THE WONDER of Women Or The Tragedy of Sophonisba, as it hath been sundry times Acted at the Black Friars. Written by JOHN MARSTON. LONDON. Printed by john Windet and are to be sold near Ludgate, 1606. To the general Reader. KNow, that I have not laboured in this poem, to tie myself to relate any thing as an historian but to enlarge every thing as a Poet, To transcribe Authors, quote authorities, & translate Latin prose orations into English blank-verse, hath in this subject been the least aim of my studies. Then (equal Reader) peruse me with no prepared dislike, and if aught shall displease thee thank thyself, if aught shall please thee thank not me, for I confess in this it was not my only end. Io. Marston. Argumentum. A grateful hearts just height: Ingratitude. And vows base breach with worthy shame pursued A woman's constant love as firm as fate A blameless Counsellor well borne for state The folly to enforce free love, These know This subject with full light doth amply show. Interlocutores. Kings in Lybia rivals for Sophonisba. Massinissa. Syphax, Asdrubal. Father to Sophonisba. Gelosso. A Senator of Carthage. Bytheas. A Senator of Carthage. Hanno Magnus. Captain for Carthage. jugurth. Massinissa's Nephew. Generals of Rome. Scipio. Laelius. Vangue. An Ethiopian slave. Carthalon. A Senator of Carthage. Gisco. A surgeon of Carthage. Nuntius. Sophonisba. Daughter to Asdrubal of Carthage. Zanthia. Her maid. Erichtho. An enchantress. Waiting women to Sophonisba. Arcathia. Nycea. Prologus. Cornets sound a march. Enter at one door the Prologue: too Pages with torches: Asdrubal and jugurth too Pages with lights: Massinissa leading Sophonisba: Zanthia bearing Sophonisba's train Arcathia and Nicea: Hano and Bytheas At the other door too Pages with targets and javelins, too Pages with lights, Syphax armed from top to toe, Vangue follows. These thus entered, stand still, whilst the Prologue resting between both troops speaks. THe Scene is Lybia, and the subject thus. Whilst Carthage stood the only awe of Rome, As most imperial seat of Lybia, Governed by Statesmen each as great as Kings (For 17. Kings were Carthage feodars) Whilst thus she flourished, whilst her Hannibal Made Rome to tremble, and the Walls yet pale: Then in this Carthage Sophonisba lived The far famed daughter of great Asdrubal! For whom ('mongst others) potent Syphax sues And well graced Massinissa rivals him Both Princes of proud Sceptres: but the lot Of doubtful favour Massinissa graced At which Syphax grows black: For now the night Yields loud resoundings of the nuptial pomp: Apollo strikes his Harp: Hymen his Torch Whilst lowering juno with ill-boding eye Sits envious at too forward Venus: Lo The instant night: And now ye worthier minds To whom we shall present a female glory (The wonder of a constancy so fixed That Fate itself might well grow envious) Be pleased to sit such as may merit oil And holy dew styled from diviner heat, For rest thus knowing, what of this you hear, The Author lowly hopes, but must not fear. For just worth never rests on popular frown, To have done well is fair deeds only crown. ne se quisiverit extra. Cornets sound a March, the Prologue leads Massinissa's troops over the Stage, and departs: Syphax troops only stay. Actus Primi. Scena prima. Syphax and Vangue. SY: Syphax, Syphax, why wast thou cursed a King? What angry God made thee so great, so vile? contemned, disgraced, think, wert thou a slave Though Sophonisba did reject thy love Thy low neglected head unpointed at Thy shame unrumoured and thy suit unscoffed Might yet rest quiet: Reputation Thou awe of fools and greatmen: thou that chok'st Freest addictions, and mak'st mortals sweat Blood and cold drops in fear to lose, or hope To gain thy never certain seldom worthy gracings. Reputation! Wert not for thee Syphax could bear this scorn Not spouting up his gall among his blood In black vexations: Massinissa might Enjoy the sweets of his preferred graces Without my dangerous Envy or Revenge Wert not for thy affliction all might sleep In sweet oblivion: But (O greatness scourge!) We cannot without Envy keep high name Nor yet disgraced can have a quiet shame. Va. Scipio:— Sy. Some light in depth of hell: Vangue what hope? Va. I have received assured intelligence That Scipio Rome's sole hope hath raised up men Drawn troops together for invasion— Sy. Of this same Carthage. Va. With this policy To force wild Hannibal from Italy— Sy. And draw the war to Afric. Va. Right. Sy. And strike This secure country with unthought of arms Va. My letters bear he is departed Rome Directly setting course and sailing up.— Sy. To Carthage, Carthage, O thou eternal youth Man of large fame great and abounding glory renownful Scipio, spread thy two-necked Eagles, Fill full thy sails with a revenging wind, Strike through obedient Neptune, till thy prows Dash up our Lybian ouse, and thy just arms Shine with amazeful terror on these walls, O now record thy Fathers honoured blood Which Carthage drunk, thy Uncle Publius' blood Which Carthage drunk, 30000. souls Of choice Italians Carthage set on wing: Remember Hannibal, yet Hannibal The consul-queller: O then enlarge thy heart Be thousand souls in one, let all the breath The spirit of thy name and nation be mixed strong In thy great heart: O fall like thunder shaft The winged vengeance of incensed jove Upon this Carthage: for Syphax here flies off From all allegiance, from all love or service His (now freed) sceptre once did yield this City Ye universal Gods, Light, Heat, and Air Prove all unblessing Syphax if