(In spite of all the virtue we can boast,) SCENE II. SEMPRONIUS, dressed like Juba, with Numidian guards. SEM. The deer is lodged. I've tracked her to her covert. Be sure you mind the word, and when I give it, Rush in at once, and seize upon your prey. Let not her cries or tears have force to move you. -How will the young Numidian rave, to see His mistress lost! if aught could glad my soul, Beyond the enjoyment of so bright a prize, "Twould be to torture that young gay barbarian. -But, hark, what noise! death to my hopes! 'tis he, 'Tis Juba's self! there is but one way left He must be murdered, and a passage cut Through those his guards-Hah! dastards, do you tremble! Or act like men, or by yon azure heaven— Enter JUBA. JUBA. What do I see? who's this that dare usurp JUBA. What can this mean? Sempronius! Numidian dress, and for a worthless woman? 1 The woman that deliberates is lost.] This line has been thought too free, and injurious to the sex: but it is to be remembered that Marcia is speaking of virtuous love, which vindicates the sentence from such imputations. What, then, it may be asked, is meant by-" In spite of all the virtue we can boast?" clearly, the virtue of firmness, in resolving not to admit a lawful passion in unfit circumstances. But all the virtue of this sort, which the best women can muster up, will hardly keep its ground against deliberation. However, the severe Marcia was lost by surprise, and not by deliberation. Oh for a peal of thunder that would make Earth, sea, and air, and heaven, and Cato tremble! [Dies. JUBA. With what a spring his furious soul broke loose, And left the limbs still quivering on the ground! Hence let us carry off those slaves to Cato, That we may there at length unravel all This dark design, this mystery of fate. SCENE III. LUCIA, MARCIA. Luc. Sure 'twas the clash of swords; my troubled heart Is so cast down, and sunk amidst its sorrows, It throbs with fear and aches at every sound. O Marcia, should thy brothers for my sake! I die away with horror at the thought. MAR, See, Lucia, see! here's blood! here's blood and murder! Hah! a Numidian! heavens preserve the prince; The face lies muffled up within the garment. But, hah! death to my sight; a diadem, To rend my heart with grief, and run distracted? Behold a sight, that strikes all comfort dead. Enter JUBA, listening. I will indulge my sorrows, and give way That man, that best of men, deserved it from me. And could have thus been mourned, I had been happy! Luc. Here will I stand, companion in thy woes, And help thee with my tears! when I behold Has nothing left to make poor Marcia happy. JUBA. I shall run mad MAR. O Juba! Juba! Juba! JUBA. What means that voice ? did she not call on Juba? He's dead, and never knew how much I loved him. And the last words he uttered called me cruel! What Marcia thinks! all is Elysium round me! JUBA. -See, Marcia, see, The happy Juba lives! he lives to catch MAR. With pleasure and amaze,' I stand transported! If thou art Juba, who lies there? JUBA. A wretch, Amaze.] For amazement; a liberty in which the poets of that time indulged themselves. So Pope: "In Tot'nam fields, the brethren, with amaze, Prick all their ears up, and forget to graze." DUNC. b. ii. 261 Thy father knows it all. I could not bear But must not now go back: the love, that lay MAR. And dost thou live to ask it? JUBA. This, this is life indeed! life worth preserving, Such life as Juba never felt till now! MAR. Believe me, prince, before I thought thee dead, MAR. Oh happy Marcia ! It quite o'ercomes me. Lead to my apartment.- Fortune, thou now hast made amends for all Let Cæsar have the world, if Marcia's mine. SCENE IV.-A march at a distance. Luc. I stand astonisht! what, the bold Sempronius! As with a hurricane of zeal transported, САТО. POR. Trust me, Lucius, The day-light and the sun grow painful to me.1 Enter PORTIUS. But see where Portius comes! What means this haste? My heart is grieved. Not so. The traitor Syphax, as within the square Luc. While pride, oppression, and injustice reign, CATO. Would Lucius have me live to swell the number Ungenerous terms. His enemies confess The virtues of humanity are Cæsar's. CATO. Curse on his virtues! they've undone his country. Such popular humanity is treason But see young Juba! the good youth appears 1 The day-light and the sun, &c.] "Tædet coeli convexa tueri." VIRG. ENEID. lib. iv. 451. |