not for your sake this war was wag'd You only as a voluntier engag'd Therefore whatever Towns or Captives fall Into our hands they are the Romans all K. Mas. Then thus I draw think it not insolence For it 's not meant Sir in my own defence But to preserve a sacred Innocence From their bright Thrones perhaps the Gods will glide And range themselves in battle on my side Beneath a Cause so just I cannot fall I and the Gods will fight it with you all Scip. Thou deem'st thy lust an Action great and good Death ought to cool this feaver in thy blood With me contending against fate you strive Yet I will pity show take him alive K. Mas. Ingloriously you have a Conquest made That breast my tim'rous arm durst not invade My heart though prompted by her powerful charms Fainted before the Master of my Arms. Nor shall you yet my souls lov'd treasure reach My body thus dams up the narrow breach And he who dares Rashly on this forbidden Earth to tread I 'l Graspe his soul I 'l spurn him dead Trumpets within enter Menander Scip. What means this mournful noise whose Tragick sound With solemn horrour does my thoughts confound Men. O sacred Sir Scip. What Souldier all in tears Men. Sorrow her self close mourner now appears The Prince Massina slain see blasted there The hopes you lov'd the darling of the war That beauteous Captive who with you did treat He to the Carthaginian Camp did wait Where Hannibal of 's beauty jealous grown Cast him in bands but when his birth was known As soon unbound but then despair did move Despair of glory and despair of love Which when the Royal youth had rashly weigh'd And fate with murmuring thoughts a while delay'd A ponyard from his Robe unmark'd he took And to his heart the deadly weapon strook Scip. Behold of furious love the dire Event Yet Massinissa wilt thou not repent Behold the pledge you left for your default By heavens high Justice to perdition brought K. Mas. Was ever man thus wretched and durst live Yet will I not one tear to nature give Least Bankrupt like I lavish what 's not mine Since all my stock of sorrow love is thine Scip. Remove the Princes body from his sight Least too much grief should to distraction fright Yet if thou 'lt bring her forth we will forget This daring rashness which is passion's heat Thy glory with fresh laurells wee 'l advance And with due praise thy valiant Acts inhance Thy pile of honour this right hand shall build Why dost thou weep K. Mas. Because I dare not yield No Sir my love I never can betray Though you have touch'd me in the noblest way Scip. Can'st thou both promises and threats refuse K. Mas. Death and what 's worse you only bid me chuse Scip. Bring forth thy love and life thou shalt enjoy K. Mas. Is that a life your purpose act destroy Turn all your Javelins points against this breast But let it not of love be dispossest Scip. Must I who can Command thus vainly sue K. Mas. My stubborn heart death only can subdue Scip. Then take that death which you so little dread Enter Sophonisba Soph. Stay Tirant hold first thou shalt strike me dead Come on with thy brave sword rip up my brest And fix my panting heart upon thy proud crest There let it hang thy valours Trophy grown To all the wondring world let it be shown That none but fools the Conquest may deplore While all the brave admire the Conquerour A Conquerour so great with one sole blow He Cou'd even Hercules himself out-do O heavens he durst attempt what shall I say What words his hearts fierce grandeur can display In heat of blood he durst a woman slay Scip. When Ladies rail a Souldier should be mute Besides I have no leisure to dispute As Hellen did to Troy perdition bring Where e're you come your eyes destruction fling When will your thirsty Charms with blood be cloy'd Two Kings you have like that fair Greek destroy'd Spight of your pride you shall to Rome be led And there for all your Witchcrafts loose your head Soph. On with thy threats thy violent course pursue Enjoy thy bloody wishes Tyger do Barbarian for in Rome thou wert not born By such a wretch her glories are not worn Unless when dress'd up to be sacrific'd To thee the Moors and Goths are civiliz'd Gorge thy self Saturn make my flesh thy food And laugh when thou art drunk with a Queens blood K. Mas. All will be well fair excellence retire Add not fresh fewel to the dying fire Soph. To you and heaven my heart must ever bow Consul with thee I am not angry now Scip. Observe ungovern'd Prince with how much ease This Royal foe we if we would might seize Yet on your promise that she shall not go Till we the fate of war at Zama know We will permit her in your Tent t' remain But oh my friend break this inglorious Chain Contrive some means to keep your faith with me And set your heart from that curst Charmer free Exit K. Mas. O rigid honour must we separate then Loose all the sweets of life to purchase pain Men. If she were dead your glory were secure K. Mas. But could I then this wretched life endure Without her live it's fatal to refuse And glory ruines me if love I chuse What help Menander Men. 