University of Virginia Library

[The third Act.]

The Scene Vtica.

Scene the first.

Scipio, Souldiers: a little after Lelius.
Scip.
Syphax so soone revolted I what weake man
Would mock away his safetie? Chldren thus
Playing with fire to please their foolish sense
Are often burn't and make their sport the instrument
Of their owne danger. Massanissa yet
Is constant, and by this time hath subdu'd him.
Successe must follow those attemps that rise
From a just cause, and crowne the enterprise.
Lelius what newes?

Lellius.
I labour with th'event;
Ioy hinder's a delivery. Massanissa
Guirt in a conquest, greater never made
A triumph glorious, is returning back
To present Scipio with Numidias spoyles,
And Syphax captiv'd.

Scip.
'Tis a joyfull errant.
Iust Nemesis, thy Griffins have beene swift,
And borne thee well to see the execution
Of a revenge upon perfidious Syphax.
Hadst thou fail'd in't, we justly might disclaime
Thy deity, and without feare of punishment
Prophane thy altars: on whose marbles now
Wee'l pay a sacrifice of richest flame
Mixt with the blood of Kings. Discourse the progresse
To this event.

Leli.
When your successefull policy
Had destroy'd both the Campes of Asdrubal.
And Syphax with devouring fire, whose flames
seem'd to the distant gazers on't a prodigie
That threaten'd dissolution, and begot
Their greater feare, then when th'Artilerie
Of heaven speak's lowdest through the burning ayre
To tell the world Iove's angry: When you retir'd
To Vtica to prevent an invasion
Intended by the Carthaginian Navy,
Which dark't the Sea (much like a clowd of Vulturs
That are convented after some great fight
To glut their ravenous gorges with the gore,
Thousands of soul-lesse men lye reeking in)
The mad Numidian King, in whom despaire
Had kindled a new valour, gather's head.
And with a fresh supply of unman'd men
(For had they beene such as experience
Had taught the usefull order of a warre
Th'end had againe beene doubtfull) giv's us battaile.
Their first assault made us retire; yet still
We kept the suddaine forme hast put us in
For best advantage: 'till their heedlesse courage
Hurri'd them on, where our foot Legions
Observing their disorder (for they fought
In throngs so thick, that many times one striking
Wounded his fellow) giv's them new resistance.
At which they stop, mated with apprehension
Of their owne danger: whom th'incensed King
Mixing his threates with promises of honour
Labour's to bring on; till his horse being kill'd
We tooke him prisoner, with two thousand more.
The rest not slaine are fled.

Scip.
Brave victory
Worthy th'atchievers, to whose memories
Eternall statues shall be rais'd, and trophees
Rich as Romes Capitoll is glorious with.
But where is Massanissa?

Leli.
He pretended
To visit Cirtha, Syphax chiefest Citie:
Which is deliver'd up.

Scip.
I have new feares
Flourish.
That woman will agen bewitch him. Know
The cause.

Scene the Second.

To them Massanissa, Souldiers bringing in Syphax bound.
Leli.
'Tis Massanissa.

Scip.
Th'only wealth
I'de be possest of. I embrace in thee
A boundlesse treasure.

Massa.
Let not Scipm
Flatter me into pride for what is rather
Fortunes then mine.

Scip.
The actions of thy vertue.
Fortun's an under power that is her selfe
Commanded by desert. 'Tis a meere vainnesse
Of our credulity to give her more
Then her due attribute; which is but servant
To an heroick spirit.

Massa.
This example
Might instance proofes for her divinity.
All's but endeavour untill perfected
By the successe, and that is fortunes only;
Desert shar's little in't.

Scip.
Let not thy modesty
Maintaine such errors. To refuse just praise
Is an extreme worse then man's over-weening
Opinion of himselfe. Great Massanissa
Shall have all honours due unto his conquest;
And weare triumphant Garlands; that false King
Chain'd to his Chariot from the gazers eyes
Inviting scorne, not pitty.

Syph.
'Tis not manly
To insult over misery, to which
Thy self's as subject, and perhaps mai'st feele,
Chance mak's prosperity when 'tis at highest
But pastime to delight her giddy humour:
And will'd ject the most secure possessour,
When she command's a restitution
Of her lent favours, that she may conferre them
Vpon another. This consideration
Might invite mercy.

Scip.
When superiour justice
Mak's us her instrument, should we be partiall
I th'execution, 'twere to mock the power,
And call downe vengeance. Yet I grieve for Syphax
That he deserv's the punishment; whose weaknesse
Suffer'd a peece of painted earth to tempt him
From his religion, and neglect the gods,
Whom he invok't for witnesse to that vow
A woman made him violate.

