JUBA.

Alas, thy ftory, melts away my foul.

That beft of fathers! how fhall I discharge:
The gratitude and duty which I owe him!

SYPHAX.

By laying up his counfels in your heart.
JUBA

His counfels bade me yield to thy directions:
Then, Syphax, chide me in fevereft terms,

Vent all thy paffion, and I'll stand its fhock,
Calm and unruffled as a fummer-fea,

When not a breath of wind flies o'er its furface.
SYPHAX.

Alas, my Prince, I'd guide you to your fafety.
JUBA.

I do believe thou would'ft: but tell me how
SY PHA X.

Fly from the fate that follows Cafar's foes.
JUBA.

My father fcorn'd to do it.

SYPHAX

JUBA.

Syphax, I've promis'd to preserve my temper.
Why wilt thou urge me to confess a flame,
I long have ftifled, and would fain conceal?
STPHA X.

Believe me, Prince, tho' hard to conquer love,
'Tis eafy to divert and break its force:
Abfence might cure it, or a fecond mistress
Light up another flame, and put out this.
The glowing dames of Zama's royal court
Have faces flusht with more exalted charms;
The Sun, that rolls his chariot o'er their heads,
Works up more fire and colour in their cheeks:
Were you with thefe, my Prince, you'd foon forget
The pale unripen'd beauties of the North.

JUBA

'Tis nota fet of features, or complexion,
The tincture of a skin, that I admire.
Beauty foon grows familiar to the lover,
Fades in his eye, and palls upon the sense.
The virtuous Marcia tow'rs above her fex:
True, fhe is fair, (Oh how divinely fair!)
But ftill the lovely maid improves her charme
With inward greatnefs, unaffected wisdom,
And fanctity of manners Cato's foul

Shines out in every thing the acts or speaks,
While winning mildness and attractive smiles.

Dwell

Dwell in her looks, and with becoming grace
Soften the rigour of her father's virtue.
SYPHA X.

How does your tongue grow wanton in her praise ! But on my knees I beg you would confider

JUBA.

Hah! Syphax, is't not she !-she moves this way: And with her Lucia, Lucius's fair daughter.. My heart beats thick-I pr'ythee Syphax leave me. SYPHA X.

Ten thousand curfes faften on 'em both!

Now will this woman with a fingle glance
Undo, what I've been labouring all this while. [Exit.

SCENE V.

JUBA, MARCIA, LUCIA.

JUBA.

Hail charming Maid! how does thy beauty fmooth The face of war, and make even Horror smile! At fight of thee my heart shakes off its forrows; I feel a dawn of joy break in upon me, And for a while forget th' approach of Cæfar. MARCIA.

I should be griev'd, young Prince, to think my prefence. Unbent your thoughts, and flacken'd 'em to arms,

While, warm with slaughter, our victorious foe

Threatens aloud, and calls you to the field.

JUBA.

O Marcia, let me hope thy kind concerns And gentle wishes follow me to battle!

The thought will give new vigour to my arm, Add ftrength and weight to my defcending sword, And drive it in a tempeft on the foe.

MARCI A.

My prayers and wishes always fhall attend The friends of Rome, the glorious cause of virtue, And men approv'd of by the Gods and Cato.

JUBA.

That Juba may deserve thy pious cares,
I'll gaze for ever on thy god-like father,
Transplanting, one by one, into my life
His bright perfections, 'till I fhine like him.
MARCIA

My Father never at a time like this

Would lay out his great foul in words, and wafte Such precious moments.

JUBA.

Thy reproofs are juft,

Thou virtuous maid; I'll haften to my troops,
And fire their languid fouls with Cato's virtue.
If e'er I lead them to the field, when all
The war shall stand range'd in its just array,
And dreadful pomp: then will I think on thee!

lovely Maid, then will I think on thee!

And, in the shock of charging hosts, remember
What glorious deeds fhould grace the man, who hopes
For Marcia's love.

[Exit.

SCENE VI.

LUCIA, MARCIA.

LUCIA.

Marcia, you're too fevere :

How could you chide the young good-natur'd Prince,
And drive him from you with fo ftern an air,
A Prince that loves and dotes on you to death?
MARCI A.

'Tis therefore, Lucia, that I chide him from me. His air, his voice, his looks, and honest soul Speak all fo movingly in his behalf,

I dare not trust myself to hear him talk.

LUCIA

Why will you fight against so sweet a paffion,

And steel your

heart to

fuch a world of charms?

MARCI A.

How, Lucia! would't thou have me fink away
In pleafing dreams, and lofe myself in love,
When every moment Cate's life's at fake!
Cafar comes arm'd with terror and revenge,

And