'T is the sport of heaven When Ships on Rocks are in the Harbour driv'n Having through thousand stormy dangers past In prospect of your bliss you 're wrack'd at last K. Mas. Like one who having scap't the waves arrives To some lone Rock and there more wretched lives Halfe famish'd on the ragged flint he stands Viewing with watry Eyes the distant strands And past his call men walking on the lands With sighs he swells the wind and looking round Mourns his sad choice or to be starv'd or drown'd Exeunt The end of the Fourth ACT. ACT. V. Scen. I. Hannibal and Scipio Han. ARt thou the Chief whom men fam'd Scipio call Scip. Art thou the much more famous Hannibal Han. Since by our partial fate it is ordain'd That I who have such dreadful Battles gain'd That torrent like which from some Mountain falls Ran from the Cloudy Alps to Romes proud Walls Shou'd now at last for peace inglorious sue I thank the Gods that they have chosen you To reap that honour by this Interview Scip. In civil praise and from so brave a foe True courage may a sense of pleasure show Thy words inspire me with such vast delight 'T will scarce be more to vanquish thee in fight Han. 'T was much the Gods to our fore-fathers gave That you should Italy we Africk have Our Africk Arms much Roman blood have spilt And Carthage has the Roman fury felt What say'st thou Scipio is it Peace or War Th' Invasion made by us we will repair Wee 'l give you Cicily Sardinia Spain And all the
Man to be a King Or to what purpose does the Warriour call For Arms Or Gown-men bustle in the Hall Sport for the Gods they whirl us here and there As Boyes blow watry bubbles in the Air. My help Mass. Ah let me not be touch'd by thee If Foes may capable of pity be Your Rosalinda seize and with her fly To Gold'n Beds Embrace her fast while I Within my dark and dusty Dungeon lye dies Han. Crowds of ill boading thoughts my Soul dismay His body to the Roman Campe convey Hears'd in a Mourning Chariot softly tread And look so sad that they may think you dead They bear off the Body Ros. This your suspition of my honour was See the effects where Jealousy's the cause Ah cruel Victor I could curse thee now With all thy Lawrels blasted on thy brow Love sick'ns with this deed my Transports fade Would we were both in Earths low Cavern laid Curtain'd with shady horrours where the Sun And Stars their fiery Courses never run But all the business of the World is done Exit Han. Oh that my heart her future State cou'd find Know to what good or ill this life 's design'd Prudence against such knowledge may advise But who of all mankind was alwayes wise For the great secret to the Gods I 'le go And if they faile me fathom for 't below Though hid by fate under a thousand Rocks And drag it up by the dark Jetty locks Let it all gastly as a Gorgeon come Stiff with the view I will outgaze my Doom The SCENE the City of Cirta Enter King Massinissa and Menander Trumpets sound a lofty March K. Mas. Was ever victory so swiftly won We scarce had leisure to demand the Town Their Gates they opened with such hast and fear As if our Conquering Swords Enchanted were Men. Syphax the great Usurper of your Throne Is to revenging Furies downwards gone In hells low valleys grown the darkest Weed And feels the stings that make Ambition bleed K. Mas. Straight to the Palace bid our Forces turn Where Sophonisba does her losses mourn We 'll visit that forsworne Illustrious faire To let her see how unconcern'd we are Men Since you have promised that you would forsake Why should your vertue need less tryalls make Love though scarce warm within your bosom pent Fann'd with her kindling sighs may get a vent Like he at which stifled in some closer space If any Air gets in fires all the place K. Mas. Darst thou suspect I say it cannot be Has Air or its wing'd ranger liberty Loose like the Wind as the wide Ocean free My enlarged soul rouls wantonly along Can hear unmov'd the warbling Syren's song Braving her Eyes her falshood I 'll upbraid For those rude wrongs she on my vertue layd Man Your Majesty best knows what 's fit to chuse I humbly offer'd what you may refuse K. Mas. Perhaps my present rage I may not keep For she has word would make the Cruel weep And Charms as powerful as Circes wiles As ravished Virgins sighs or Infants smiles But I more blind with rage then she with tears Mauger the Cunning which her sorrow wears Her hopes will laugh at and despise her feares Exeunt SCENE The Palace Enter Sephonisba Rezambe and Merna Seph Rome and the World against my life combine Methinks I 'me still a Queen whilst this is mine Though Massinissa has the King or'ethrown And his Victorious Troops possess the Town Yet Sophonisba is and shall be free Spight of the