The dawn is overcast, the morning lowers,
And heavily in clouds brings on the day,
The great, read more

The dawn is overcast, the morning lowers,
And heavily in clouds brings on the day,
The great, the important day, big with the fate
Of Cato, and of Rome.

Stern fate and time
Will have their victims; and the best die first,
Leaving the bad still read more

Stern fate and time
Will have their victims; and the best die first,
Leaving the bad still strong, though past their prime,
To curse the hopeless world they ever curs'd
Vaunting vile deeds, and vainest of the worst.

The wine is poured, you should drink it.
[Fr., Le vin est verse, il faut le boire.]

The wine is poured, you should drink it.
[Fr., Le vin est verse, il faut le boire.]

Let those deplore their doom,
Whose hope still grovels in this dark sojourn:
But lofty souls, who read more

Let those deplore their doom,
Whose hope still grovels in this dark sojourn:
But lofty souls, who look beyond the tomb,
Can smile at Fate, and wonder how they mourn.

Tempted fate will leave the loftiest star.

Tempted fate will leave the loftiest star.

Fate is not an eagle, it creeps like a rat.

Fate is not an eagle, it creeps like a rat.

Fate has carried me
'Mid the thick arrows: I will keep my stand--
Not shrink and let read more

Fate has carried me
'Mid the thick arrows: I will keep my stand--
Not shrink and let the shaft pass by my breast
To pierce another.

Chance generally favors the prudent.

Chance generally favors the prudent.

Fate is for those too weak to determine their own destiny.

Fate is for those too weak to determine their own destiny.