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that give mankind occasion to exert

their hidden strength, and throw out into practice virtues, that shun the day, and lie conceal'd

in the smooth seasons, and the calms of life. Jub. I'm charm'd whene'er thou talk'st! I pant for virtue!

and all my soul endeavours at perfection.

Cato, Dost thou love watchings, abstinence and toil,

laborious virtues all? learn them from Cato; success and fortune must thou learn from Cæsar. Jub. The best good-fortune that can fall on Juba the whole success at which my heart aspires, depends on Cató.

Cato.

What does Juba say?

thy words confound me.

Jub.

I would fain retract them,

give them me back again. They aim'd at nothing. Cato. Tell me thy wish, young prince; make not a stranger to thy thoughts.

Jub.

still let me hide them.

Cato.

that Cato will refuse!

Jub.

[my ear Oh, they 're extravagant;

What can Juba ask

I fear to name it.

Marcia-inherits all her father's virtues.
Cato. What would'st thou say?

Jub.

Cato, thou hast a daughter. Cato. Adieu, young prince! I would not hear a word

should lessen thee in my esteem: remember
the hand of fate is over us, and heaven
exacts severity from all our thoughts:
it is not now a time to talk of aught
but chains, or conquest; liberty, or death.

[Exit.

Enter Syphax.

Syph. How's this, my prince! what, cover'd with you look as if yon stern philosopher

had just now chid you. Juba.

[confusion?

Syphax, I'm undone.

Syph. I know it well.

Jub.

Cato thinks meanly of me.

Syph. And so will all mankind.

Jub.

I've open'd to him the weakness of my soul, my love for Marcia. Syph. Cato's a proper person to intrust

a love-tale with.

Juh.

Oh, I could pierce my heart,

my foolish heart! was ever wretch like Juba?

Syph. Alas! my prince, how are you chang'd of late. I've known young Juba rise before the sun, to beat the thicket where the tiger slept,

or seek the lion in his dreadful haunts: how did the colour mount into your cheeks, when first you rous'd him to the chace! I've seen you ev'n in the Lybian dog-days hunt him down, then charge him close, provoke him to the rage of fangs and claws, and stooping from your horse rivet the panting savage to the ground.

Jub. Pr'ythee, no more! Syph. How would the old king smile to see you weigh the paws, when tipp'd with gold, and throw the shaggy spoils about your shoulders! Jub. Syphax, this old man's talk (tho' honey flow'd in every word) would now lose all its sweetness. Cato 's displeas'd, and Marcia lost for ever!

Syph Young prince, I yet could give you good advice.

Marcia might still be your's.

Jub.

What say'st thou, Syphax?

by heavens, thou turn'st me all into attention.

Syph. Marcia might still be your's.

Jub.

As how, dear Syphax? Syph. Juba commands Numidia's hardy troops, mounted on steeds, unus'd to the restraint of curbs or bits, and fleeter than the winds: give but the word, we'll snatch this damsel up, and bear her off.

Jub.

rise up

Can such dishonest thoughts

in man! would'st thou seduce my youth to do an act that would destroy my honour? Syph. Gods, I could tear my beard to hear you honour's a fine imaginary notion,

that draws in raw and unexperienced men

to real mischiefs, while they hunt a shadow.

[talk!

Jub. Would'st thou degrade thy prince into a ruffian?

Syph. The boasted ancestors of these great men, whose virtues you admire, were all such ruffians. This dread of nations, this almighty Rome, that comprehends in her wide empire's bounds all under heaven, was founded on a rape. Your Scipio's, Cæsar's, Pompey's, and your Cato's (these gods on earth), are all the spurious brood of violated maids, of ravish'd Sabines.

Jub. Syphax, I fear that hoary head of thine abounds too much in our Numidian wiles.

Syph. Indeed, my prince; you want to know the world,

you have not read mankind: your youth admires the throes and swellings of a Roman soul, Cato's bold flights, th' extravagance of virtue. Jub. If knowledge of the world makes man perfid

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May Juba ever live in ignorance!

Syph. Go, go, you're young.

Jub.

this arrogance

Gods, must I tamely bear

unanswer'd! thou'rt a traitor,

a false old traitor.

Syph. I have gone too far.

[Aside.

Jub. Cato shall know the baseness of thy soul. Syph. I must appease this storm, or perish in it.

[Aside. Young prince, behold these locks, that are grown beneath a helmet in your father's battles.

[white Jub. Those locks shall ne'er protect thy insolence. Syph. Must one rash word, th' infirmity of age, throw down the merit of my better years? this the reward of a whole life of service!

curse on the boy! how steadily he hears me! [Aside. Jub. Is it because the throne of my forefathers still stands unfill'd, and that Numidia's crown hangs doubtful yet, whose head it shall enclose, thou thus presum'st to treat thy prince with scorn?

Syph. Why will you rive my heart with such ex does not old Syphax follow you to war? [pressions? What are his arms? why does he load with darts his trembling hand, and crush beneath a casque his wrinkled brows? what is it he aspires to? Is it not this? to shed the slow remains, his last poor ebb of blood, in your defence?

Jub. Syphax, no more! I would not hear you talk. Syph. Not hear me talk? what? when my faith to my royal master's son, is call'd in question? [Juba, My prince may strike me dead, and I'll be dumb: but, whilst I live, I must not hold my tongue, and languish out old age in his displeasure.

Jub. Thou know'st the way too well into my heart

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I do believe thee loyal to thy prince.

Syph. What greater instance can I give? I've offer'd to do an action which my soul abhors,

and gain you whom you love at any price.

Jub. Was this thy motive? I have been too hasty. Syph. And 'tis for this my prince has call'd me traitor.

Jub. Sure thou mistak'st; I did not call thee so. Syph. 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 sacrifice his life, nay more, his honour, in your service? Jub. Syphax I know thou lov'st me, but indeed thy zeal for Juba carried thee too far. Honour's a sacred tie, the law of kings,

the noble mind's distinguishing perfection,

that aids and strengthens virtue, where it meets her and imitates her actions, where she is not:

it ought not to be sported with.

Syph.

By heavens

[me.

I'm ravish'd when you talk thus, though you chide Alas, I've hitherto been us'd to think a blind officious zeal to serve my king the ruling principle, that ought to burn and quench all others in a subject's heart. Happy the people who preserve their honour by the same duties that oblige their prince! Jub. Syphax, thou now beginn'st to speak thyself, Numidia's grown a scorn among the nations for breach of public vows. Our Punic faith is infamous, and branded to a proverb. Syphax, we'll join our cares, to purge away No. 78.

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