nod of the head. Then Pompey took out a little book in which he had written a speech in Greek, which he intended to address to Ptolemy, and thus in silence and gloom they neared the land. Still Cornelia gazed intently. She observed persons of distinction approaching to meet her husband, and the sight gave her hope; but the next minute, Pompey stood up to quit the boat, and she saw swords glitter in the sunlight as Septimius lifted up his hand and stabbed Pompey in the back whilst his companions joined in the attack. Pompey fell, covering his face with his robe. Cornelia uttered a wild shriek, heard even to the shore, and the sailors without delay weighed anchor, and sailed from the spot where such a cruel murder had been committed. The head of Pompey the Great was cut off, and kept as a present for Cæsar; his body was left upon the beach. The inhabitants of the country came near to look upon it scornfully and idly; but there was one person who would not forsake his master's cause even then. Philip, the freedman of Pompey, stood by, watching and guarding the body, and after the careless crowds were gone, he washed it, and wrapt it in a garment of his own, and collecting the planks of a broken fishing-boat, made a funeral pile, upon which he burnt it according to the custom of the Romans. An old soldier, who had once fought under Pompey, came by at the time and assisted him; and thus the last honours were paid to the great general.

Cæsar followed Pompey to Egypt. On his arrival at Alexandria, Achillas welcomed him by presenting him with Pompey's signet ring, and his bloody head covered with a veil. He turned away his eves and burst into tears. So generous a person could not rejoice over the misfortunes of the man who had once been his friend.

There was now an opportunity for Cæsar to interfere with the government of Egypt, and he took advantage of it. The late king had by will ordered that Ptolemy Dionysius should, according to the habits of the country, marry his sister, whose name was Cleopatra, and reign with her; but this had not been done. Ptolemy's governors hated Cleopatra, and forced her to leave her dominions; and now she applied to Cæsar for his help. Cleopatra was one of the most beautiful women that ever lived; every one who came near was charmed with her: but she had no right principles, and cared only for luxury and self-indulgence. She quite won over Cæsar to her side, for after seeing her he could not bear to refuse any thing she asked, and in order to support her cause he joined his forces to hers, and took possession of the citadel of Alexandria. This war in Egypt-between Ptolemy on the one side, and Cæsar and Cleopatra on the other-is usually called the Alexandrine war. In the course of it the library of Alexandria, the most celebrated in the world, was burnt. It contained 400,000 volumes. The war lasted several months. Ptolemy Dionysius was killed, and Cleopatra was crowned queen of Egypt. Cæsar caused her younger brother to be made king; but he was quite a boy, and she could not bear him, and had him secretly murdered in order to reign alone. It seemed natural to expect after this that Cæsar would go back to Italy; but he was so delighted with Cleopatra that he could not make up his mind to leave her, and remained month after month wasting his time, and living only to amuse himself, until at length the news of a war having broken out in Pontus roused him, and forced him to exert himself. He showed then the same energy and courage as ever. He departed for Pontus,

M

defeated his enemies, and set off for Italy, in such a wonderfully short space of time, that his victory was described by himself in these words--Veni, vidi, vici; or, "I came, saw, conquered."

CHAPTER XLI.

CESAR'S POWER FULLY ESTABLISHED.

DEATH OF CATO, B. c. 46.

WHEN Cæsar landed in Italy he was B. C. 46. met by Cicero; who had much reason to fear his return, as he had always taken Pompey's part. But Cæsar, in order to show that he had no wish for revenge, received him with the greatest courtesy; dismounted from his horse to welcome him, and walked with him alone a long time. All this attention pleased Cicero excessively; but he still did not feel quite safe, and chose to remain at a distance from Rome, and occupy himself with his books, and the writings which have made his name famous to this day.

There was much now for Cæsar to arrange in the city; but his chief trouble arose from the bad conduct of his friends, especially that of Dolabella, Cicero's son-in-law, a person of bad character, who having spent his own money, wished to have a law passed doing away with all debts. Cæsar however soon settled these disturbances, for, as he was chosen dictator for another year, he had full power to do all that he liked.

When we compare Cæsar's conduct with that of Marius and Sylla, it is impossible not to respect him. His wish, when he had authority, seemed to be to make good laws and forget all injuries: but

he could not persuade every one that it was right he should be at the head of the state; and Pompey's friends still kept up war against him in different parts of the world. Cato was his chief enemy He was in Africa with Juba, king of Numidia, and as soon as Cæsar had brought Rome into order, he set out for that country. His usual good fortune followed him. Juba was defeated; and Cato, who was at Utica, unable to bear the disgrace of falling into his enemy's hands, determined to perform what the Romans thought a noble deed, and destroy himself. He advised his friends to leave the city, and exhorted the inhabitants, when Cæsar was expected to enter it, to throw open the gates, and go out to meet him and beg for mercy. He himself bathed according to his custom before supper, and afterwards sat down cheerfully with his friends, who remained with him conversing upon deep and serious subjects. Upon going to his room he ordered a slave to bring him his sword, but when the man delayed and hesitated, having a suspicion of what he intended to do, Cato burst into a fit of passion, and struck him with such violence that he hurt himself; for although he was a philosopher, and could discourse upon most deep and puzzling subjects, he had not learned to command his temper. The sword however was brought him and he seemed then satisfied, and taking up a book sat down to read. The book which he chose was the work of one of the wisest and best of heathens, Plato, a Greek philosopher. It was upon the immortality of the soul, and doubtless at such a time it must have encouraged and comforted Cato, weary as he was of the trials of this life and longing for rest in another. But there was nothing certain in it. Plato and his followers thought and hoped there was a world of happiness to come, but they were

not sure of it, and the knowledge of a little Christian child would, at that moment, have been a blessing beyond all price to the unhappy Roman; though it would have taught him that self-destruction is a great sin, and that it would be better to live for years the slave of Cæsar rather than commit it. At length, overcome with fatigue, Cato lay down to rest. He slept for some time, and when he awoke made inquiries about his friends, who were to have left the city. This made his son and others who were in the house happier, and they began to think that he had no such intention as they had suspected; but when morning dawned, and they entered his room, they found him lying on the floor half dead from a wound which he had given himself. In distress and horror they tried every means to save his life; but he would not be assisted, and thrusting aside the physicians who attended him, tore off the bandages of his wound, and expired.

66

Cæsar arrived shortly afterwards. He expressed much sorrow for the loss of a man so celebrated for honour and truth, and exclaimed :- Cato, I envy thee thy death, since thou hast envied me the glory of saving thy life."

The only enemy remaining for Cæsar to conquer when the war in Africa was ended, was Cneius Pompey, the eldest son of Pompey the Great, who, with his brother Sextus, was in Spain. Cæsar was afraid to trust the command to any one but himself, and therefore went to Spain as soon as he had arranged his affairs in Africa. This was the last effort made by Pompey's friends, and it was the most desperate of all. Cæsar, however, was victorious in the end. Cneius Pompey was killed, and Sextus escaped and lived in concealment until after Cæsar's death.