Enter SYPHAX.

SYPHA X.

Our first defign, my friend, has prov'd abortive; Still there remains an after-game to play :

My troops are mounted; their Numidian steeds
Snuff up the wind, and long to fcower the defart:
Let but Sempronius head us in our flight,
We'll force the gate where Marcus keeps his guard,
And hew down all that would oppofe our paffage.
A day will bring us into Cæfar's camp.

SEMPRONIUS.

Confufion! I have fail'd of half my purpose. Marcia, the charming Marcia 's left behind!

SYPHA X.

How! will Sempronius turn a woman's flave!

SEMPRONIUS.

Think not thy friend can ever feel the foft Unmanly warmth, and tenderness of love, Syphax, I long to clafp that haughty maid, And bend her stubborn virtue to my paffion; When I have gone thus far, I'd cast her off.

SYPHA X.

Well faid that 's fpoken like thyfelf, Sempronius. What hinders then, but that thou find her out, And hurry her away by manly force ?

SEMPRONIUS.

But how to gain admiffion? For access
Is given to none but Juba, and her brothers.

SYPHA X.

Thou shalt have Juba's drefs, and Juba's guards: The doors will open, when Numidia's Prince Seems to appear before the flaves that watch them.

SEMPRONIUS.

Heavens, what a thought is there! Marcia 's my own!
How will my bofom fwell with anxious joy,
When I behold her ftruggling in my arms,
With glowing beauty, and disorder'd charms,
While fear and anger, with alternate grace,
Pant in her breaft, and vary in her face!
So Pluto, feiz'd of Proferpine, convey'd

To hell's tremendous gloom th' affrighted maid,
There grimly fmil'd, pleas'd with the beauteous prize,
Nor envy'd Jove his fun-fhine and his skies.

END OF THE THIRD ACT.

ACT

ACT IV. SCENE I.

LUCIA and MARCIA.

LUCIA.

Now tell me, Marcia, tell me from thy foul;

If thou believ'ft it poffible for woman

To fuffer greater ills than Lucia suffers ?

MARCI A.

O Lucia, Lucia, might my big fwoln heart Vent all its griefs, and give a loose to forrow: Marcia could answer thee in fighs, keep pace With all thy woes, and count out tear for tear.

LUCIA.

I know thou'rt doom'd alike to be belov'd By Juba, and thy father's friend Sempronius; But which of these has power to charm like Portius!

MARCIA.

Still muft I beg thee not to name Sempronius ? Lucia, I like not that loud boisterous man:

Juba to all the bravery of a heroe,

Adds fofteft love, and more than female fweetness;
Juba might make the proudest of our sex,

Any of woman-kind, but Marcia, happy.

LUCIA.

And why not Marcia? come, you strive in vain To hide your thoughts from one, who knows too well The inward glowings of a heart in love.

MARCIA.

MARCI A.

While Cato lives, his daughter has no right To love or hate, but as his choice directs.

LUCIA.

But should this father give you to Sempronius ?

MARCIA.

I dare not think he will: but if he fhould-
Why wilt thou add to all the griefs I fuffer
Imaginary ills, and fancy'd tortures ?

I hear the found of feet! they march this way!
Let us retire, and try if we can drown

Each fofter thought in sense of prefent danger.
When love once pleads admiffion to our hearts
(In fpight of all the virtue we can boast).
The woman that deliberates is loft.

[Exeunt.

Enter SEMPRONIUS, dress'd like JUBA, with Numidian guards.

SEMPRONIUS.

The deer is lodg'd. I've track'd her to her covert. Be fure you mind the word; and when I give it, Rush in at once, and feize upon your prey. Let not her cries or tears have force to move yoù. -How will the young Numidian rave, to see His mistress loft? If aught could glad my foul Beyond th' enjoyment of fo bright a prize, 'Twould be to torture that young, gay, barbarian.. ---But hark, what noife! death to my hopes ! 'tis he, 'Tis Juba's felf! there is but one way left

He

He must be murder'd, and a passage cut

Through those his guards.Ha, daftards, do you

tremble !

Or act like men, or by yon azure heaven——

Enter JUBA.

JUBA.

What do I fee? who's this that dares ufurp The guards and habits of Numidia's prince?

SEMPRONIUS.

One that was born to fcourge thy arrogance, Prefumptuous youth!

JUBA..

What can this mean? Sempronius!

SEMPRONIUS.

My sword shall anfwer thee. Have at thy heart.

JUBA.

Nay, then beware thy own, proud, barbarous man! [SEMP. falls. His Guards furrender.

SEMPRONIUS.

Curfe on my stars! am I then doom'd to fall
By a boy's hand? disfigur'd in a vile
Numidian drefs, and for a worthlefs woman ?
Gods, I'm distracted! this my close of life!
O for a peal of thunder, that would make

Earth, fea, and air, and heaven, and Cato tremble!

JUBA.

[Dies

With what a fpring his furious foul broke loose, And left the limbs ftill quivering on the ground!

Hence