out desert Lands,
To bury truth in unfrequented Sands;
Or to a corner of the World withdrew
Head of a Sect, or partial to a few.
Nature's vast Fabrick is his House alone,
This Globe his Footstool, and high Heaven his Throne.
In Earth, Air, Sea, and in whoe'er excells.
In knowing Heads and honest Hearts he dwells.
Why seek we then among these barren Sands,
In narrow Shrines and Temples built with hands;
Him whose dread Presence does all places fill,
Or look but in our Reason for his Will?
All we e'er saw is God, in all we find
Apparent Print of the eternal Mind.
Let flatt'ring Fools their course by Prophets steer,
And always of the future live in fear:
No Oracle or Dream the Crowd is told,
Can make me more or less resolv'd or bold;
But certain Death which equally on all,
Both on the Coward and the Brave must fall;
This said, and turning with disdain about,
He left scorn'd Hamon to the vulgar Rout.