Part 5 (1/2)

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 confusion?

You look as if yon stern philosopher Had just now chid you.

_Jub._ 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!

_Jub._ Oh, I could pierce my heart, My foolish heart!

_Syph._ Alas, my prince, how are you changed 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.

I've seen you, Ev'n in the Lybian dog-days, hunt him down, Then charge him close, 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 s.h.a.ggy spoils about your shoulders!

_Jub._ Syphax, this old man's talk, though honey flow'd In ev'ry word, would now lose all its sweetness.

Cato's displeased, and Marcia lost for ever.

_Syph._ Young prince, I yet could give you good advice; Marcia might still be yours.

_Jub._ As how, dear Syphax?

_Syph._ Juba commands Numidia's hardy troops, Mounted on steeds unused to the restraint Of curbs or bits, and fleeter than the winds: Give but the word, we s.n.a.t.c.h this damsel up, And bear her off.

_Jub._ Can such dishonest thoughts Rise up in man? Wouldst thou seduce my youth To do an act that would destroy mine honour?

_Syph._ G.o.ds, I could tear my hair to hear you talk!

Honour's a fine imaginary notion, That draws in raw and inexperienced men To real mischiefs, while they hunt a shadow.

_Jub._ Wouldst 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 Heav'n, was founded on a rape; Your Scipios, Caesars, Pompeys, and your Catos (The G.o.ds on earth), are all the spurious blood Of violated maids, of ravish'd Sabines.

_Jub._ Syphax, I fear that h.o.a.ry head of thine Abounds too much in our Numidian wiles.

_Syph._ Indeed, my prince, you want to know the world.

_Jub._ If knowledge of the world makes men perfidious, May Juba ever live in ignorance!