JUBA. Oh, I could pierce my heart, My foolish heart! was ever wretch like Juba? Alas, my Prince, how are you change'd of late! Or feek the Lion in his dreadful haunts: How did the colour mount into your cheeks, When firft you rouse'd him to the chace! I've seen you, Pr'ythee, no more! J.U.B.A. SY PHA X. How would the old King fmile. To see you weigh the paws, when tipp'd with gold, Syphax, this old man's talk (tho' honey flow'd Young Prince, I yet could give you good advice. Marcia might still be yours. JUBA JUBA. What fay'ft thou, Syphax! y heav'n's, thou turn'ft me all into attention. SYPHA X. Marcia might ftill be yours. JUBA. As how, dear Syphax? SYPHA X. Juba commands Numidia's hardy troops, JUBA. Can fuch difhoneft thoughts ise up in man! would'st thou feduce my youth Gods, I could tear my beard to hear you talk! "hat draws in raw and unexperience'd men 'o real mifchiefs, while they hunt a shadow. JUBA. Would'ft thou degrade thy Prince into a Ruffian ? The boasted Ancestors of these great men, That That comprehends in her wide empire's bounds JUBA. Syphax, I fear that hoary head of thine Abounds too much in our Numidian wiles. SY PHA X. Indeed, my Prince, you want to know the world; You have not read mankind; your youth admires The throws and fwellings of a Roman soul, Cato's bold flights, th' extravagance of virtue. JUBA If knowledge of the world makes man perfidious, May Juba ever live in ignorance! SYPHA X. Go, go, you're young. JUBA. Gods, muft I tamely bear This arrogance unanswer'd! thou'rt a traitor, I must appease this ftorm, or perish in it. [Afide. Young Dung Prince, behold these locks that are grown white eneath a helmet in your father's battles. JUBA. Those locks shall ne'er protect thy infolence. Must one rash word, th' infirmity of age, 'hrow down the merit of my better years? 'his the reward of a whole life of fervice! -Curfe on the boy! how fteddily he hears me! [Afide. Is it because the throne of my forefathers till stands unfill'd, and that Numidia's crown Why will you rive my heart with such expreffions? What are his aims? why does he load with darts Not hear me talk! what, when my faith to Juba, My royal master's fon, is call'd in question? But But whilft I live I must not hold my tongue, And languish out old age in his displeasure. Thou know'ft the way too well into my heart, SYPHA X. What greater inftance can I give? I've offer'd JU BA. Was this thy motive? I have been too hafty. 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, wou'd you complain to Cato ?. That Syphax loves you, and would facrifice His life, nay more, his honour in JUBA your fervice. Syphax, I know thou lov'st me, but indeed Thy zeal for Juba carried thee too far. The noble mind's diftinguifhing perfection, That aids and strengthens virtue, where it meets her, And imitates her actions, where she is not : It |