Por. O Lucia! language is too faint to show His rage of love; it preys upon his life; He pines, he sickens, he despairs, he dies: His passions and his virtues lie confus'd, And mixt together in so wild a tumult, That the whole man is quite disfigured in him. Heavens! would one think 'twere possible for love To make such ravages in a noble soul? O Lucia! I'm distrest; my heart bleeds for him : [sence, Ev'n now, while thus I stand blest in thy preA secret damp of grief comes o'er my thoughts, And I'm unhappy, tho' thou smil'st upon me. Luc. How wilt thou guard thy honor in the shock [Portius, Of love and friendship? Think betimes, my Think how the nuptial tie, that might ensure Our mutual bliss, would raise to such a height Thy brother's griefs, as might perhaps destroy him. Por. Alas, poor youth! what dost thou think, my Lucia? His gen'rous, open, undesigning heart hours And weather'd out the storm that beats about us Luc. No, Portius, no: I see thy sister's tears, Thy father's anguish, and thy brother's death, In the pursuit of our ill-fated loves: And, Portius, here I swear, to heaven I swear, To heaven and all the powers that judge mankind, Never to mix my plighted hands with thine, While such a cloud of mischiefs hang about us, But to forget our loves, and drive thee out From all my thoughts as far-as I am able. Por. What hast thou said? I'm thunderstruck-recall Those hasty words, or I am lost for ever. Luc. Has not the vow already pass'd my lips? The gods have heard it and 'tis seal'd in heaven. May all the vengeance that was ever pour'd On perjur'd heads o'erwhelm me if I break it! Por. Fix'd in astonishment, I gaze upon thee, Like one just blasted by a stroke from heaven, Who pants for breath, and stiffens, yet alive, In dreadful looks; a monument of wrath! Luc. At length I've acted my severest part: I feel the woman breaking in upon me, Por. Talk not of love, thou never knew'st I've been deluded, led into a dream [its force. Of fancied bliss. O Lucia, cruel maid! [sounds Thy dreadful vow, loaden with death, still In my stunn'd ears. What shall I say or do? Quick let us part! Perdition's in thy presence, And horror dwells about thee!-Ha! she faints! Wretch that I am, what has my rashness done! Lucia, thou injur'd innocence! thou best And loveliest of thy sex! awake, my Lucia, Or Portius rushes on his sword to join thee. Her imprecations reach not to the tomb, They shut not out society in death-But, ah! she moves, life wanders up and down Through all her face, and lights up ev'ry charm. Luc. O Portius, was this well-to frown on her That lives upon thy smiles? to call in doubt thoughts run back, And startle into madness at the sound. Luc. What wouldst thou have me do? Consider well The train of ills our love would draw behind it. Think, Portius, think thou seest thy dying brother [blood, Stabb'd at his heart, and all besmear'd with Storming at heaven and thee! Thy awful sire Sternly demands the cause, th' accursed cause, That robs him of his son: poor Marcia trembles, Then tears her hair, and, frantic in her griefs, Calls out on Lucia. What could Lucia answer, Or how stand up in such a scene of sorrow? Por. To my confusion, and eternal grief, I must approve the sentence that destroys me. The mist that hung about my mind clears up; And now, athwart the terrors that thy vow Has planted round thee, thou appear'st more More amiable, and risest in thy charms. [fair, Loveliest of women! Heaven is in thy soul; Beauty and virtue shine for ever round thee, Brightening each other! Thou art all divine. Luc. Portius, no more; thy words shoot through my heart, Melt my resolves, and turn me all to love. Why are those tears of fondness in thy eyes? Why heaves thy heart? why swells thy soul with sorrow? It softens me too much-farewell, my Portius; Farewell, though death is in the word-forever! Luc. If the firm Portius shakes To hear of parting, think what Lucia suffers! Por. 'Tis true, unruffled and serene I've met The common accidents of life; but here Such an unlook'd-for storm of ills falls on me, It beats down all my strength. I cannot bear it. We must not part. Luo. What dost thou say? not part! Hast thou forgot the vow that I have made? Are there not heavens, and gods, that thunder o'er us? -But see, thy brother Marcus bends this way; I sicken at the sight. Once more farewell; Farewell, and know thou wrong'st me if thou think'st Por. What wouldst thou have me say? Marc. What means this pensive posture? Thou appear'st Like one amaz'd and terrified. Por. I've reason. [ordered thoughts Marc. Thy down-cast looks and thy disTell me my fate. I ask not the success My cause has