. I have gone too far. [Aside. A blind officious zeal to serve my king b. Cato shall know the baseness of thy soul. The ruling principle, that ought to burn I must appease this storm, or perish in it. And quench all others in a subject's heart. [Aside. Happy the people who preserve their honour By the same duties that oblige their prince. Jub. Syphax, thou now beginn'st to speak thy self, ng prince, behold these locks, that are grown white 每 eath a helmet in your father's battles. Those locks shall ne'er protect thy inso lence. Must one rash word, th' infirmity of age, w down the merit of my better years? the reward of a whole life of service! arse on the boy! how steadily he hears me! [Aside. . Is it because the throne of my forefathers stands untill'd, and that Numidia's crown gs doubtful yet whose head it shall inclose, thus presum'st to treat thy prince with scorn? Why will you rive my heart with such expressions! not old Syphax follow you to war? tare his aims? Why does he load with darts rembling hand, and crush beneath a casque wrinkled brows? What is it he aspires to? aot this: to shed the slow remains, 1st poor ebb of blood in your defence?" b. Syphax, no more: I would not hear you talk. . Not hear me talk! what, when my faith to Juba, oyal master's son, is call'd in question? rince may strike me dead, and I'll be dumb; whilst I live I must not hold my tongue, anguish out old age in his displeasure. Thou know'st the way too well into my heart. believe thee loyal to thy prince." . What greater instance can I give? I've offer'd o an action which my soul abhors, gain you whom you love at any price. 5. Was this thy motive? I've been too hasty. . And 'tis for this my prince has call'd me traitor. Sure thou mistak'st; I did not call thee so. . You did indeed, my prince, you call'd me traitor; further, threaten'd you'd complain to Cato. hat,my prince,would you complain to Cato? Syphax loves you, and would sacrifice ife, nay more, his honour, in your service? E. Syphax, I know thou lov'st me; but indeed Numidia's grown a scorn among the nations, Enter Sempronius. fate! Sem. Syphax, we both were on the verge of [fer'd Lucius declar'd for peace, and terms were of To Cato, by a messenger from Cæsar. Should they submit ere our designs are ripe, We both miast perish in the common wreck, Lost in the gen'ral undistinguish'd ruin. Sy. But how stands Cato? Sem. Thou hast seen mount Atlas: While storins and tempests thunder on its brows, And oceans break their billows at his feet, It stands unmov'd, and glories in its height: Such is that haughty man; his tow'ring soul, Midst all the shocks and injuries of fortune, Rises superior, and looks down on Cæsar. Sy. But, what's this messenger? Sem. I've practisd with him, Aud found a means to let the victor know That Syphax and Sempronius are his friends. Xx 2 But But let me now examine in my turn: Sy. Yesbut it is to Cato: Marc. Portius, thou know'st my soul in all Then pr'ythee spare me on its tender side. I've tried the force of every reason on him, He'll make a pretty figure in a triumph, Sem. Syphax, I love that woman; tho' I curse Sy. Make Cato sure, and give up Utica, Cæsar will ne'er refuse thee such a trifle. But are thy troops prepar'd for a revolt? Does the sedition catch from man to man, And run among their ranks ? Sem. All, all is ready. The factious leaders are our friends, that spread Unusual fastings, and will bear no more Within the square, to exercise their arms, So where our wide Numidian wastes extend, strong, the brave, the virtuous, and the I would not urge thee to dismiss thy passion. Marc. Alas! thou talk'st like one who nev Th' impatient throbs and longings of a soul Por. What can thy Portius do to give Marc. Portius, thou oft enjoy'st the fair or Amid the cool of yon high marble arch, Enjoys the noon-day breeze! Observe her, Portius; But, O! I'll think no more! the hand of fate Observe her well, and blame me if thou canst. Those killing sounds! Why dost thou frown upon me? nd leave you for a while. Remember, Portius, by brother's life depends upon thy tongue. [Exit. Enter Lucia. Luc. Did not I see your brother Marcus here? him. My blood runs cold, my heart forgets to heave, Por. Talk not of love, thou never knew'st its I've been deluded, led into a dream Her imprecations reach not to the tomb, Luc. O Portius, was this well-to frown on her And startle into madness at the sound. The train of ills our love would draw behind it. or. Alas, poor youth! what dost thou think, my Lucia? ; gen rous, open, undesigning heart us c. No, Portius, no; I see thy sister's tears, father's anguish, and thy brother's death, le pursuit of our ill-fated loves: Portins, here I swear, to Heaven I swear, Heaven and all the powers that judge mankind, er to mix my plighted hands with thine, struck-recal 1 se hasty words, or I am lost for ever. uc. Has not the vow already pass'd my lips? gods have heard it, and 'tis seal'd in heaven. all the vengeance that was ever pour'd perjur'd heads o'erwhelm me if I break; it ! or. Fix'd in astonishment, I gaze