Syph.
'Tis my hope
Shee may deceive thee too, and with her charmes
Bewitch the boasting Conquerour that's her slave.
From's faith to Rome.

Massa.
His madnesse will betray me
To a reproach

Syph.
It tak's from mine owne suffering
To see mine enemy in the same danger:
When he by his adulterous embraces
Receiv's the like infection int' his soule
That made me sick of vertue, and of all
But my disease.

Scip.
Doe you enjoy the Lady?

Massa.
Yes: she's my wife.

Scip.
Your act was somewhat rash;
Before her husbands death! Doth the religion
You pay Numidia's gods warrant it lawfull?

Massa.
Syphax is dead in his captivity.
His life was mine; which I but lent him only
For Romes great triumph.

Scip.
Wee'l consult a little,
And then dispose you Syphax.

Syph.
As your will
Adviseth you. It is the curse of greatnesse
To be it's owne destruction. So we see
That mountaine Cedars have the least defence
Gainst stormes, when shrubs confront their violence.

Exeunt.

Scene the third.

Scipio, Massanissa remaining.
Scip.
When first you freely did commit your selfe
Vnto my charge, and promis'd with a vow
My liking only should dispose your actions,
Either you lov'd them, or your flattery
Pretended admiration of some vertues
You thought possest me. One I must confesse
I glory to be master of, that's continence.
I have converst with beauties rich as Nature
Did ever make art proud to counterfeit;
Might have commanded some that conquest gave me:
Yet have I still kept out desire, but you
Have yeelded to that passion doth betray
A weakenesse in you, will obscure the glory
Of all your other goodnesse. Thinke how dangerous
'Tis to a young man (on whose expectation
Opinions eye is fix't) to mixe his actions
With wanton pleasures, when his thoughts transferre
The wicked objects of his humorous sense
Vnto his soule, that poison all her faculties,
And make them uselesse. Noble Massanissa,
Your good deeds sung by fame are musicke to me:
Your errours I had rather you your selfe
Would silently consider, and reforme,
Before with any shew of least unkindnesse
You force me to reprove them.

Massa.
Let not Scipio
Deny those errors an excuse. If nature
Had a like cloth'd mens dispositions,
And all did weare one habit of the mind,
You need not urge th'example of your owne
T'instruct anothers continence: for all
From a necessited and innate temperance.
Would be as you are. Though I doe not boast
Command o're pleasures, I pursue them not
With an intemperate appetite, but make
Reason my guide, that tell's me to provide
For a succession, doth become the judgement
Of a wise King. Posterity may well
Be call'd th'eternity of life: he never
Dy's that hath issue; for which I have marryed
Her mine owne conquest gave me.

Scip.
Your owne conquest!
Pray doe not arrogate too much: you must not
Dispose Romes prisoners whilst you fight her quarrell.
The warr's not yours, though yours the victory.
She must attend her sentence from our Senate;
Which hardly will be partiall to her beauty,
Though 'twere adulterated with more art,
Then e're lasciviousnesse was mistresse of,
And rack't invention for. Let Sophonisba
Be then deliver'd up.

Massa.
Perhaps your selfe
After your boasted continence would have her
To be your owne.

Scip.
Is that your jealousie?
Weake passionate man, that through thy blinded reason
Foresee'st not thine owne danger by th'example
Of others misery, and yet art ripe,
To maintaine grossest errours of thy will,
And seeme discretions master. Had not Syphax
(Bewitch by magick of her wanton eye
Into a dotage) broke his faith with Rome,
He might have flourish'd in his height of glory;
And still commanded over his Division.
Which Rome will add to Massanissas Kingdome
Yeelding up Sophonisba.

Massa.
You would seeme
To give me mines, upon condition
I should restore the gold, reserving only
The earth to trample on. In Sophonisba
I have a treasure mine owne life shall ransome,
If she be forc't away; and to consent
She should be yeelded up to any Romane
Were worse then sacriledge, though I should teare
The hallowed statues of Numidias gods
Downe from their altars, and convert their Temples
Into the loathsom'st uses of necessity.
Kings oathes are equall with decrees of Fate,
Those I have made I cannot violate.

Scip.
Then I disclaime thee. Ther's not so much danger
In a knowne foe, as a suspected friend.
To prevent an incendium it is best
To quench a brand before it fire the rest.

Exit.
Massa.
He's angry, and I must not let it grow
To ripenesse of his hate. I am resolv'd
To be th'example of a constancy
Fame shall proclaime for wonder.

Scene the fourth.

To him Sophonisba.
Soph.
Why is my Lord
Thus clowdy? I expected entertainment
Of other difference; such as cheerefull love
Present's desire with from the enterchange
Of smiles and amorous glaunces.