found. Por. I'm griev'd I undertook it. [my heart, Marc. What! does the barbarous maid insult My aching heart, and triumph in my pains? That I could cast her from my thoughts for ever! [griefs; Por. Away, you're too suspicious in your Lucia, though sworn never to think of love, Compassionates your pains, and pities you. Marc. Compassionates my pains, and pities me! Marc. O, for some glorious cause to fall in battle! Cato's life Lucia, thou hast undone ine; thy disdain [ease. Has broke my heart: 'tis death must give me Por. Quick, let us hence. Who knows if [heart Stands sure? O Marcus, I am warm'd, my Leaps at the trumpet's voice, and burns for glory. [Exeunt. Enter Sempronius with the Leaders of the Mutiny Sem. At length the winds are rais'd, the Be it your care, my friends, to keep it up storm blows high : In its full fury and direct it right, Till it has spent itself on Cato's head. Meanwhile I'll herd among his friends, and 1st Leader. We are all safe, Sempronius is our friend. Sempronius is as brave a man as Cato. Cato. Where are these bold intrepid sons of That greatly turn their backs upon the foe, And to their general send a brave defiance? Sem. Curse on their dastard souls, they stand astonish'd. [Aside. Cato. Perfidious men! And will you thus dishonor Your past exploits, and sully all your wars? Sem. By heavens they droop! Confusion to the villains; all is lost. [Aside. Culo. Have you forgotten Libya's burning waste, [sand, Its barren rocks, parch'd earth, and hills of Its tainted air, and all its broods of poison? Who was the first to explore th' untrodden path, When life was hazarded in every step? You sunk the river with repeated draughts, Who was the last in all your host that thirsted? Sem. If some penurious source by chance appear'd, Scanty of waters, when you scoop'd it dry, And offer'd the full helmet up to Cato, Did he not dash th'untasted moisture from him? 4 Did he not lead you through the mid-day sun, And clouds of dust? Did not his temples glow, In the same sultry winds, and scorching heats? Cato. Hence, worthless men! hence! and complain to Cæsar, .. You could not undergo the toil of war, Fear and remorse and sorrow for their crime And pardon shall descend on all the rest. care: First let 'em each be broken on the rack; Sem. How! wouldst thou clear rebellion? Lucius (good man) pities the poor offenders That would imbrue their hands in Cato's blood. Cato. Forbear, Sempronius!-see they suffer death, But in their deaths remember they are men: Strain not the laws to make their tortures grie vous. Lucius, the base degenerate age requires This awes an impious, bold, offending world, One would have thought you had been half in earnest. Sem. Villain, stand off! base grov'ling worthless wretches, Mongrels in faction, poor faint-hearted traitors! Sempronius; 2d. Lead. Nay, now you carry it too far, [friends Throw off the mask, there are none here but Sem. Know, villains, when such paltry slaves presume To mix in treason, if the plot succeeds, They're thrown neglected by: but if it fails, They're sure to die like dogs as you shall do. Here, take these factious monsters, drag 'em To sudden death. [forth 1st Lead. Nay, since it comes to this Sem. Dispatch 'em quick! but first pluck out their tongues, Lest with their dying breath they sow sedition. [Exeunt Guards, with the leaders. Enter Syphax. Sy. Our first design, my friend, has prov'd Still there remains an after-game to play: purpose. [soft Sem. Think not thy friend can ever feel the Unmanly warmth and tenderness of love. Syphax, I long to clasp that haughty maid, And bend her stubborn virtue to my passion: When I have gone thus far, I'd cast her off. Sy. Well said! that's spoken like thyself, Sempronius. What hinders, then, but that thou find her out, And hurry her away by manly force? Sem. But how to gain admission? For access Is given to none but Juba, and her brothers. Sy. Thou shalt have Juba's dress, and Juba's guards; The doors will open when Numidia's prince Seems to appear before the slaves that watch them. Sem. Heavens, what a thought is there! Marcia's my own! How will my bosom swell with anxious joy When I behold her struggling in my arms, With glowing beauty and disorder'd charms, While fear and anger, with alternate grace, Pant in her breast and vary in her face! So Pluto, seiz'd of Proserpine, convey'd To hell's tremendous gloom th' affrighted maid, There grimly smil'd, pleas'd with the beauteous prize, Nor envied Jove his sunshine and his skies. [Exeunt. ACT IV. Enter Lucia and Marcia. Luc. Now tell me, Marcia, tell me frem thy soul, If thou believ'st 'tis possible for woman Vent all its griefs, and