JUBA.

Thofe locks fhall ne'er protect thy infolence.

SYPHAX.

Muft one rath word, th' infirmity of age, Throw down the merit of my better years? This the reward of a whole life of fervice! Curfe on the boy! how steadily he hears me! JUBA.

[Afide.

Is it because the throne of iny fore-fathers Still ftands unfill'd, and that Numidia's crown Hangs doubtful yet, whofe head it fhall enclofe, Thou thus prefum'ft to treat thy prince with fcorn?

SYPHA X.

Why will you rive my heart with fuch expressions? Does not old Syphax follow you to war?

What are his arms? why does he load with darts
His trembling hand, and crush beneath a cafque
His wrinkled brows? what is it he afpires to ?-
Is it not this? to fhed the flow remains,
His laft poor ebb of blood, in your defence?

JUBA.

Syphax, no more! I would not hear you talk.
SYPHAX.

Not hear me talk! what, when my faith to Juba,
My royal master's fon, is call'd in question?
My prince may ftrike 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.

JUBA.

Thou know'ft the way too well into my heart, I do believe thee loyal to thy prince.

SYPHAX.

SY PHA X.

What greater inftance can I give? I've offer'd To do an action which my foul abhors,

And gain you whom you love at any price.

JUBA.

Was this thy motive? I have been too hasty.

SYPHAX.

And 'tis for this my prince has call'd me traitor.

JUBA.

Sure thou mistak'ft; I'did not call thee fo.

SY PHAX.

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 facrifice His life, nay more, his honour, in your fervice? JUBA.

Syphax, I know thou lov'ft me, but indeed

Thy zeal for Juba carried thee too far.

Honour 's a facred tie, the law of kings,

The noble mind's diftinguishing perfection,

That aids and strengthens virtue, where it meets he And imitates her actions, where he is not:

It ought not to be sported with.

SY PHAX.

By heavens

I'm ravish'd when you talk thus, though you chide me. Alas, I've hitherto been us'd to think

A blind officious zeal to ferve my king

The ruling principle, that ought to burn
And quench all others in a fubject's heart.
Happy the people who preferve their honour
By the fame duties that oblige their prince !
JUBA.

Syphax, thou now beginn'ft to fpeak thyself.
Numidia's grown a fcorn 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
Our country's crimes, and clear her reputation.
SY PHA X.

Believe me, prince, you make old Syphax weep
To hear you talk-but 'tis with tears of joy.
If e'er your father's crown adorn your brows,
Numidia will be bleft by Cato's lectures.

JUBA.

Syphax, thy hand! we 'll mutually forget The warmth of youth, and frowardness of age: Thy prince esteems thy worth, and loves thy person. If e'er the scepter comes into my hand,

Syphax fhall stand the second in my kingdom.

SYPHA X.

Why will you overwhelm my age with kindness ? My joy grows burthenfome, I fha'n't support it.

JUBA.

Syphax, farewell. I'll hence, and try to find

Some bleft occasion that may set me right

In

In Cato's thoughts. I'd rather have that man
Approve my deeds, than worlds for my admirers.

SY PHA X.

[Exit.

Young men foon give, and foon forget affronts;
Old age is flow in both-a false old traitor!

Thofe words, rafh boy, may chance to coft thee dear:
My heart had ftill fome foolish fondnefs for thee:
But hence! 'tis gone: I give it to the winds :-
Cæfar, I'm wholly thine-

Enter SEMPRONIUS.

SYPHA X.

All hail, Sempronius!

Well, Cato's Senate is refolv'd to wait
The fury of a fiege, before it yields..

SEMPRONIUS.

Syphax, we both were on the verge of fate :
Lucius declar'd for peace, and terms were offer'd
To Cato by a meffenger from Cæfar.

Should they fubmit, ere our designs are ripe,
We both must perish in the common wreck,
Loft in a general undistinguish'd ruin.

SYPHA X.

But how ftands Cato?

SEMPRONIUS.

Thou haft feen Mount Atlas:

While ftorms and tempefts thunder on its brows,
And oceans break their billows at its feet,
It ftands unmov'd, and glories in its height.

U 3

Such

Such is that haughty man; his towering soul, 'Midft all the fhocks and injuries of fortune, Rifes fuperior, and look down on Cæfar.

SYPHAX.

But what 's this messenger?

SEMPRONIU S.

I've practis'd with him,

And found a means to let the victor know

That Syphax and Sempronius are his friends.
But let me now examine in my turn :

Is Juba fix'd?

SYPHA X.

Yes, but it is to Cato.

I've try'd the force of every reason on him,
Sooth'd and carefs'd, been angry, footh'd again,
Laid safety, life, and intereft, in his fight;
But all are vain, he fcorns them all for Cato.

SEMPRON I-U-S.

Come, 'tis no matter, we shall do without him, He'll make a pretty figure in a triumph, And ferve to trip before the victor's chariot. Syphax, I now may hope thou hast forfook Thy Juba's cause, and wishest Marcia mine.

SYPHAX.

May the be thine as fast as thou wouldst have her!

SEMPRONIUS.

Syphax, I love that woman; though I curfe Her and myself, yet, fpight of me, I love her.

SY PHAX