University of Virginia Library

[The second Act.]

The Scene, the Court of Syphax in Cyrtha.

Scene the first.

Syphax, Piston, Crates, Attendants.
Pist.
'Twill prove I feare lame policy to hault
Betwixt these factions, aw'd by two such spirits,
As ne're were still'd from envie or revenge.

Syph.
Brave Hanniball; brave Scipio; great Carthage;
But greater Rome: whose Eagle eyes have gaz'd
Against the Sunne of many a glorious triumph!
When the bright beames reflected from their riches
Have blinded day-light, as if heavens great eye,
Borrowed his onely from them.

Crat.
Carthage is
Our ancient friend, and friendship long continu'd
Should not be easily lost.

Syph.
A usefull tenent
Where the condition's private; but in Kings
It doth not hold. Warres chance is variable:
And he that now is victor may be conquer'd
Before his peace be settled. From example
We must consult our safety, more than from
A morall precept. Hath not Scipio
Got Spaine from Hanniball, and joyn'd unto him
Massilia's King? Are not their armies flasht
With the rich spoyles of Sagunt? and who knowes
But they'l transport their forces, and begirt
Carthage it selfe. 'Tis better that we yeeld
Freely to amity, than be compel'd,
Than Scipio must bee welcome.

Pist.
But if fortune
Prosper my counterplot, he will be greeted
With an affront shall cloud his entertainment;
And dimme the painted glory of that pompe
Your complement intends. Our youthfull King
Must not direct our counsels; nor affaires
Of state be order'd by th'affection
Of one so weake in policy, indulgent
To his owne passions. Carthage is set downe
By our experience for Numidia's love,
And shall possesse it.

Syph.
We may then consider,
The Carthaginian Generall is a man
Worne with imployment into more decay
Of strength and yeares, than can give any hopes
Of a continuance. Romes greene Champion
Is full of growing sappe to make him spread.
Whilst the other like an aged Oke that long
Hath fought with tempests, and withstood the rage
Of burning ayre, now yeelds to every gust.
A bough or arme, 'till one more violent
Shatters the dry'd limbes, or quite roots it up.
Tis better to provide for lasting state,
Then meerely to prevent a present fate.
Then Scipio must be welcome.

Crat.
But if Syphax
Would heare our reasons.

Syph.
Crates you have beene
Our worthy counsellour, and by your wisdome
Stear'd government in a right course whilst yet
Our youth did want it: but we are now growne
Riper in judgement, and we can distinguish
To them Messenger.
The different grounds of any politick act.
Nor doe we finde it safe in rules of state
If Scipio be not welcome. What's your hast?

Mes.
The Romane Generall is arriv'd, and entring.

Syph.
And no faygn'd thunder to informe us of it
From the lowd voyce of flocking multitudes,
Should throng to bid him welcome?

Mes.
Hee's scarce knowne
To any but my selfe. His traine is private,
Without due state: onely some needfull servants
To wait upon his person.

Syph.
Were they his army,
I would exhaust my treasury to feast them:
And every common souldier should drinke healthes
In his Corinthian Goblet, which should be
His largesse likewise. Let our ministers
Fill the shrill throats of warres loud instruments.
And Dodonean brasse be beaten deafe
Whilst it proclaimes his welcome. Let the Sea
Eccho the sounds to Sagant, and returne
Their shoots agen.

Flourish.

Scene the second.

To them Scipio, Lelius.
Scip.
I'le not answere
Your kindnesse Syphax with a complement.
My tongue's not oyld with flattery. I have stolne
A little time from action, to informe
Numidia's King, how Rome, by my advice,
Hath chosen him a favourer of her cause
That suffers by false Carthage. The successe
Of my recovering Spaine, hath given new hopes
Vnto her fainting spirits, that were neere
Their last expiring by the massacres
The Carthaginian made. Sixe Consuls have
Already fall'n: my Father, and mine Vncle;
Sempronius; Terentius and Flaminius;
And last Marcellus, who receiv'd his death
Even in the sight of Rome. Yet there's a Scipio
Surviv's to conquer him, or dye in th'enterprise.

Syph.
And that brave Scipio shall not want what ayde
My person, or my Kingdome can affoord him.

Scip.
Rome shal make great esteem of Syphax friendship
And when she shall be wrapt in silken wings
Of victory and peace, his statue crown'd
Shall grace the triumph.

Pist.
I should rather joy
To see him chayn'd a captive, though my selfe
And family were sold to be his ransome,
In Carthage quarrell.

Scene the third.

To them Hanniball, Himulco, Maharball.
Han.
This cold entertainment
Doth make me jealous.

Crat.
See: how soone their eyes
Have found each other?

