Page:Cato, a tragedy (Addison, 1712).djvu/37

Syph.Indeed, my prince, you want to know the world.
You have not read mankind, your youth admires
The throws and swellings of a Roman soul,
Cato's bold flights, th' extravagance of virtue.
Jub.If knowledge of the world makes men perfidious,
May Juba ever live in ignorance!
Syph.Go, go, you're young.
Jub.Gods, must I tamely bear
This arrogance, unanswer'd! thou'rt a traitor,
A false old traitor.
Syph.I have gone too far.[Aside.
Jub.Cato shall know the baseness of thy soul.
Syph.I must appease this storm, or perish in it.[Aside.
Young Prince, behold these locks that are grown white
Beneath a helmet in your father's battles.
Jub.Those locks shall ne'er protect thy insolence.
Syph.Must one rash word, th' infirmity of age,
Throw down the merit of my better years?
This the reward of a whole life of service!
—Curse on the boy! how steadily he hears me![Aside.
Jub.Is it because the throne of my forefathers
Still stands unfill'd, and that Numidia's crown
Hangs doubtful yet, whose head it shall inclose,
Thou thus presum'st to treat thy Prince with scorn?
Syph.Why will you rive my heart with such expressions?
Does not old Syphax follow you to war?
What are his aims! why does he load with darts
His trembling hand, and crush beneath a cask
His wrinkled brows? what is it he aspires to?
Is it not this? to shed the slow remains,
His last pour ebb of blood, in your defence?
Jub.Syphax, no more! I would not hear you talk.
Syph.Not hear me talk! what, when my faith to Juba,
My royal master's son, is call'd in question?
My prince may strike me dead, and I'll be dumb:
But whilst I live I must not hold my tongue,
And languish out old age in his displeasure.
Jub.Thou know'st the way too well into my heart,
I do believe thee loyal to thy Prince.
Syph.What greater instance can I give? I've offer'd
To do an action, which my soul abhors,
And gain you whom you love at any price.