That comprehends in her wide empire's bounds
All under Heaven, was founded on a Rape.
Your Scipio's, Cafar's, Pompey's, and your Cato's,
(These Gods on earth) are all the fpurious brood
Of violated maids, of ravish'd Sabines.

JUBA.

Syphax, I fear that hoary head of thine Abounds too much in our Numidian wiles.

SYPHA 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 foul,
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

Young Prince, behold these locks that are grown white Beneath a helmet in your father's battels.

JUBA.

Those locks shall ne'er protect thy infolence.
SYPHA X.

Must one rash word, th' infirmity of age,
Throw down the merit of my better years?
This the reward of a whole life of fervice!

-Curfe on the boy! how fteadily he hears me! [Afide.

JUBA.

Is it because the throne of

my

fore-fathers

Still ftands unfill'd, and that Numidia's crown

Hangs doubtful yet, whofe head it fhall enclose,
Thou thus presum'ft to treat thy Prince with scorn?
SYPHA X.

Why will you rive my heart with fuch expreffions?
Does not old Syphax follow you to war?

What are his aims? why does he load with darts
His trembling hand, and crush beneath a cask
His wrinkled brows? what is it he aspires to;
Is it not this? to fhed the flow remains,
His laft poor ebb of blood, in your defence?

JUBA.

Syphax, no more! I would not hear you talk.

SYPHA X.

Not hear me talk! what, when my faith to Juba,

My royal mafter's fon, is call'd in question?

My Prince may ftrike me dead, and I'll be dumb:

But

But whilft I live I must not hold my tongue,
And languish out old age in his displeasure.

JUBA.

Thou know'ft the way too well into my heart, I do believe thee loyal to thy Prince.

SYPHA X.

What greater inftance can I give? I've offer'd
To do an action, which my foul abhors,
And gain you whom you love at any price.

JUBA.

Was this thy motive? I have been too hasty..
SYPHA X.

And 'tis for this my Prince has call'd me traitor.
JUBA.

Sure thou mistak'ft; I did not call thee fo.

SYPHA X.

You did indeed, my Prince, you call'd me traitor: Nay, further, threaten'd you'd complain to Cato. Of what, my Prince, would you complain to Cato? That Syphax loves you, and would facrifice

His life, nay more, his honour in your fervice.

JUBA..

Syphax, I know thou lov't me, but indeed

Thy zeal for Juba carried thee too far.

Honour's a facred tie, the law of Kings,
The noble mind's diftinguishing perfection,

That aids and ftrengthens virtue, where it meets her,
And imitates her actions, where she is not:

I'm ravish'd when you talk thus, tho' you chide me!
Alas, I've hitherto been use'd to think

A blind officious zeal to ferve my King
The ruling principle, that ought to burn
And quench all others in a fubject's heart.
Happy the people, who preferve their honour,
By the fame duties, that oblige their Prince!
JUBA.

Syphax, thou now begin'ft to speak thy felf.
Numidia's grown a fcorn among the nations
For breach of publick vows. Our Punick faith
Is infamous, and branded to a proverb.
Syphax, we'll join our cares, to purge away
Our country's crimes, and clear her reputation.
SYPHA X.

Believe me, Prince, you make old Syphax weep
but 'tis with tears of joy.

To hear you talk

If e'er your father's crown adorn your brows,

Numidia will be bleft by Cato's lectures.

JUBA.

Syphax, thy hand! we'll mutually forget

The warmth of youth, and frowardness of age:

Thy Prince esteems thy worth, and loves thy person.
If e'er the scepter comes into my hand,

Syphax fhall ftand the fecond in my kingdom.

Sr.

SYPHA X.

Why will you overwhelm my age with kindness?
My joy grows burdenfome, I shan't fupport it.
JUBA.

Syphax, farewel: I'll hence, and try to find
Some bleft occafion that may fet me right
In Cato's thoughts. I'd rather have that man
Approve my deeds, than worlds for my admirers.
SYPHAX folus.

Young men foon give, and foon forget affronts;
Old age is flow in both - A falfe old traitor!
Those words, rash boy, may chance to coft thee dear.
My heart had ftill fome foolish fondness for thee:
But hence! 'tis gone: I give it to the winds:
Cafar, I'm wholly thine ---

SCENE VI.

SYPHAX, SEMPRONIUS.

SYPHAX.

All hail, Sempronius !

Well, Cato's fenate is refolv'd to wait

The fury of a fiege, before it yields.

SEMPRONIUS.

Syphax, we both were on the verge of fate:

Lucius declare'd for Peace, and terms were offer'd

To