Massa.
Sophonisba!
I was new enter'd into meditations
Of death, and other wretchednesse, depend's
Vpon mortality.

Soph.
Is that the argument
Of your dejectednesse? it shew's too much
Of womans weakenesse. Man should have a spirit
Above the feare any consideration
Can worke within him. Death is but an entrance
To our eternity: and if our life
Merit a blessednesse hereafter, we
Should runne with joy to meete it.

Massa.
But if one
Possest of happinesse beyond the hope
Of any greater; that denies another
Can be in expectation (more then what
His soule enjoy's already) apprehended
A separation from it by the malice
Of death, or other accident, 'twould force him
Weep silently within, though shame restrain'd
His outward teares.

Sopho.
This circumstance would seeme
To prepare something that should have relation
Vnto your selfe or me. Perhaps the Consull
Hath urg'd that I should be deliver'd up
To Romes disposing. Massanissas vow
Made with religious ceremony cannot
If he respect the gods consent to it.
And rather then their tyranny should make me
Wretched a new, to my first earth returne me,
The worst remaines of Sophonisba.

Massa.
Dare shee
Dye then to quit her feares?

Sopho.
And meete the instrument
With greater cherefulnesse, then fondest parents
Can shew at the returne of their deere child
From long captivity. This tender frame
Lodgeth a masculine and heroick spirit.
And if thy passionate love deny's thy selfe
To be the Actor in this benefit,
Give me thy sword; my owne right hand shall guide
The point unto my heart: I'le without trembling
Open a passage for the crimson drops;
And smile to see them diaper the pavement,
As if 'twere some conceited workemanship
Made by the lookers fancie.

Massa.
E're mine eyes
Should suffer such an object to offend
Their hitherto pleas'd sense, I would dissolve them
In their owne humour. No Sophonisba;
This breath shall first wast into empty ayre,
And leave my naked bones i'th' hallow'd pile
E're I prove false to thee. Give me some wine:
I'le drinke a bridall health to Sophonisba,
And mixe it with Nepenthe. Here's the juice
Will cause forgetfulnesse, and mock th'extremity
Of any adverse fortune.

Messenger with wine.
Sopho.
Sure 'tis poyson.
Will Massanissa leave me then unguarded
To Scipios violence? I have here no father
Nor uncle to defend me; not so much
As a poore teare by weeping to stirre up
A Romanes pity: I shall only dart
An anger from my burning eye, to shew
The Carthaginian spirit I was borne with,
Which notwithstanding will not quit this part
From a captivity: this Scipios rage
Will hurry in his triumph to be gaz'd at,
And scorn'd by the course rabble. Doe not then
By such a keeping of it breake thy vow;
For 'tis no lesse to me. I must still want
The benefice of such a constancy.
For though himselfe live not to yeeld me up
I am expos'd to't, and without least power
To make resistance. Let me then partake
That meanes of best security

Massa.
Not to have
A Monument of lasting Adamant
Rais'd to my memory. No Sophonisba
This is no potion to preserve a beauty
In it's first greene; or ripe it to a Summer;
Or prevent th'Autumne; or returne the Winter
Into a new Spring. This will pale the dye
Which thy check blusheth when it would cloth modesty
In a rich scarlet: make that Ivorie brest
(Now Loves soft bed whereon he play's the wanton,
And ambusheth himselfe to catch the flames
He shoot's at others from thy eyes) as cold
As Scythian sands, bleak't with continuall freezing
Into a seeming christall. Scipio dar's not
Insult o're thee: thy face would check his malice
Into a silent admiration of it.
Or if he sin so much as to deject thee
With the least feare of ill, the gods themselves
Will leave their immortality to be
Each others rivals in thy love, and strive
Which should revenge thee best. This must not weaken
What is so powerfull.

Sopho.
If my Lord be then
Resolv'd to leave me widdow'd, being yet
Scarce warme in his embraces, let me mixe
A teare with his last drink, that he may carry
Something of Sophonisba with him.

Massa.
That
Hath in't sufficient vertue to convert
All the Thessalian, Pontick, Phasian aconites
Into preservatives, and turne this draught
Into an antidote: which yet is powerfull,
'Bove all that Art and Nature in conspiracy
Of mischiefe e're invented. We that are
Great, and yet subject to th'incertainty
Of Fortune, have this custome to prevent it.
We affect glory: and conclude no state,
That end's not in it selfe, is fortunate.
So—

Offers to drinke
Soph.
Let my Lord first give me leave to breath
An errant o're it; that when he is entred
Elysium, throngs of Carthaginian Heroes
May bid him welcome, and informe themselves
From him of Sophonisba.