frighted Senators Decree They blush to see this life so glorious shine And fear their Eagle's eyes should dazled be with mine Merna if I have ought from thee deserv'd Be grateful thus and thou hast nobly serv'd Mer. Not for the World Soph. Rezambe thou art brave Strike and the Carthaginian glory save How will the Just the Valiant and the Wise Extol thy vertue and thy Courage prize Who durst the softness of thy Sex forgo And free thy Country with one desperate Blow A deed that will even Hannibal out do Rez Rather then I would live to see those hands Which Kings have kissed fetter'd with Roman Bands That body like a Pageant wretch adornd Graceing the victors Wheels your greatness scorn'd Rather then this endure by all that 's good I 'd bath this Dagger in your lives warm flood Till the haft reek'd with your hearts Royal blood Soph. O thou most noble Martial worthy Maid If by thy eyes my soul could be survey'd Thou wouldst believe what cannot be exprest How dear thou art to Sophonisba's breast Thy voice like sad but pleasing Musick flew Like dying Swans 't was sweet and fatal too Now stricke and bravely Act thy Tragick part Just here strike through and through this wretched heart Rez Death 's our last remedy as 't is the worst 'T is fit you try the victor's mercy first Prince Massinissa lov'd you once who knows But the same passion in his bosom glowes Blow it into a flame try all your Charms Love laughs at Brandish'd swords and glitt'ring Arms. Mer. Never was man like Massinissa kind By nature mild and amerously inclin'd Not vanquish'd Syphax dying fell so low As this Charm'd Prince will to your beauty bow Rez Imputed Trechery you ought to clear Let guilt shrink back and Innocence appear I 'll hide the Ponyard in my Robe if he Dooms you a slave this gives you liberty Soph. When breach of faith joyn'd hearts does disingage The Calmest temper turnes to wildest Rage He thinks me false though I have been most true And thinking so what may his fury doe Rez His Trumpets Clangors make the Palace ring Here wait your fate and this victorious King Enter King Massinissa Menander attendents K. Mass. Madam I come to tell you that you are No more a Queen but Prisoner of War The King whose loss 't is probable you grieve To whose lov'd memory those tears you give For Judgement is to Heaven's Tribunal gone And I now come to claim my Fathers Throne You in the War have bin unfortunate Not but your cause deserv'd a better fate Soph. Of Empire's joyes to you a gift I make More willingly then I did ever take Freely as ever Syphax made it mine To Massinissa I my Crown resign K. Mas. Not as your gift Crowns I should then despise But as my right by Birth and valours prize My father Galla's Diadem I 'le bear And all the Royalties of Circa wear Soph. These springs of grief unkindness now supplies K. Mas. Syphax deserv'd that tribute from your Eyes Soph. There is a cause more worthy of these tears K. Mas. More worthy what then Syphax for your sake Did he not fame and Empire victims make Gving love over measure when at last He threw his life up for you as a Cast. Soph. If what I speak might kindly be receiv'd But misery can never be believ'd K. Mas. Not you believ'd O Gods is it clear day So manifest are all things that you say Not you believed
same haughty fierceness rushing on Which the Saguntines City thundred down Like Troy's young Hero Who while the World about him did admire His father bore through night death blood and fire Spight of opposing hell and war's worst harmes So will I bear my love upon my Armes Bom. To horse my Lord and leave this cursed place Le ts go and instantly the Consul face Mah. No more in this damn'd sorceress confide Permit my Sword her body to divide Or from her Corps cut her enchanted Head And her black braines upon the Altar shed Han. Wee 'le go Maherbal with to morrow's dawn On the vast plain our squadrons shall be drawn Yet for some minutes Battle shall decline Wee 'le see this Consul e're our Bodies joyn And if on equal terms a peace may be For Carthage sake I 'le court my Enemy Bom. T is just you should deliberation take With caution deal and mannage the last stake Mah. You Armies are the Cards which both must play At least come off a saver if you may Han. But like Sols off-spring swell'd with dangerous fires He to the management of all as pires Alone the scepter of the world would sway Alone would rule the heaven and drive the day Like that indulgent God I 'le first advise Show him the tracks through which ambition flies If deaf to all let him ascend the Throne Snatching at glories which must weigh him down Like Iove we 'le toss him from his glistering Chair Sindging ye Clouds hissing through liquid Air And darting headlong like a falling Star Exeunt Trebellius Enter Scipio meeting Lelius disarmed Varro Scip. Lelius return'd and said tell the Event Lel. Too late my Lord I was to Cirta sent For