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entertainment； not of residence。
Oh glorious day when I shall set out to join that heavenly conclave
and company of souls； and depart from the turmoil and impurities
of this world！ For I shall not go to join only those whom I have
before mentioned； but also my son Cato； than whom no better man
was ever born； nor one more conspicuous for piety。 His body was
burnt by me； though mine ought； on the contrary； to have been
burnt by him； but his spirit； not abandoning； but ever looking back
upon me； has certainly gone whither he saw that I too must come。 I
was thought to bear that loss heroically； not that I really bore it
without distress； but I found my own consolation in the thought
that the parting and separation between us was not to be for long。
It is by these means； my dear Scipio；…for you said that you and
Laelius were wont to express surprise on this point； …that my old
age sits lightly on me； and is not only not oppressive but even
delightful。 But if I am wrong in thinking the human soul immortal；
I am glad to be wrong； nor will I allow the mistake which gives me
so much pleasure to be wrested from me as long as I live。 But if
when dead； as some insignificant philosophers think； I am to be
without sensation； I am not afraid of dead philosophers deriding
my errors。 Again； if we are not to be immortal； it is nevertheless
what a man must wish…to have his life end at its proper time。 For
nature puts a limit to living as to everything else。 Now； old age is
as it were the playing out of the drama； the full fatigue of which
we should shun； especially when we also feel that we have had
more than enough of it。
This is all I had to say on old age。 I pray that you may arrive at it；
that you may put my words to a practical test。
End