His sword being at length brought to him, he seemed satisfied, and cried out, "Now, again, I am master of myself." He took up the book again, which having pursued, he fell into a sound sleep.

Upon awaking, he called to one of his freedmen to know if his friends were embarked, or if any thing yet remained that could be done to serve them.

The freedman, assuring him that all was quiet, was ordered to leave the room.

Cato no sooner found himself alone, than, seizing his sword, he stabbed himself below his chest.

The blow not despatching him, he fell from his bed and overturned a table, on which he had been drawing some geometrical figures.