University of Virginia Library

SCENE the Fourth.

Enter Scipio, Lelius.
Scip.
The Tumult is appeas'd; the Murm'ring Troops
That mutiny'd for Plunder, all are hush'd,
And silenc'd at our Sight, the Camp's at Peace.

Lel.
Sedition ever treads upon the Heels
Of Victory; the Soldiers when no more
Their Foreign Foes invite them to the Field,
Taught to Dispute, raise new Intestine Jars;
But quickly to returning Duty aw'd,
The senseless Slaves relent, and cringe with Fear.

Scip.
Yes, Lelius, they submit; but yet a Tumult,
A greater far than that, disturbs my Breast:
War is the Province of the Great and Brave;
But an inchanting slavish Love is Scipio's.
True, I have Fought, and Conquer'd in the Field,
Chas'd hostile Squadrons o'er the trembling Plain,
And crush'd my Foe beneath my reeking Sword:
This have I done; but now my Triumph's o'er;
Now Scipio in his turn must learn to Bow
Spite of the Roman, own th'ungrateful Bonds
Of an ignoble, but prevailing Passion:
Almeyda, she, that Gift of Victory,
Returns her Chains upon her Conqueror,
And with resistless Beauty bears me down.
Oh Lelius, I am lost!

Lel.
Is't possible?
Is Scipio fetter'd in a Woman's Chains?
He, who hath fac'd the dreadful Front of War,
Extended his Victorious Arms o'er half
Th'affrighted Western World; is he enslav'd?
Exert the former Warriour in your Soul;
Recall your well-taught Reason to your Aid:
You, have subdu'd your Enemies, improve
Th'Heroick Glory, and subdue your Self.

Scip.
Doth Caius Lelius, doth my Friend advise
These useless Means to heal a Lover's Pain?
The Arguments you urge distract me more,
Augment my Griefs, to think what I have been;
How Great? How Glorious once? And now how Weak?

Lel.
I counsell'd with an honest good Intent,
Prescrib'd a Cure most proper for your Wound;
But with Concern, I find, your Tortur'd Breast
Cannot admit the Means.

Scip.
Alas! my Friend,
Nought but a kind Return of Love can yield
A fainting Lover Ease.

Lel.
Then, mighty Sir,
Befriend your self, you have it in your Pow'r;
Almeyda is your Pris'ner, in your Tent;
Declare your Love, she dares not but comply.

Scip.
No; Scipio's Soul disdains th'ungen'rous Thought;
Scipio had rather be for ever wretched,
Languish an Age in Misery himself,
Than in Oppression triumph, or demand
That by Compulsion, which the Will denies.
It is Inhuman, and unworthy Us,
Who only Conquer to Reform the World.

Lel.
Divinely spoke, and worthy him that speaks it
Thou wondrous Man! thou Prodigy of Virtue!
Then try some gentler, some more humane Way;
Intreat, perswade the Fair One to be kind.

Scip.
Yes Lelius, I'll pursue thy Counsel, try
To change the Soldier's to the Lover's Stile;
Use all the strongest Eloquence that Art,
Or the sharp Anguish of my Soul can frame,
To plead my Passion, and promote my Love.
The Heroe shakes in vain the whizzing Spear,
Boasts the rich Trophies, and the Pomp of War:
Though Captive Princes sweat beneath his Chains,
A greater Foe unconquer'd yet remains;
Love feels with rival Pride, and envious Shame,
His growing Honours, and aspiring Fame;
Then his big Schemes are in a Moment crost,
Beauty unnerves him, and the World is lost.

[Exeunt