upon thee, one just blasted by a stroke from Heaven, o pants for breath, and stiffens, yet alive, Ireadful looks; a monument of wrath! ue. At length I've acted my severest part : el the woman breaking in upon me, I melt about my heart; my tears will flow. brother Stabb'd at his heart,and all besmear'd with blood, Por. To my confusion, and eternal grief, Melt my resolves, and turn me all to love. It softens me too much-farewel, my Portius: Xx3 Por. Stay, Lucia, stay! What dost thou say? For ever? Por. A second, louder yet, Swells in the winds, and comes more full upon us. Luc. Have I not sworn? If, Portius,thy success Marc. O, for some glorious cause to fall in batMust throw thy brother on his fate, farewel-Lucia, thou hast undone me; thy disdain (tle! O, how shall I repeat the word, for ever! [flame Has broke my heart: 'tis death must give me case. Por. Thus o'er the dying lamp th' unsteady Por. Quick, let us hence. Who knows if Hangs quiv'ring on a point, leaps off by fits, And falls again, as loth to quit its hold. [thee, -Thou must not go; my soul still hovers o'er And can't let loose. Luc. If the firm Portius shakes To hear of parting, think what Lucia suffers! Por. "Tis true, unruffled and serene, I've met The common accidents of life; but here Cato's life Stands sure? O Marcus, I am warm'd, my bart Leaps at the trumpet's voice, and burns glory. [Ere Enter Sempronius with the Leaders of the Mutu Sem. At length 'the winds are rais'd, the storm blows high: Such an unlook'd-for storm of ills falls on me,Be it your care, my friends, to keep it up It beats down all my strength. I cannot bear it. In its full fury, and direct it right, We must not part. Luc. What dost thou say? Not part! Hast thou forgot the vow that I have made? Are there not heavens, and gods, that thunder o'er us? Marc. Thy down-cast looks, and thy disorder'd thoughts Tell me my fate. I ask not the success Por. I'm griev'd I undertook it. My aching heart, and triumph in my pains? Marc. What have I said! O Portius, O, forgive me! A soul exasperate in ills falls out With ev'ry thing, its friend, itself-but, ha! Till it has spent itself on Cato's head. Meanwhile I'll herd among his friends,and seem One of the number, that whate'er arrive, My friends and fellow-soldiers may be safe. [Erit 1st Leader. We are all safe, Sempronius is Sempronius is as brave a man as Cato. Cato. Where are these bold intrepid sons of war That greatly turn their backs upon the foe, And to their general send a brave defiance? Sen. Curse on their dastard souls, they stand astonish'd. Cato. Perfidious then! And will you the dishonour Your past exploits, and sully all your wars? Sem. By heavens they droop! waste, Its barren rocks, parch'd earth, and hills of sand, You You sunk the river with repeated draughts, You could not undergo the toil of war, Fear and remorse, and sorrow for their crime, And pardon shall descend on all the rest. the fate Of wretched men? Sem. How wouldst thou clear rebellion? Lucius (good man) pities the poor offenders That would imbrue their hands in Cato's blood. Cato. Forbear, Sempronius!—see they suffer death, 2d Lead. Nay, now you carry it too far, Sempronius; Throw off the mask, there are none here but friends. Sem. Know, villains, when such paltry slaves To mix in treason, if the plot succeeds, 1st Lead. Nay, since it comes to this- Lest with their dying breath they sow sedition. [Exeunt Guards, with the Leaders. Enter Syphax. Sy. Our first design, my friend, has prov'd abor Still there remains an after game to play: [tive: My troops are mounted; their Numidian steeds Snuff up the wind, and long to scour the desert: Let but Sempronius head us in our flight, We'll force the gate where Marcus keeps his guard, And hewdown all that would oppose our passage. A day will bring us into Cæsar's camp. Sem. Confusion! I have fail'd of half my pur pose. Marcia, the charming Marcia's left behind! Sy. How will Sempronius turn a woman's slave? Sem. Think not thy friend can ever feel the soft Unmanly warmth and tenderness of love. Syphax, I long to clasp that haughty maid, And bend her stubborn virtue to my passion : When I have gone thus far, I'd cast her off. Sy. Well said! that's spoken like thyself, Sempronius. What hinders, then, but that thou find her out, hurry her away by manly force? But in their deaths remember they are men ; This awes an impious, bold, offending world, Sem. Cato, I execute thy will with pleasure. One would have thought you had been half in carnest. Sem. Villain, stand off! base, grov'ling. worthless wretches, Mongrels in faction, poor faint-hearted traitors! Sem. But how to gain admisison? For access Is given to none but Juba, and her brothers. Sy. Thou shalt have Juba's dress, and Juba's guards; The doors will oren when Numidia's prince Seems to appear before the slaves that watch them. Sem. Heavens, what a thought is there! Marcia's my own! How will my bosom swell with anxious joy Nor envied Jove his sunshine and his skies. ACT IV. Enter Lucia and Marcia. Luc. Now tell me, Marcia, tell me from thy soul, |