give a loose to sorrow, Marcia could answer thee in sighs, keep pace With all thy woes, and count out tear for tear. Luc. I know thou art doom'd alike to be belov'd By Juba, and thy father's friend Sempronius; Mar. Still I must beg thee not to name Lucia, I like not that loud boist'rous man; To love or hate, but as his choice directs. Mar. I dare not think he will: but if he Why wilt thou add to all the griefs I suffer Enter Sempronius, dressed like Juba, with Sem. The deer is lodg'd, I've track'd her to her covert. Jub. Nay, then beware thy own, proud barbarous man! [They fight, Sem. falls; his Guards surrender.] Sem. Curse on my stars! am I then doom'd By a boy's hand, disfigur'd in a vile [to fall Numidian dress, and for a worthless woman? Gods, I'm distracted! this my close of life! O, for a peal of thunder that would make Earth, sea, and air, and heaven, and Cato tremble. [Dies. Jub. With what a spring his furious soul broke loose, [ground! And left the limbs still quivering on the Hence let us carry off those slaves to Cato, That we may there at length unravel all This dark design, this mystery of fate. [Exit Juba, with Prisoners, &c. Enter Lucia and Marcia. Luc. Sure 'twas the clash of swords; my troubled heart Is so cast down, and sunk amidst its sorrows, It throbs with fear, and aches at every sound. O Marcia, should thy brothers for my sake!I die away with horror at the thought. Mar. See, Lucia, see! here's blood! here's blood and murder! Ha! a Numidian! Heaven preserve the prince! Luc. Now, Marcia, call up to thy assistance Thy wonted strength and constancy of mind; Thou canst not put it to a greater trial. Mar. Lucia, look there, and wonder at my patience : Have I not cause to rave, and beat my breast, To rend my heart with grief, and run dis tracted? Sempronius That best of men? O, had I fallen like him, And could have thus been mourn'd, I had been happy. [woes, Luc. Here will I stand companion in thy And help thee with my tears; when I behold A loss like thine, I shall forget my own. Mar. 'Tis not in fate to ease my tortur'd breast. This empty world, to me a joyless desert, heart? Mar. O, he was all made up of love and charins : Whatever maid could wish or man admire ; Delight of every eye; when he appear'd, [Aside. Jub. What means that voice? did she not call on Juba? Mar. Why do I think on what he was? he's dead! [him. He's dead, and never knew how much I lov'd Lucia, who knows but his poor bleeding heart, Amidst his 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? am I indeed What Marcia thinks? All is Elysium round me! Aside. Mar. Ye dear remains of the most lov'd of Jub. A wretch, Disguis'd like Juba, on a curst design. But must not now go back; the love that lay Half smother'd in my breast, has broke through all Its weak restraints, and burns in its full lustre. Thou charming maid ?—— Mar. And dost thou live to ask it? Jub. This, this is life indeed! life worth preserving. Such life as Juba never felt till now! I did not know myself how much I lov'd thee. Jub. My joy, my best belov'd, my only wish! How shall I speak the transport of my soul! Mar. Lucia, thy arm. O, let me rest upon it! The vital blood that had forsook my heart, Returns again in such tumultuous tides, It quite o'ercomes me. Lead to my apart ment. O prince, I blush to think what I have said, Jub. I am so blest, I fear 'tis all a dream. That still broke foremost through the crowd of patriots, And with a hurricane of zeal transported, Cato. Trust me, Lucius, Our civil discords have produc'd such crimes, Such monstrous crimes, I am surpris'd at nothing. -O Lucius, I am sick of this bad world! The day-light and the sun grow painful to me. Enter Portius. But see where Portius comes: what means this Why are thy looks thus chang'd? [haste? Por. My heart is griev'd, 1 bring such news as will afflict my father. Cato. Has Cæsar shed more Roman blood? Por. Not so. The traitor Syphax, as within the I saw, and call'd to stop him, but in vain: and see Thy brother Marcus acts a Roman's part. Lucius, the torrent bears too hard upon me: Justice gives way to force; the conquer'd world Is Caesar's; Cato 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 number Of Cæsar's slaves, or by a base submission Give up the cause of Rome, and own a tyrant? Luc. The victor never will impose on Cato Ungen'rous terms. His enemies confess The virtues of humanity are Cæsar's. Cato. Curse on his virtues! they've undone his country. Such popular humanity is treasonBut see young Juba; the good youth appears, Full of the guilt of his perfidious subjects! Luc. Alas! poor prince! his fate deserves compassion. |