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CATO.
31
Jub.Syphax, farewell. I'll hence, and try to find
Some blest occasion, that may set me right
In Cato's thoughts. I'd rather have that man
Approve my deeds, than worlds for my admirers. [Exit.
Some blest occasion, that may set me right
In Cato's thoughts. I'd rather have that man
Approve my deeds, than worlds for my admirers. [Exit.
Syphax solus.
Young men soon give and soon forget affronts:
Old age is slow in both———A false old traitor!
These words, rash boy, may chance to cost thee dear.
My heart had still some foolish fondness for thee:
But hence! 'tis gone: I give it to the winds:———
Cesar, I'm wholly thine———
Young men soon give and soon forget affronts:
Old age is slow in both———A false old traitor!
These words, rash boy, may chance to cost thee dear.
My heart had still some foolish fondness for thee:
But hence! 'tis gone: I give it to the winds:———
Cesar, I'm wholly thine———
SCENE VI.
Syphax, Sempronius.
Syph.All hail, Sempronius!
Well! Cato's senate is resolv'd to wait
The fury of a siege, before it yields.
Semp.Syphax, we both were on the verge of fate:
Lucius declar'd for peace, and terms were offer'd
To Cato, by a messenger from Cesar.
Shou'd they submit, 'ere our designs are ripe,
We both must perish in the common wreck,
Lost in the general, undistinguish'd ruin.
Syph.But how stands Cato?
Semp.Thou hast seen mount Atlas:
While storms and tempest thunder on its brow,
And oceans break their billows at its feet,
It stands unmov'd, and glories in its height.
Such is that haughty man; his tow'ring soul,
'Midst all the shocks and injuries of fortune,
Rises superior, and looks down on Cesar.
Syph.But what's this messenger?
Semp.I've practis'd with him,
And found a means to let the victor know
That Syphax and Sempronius are his friends.
But let me now examine in my turn:
Is Juba fixt?
Syph.All hail, Sempronius!
Well! Cato's senate is resolv'd to wait
The fury of a siege, before it yields.
Semp.Syphax, we both were on the verge of fate:
Lucius declar'd for peace, and terms were offer'd
To Cato, by a messenger from Cesar.
Shou'd they submit, 'ere our designs are ripe,
We both must perish in the common wreck,
Lost in the general, undistinguish'd ruin.
Syph.But how stands Cato?
Semp.Thou hast seen mount Atlas:
While storms and tempest thunder on its brow,
And oceans break their billows at its feet,
It stands unmov'd, and glories in its height.
Such is that haughty man; his tow'ring soul,
'Midst all the shocks and injuries of fortune,
Rises superior, and looks down on Cesar.
Syph.But what's this messenger?
Semp.I've practis'd with him,
And found a means to let the victor know
That Syphax and Sempronius are his friends.
But let me now examine in my turn:
Is Juba fixt?
