And repeated blessings, Which you drew from him in your last farewell? Syph. By laying up his counsels in your heart. When not a breath of wind flies o'er its surface. safety. Jub. I do believe thou would'st; but tell me how? Syph. And therefore died. Jub. Better to die ten thousand thousand deaths, Than wound my honour. Syph. Rather say, your love. Jub. Syphax, I've promised to preserve my temper. Why wilt thou urge me to confess a flame I long have stifled, and would fain conceal? Syph. Believe me, prince, though hard to conquer 'Tis easy to divert and break its force. The glowing dames of Zama's royal court Were you with these, my prince, you'd soon forget Jub. 'Tis not a set of features, or complexion, Beauty soon grows familiar to the lover, Syph. How does your tongue grow wanton in her praise! But on my knees, I beg you would consider Jub. Ha! Syphax, is't not she?—She moves this way; And with her Lucia, Lucius's fair daughter. My heart beats thick-I pr'ythee, Syphax, leave me. Undo, what I've been lab'ring all this while. [Exit SYPHAX. Enter MARCIA and Lucia. Jub. Hail, charming maid! How does thy beauty The face of war, and make even horror smile! And for a while forget th' approach of Cæsar. Unbent your thoughts, and slacken'd them to arms, Jub. Oh, Marcia, let me hope thy kind concerns And gentle wishes follow me to battle! And strength and weight to my descending sword, And drive it in a tempest on the foe. Marcia. My pray'rs and wishes always shall attend The friends of Rome, the glorious cause of virtue, And men approved of by the gods and Cato. Jub. That Juba may deserve thy pious cares, I'll gaze for ever on thy godlike father, Transplanting one by one, into my life, His bright perfections, till I shine like him. Marcia. My father never, at a time like this, Would lay out his great soul in words, and waste Such precious moments. Jub. Thy reproofs are just, Thou virtuous maid; I'll hasten to my troops, Lucia. Marcia, you're too severe ; His air, his voice, his looks, and honest soul, I dare not trust myself to hear him talk. Lucia. Why will you fight against so sweet apassion, And steel your heart to such a world of charms? Marcia. How, Lucia! would'st thou have me sink away In pleasing dreams, and lose myself in love, And aims his thunder at my father's head. Lucia. Why have I not this constancy of mind, Marcia. Lucia, disburden all thy cares on me, Lucia. I need not blush to name them, when I tell They're Marcia's brothers, and the sons of Cato. eyes, And often have reveal'd their passion to me. Oh, Portius, thou hast stolen away my soul! Tempests and storms in his afflicted bosom ! I dread the consequence. Lucia. You seem to plead Marcia. Heav'n forbid. Had Portius been the unsuccessful lover, The same compassion would have fall'n on him. Lucia. Was ever virgin love distress'd like mine! Portius himself oft falls in téars before me, As if he mourn'd his rival's ill success; Then bids me hide the motions of my heart, So much he fears The sad effect that it will have on Marcus. Marcia. Let us not, Lucia, aggravate our sorrows, So the pure limpid stream, when foul with stains [Exeunt. ACT THE SECOND. SCENE I. The Senate sitting. Flourish. Enter CATO. Cato. Fathers, we once again are met in council; Cæsar's approach has summon'd us together, And Rome attends her fate from our resolves. How shall we treat this bold aspiring man? |