CATO.

I am no stranger to thy father's greatness.

JUBA.

I would not boast the greatness of my father,
But point out new alliances to Cato.
Had we not better leave this Utica,
To arm Numidia in our cause, and court
Th' assistance of my father's pow'rful friends?
Did they know Cato, our remotest kings
Would pour embattled multitudes about him;
Their swarthy hosts wou'd darken all our plains,
Doubling the native horror of the war,
And making death more grim.

CATO.

And can'st thou think

Cato will fly before the sword of Cesar!

Reduced like Hannibal to seek relief

From court to court, and wander up and down,

A vagabond in Afric!

Cato, perhaps

JUBA.

I'm too officious, but my forward cares

Would fain preserve a life of so much value.
My heart is wounded, when I see such virtue
Afflicted by the weight of such misfortunes.

CATO.

Thy nobleness of foul obliges me.

;

1

But

But know, young Prince, that valour foars above
What the world calls misfortune and affliction.

These are not ills; else wou'd they never fall
On heaven's first favourites, and the best of men
The Gods, in bounty, work up storms about us,
That give mankind occasion to exert

Their hidden strength, and throw out into practice
Virtues which shun the day, and lie conceal'd
In the smooth seasons and the calms of life.

JUBA.

I'm charm'd whene'er thou talk'it! I pant for

virtue!

And all my foul endeavours at perfection.

CATO.

Dost thou love watchings, abstinence, and toil, Laborious virtues all? Learn them from Cato:

Success and fortune must thou learn from Cæfar.

JUB A.

The best good fortune that can fall on Juba, The whole success, at which my heart aspires, Depends on Cato.

:

CATO.

What does Juba fay? Thy words confound me.

JUBA.

I would fain retract them.

Give 'em me back again. They aim'd at nothing.

1

CATO.

Tell me thy wish, young Prince; make not my ear

Astranger to thy thoughts.

JUBA.

Oh, they're extravagant :

Still let me hide them,

CATO.

What can Juba ask

That Cato will refuse!

JUBA.

I fear to name it,

Marcia-inherits all her father's virtues.

CATO.

What would'st thou say?

JUBA.

Cato, thou hast a daughter.

CATO.

১

Cato. Adieu, young prince: I wou'd not hear a word

Should lessen thee in my esteem: remember
The hand of fate is over us, and heav'n
Exacts severity from all our thoughts:
It is not now a time to talk of aught
But chains, or conqueft; liberty, or death.

:

[Exit

A

SCENE SCENE V.

1

SYPHAX, JUBA

SYPHA Χ.

How's this, my prince! what cover'd with confusion?

You look as if yon stern philosopher

Had just now chid you.

SYPHAX.

Alas, my Prince, how are you chang'd of late! I've known young Juba rise before the fun, To beat the thicket where the tiger lept, Or feek the lion in his dreadful haunts : How did the colour mount into your cheeks, When first you rous'd him to the chase! I've seen you, Ev'n in the Libyan dog-days, hunt him down, Then charge him close, provoke him to the rage Of fangs and claws, and stooping from your horfe

Rivet the panting savage to the ground.

JUBA.

Pr'ythee, no more!

SYPHA Χ.

How would the old King smile

To fee you weigh the paws, when tipp'd with gold,
And throw the shaggy spoils about your shoulders!

JUBA.

Syphax, this old man's talk (tho' honey flow'd In ev'ry word) wou'd now lose all its sweetness. Cato's displeas'd, and Marcia loft for ever !

SYPHA Χ.

:

Young Prince, I yet could give you good advice,

Marcia might Aill be your's.

JUBA.

What say'st thou, Syphax?

By heav'ns, thou turn'st me all into attention.