Jub. Was this thy Motive? I have been too hasty. Syph. And 'tis for This my Prince has call'd me Traitor: Jub. Sure thou mistakest; I did not call thee so. Syph. You did indeed, my Prince, you call'd me Traitor :Nay, further, threaten'd you'd complain to Cato. Of what, my Prince, wou'd you complain to Cato? That Syphax loves you, and wou'd facrifice His Life, nay more, his Honour in your Service. Jub. 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 distinguishing Perfection, That aids and strengthens Virtue, where it meets her, And imitates her Actions, where the is not: It ought not to be sported with, Syph. By Heav'ns I'm ravish'd when you talk thus, tho' you chide me! A blind officious Zeal to ferve my King Jub. Syphax, thou now begin'ft to speak thy felf. Syphax, we'll join our Cares, to purge away Jub. Syphax, thy Hand! we'll mutually forget If If e'er the Scepter comes into my Hand, Syph. Why will you overwhelm my Age with Kindness? My Joy grows burdensome, I shan't fupport it. Jub. Syphax, farewel. I'll hence, and try to find In Cato's Thoughts. I'd rather have that Man Young Men foon give, and foon forget Affronts; CATARREKORDXDENCI SCENE VI. Syphax, Sempronius. Syph. All hail, Sempronius! Well, Cato's Senate is refolv'd to wait The Fury of a Siege, before it yields. Semp. Syphax, we both were on the Verge of Fate: Lucius declared for Peace, and Terms were offer'd To Cato by a Meffenger from Cafar. Shou'd they submit, ere our Designs are ripe, We both must perish in the common Wreck, Syph. But how ftands Cato? Semp. Thou haft feen Mount Atlas: While Storms and Tempefts thunder on its Brows, It stands unmoved, and glories in its Height. And found a Means to let the Victor know Syph. Yes, but it is to Cato. I've try'd the Force of ev'ry Reafon on him, Semp. Come, 'tis no Matter, we fhall 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 haft forfook Thy Juba's Caufe, and wifheft Marcia mine. Syph. May he be thine as fast as thou wouldst have her! Semp. Syphax, I love that Woman; tho' I curfe Her and my felf, yet fpite of me, I love her. Syph. Make Cato fure, and give up Utica, Cafar will ne'er refuse thee fuch a Trifle. But are thy Troops prepar'd for a Revolt? Do's the Sedition Catch from Man to Man, And run among their Ranks? Semp. All, all is ready, The factious Leaders are our Friends, that spread This Medley of Philofophy and War. Within an Hour they'll ftorm the Senate-House. Syph. Mean while I'll draw up my Numidian Troops Within Within the Square, to exercise their Arms, I laugh to think how your unfhaken Cato [Exeunt. The End of the Second A&t. ACT ACT III. SCENE I. T Marcus and Portius. MARCU S. HANKS to my Stars I have not ranged The Wilds of Life, ere I could find a Nature first pointed out my Portius to me, To love thy Perfon, ere I knew thy Merit; 'Till what was Inftinct, grew up into Friendship. Port. Marcus, the Friendships of the World are oft Confed'racies in Vice, or Leagues of Pleafure; Ours has feverest Virtue for its Bafis, And such a Friendship ends not but with Life. Marc. Portius thou know'ft my Soul in all its Weakness, Then pr'ythee spare me on its tender Side, Indulge me but in Love, my other Paffions Shall rife and fall by Virtue's nicest Rules. Por. When Love's well-timed, 'tis not a Fault to love. I wou'd not urge thee to dismiss thy Paffion, C 3 A |