Jub. What can this mean? Sempronius! heart. ous man. Have at thy Jub. Nay, then, beware thy own, proud, barbar[SEMPRONIUS falls. Sem. Curse on my stars! Am I then doom'd to fall By a boy's hand, disfigured in a vile Numidian dress, and for a worthless woman? Gods, I'm distracted! this my close of life! Oh, for a peal of thunder, that would make Earth, sea, and air, and heav'n, and Cato tremble! Jub. I'll hence to Cato, That we may there at length unravel all [Dies. This dark design, this mystery of fate. [Exit JUBA. Enter LUCIA and MARCIA. Lucia. Sure 'twas the clash of swords; my troubled heart Is so cast down, and sunk amidst its sorrows, Marcia. See, Lucia, see! here's blood! here's blood Ha! a Numidian! Heav'n preserve the prince! And royal robes! O gods! 'tis he, 'tis he! Lucia. Now, Marcia, now, call up to thy assistance Marcia. Lucia, look there, and wonder at my pa- Have I not cause to rave, and beat my breast, Lucia. What can I think, or say, to give thee comfort? Marcia. Talk not of comfort, 'tis for lighter ills : Behold a sight that strikes all comfort dead. Enter JUBA, listening. I will indulge my sorrows, and give way That man, that best of men, deserved it from me. nius. That best of men? Oh, had I fall'n like him, Jub. What means that voice? Did she not call on Marcia. Why do I think on what he was? he's dead! He's dead, and never knew how much I loved him! Lucia, who knows but his poor, bleeding heart, Amidst its agonies, remember'd Marcia, And the last words he utter'd call'd me cruel! Alas! he knew not, hapless youth, he knew not Marcia's whole soul was full of love and Juba! Jub. Where am I? Do I live? or am indeed What Marcia thinks? All is Elysium round me! Marcia. Ye dear remains of the most loved of men, Nor modesty nor virtue here forbid A last embrace, while thus Jub. See, Marcia, see, [Throwing himself before her. The happy Juba lives! he lives to catch 1 That dear embrace, and to return it too, With mutual warmth, and eagerness of love. Marcia. With pleasure and amaze I stand transported! If thou art Juba, who lies there? Disguised like Juba on a cursed design. I could not bear To leave thee in the neighbourhood of death, Marcia. I've been surprised in an unguarded hour, Jub. My joy, my best beloved, my only wish! How shall I speak the transport of my soul! Marcia. Lucia, thy arm. Lead to my apartment. Oh, prince! I blush to think what I have said, But fate has wrested the confession from me; Go on, and prosper in the paths of honour. Thy virtue will excuse my passion for thee, And make the gods propitious to our love. [Exeunt MARCIA and LUCIA. Jub. I am so blest, I fear 'tis all a dream. Fortune, thou now hast made amends for all Thy past unkindness: I absolve my stars. What though Numidia add her conquer'd towns Let Cæsar have the world, if Marcia's mine. [Exit. Enter CATO and Lucius. Luc. I stand astonish'd! What, the bold Sempro- That still broke foremost through the crowd of patriots, Cato. Trust me, Lucius, Our civil discords have produced such crimes, Enter PORTIUS. But see, where Portius comes: what means this haste? Por. My heart is grieved, I bring such news as will afflict my father. Cato. Has Cæsar shed more Roman blood? Por. Not so. The traitor Syphax, as within the square, To the south gate, where Marcus holds the watch; He toss'd his arm aloft, and proudly told me, He would not stay, and perish, like Sempronius. Cato. Perfidious man! But haste, my son, and see Thy brother Marcus acts a Roman's part. [Exit PORTIUS. -Lucius, the torrent bears too hard upon me: Justice gives way to force: the conquer'd world Is Cæsar's! Catò has no business in it. Luc. While pride, oppression, and injustice reign, The world will still demand her Cato's presence. In pity to mankind submit to Cæsar, And reconcile thy mighty soul to life. Cato. Would Lucius have me live to swell the Of Cæsar's slaves, or by a base submission The virtues of humanity are Cæsar's. Cato. Curse on his virtues! they've undone his country. Such popular humanity is treason But see young Juba; the good youth appears, Luc. Alas, poor prince! his fate deserves compas sion. Enter JUBA. Jub. I blush, and am confounded to appear Before thy presence, Cato. Cato. What's thy crime? Jub. I'm a Numidian. Cato. And a brave one, too. Thou hast a Roman soul. Jub. Hast thou not heard of my false countrymen ? Falsehood and fraud shoot up in ev'ry soil, Jub. 'Tis generous thus to comfort the distrsss'd. |