Its barren rocks, parch'd earth, and hills of sand, Or, fainting in the long laborious march, Did he not dash th' untasted moisture from him? You could not undergo the toil of war, Nor bear the hardships that your leader bore. Luc. See, Cato, see the unhappy men; they weep! Fear and remorse, and sorrow for their crime, Appear in ev'ry look, and plead for mercy. Cato. Learn to be honest men, give up your leaders, And pardon shall descend on all the rest. Sem. Cato, commit these wretches to my care: When they look up and see their fellow-traitors “Luc. Sempronius, why, why wilt thou urge the fate "Of wretched men? "Sem. How! wouldst thou clear rebellion? offenders "Lucius (good man) pities the poor "That would imbrue their hands in Cato's blood." Cato. Forbear, Sempronius !—see they suffer death, This awes an impious, bold, offending world, Sem. Cato, I execute thy will with pleasure. Exeunt Cato, &c. 64 1 Lead. Sempronius, you have acted like yourself. One would have thought you had been half in earnest. Sem. Villain, stand off, base, grov'ling, worthless wretches, Mongrels in faction, poor faint-hearted traitors! 2 Lead. Nay, now you carry it too far, Sempronius ; Throw off the mask, there are none here but friends. Sem. Know, villains, when such paltry slaves pre sume To mix in treason, if the plot succeeds, They're thrown neglected by: but if it fails, 1 Lead. Nay, since it comes to this Sem. Dispatch 'em quick, but first pluck out their tongues, Lest with their dying breath they sow sedition. [Exeunt guards, with their leaders. Enter SYPHAX. Syph. Our first design, my friend, has prov'd abor tive: Still there remains an after-game to play; My troops are mounted; their Numidian steeds Sem. Confusion! I have fail'd of half my purpose: Marcia, the charming Marcia's left behind! Syph. How! will Sempronius turn a woman's slave? Sem. Think not thy friend can ever feel the soft Unmanly warmth and tenderness of love. Syphax, I long to clasp that haughty maid, And bend her stubborn virtue to my passion : When I have gone thus far, I'd cast her off. Syph. Well said! that's spoken like thyself, Sempronius. What hinders, then, but that thou find her out, Sem. But how to gain admission? For access The doors will open when Numidia's prince Seems to appear before the slaves that watch them. Sem. Heav'ns, what a thought is there! Marcia's my own! How will my bosom swell with anxious joy, To Hell's tremendous gloom th' affrighted maid, G ACT IV. SCENE I. Enter LUCIA and MARCIA. Lucia. Now tell me, Marcia, tell me from thy soul, If thou believ'st 'tis possible for woman To suffer greater ills than Lucia suffers? Mar. Oh, Lucia, Lucia, might my big swoln heart, Vent all its griefs, and give a loose to sorrow, Marcia could answer thee in sighs, keep pace With all thy woes, and count out tear for tear. Luc. I know thou'rt doom'd alike to be belov'd By Juba, and thy father's friend, Sempronius : But which of these has power to charm like Portius ! Mar. Still I must beg thee not to name Sempronius, Lucia, I like not that loud boist❜rous man; Juba, to all the brav'ry of a hero, Adds softest love, and more than female sweetness; Juba might make the proudest of our sex, Any of woman kind, but Marcia, happy. Luc. And why not Marcia ? Come, you strive in vain To hide your thoughts from one who knows too well The inward glowings of a heart in love. Mar. While Cato lives, his daughter has no right To love or hate, but as his choice directs. Luc. But should this father give you to Sempronius? |