 | Hannibal |  |
Scene I.
—Africa. Scipio's Camp at Utica.Scipio, Lælius, and others, returning from battle, enter the tent of the former.
Læl.
Io triumphe! Laud we all the gods!—
Here are red swords!—Scipio, your work's half done.
I dare be sworn, the game you have played to-day
Shall blow so loud a trumpet o'er the sea,
As Hannibal himself shall start to hear.
Three calls you have sent him, and the last will bring him.
Scip.
My friends, I give you, one and all, my thanks.—
Let us sit down, and, whilst our bodies rest,
Our minds shall not be idle. Therefore hear
My present purposes. Hasdrubal-Gisco
May carry his disgraces where he will,—
I think we shall not see his face again;
But, for his partner in ill-luck, King Syphax,
Lælius, it falls to you and Masanissa
To chase him to his capital. By dawn
I'd have you mount again, nor spare the spur
Till you have reached Massylia. Masanissa
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Press after Syphax. I shall look to have
A garrison in Cirtha, and its lord
Alive or dead. For my own private pleasure,
I could desire he might be saved alive
For my hereafter Triumph. But remember,
Whether he live or die, I enter not
Rome without Sophonisba. Give the land
A taste of fire and sword, from end to end,
Then back to me. This, Lælius, is your part.
Myself will on to Tunes, and, whilst you
Are busy with Numidia, make short work
Among the towns of Carthage. I conceive
Your voices will be all for me in this?
All.
Ay, Scipio, we have but one mind amongst us!
Læl.
There's one that's absent I will answer for.
I know where Masanissa's heart is now,
And think that he will mount at dawn to-morrow
To ride a joyful race.
Scip.
Let him not think
To win again that dangerous bride of his.
She made a traitor of our old ally,
And she may make one of the new friend too.
Enough for him to get his kingdom back,
And add his rival's kingdom to his own;
His rival's queen is destined to my triumph.
Let him know this; precede him, if thou canst,
In Cirtha, and at once secure the prize.
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What, I must teach him Rome claims all his heart,
And will not brook e'en woman's rivalship?
Well, I will preach my best.
Scip.
My friends, good night.
[Exeunt Lælius, &c.
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