University of Virginia Library

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.