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CATO.
Jub.Was this thy motive? I have been too hasty.
Syph.And 'tis for this my Prince has call'd me traitor.
Jub.Sure thou mistak'st; I did not call thee so.
Syph.You did, indeed, my Prince, you call'd me traitor.
Nay, further, threaten'd you'd complain to Cato.
Of what, my Prince, wou'd you complain to Cato?
That Syphax loves you, and wou'd sacrifice
His life, nay more, his honour in your service.
Jub.Syphax, I know thou lov'st me; but indeed
Thy zeal for Juba carry'd thee too far.
Honour's sacred tie, the law of Kings,
The noble mind's distinguishing perfection,
That aids, and strengthens virtue, where it meets her,
And imitates her actions, where she is not:
It ought not to be sported with.
Syph. By heav'ns
I'm ravish'd when you talk thus, tho' you chide me!
Alas, I've hitherto been us'd to think
A blind officious zeal to serve my King
The ruling principle, that ought to burn,
And quench all others in a subject's heart.
Happy the people, who preserve their honour
By the same duties, that oblige their Prince!
Jub. Syphax, thou now begin'st to speak thyself.
Numidia's grown a scorn among the nations
For breach of public vows. Our Punic faith
Is infamous, and branded to a proverb.
Syphax we'll join our cares, to purge away
Our country's crimes, and clear our reputation.
Syph.Believe me, prince, you make old Syphax weep
To hear you talk———but 'tis with tears of joy.
If e'er your father's crown adorn your brows,
Numidia will be blest by Cato's lectures.
Jub.Syphax, thy hand! we'll mutually forget
The warmth of youth, and forwardness of age.
Thy Prince esteems thy worth, and loves thy person,
If e'er the scepter comes into my hand,
Syphax shall stand the second in my kingdom.
Syph.Why will you overwhelm my age with kindness?
My joys grow burdensome, I shan't support it.
Syph.And 'tis for this my Prince has call'd me traitor.
Jub.Sure thou mistak'st; I did not call thee so.
Syph.You did, indeed, my Prince, you call'd me traitor.
Nay, further, threaten'd you'd complain to Cato.
Of what, my Prince, wou'd you complain to Cato?
That Syphax loves you, and wou'd sacrifice
His life, nay more, his honour in your service.
Jub.Syphax, I know thou lov'st me; but indeed
Thy zeal for Juba carry'd thee too far.
Honour's sacred tie, the law of Kings,
The noble mind's distinguishing perfection,
That aids, and strengthens virtue, where it meets her,
And imitates her actions, where she is not:
It ought not to be sported with.
Syph. By heav'ns
I'm ravish'd when you talk thus, tho' you chide me!
Alas, I've hitherto been us'd to think
A blind officious zeal to serve my King
The ruling principle, that ought to burn,
And quench all others in a subject's heart.
Happy the people, who preserve their honour
By the same duties, that oblige their Prince!
Jub. Syphax, thou now begin'st to speak thyself.
Numidia's grown a scorn among the nations
For breach of public vows. Our Punic faith
Is infamous, and branded to a proverb.
Syphax we'll join our cares, to purge away
Our country's crimes, and clear our reputation.
Syph.Believe me, prince, you make old Syphax weep
To hear you talk———but 'tis with tears of joy.
If e'er your father's crown adorn your brows,
Numidia will be blest by Cato's lectures.
Jub.Syphax, thy hand! we'll mutually forget
The warmth of youth, and forwardness of age.
Thy Prince esteems thy worth, and loves thy person,
If e'er the scepter comes into my hand,
Syphax shall stand the second in my kingdom.
Syph.Why will you overwhelm my age with kindness?
My joys grow burdensome, I shan't support it.
