If e'er the scepter comes into my hand,

Syphax shall stand the second in my kingdom.

SYPHA X.

Why will you overwhelm my age with kindness?

My joy grows burdensome, I shan't support it.

JUBA.

Syphax, farewel. I'll hence, and try to find Some blest occasion that may set me right In Cato's thoughts. I'd rather have that man Approve my deeds, than worlds for my admirers. [Exit.

SYPHAX folus.

Young men soon give, and soon forget affronts; Old age is flow in both a false old traitor! Those words, rash boy, may chance to cost thee dear. My heart had still some 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 senate is resolv'd to wait

The fury of a fiege, before it yields.

SEMSEMPRONIUS.

Syphux, we both were on the verge of fate: Lucius declared for peace, and terms were offer'd To Cato by a messenger from Cæfar. Should they submit, ere our designs are ripe, We both muft perish in the common wreck, Loft in a general undistinguish'd ruin.

SYPHA Χ.

:

But how stands Cate?

SEMPRONIUS.

Thou hast seen mount Atlas : While storms and tempefts thunder on its brows, And oceans break their billows at its feet, It stands unmoved, and glories in its height. Such is that haughty man; his tow'ring soul, 'Midst all the shocks and injuries of fortune. Rises superior, and looks down on Cafar. SYPHA Χ.

But what's this messenger?

SEMPRONIUS.

I've practis'd with him,

And found a means to let the victor know

That Syphax and Sempronius are his friends.
But let me now examine in my turn:

Is Juba fixt?

SYPHA X,

Yes, but it is to Cato.

I've try'd the force of ev'ry reason on him,
Sooth'd and caress'd, been angry, footh'd again,
Laid safety, life, and interest in his fight,
But all are vain, he scorns them all for Cato.

SEMPRONIUS.

i

Come, 'tis no matter, we shall do without him.

He'll make a pretty figure in a triumph,
And ferve to trip before the victor's chariot.
Syphax, I now may hope thou haft forsook
Thy Juba's cause, and wishest Marcia mine.

SYPHA.Χ.

7

1

May she be thine as fast as thou would'st have her!

SEMPRONIUS.

Syphax, I love that woman; tho I curse

Her and myself, yet spite of me I love her.

SYPHAΧ.

Make Cato fure, and give up Utica,

Cafar will ne'er refuse thee such a trifle.

But are thy troops prepar'd for a revolt ?
Does the fedition catch from man to man,
And run among their ranks?

SEMPRONIUS.

All, allis ready;

The factious leaders are our friends, that spread
Murmurs and discontents among the foldiers.
They count their toilsome marches, long fatigues,
Unusual faftings, and will bear no more

:

This medley of philosophy and war.
Within an hour they'll storm the senate-house.

SYPHAΧ.

Mean while I'll draw up my Numidian troops

Within the square, to exercise their arms,
And, as I see occafion, favour thee.
I laugh to think how your unshaken Cato
Will look aghaft, while unforeseen destruction
Pours in upon him thus from every fide.
So, where our wide Numidian wastes extend,
Sudden th' impetuous hurricanes descend,
Wheel through the air, in circling eddies play,
Tear up the sands, and sweep whole plains away.
The helpless traveller, with wild surprise,
Sees the dry desart all around him rise,
And smother'd in the dusty whirlwind dies.

[Exeunt.

ACT

T

ACT III, SCENEI

MARCUS and PORTIUS,

MARCUS.

:

1

Hanks to my stars, I have not ranged about
The wilds of life, ere I could find a friend;

:

Nature first pointed out my Portius to me,
And early taught me, by her secret force,
To love thy perfon, ere I knew thy merit;
'Till, what was instinct, grew up into friendship.
PORTIUS.

Marcus, the friendships of the world are oft
Confederacies in vice, or leagues of pleasure;
Ours has feverest virtue for its basis,
And such a friendship ends not but with life.
MARCUS.

Portius, thou know'st my foul in all its weakness,

Then pry thee spare me on its tender side,

Indulge me but in love, my other passions

Shall rise and fall by virtue's nicest rules.

PORTIUS.

When love's well-tim'd, 'tis not a fault to love.

VOL. II.

G

The