With resolution, friendship, Roman bravery, Enter JUBA. Juba, the Roman senate has resolved, (Alas! I thought not then his death so near!) Be Cato's friend; he'll train thee up to great Cato. Juba, thy father was a worthy prince, Jub. My father's fate, In spite of all the fortitude that shines Oft have their black ambassadors appear'd, Had we not better leave this Utica, To arm Numidia in our cause, and court Cato. And canst thou think Cato will fly before the sword of Cæsar! From court to court, and wander up and down Juba. Cato, perhaps I'm too officious; but my forward cares Cato. Thy nobleness of soul obliges me. Their hidden strength, and throw out into practice 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 Cato. 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; my ear A stranger to thy thoughts. Jub. Oh! they're extravagant; Still let me hide them. Cato. What can Juba ask, That Cato will refuse? Jub. I fear to name it. Marcia-inherits all her father's virtues. Cato. What would'st thou say? Juba. Cato, thou hast a daughter. make not Cato. Adieu, young prince; I would not hear a Should lessen thee in my esteem. Remember, But chains, or conquest; liberty, or death. Enter SYPHAX. [Exit. 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, I've seen you, Ev'n in the Lybian dog-days, hunt him down, And, stooping from your horse, Rivet the panting savage to the ground. Syph. How would the old king smile, To see you weigh the paws, when tipp'd with gold, In ev'ry word, would now lose all its sweetness. Syph. Young prince, I yet could give you good 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 snatch this damsel up, And bear her off. Jub. Can such dishonest thoughts That draws in raw and inexperienced men talk! Jub. Would'st thou degrade thy prince into a ruf fian? 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, Cæsars, Pompeys, and your Catos, (The gods on earth) are all the spurious blood 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. Jub. If knowledge of the world makes men perfidious, May Juba ever live in ignorance! This arrogance, unanswer'd! thou'rt a traitor, Syph. I have gone too far. [Aside. Juba. 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 white Beneath a helmet in your father's battles. Jub. Those locks shall ne'er protect thy insolence. Syph. Must one rash word, the 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. Syphax, no more! I would not hear you talk. Syph. Not hear me talk! what, when my faith to Juba, My royal master's son, is call'd in question? |