e're some thousand paces got from hence I Massinissa met that wretched Prince Not as I us'd arm'd with a warriour's grace Like Mars when thundring on the plaines of Thrace But in a Chariot drawn by milk white Steeds Like soft Adonis driving through the meads And Sophonisba leaning on his breast Like Venus with her wanton Hunts man blest Scip. Are these his vowes some new way we must try Rather then live dishonour'd he shall dye Lel. Soon as the Tyrant Syphax was or'e thrown With Menaces he forc'd the frighted Town Which entered straight he to the Palace flew Forgetting all his vowes he lov'd anew The Conquer'd did the Conquerour subdue In short her tears and beauty won so far In view of all the world he married her They are arriv'd and now upon the Plain In a Pavilion Royal both remain Scip. Trebellius go this subtile Charmer bring Take all our Guards to assist against the King And say that we 'l attend him in his Tent But first expect the Queen be Prisoner sent Tell him she is the Romans fo and shall A sacrifice for blood of thousands fall Exeunt severally Enter King Massinissa Sophonisba K. Mas. Let him Arm all his pow'r against this breast My heart unmov'd shall stand the mighty Test. What I have sworn shall like thy vertue last I 'le hold thee to me as my heart-strings fast Thou soul of love all charming Excellence Whos 's every look drives stormy troubles hence Does all the blessings of the Gods Dispence Why dost thou tremble let no sawoy fear Make thy heart pant or cause thee shed a tear Soph. Alas my Lord 't were better I were dead In my cold grave safe from these troubles laid Rather ten thousand Racks let me endure Then once be brought under the Roman power 'T is true that you have deeply sworn you wou'd Defend me K. Mas. To my hearts last drop of blood Or may I by some Coward mangled lie And dogs and vultures tear me as I die The Tygress will revenge her ravish'd young ' Midst Darts and Spears and Javelins rush along The Clown so low and ignorant of fame Will venture life to save his swarthy dame And shall not I for thee wast all this blood Thou softest blessing and the sweetest good Soph. I know not what the Gods for you intend But 't is most certan I am near my end Not that deaths darkest horrour I can fear But Bondage is a load I cannot bear K. Mas. Quit all those fancies that disturb thy rest And cast thy Melancholly on this breast This heart is ever thine Soph. O my lov'd Lord If you shou'd break but you will keep your word Keep all your Oaths yet Heaven and you know best Some surfeit with their love as on a feast And then they loath when once they 're satiated But you 'le remember me when I am dead From these dear eyes to endless shades remov'd None e're will love you sure as I have lov'd Enter Trebellius Treb. Guards wait without My Lord you must resign The Queen whom I have order to confine K. Mas. Touch her not for thy life but straight retire Safer thou mayst with thunder play kiss fire Grapple with death a Pestilence invade With all his fatal Purple pomp array'd Trebellius goes to seize her Massinissa kills him Treb. Cut off in my full growth curse on your strife To dye thus when I business had for life Just Scipio will revenge my death beware I feel I 'm going though I know not where Dies K. Mas. Nought but thy blood cou'd wash thy guilt away Who durst the rancour of thy heart display And sully with rude hands the fairest piece That the Gods ever drew your troubles cease I 'm in and now no hope of safety 's nigh Yet still a King we will attended dye Like a brave Merchant Who when his long toss'd loaded Vessel hits Against some Rock and with loud horrour splits First grasps one Casket which does all contain Then fearless shoots himself into the Main So I with thee my only wealth my all Amidst the numerous slaine at last must fall The noise comes near safe retire from view Glory and love shall teach us what to do Exeunt Enter Scipio Lelius Varro Guards Lel. Trebellius slain and in a woman's cause Shame to our Armes disgrace to honour's Laws What flames of mischiefe from this sparke might rise 'T is just with rigour you his fault chastise Scip. Yet Massinissa thou shalt dearly buy Thy ill got love and fatal Gallantry Curle on in wanton wayes bask in her Charms By Mars she is a victim to our Arms. K. Mass. meets him K. Mas. Your high displeasure in your face I spy When the great Scipio frowns great dangers nigh The fact I must confess done in defence Of beauty wrong'd and helpless Innocence Scip. Where is that fair incendiary fled Er'e to extreamest rigour we proceed I strictly charge thee bring her forth to bleed Or on thy person I will vengeance take And thou shalt perish for thy Mistriss's sake K. Mas. With greedy joy I offer you my life If by the Goâ—â— you swear to free my wife Scip. Yoâ—â—â—all not for her sake have leave to dy Nor will I give her life or liberty For Rome