Scip.
Sure 'tis Hanniball.
His name and nature's stampt upon his brow;
I in those wrinckles read it: valour mixt
With cruelty; to which ambition onely
As the first wheele in engines moves the rest.
That eye he lost passing the fennes of Arnus;
And such a looke his counterfeit is drawne with,
If there be trechery.

Syph.
What would Hanniball?

Scip.
Is't Hanniball? We are betrai'd by Syphax.

Han.
What art?

Scip.
Romes Generall, and thy enemy.

Han.
Ha! Scipio! Then the character report
Give's of him's false. He scornes ignoble wayes
Of honour; to ore-come by trechery.

Scip.
I thought the same of Hanniball.

Han.
And findst it.
Tis onely thy conspiracy with Syphax;
Who makes his Court a priviledge for that
Fame will proclaime with blushes.

Syph.
Why this uproare?

Han.
Syphax th'art trecherous.

Scip.
To Rome and Scipio.

Han.
To Hannibal and Carthage.

Pist.
Now observe
How he will calme the tempest.

Syph.
What to answer
From sudden doubts you both possesse me with,
I cannot easily resolve. A jealousie
Is sometimes strengthned by th'excuse should kill it.
Yet if your confidence will give credit to
A Kings religious oath, by all that makes
The sacred difference in me I am free
From thought of ill to either. Your arrivals
Were unexpected; and if eithers danger
Be smother'd in intent, you brought it with you:
Which Ile prevent, if all Numidia's strength
Can doe it. Thinke not me perfidious,
For then Ile doubt you: since selfe evills are
Most commonly the parents of suspicion.
But for your owne mistrusts, y'are safer here
Than in your owne campes, guarded with a maze
Of your best souldiers.

Han.
'Tis a satisfaction.
I blesse th'occasion makes us meet: my longings
Were violent to see thee Scipio.

Scip.
Mine more to see thee Hanniball; but rather
Arm'd in the field, prepard for an encounter,
Then here to parlee.

Han.
Doubt not such a greeting
When next we meet.

Syph.
I needs must interpose,
And moderate this contention. Pray my Lords
Let me be powerfull to dispose your tempers
For other mild impressions, that my Court
For entertaining two such enemies
At once, be made discourse for after-ages.
A banquet waits yee: musick usher it.
Musick.
Thus peace bids Souldiers welcome.

Scip.
Syphax no.
Thinke of Romes cause, and let your feast be season'd
With faith to that. If thou prove trecherous,
Expect a vengeance, justice never yet
Gave severe execution to a greater.
I must be gone; th'affaires of warre attend me
When I have settled Romes peace, wee'l comply
In the effects: action 'till then must live
By blood and labour. Hanniball farewell:
Next greeting will be rougher.

Han.
Not to be calm'd
With words. Grow strong; be still a conquerour,
Till I shall conquer thee.

Scip.
Thou art but flatter'd
By an ambition vainer than thy dreames.
Ten Carthages and Hannibals will not weigh
Equall with the atchievment.

Han.
One Hanniball
And Carthage poys'd but in an equall scale
With twenty Romes, and twenty Scipios,
Shall weigh like lead 'gainst feathers.

Scip.
Proud insister
Vpon his owne slight merits! Remember Syphax
Thy vow hath made thee Romes.

Syph.
Which Ile preserve
As sacredly inviolate, as if
Eternall seales had ratifi'd it. Vsher
Flourish. Exeunt.
The Romane Generall forth.

Him.
Have words such power
Vpon our Generall to deject him thus?

Han.
My braine is labouring.

Him.
Ile helpe to deliver it.

Han.
As giddy fancies when they doe present
Delightfull shaddowes, seeme to please the sense
When it is quiet, and not capable
Of any object, 'till the dreamers joy
Suddenly wakes him, and the false impressions
Vanish to their first nothing, so have I
Flatter'd my hopes.

Him.
I prophesie successe
Despight of Scipio. Syphax Counsailours
(Whose secret correspondency with us
Taught the great meanes by which their Masters love
Must be regain'd) a long experience
Confirmes our friends: then prosecute it throughly.

Scene the fourth.

To them Piston, Crates, and a little after Syphax.
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
Knowes not t'accuse my selfe, unlesse forgiving
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
To disobey a Kings unjust commands
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
Mor's comprehended, then the Macedonian
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.

Scene the fifth.

To them Sophonisba, Ladies all in white, and veil'd: who to the musicke of the song, place themselves in a figure for a daunce.
The Song.
Chorus.

In the daunce they discover themselves in order, Sophonisba last.
A faire one:
But 'tis not Sophonisba. Fairer yet.
Vnhappy Syphax from whose eyes such wonders
Have beene to long conceal'd. Which is the goddesse?
Which Sophonisba?

