SYPHAX.' What greater inftance can I give? I've offer'd To do an action which my foul abhors, And gain you whom you love at any price. JUBA. Was this thy motive? I have been too hafty. SYPHAX. And 'tis for this my prince has call'd me traitor. JUBA. Sure thou mistak ft; I did not call thee fo. SYPHA X. You did indeed, my Prince; you call'd me traitor: Nay, further, threaten'd you 'd complain to Cato. Of what, my prince, would you complain to Cato? That Syphax loves you, and would facrifice His life, nay more, his honour, in JUBA. your fervice? Syphax, I know thou lov'ft me, but indeed Thy zeal for Juba carried thee too far. That aids and strengthens virtue, where it meets her, It ought not to be sported with. SY PHAX. By heavens I'm ravish'd when you talk thus, though you chide me. Alas, I've hitherto been us'd to think A blind officious zeal to ferve my king The ruling principle, that ought to burn JUBA. Syphax, thou now beginn'st to speak thyself. SYPHA X. Believe me, prince, you make old Syphax weep JUBA. Syphax, thy hand! we 'll mutually forget The warmth of youth, and frowardness. of age: Thy prince esteems thy worth, and loves thy perfon. If e'er the scepter comes into my hand, Syphax shall stand the second in my kingdom. SY PHA X. Why will you overwhelm my age with kindness? My joy grows burthenfome, I tha'n't support it. JUBA. Syphax, farewell. I'll hence, and try to find Some bleft occafion that may fet me right In In Cato's thoughts. I'd rather have that man SY PHA X. [Exit. Young men foon give, and foon forget affronts; Old age is flow in both-a falfe old traitor! Those words, rash boy, may chance to coft thee dear: My heart had still fome foolish fondness for thee: But hence! 'tis gone: I give it to the winds :Cæfar, I'm wholly thine Enter SEMPRONIUS. SYPHA X. All hail, Sempronius! Well, Cato's Senate is refolv'd to wait The fury of a fiege, before it yields. SEMPRONIUS. Syphax, we both were on the verge of fate : Should they fubmit, ere our designs are ripe, SYPHA X. But how ftands Cato? SEMPRONIUS. Thou haft feen Mount Atlas: While forms and tempests thunder on its brows, U 3 Such Such is that haughty man; his towering foul, 'Midft all the fhocks and injuries of fortune, Rifes fuperior, and look down on Cæfar. SYPHA X. But what 's this meffenger? SEMPRONIUS. I've practis'd with him, And found a means to let the victor know That Syphax and Sempronius are his friends.. Is Juba fix'd:? SYPHA X. Yes, but it is to Cato. I've try'd the force of every reason on him, SEMPR ON I U S. Come, 'tis no matter, we shall do without him, SYPHA X. May the be thine as faft as thou wouldst have her! SEMPRONIUS. Syphax, I love that woman; though I curfe Her and myself, yet, spight of me, I love her. SYPHAX, SYPHA X. Make Cato fure, and give up Utica: Cæfar will ne'er refuse thee fuch a trifle. But are thy troops prepar'd for a revolt? Does the fedition catch from man to man, And run among their ranks? SEMPRONIUS. All, all is ready. The factious leaders are our friends, that spread Within an hour they 'll ftorm the Senate-house. SY PHAX. Mean while I'll draw up my Numidian troops I laugh to think how your unfhaken Cato Sees the dry defert all around him rise, And, fmother'd in the dusty whirlwind, dies. END OF THE SECOND ACT. U 4 } ACT |