Massa.
Do't then quickly.
I'le beare it, and command the King of night
Resigne his ravish't Queene to be thy hand-maid.
Hell, I shall now be armed to meete thy horrour:
With greater power then thine.

Soph.
If there be Fate,
Why is't conceal'd? The revelation of't
Would make us strive to mock eternall providence:
Th'ingenious Artist that did forme this cup
Foresaw not such a use of't. Had he knowne
It should have minister'd death to a King,
His trembling hands could ne're have finish't it
With such exactnesse. What so e're decree
Is written in the Adamantine Tables
Of Destiny, we must subscribe to. Time
Though he keepe on his swift and silent pace,
Death's sure at first or last to win the race.
Pray keepe out Scipio: I have almost ended.
So—

Drink's.
Massa.
Ha! what hath Sophonisbas madnesse done?
Oh Æsculapius if thy deity
Be not a feign'd one, then administer,
And shew it powerfull in restoring back
My Sophonisba to her former safety.
Numidia shall pay worship to none other
But thee and Phœbus. Altars shall be rais'd
Made of Iberian gold, and flame with incense,
Vntill Arabia's richest earth grow's barren
Of gummes and spices.

Sopho.
Why doth Massanissa
Invoke vaine aide? The gods are mercifull
In their denying it: and 'tis but justice
That I should dye; m'adulterous easinesse
Deserv'd it, that without the least resistance
Left my yet living husband to embrace
His enemy. But it had warrant from
The end, my Countries good, and the first love
I bare thee Massanissa. Now let Scipio
Boast of his conquest; Sophonisba is
Her owne subverter. It begin's to worke
With a full strength: my blood would serve to heate
A Salamander, and convert his ice
Into a flame. Ætna's but painted fire
To that which burn's my marrow. Yet my lookes
Are cherefull and erected. Victory
Was never met more joyfully, then I
Embrace that death prevents my misery.
My weake earth totters underneath a weight
That sink's it downewards: my still living spirit
Rid's upon clowds to reach Ioves highest skie.
Who feare not death, but in the worst part dye.

Dy's.
Mass.
She's dead. Sincke ye supporters of this fabrick
Into your deep foundations; make them graves
For your owne ruines, since there is not left
A weight worthy your bearing. Shee's not dead:
Only she hath translated her divinity
To it's owne blest abodes, and call's on me
To pay a mortals duty. Shallt have sacrifice,
And rich too. Kings out of devotion shall
Offer themselves in flames, and from their ashes
Rise glorious stars; whence learned curiosity
Deriving a new art, shall teach Astrologers
The vertues of an influence shall include
Secrets to make credulity astonish't
At their presages. I will be their president;
And make this earth, already consecrated
With Sophonisba's pretious feete, an altar.
Open thy crannies to receive my blood,
And from it's mixture spring a grove of Balsame.
Led by whose ravishing odour the new issue
Of every Phœnix shall neglect Paxehaia,
To bring her mothers spicy death bed hither,
That's likewise her owne cradle. But this action
Should have more state, and ceremony. No.
A King's the Priest; a King's the Sacrifice;
His owne sword whilst 'tis yet warme with his victory
Shall serve for th'axe, and so—Shall I but dye then?
I'le live to pay her more then th'expiration
Of a short breath, and dye to all delights,
But what I can derive from her faire memory:
Which shall be treasur'd here; and by it's virtue
Revive to kill me; every life it giv's
Causing another death.

Scene the fifth.

To him Scipio, Lelius, Souldiers.
Scip.
The Lady dead!

Massa.
To Scipios malice.

Scip.
Could not Massanissa
Acquit himselfe of one, but by committing
A greater folly! But I must not chide.
Most worthy Massanissa!

Massa.
Keep your flattery.
I have no Sophonisba. Touch her not:
None but my selfe shall beare her to the pile.
The sacrilegious hand besides attempt's it
I will cut off. Your triumph shall not twice
Kill Sophonisba.

Exit with the body.
Scip.
With best care attend him
Vnto our Tent; least that his passion grow
Into a desperate frenzie, I must cure it
By counsell mixt with gifts. In that weake woman
Halfe Carthage strength is gone.

Leli.
Our Spyes informe
That th'other halfe (which I conceive is Hannibal)
Intend's upon th'event of one great battell
To hazard all. His Camp's already pitch't
Neere Zama: whence a messenger is sent
That show's the Carthaginian much desir's
To have some conference with you.

Scip.
Wee'l dispose
Our Army thitherward. Me thinks I see
Victory crown'd already clap her wings
Over our heads. What a strange circulation
Is in times accidents? From victory
Peace is deriv'd; from peace security;
Thence lust; ambition: two maine grounds of jarres:
We fight for peace, and peace agen breed's warres.

Exeunt.