Sopho.
Can thy sense distinguish?
See Syphax, thus I deigne to shew thee that
Kings have beene proud to worship.

Syph.
E're I embrace
Let me admire. In each eye sit's a Cupid;
Who as he skip's about to shoot his dartes.
Is himselfe fetter'd in the golden curles
That deck her brow. Elysium's but a fable,
And that eternity the Poets dreame of
Serv's but to figure this.

Sopho.
Although my difference
Might challenge more, I'm not ambitious
Of shallow praise. My spirit must flie high
To catch at fame, not flattery.

Syph.
Came you not
To love me then?

Sopho.
I did: but not to thinke
All your expressions (though they were extended
Beyond my wish) can merit it.

Syph.
I am
A King; and you me thinks should court the fortune
With a glad readinesse, to share my honours,
And to be made my equall.

Sopho.
Were you more,
I am above addition in my selfe:
And should be lessen'd if I did confine
A thought to any person, and the act
Included nothing but bare satisfaction
Of a desire. I will not let a smile
Fall loosly from me, but shall be attended
By actions worth their history; which read
Shall with the apprehension of my greatnesse
Amaze posterity.

Syph.
Can Sophonisba
Be covetous of more then the earths honours?
When she shall sit incompass'd in a ring
Of noble Matrons that shall deifie
Her beauty with their praises? When she shall
Be crown'd with sparkling wreathes to blind the gazers,
As if a Constellation had beene rob'd
To make her shine. When in a Kings armes sleeping
All pleasures shall be minister'd, that Nature
And art in their contention strive to owne,
And take their glory from.

Sopho.
Thei'r prety baites
To catch an easie wanton, whose dull earth
A little varnish't o're doth know it selfe
No farther then the superficiall tincture
Discoverd in her glasse. I have a soule
Greater then Syphax Kingdome: and to bound it
Would take from what I am. 'Twill be your honour
'Bove all that your ambition can direct you
To hope for (next eternity) If I
Vouchsafe to add unto your petty royalty
My greater selfe; and the addition be
Greater then you can purchase by your conquests.
'Tis but her due when Sophonisba crav's
Worlds for her Kingdomes, their Kings for her slaves.
Should Syphax make a resignation
Of all he own's for me; 'twere but as if
He par'd a mol-hill from the earth, to place
An Atlas in its stead.

Han.
Come Sophonisba
You must consent: ther's fame in't that will give you
An everlasting being in the memory
Of benefits your Country will derive from't.
Children shall first be taught to speake your name;
And from their aged grandsires learne your story.
Whose often repetition shall take from
The tediousnesse of age, and make them seeme
As if they danc't for joy, when palfies shake them.

Syph.
Am I enflam'd, and shall I not enjoy?
Mock me not Lady into a despaire.
You shew me heaven, and shut the gates against me.
Make not a King, that daign's to be your servant,
A slave unto your cruelty.

Han.
To give
Syphax a satisfaction, your competitor
False Massanissa, he that shar's your Kingdome.
And would ingrosse it all, hath long solicited
For Sophonisbas love.

Sopho.
Oh Massanissa.

Han.
He having now forsaken Carthage, shee
Out of her piety to doe her Country
A good, preferr's you: and that her revenge
May be pursu'd with greater violence,
Allow's her elfe your right; though she's a treasure
Might be dispos'd of to a more advantage
Or Carthage strength.

Syph.
Will Sophonisba love then
If I fight Carthag's quarrell?

Sopho.
Yes; your fortune
Whilst 'tis at hight: but the least declination
Waving it to an ebb, I from that fall
Must mount to higher honours, if a gale
Meete it to raise me.

Syph.
Massanissas person
It seem's could limit your desires.

Sopho.
He was
A man made up of fire; no grosse earth clog'd
His spirit when 'twould mount to honours top,
And load fame with his acts. Had he not falln
From Carthage, Sophonisba had but beene
The price of his desert. And yet I love him.
Deere Massanissa!

Syph.
Shee hath overcome me.
I will be great; every dayes action
Shall raise me a step higher, and I'le take
You with me Lady: no; you shall lead me
The tribute I will pay for every kisse
Shall be a victory o're your enemies.
Proud Rome shall find Syphax can be a Souldier,
When Sophonisba bid's him put on steele.

Han.
The not to be resisted power of beauty.
Carthage I will salute thee now with joy.
Nor shall the thought of thy ingratitude
Make me lesse willing: to pursue thy good
Through a deepe sea of vanquisht Romans blood.

Syph.
Wee'l feast, then fight. Who led by such bright eyes
Would not march on to any enterprize?

Exeunt.