Were you with these, my prince, you'd soon forget Shines out in every thing she acts or speaks, Syph. How does your tongue grow wanton in her praise! But on my knees I beg you would consider Jub. Hah! Syphax, is't not she?-She moves this way: And with her Lucia, Lucius's fair daughter. Undo what I've been lab'ring all this while. [Exit Syphax. Enter MARCIA and LUCIA. Jub. Hail, charming maid! How does thy beauty smooth The face of war, and make ev'n horror smile! And for a while forget th' approach of Cæsar.. Unbent your thoughts, and slacken'd 'em to arms, While, warm with slaughter, our victorious foe Threatens aloud, and calls you to the field. Jub. Oh, Marcia, let me hope thy kind concerns And gentle wishes follow me to battle! The thought will give new vigour to my arm, Mar. My pray'rs and wishes always shall attend The friends of Rome, the glorious cause of virtue, And men approv'd of by the gods and Cato. Jub. That Juba may deserve thy pious cares, Jub. Thy reproofs are just, Thou virtuous maid; I'll hasten to my troops, 29 Oh, lovely maid! then will I think on thee; Luc. Marcia, you're too severe; How cou'd you chide the young good-natur'd prince, I dare not trust myself to hear him talk. Luc. Why will you fight against so sweet a passion, And steel your heart to such a world of charms ? Mar. How, Lucia! wouldst thou have me sink away Luc. Why have not I this constancy of mind, Mar. Lucia, disburthen all thy cares on me, D ვი Luc. I need not blush to name them, when I tell thee They're Marcia's brothers, and the sons of Cato. Mar. They both behold thee with their sister's eyes, And often have reveal'd their passion to me. "But tell me, whose address thou fav'rest most? "I long to know, and yet I dread to hear it. "Luc. Which is it Marcia wishes for? Mar. "For neither "And yet for both-The youths have equal share "In Marcia's wishes, and divide their sister:” But tell me which of them is Lucia's choice? "Luc. Marcia, they both are high in my esteem, "But in my love-Why wilt thou make me name him! "Thou know'st it is a blind and foolish passion, "Pleas'd and disgusted with it knows not what"Mar. Oh, Lucia, I'm perplex'd, Oh, tell me which "I must hereafter call my happy brother?" Luc. Suppose 'twere Portius, could you blame my choice? -Oh, Portius, thou hast stol'n away my soul ! "With what a graceful tenderness he loves! "And breathes the softest, the sincerest vows! "Complacency, and truth, and manly sweetness, "Dwell ever on his tongue, and smooth his thoughts." Marcus is over-warm, his fond complaints Have so much earnestness and passion in them, I hear him with a secret kind of horror, And tremble at his vehemence of temper. Mar. Alas, poor youth! "how canst thou throw him from thee? "Lucia, thou know'st not half the love he bears thee? "Whene'er he speaks of thee, his heart's in flames, "He sends out all his soul in ev'ry word, "And thinks, and talks, and looks like one transported. "Unhappy youth!" How will thy coldness raise Tempests and storms in his afflicted bosom ↓ I dread the consequence. Luc. You seem to plead Against your brother Portius. Mar. Heav'n forbid! Had Portius been the unsuccessful lover, "Mar. He knows too well how easily he's fir'd, "And wou'd not plunge his brother in despair, "But waits for happier times, and kinder moments. "Luc. Alas! too late I find myself involv'd "In endless griefs, and labyrinths of woe, "Born to afflict my Marcia's family, "And sow dissention in the hearts of brothers. "Tormenting thought! It cuts into my soul." Mar. Let us not, Lucia, aggravate our sorrows, |