University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

Masinissa, Narva,
Masinissa.
—'Tis true, my friend,
Thou good old man, by whom my youth was form'd,
The firm companion of my various life,
I own, 'tis true, that Sophonisba's image
Lives in my bosom still; and at each glance
I take in secret of the bright idea,
A strange disorder seizes on my soul,
Which burns with stronger glory. Need I say,
How once she had my vows? Till Scipio came,
Resistless man! like a descending God,
And snatch'd me from the Carthaginian side
To nobler Rome; beneath whose laurel'd brow,
And ample eye, the nations grow polite,
Humane and happy. Then thou may'st remember,
Such is this woman's high impetuous spirit,
That all-controuling love she bears her country,
Her Carthage; that at this she sacrific'd
To Syphax, unbelov'd, her blooming Years,
And won him off from Rome.

Narva.
My generous prince!
Applauding Afric of thy choice approves.
Fame claps her wings, and virtue smiles on thee,
Of peace thou softner, and thou soul of war!
But oh beware of that fair foe to glory,
Woman! and most of Carthaginian woman!
Who has not heard of fatal Punic guile?
Of their sly conquests? their insidious leagues?
Their Asdrubals? their Hannibals? with all
Their wily heroes? And, if such their men,
What must their women be?

Masinissa.
You make me smile.
I thank thy honest zeal. But never dread
The firmness of my heart, my strong attachment,
Severe to Rome, to Scipio, and to Glory.
Indeed, I cannot, would not quite forget
The grace of Sophonisba; how she look'd,
And talk'd, and mov'd, a Pallas, or a Juno!
Accomplish'd even in trifles, when she stoop'd
Ambition's flight, and with a soften'd eye
Gave her quick spirit into gayer life.
Then every word was liveliness, and wit;
We heard the Muses' song; and the dance swam
Thro' all the maze of harmony. I flatter not,
Believe me, Narva; yet my panting soul,
To Scipio taken in the fair pursuit
Of fame, and for my people's happiness,
Resign'd this Sophonisba; and tho' now
Constrain'd by soft necessity to see her,
And she a captive in my power, will still
Resign her.

Narva.
Let me not doubt thy fortitude,
My Masinissa, thy exalted purpose
Not to be lost in love; but ah! we know not,
Oft, till experience sighs it to the soul,
The boundless witchcraft of ensnaring woman,
And our own slippery hearts. From Scipio learn
The temperance of heroes. I'll recount
Th'instructive story, what these eyes beheld;
Perhaps you've heard it; but 'tis pleasing still,
Tho' told a thousand times.

Masinissa.
I burn to hear it.
Lost by my late misfortunes in the desart,
I liv'd a stranger to the voice of fame,
To Scipio's last exploits. Exalt me now.
Great actions raise the mind. But when a friend,
A Scipio does them; then with more than wonder,
Even with a sort of vanity we listen.

Narva.

Masinissa.
I remember.
And in his favour that impress'd me first.
But to thy story.

Narva.
What with admiration
Struck every heart, was this—A noble virgin,
Conspicuous far o'er all the captive dames,
Was mark'd the general's prize. She wept, and blush'd,
Young, fresh, and blooming like the morn. An eye,
As when the blue sky trembles thro' a cloud
Of purest white. A secret charm combin'd
Her features, and infus'd enchantment thro' them.
Her shape was harmony.—But eloquence
Beneath her beauty fails; which seem'd, on purpose,
Pour'd out by lavish nature, that mankind
Might see this action in its highest lustre.
Soft, as she pass'd along, with downcast eyes,
Where gentle sorrow swell'd, and now and then
Dropt o'er her modest cheek a trickling tear,
The Roman legions languish'd; and hard war
Felt more than pity. Even Scipio's self,
As on his high tribunal rais'd he sat,
Turn'd from the piercing sight, and chiding ask'd
His officers, if by this gift they meant
To cloud his glory in its very dawn.

Masinissa.
Oh Gods! my fluttering heart! On, stop not, Narva.

Narva.
She question'd of her birth, in trembling accents,
With tears and blushes broken, told her tale.
But when he found her royally descended,
Of her old captive parents the sole joy;
And that a hapless Celtiberian prince,
Her lover and belov'd, forgot his chains,
His lost dominions, and for her alone
Wept out his tender soul; sudden the heart
Of this young, conquering, loving, godlike Roman
Felt all the great divinity of virtue.
His wishing youth stood check'd, his tempting power.
By infinite humanity—

Masinissa.
Well, well;
And then!

Narva.
Disdaining guilty doubt, at once
He for her parents and her lover call'd.
The various scene imagine: How his troops
Look'd dubious on, and wonder'd what he meant;
While stretch'd below the trembling suppliants lay,
Rack'd by a thousand mingling passions, fear,
Hope, jealousy, disdain, submission, grief,
Anxiety, and love in every shape.
To these as different sentiments succeeded,
As mixt emotions, when the man divine
Thus the dread silence to the lover broke.
“We both are young, both charm'd. The Right of War
“Has put thy beauteous mistress in my power;
“With whom I could, in the most sacred ties,
“Live out a happy life: But know that Romans
“Their hearts as well as enemies can conquer.
“Then take her to thy soul; and with her take
“Thy liberty and kingdom. In return
“I ask no more, but, when you view these eyes,
“These charms, with transport, be a friend to Rome.

Masinissa.
There spoke the soul of Scipio—But the Lovers?

Narva.
Joy and extatic wonder held them mute;
While the lowd camp, and all the clustring crowd,
That hung around, rang with repeated shouts.
Fame took th'alarm, and thro' resounding Spain
Blew fast the fair report; which, more than arms,
Admiring nations to the Romans gain'd,

Masinissa.