 | Hannibal and Scipio |  |
Scene the fourth.
To them Piston, Crates, and a little after Syphax.
They are return'd.
Pist.
My Lord 'till now the accidents
Caus'd by the Romanes presence did prevent us
From giving satisfaction to your doubts,
Which were but justly grounded. Our young King
Is full of's youthfull passions, and so violent
Ith' prosecution of them counsell rather
Doth set a keener edge upon his appetite.
We therefore give him way. But if we cannot
Reduce his actions to a rule of judgement,
Wee'l openly oppose him, or conspire
As 'gainst a tyrant that makes will his law.
See hee's return'd: be confident.
Syph.
How! whispering!
I doe suspect.
Han.
If Syphax dare be private.
Syph.
Dare Hannibal! Hadst thou intents more black
Than ever night gave execution to,
Even in Carthage Senate house as well
As in mine owne Court, I dare stand th'encounter
Of single Hannibal. Withdraw.
Han.
They must not.
The wrongs thou hast done Carthage must be witness'd:
That when fame speakes them lowdest, partiall men
Make not their incredulity an excuse
For what no satisfaction can restore,
Thy honour lost in infamy.
Syph.
Thou tempt'st me
With these darke prefaces. Yet thy upbraydings
Doe seeme so frivolous, my patience rather
Laughs at their vainnesse. Cleare my understanding
Without more circumstance, for yet my innocence
Thy sawcy taunts a priviledge.
Han.
What errour
But to defend it selfe will strive (though vainly)
To mock truth out of truth? Well Syphax knowes
The expectation of a state deluded
Cannot but trouble it. A King is more
Than a meane person, bounded with dimensions
Of the bare man. His actions are his peoples;
And what he doth or suffers they must stand.
Consider then when Carthage shall call up
Revenge, and with all force pursue the injury
To satisfaction; when her souldiers
(Whom custome hath made pittilesse) shall plough
The wombes of teeming Mothers with their fauchions,
To prevent the issue that might vindicate
A father slaine; make your Numidian Virgins
The ruines of their pleasure, and not leave
An altar to your gods, nor private Lar
That may defend a houshould from their violence:
When these (whose very repetition carry's
Horrour enough to fright men into peace)
Shall happen—
Syph.
When they shall! it rather seemes
A positive threat. Tell Carthage were her power
Of an extent that limits could not bound
With any circumscription, I'de not feare it.
To dye for Rome were above victory.
Furnisht ten thousand choyce Numidian Horsemen
To wait on Scipio. Why are our commands
No more respected? Ile have execution
Forerunne my Edicts that concerne the good
Of Rome and Scipio. Stand yee like dull statues
Fixt to their first foundations; when your diligence
Should borrow speed from winds, as if yee rid
On the contracted ayre to hasten it?
Han.
Full well their age wise with experience knows
Law and religion warrants. Syphax youth
Were fitter to court beauty, than to sit
At a states helme, and steere the various course
It's subject to, by his greene violent passions.
With which his bed e're this had beene enricht,
Had Carthage found him kind: Faire Sophonisba.
Crat.
That name hath startled him.
Han.
She from whose eyes
The amorous sunne, resigning first his owne;
Might be ambitious to derive new fires.
Yet she to be reserv'd for his embraces,
Who slights that honour all the neighbouring Kings
Have beene competitors for, and would lay downe
Their Crownes to purchase; sell their very beings
To be translated into a possession
Of Sophonisba.
Pist.
It begins to worke.
Syph.
Whence did th'intent of this great honour to me
Derive it selfe?
Han.
From a desire of friendship
And league with Syphax: which his passionate love
To Rome and Scipio (that admits no reason)
Denying, I must publish the dishonour
Done to a Lady, at whose least command
A Nation shall be arm'd, led by such Captaines
As in their emulation will declare
What mortals owe to her divine perfections;
That warrant her revenge as just a quarrell,
As ever stir'd up valour in a conscience
Scruples had cowarded. Here my commission
Takes end, and I must goe.
Syph.
Stay Hanniball.
Strange passions warre against my resolution;
And love begins to circle me in flames
E're my eye takes the fire. What's Rome or Scipio
To Sophonisba? in whose richer beauty
Could from his many conquests, and subversion
Of Monarchies boast himselfe owner of.
What's a King's promise but a politick
(And that's allow'd) evasion to gaine time
For counsaill with his will? Ile be for Carthage
To enjoy Sophonisba. I'am enflam'd
From the report, and if my senses find
Truth answering fame, great Hannibal shall lead
Numidias power 'gainst Rome, or any place
He hath design'd for conquest.
Han.
But if Syphax
Should againe suffer Scipio's menacies
To fright his weaknesse out of this resolve!
Syph.
My weakenesse! tempt me not with a suspect.
Let me have Sophonisba, or I'le make
A rape upon your Carthage, not on her,
For what delight's in violence? Enquire
The cause of that lowd shout.
Shout within, Messenger.
Messen.
I come t'informe you.
A stately ship from her rich laden wombe,
Hath on our shore deliver'd such a traine
Of glorious Virgins that attend on one,
Who lead's the rest—
Han.
No more; 'tis Sophonisba.
Syph.
Receive her with religious ceremony.
Perfume the ayre with incence richer then
The Phœnix funerall pile. Let harmony
Musicke.
Breath out her soule at every artists touch.
Cover the pavement which her steps must hallow
With Persian Tapestry. How I am ravish't
With th'expectation? and like some light matter
Catch't in a whirle-wind, all my faculties
Are hurried forward.
| Hannibal and Scipio | |