his hands Once rear themselves for Carthage but to curse it. It had been better they had changed their faith, Denied their Gods, then slighted Syphax love So fearfully will I take vengeance. I'll interleague with Scipio. Vangue. Dear Ethiopian Negro, go wing a vessel And fly to Scipio. say his confederate Vowed and confirmed is Syphax: bid him haste To mix our palms and arms: will him make up Whilst we are in the strength of discontent Our unsuspected forces well in arms For Sophonisba, Carthage, Asdrubal Shall feel their weakness in preferring weakness And one less great than we, to our dear wishes Haste gentle Negro, that this heap may know strong Me, and their wrong: Ua: Wrong? Sy. ay, though 'twere not, yet know while Kings are What they'll but think and not what is, is wrong I am disgraced in, and by that which hath No reason, Love, and Woman, my revenge Shall therefore bear no argument of right Passion is Reason when it speaks from Might I tell thee, man, nor Kings, nor Gods exempt But they grow pale if once they find Contempt: haste. Exeunt. Scena Secunda. Enter, Arcathia, Nycea with Tapers Sophonisba in her night attire followed by Zanthia. So. Watch at the dors: and till we be reposed Let no one enter: Zanthia undo me. Za. With this motto under your girdle You had been undone if you had not been undone humblest service. So. I wonder Zanthia why the custom is To use such Ceremony such strict shape About us women: forsooth the Bride must steal Before her Lord to bed: and then delays Long expectations all against known wishes I hate these figures in locution These about phrases forced by ceremony We must still seem to fly what we most seek And hide ourselves from that we feign would find us Let those that think and speak and do just acts Know form can give no virtue to their acts Nor detract vice. Za. 'las fair Princes, those that are strongly formed And truly shaped may naked walk, but we We things called women, only made for show And pleasure, created to bear children And play at shuttlecock, we imperfect mixtures without respective ceremony used And ever complement, alas what are we? Take from us formal custom and the courtesies Which civil fashion hath still used to us We fall to all contempt, O women how much How much are you beholding to Ceremony, So. You are familiar. Zanthia my shoe, Za. 'Tis wonder Madam you tread not awry. So. Your reason Zanthia. Za. You go very high. So. Hark, Music, Music. The Ladies lay the princess in a fair bed, and close the curtains whilst Massinissa Enters. Ni. The Bridegroom. Arca. The Bridegroom So. Hast good Zanthia, help, keep yet the doors Za. Fair fall you Lady, so, admit admit. Enter four boys antiquely attired with bows and quivers dancing to the Cornets, a fantastic measure, Massinissa in his night gown led by Asdrubal and Hanno followed by Bytheas and Jugurth, the boys draw the Curtains discovering Sophonisba to whom Massinissa speaks. Ma. You powers of joy: Gods of a happy bed Show you are pleased, sister and wife of jove High fronted juno and thou Carthage Patron Smooth chinned Apollo, both give modest heat And temperate graces. Mass. draws a white ribbon forth of the bed as from the waste of Sopho. Mas. Lo I unloose thy waste She that is just in love is Godlike chaste: Io to Hymen. Chorus with cornets, Organ, and voices. Io to Hymen. So. A modest silence thote be thought A virgin's beauty and her highest honour Though bashful feignings nicely wrought Grace her that virtue takes not in, but on her What I dare think I boldly speak After my word my well bold action rusheth In open flame then passion break Where Virtue prompts, think word, act never blusheth. Revenging Gods whose Marble hands Crush faithless men with a confounding terror Give me no mercy if these bands I covet not with an unfeigned fervour Which zealous vow when aught can force me t'lame Load with that plague Atlas would groan at, shame. Io to Hymen. Chorus. Io to Hymen. Asdru. Live both high parents of so happy birth Your stems may touch the skies and shadow earth Most great in fame more great in virtue shining Prosper O powers a just, a strong divining. Io to Hymen. Chorus. Io to Hymen. Enter Carthalo his sword drawn, his body wounded, his shield struck full of darts: Massin. being ready for bed. Car. To bold heart's Fortune, be not you amazed Carthage O Carthage: be not you amazed. Ma. jove made us not to fear, resolve, speak out The highest misery of man is doubt: Speak Carthalo. Car. The stooping Sun like to some weaker Prince Let his shades spread to an unnatural hugeness When we the camp that lay at Utica From Carthage distant but five easy leagues Descried from of the watch three hundred sail Upon whose tops the Roman Eagles stretched Their large spread wings, which fanned the evening air To us cold breath, for well we might discern Rome swam to Carthage. Asd. Hannibal our anchor is come back, thy slight Thy Stratagem to lead war unto Rome To quite ourselves, hath taught now desperate Rome T'assail our Carthage, Now the war is here. Ma. He is nor blessed nor honest that can fear. Ha. ay but to cast the worst of our distress.-- Ma. To doubt of what shall be is wretchedness Desire, Fear, and Hope, receive no bond By whom, we in ourselves are never but beyond. On. Car. Th'Alarum beats necessity of fight Th'unsober evening draws out reeling forces Soldiers half men, who to their colours troop With fury, not with valour: whilst our ships unrigged, unused, fitter for fire than water We save in our bard haven from surprise. By this our army marcheth toward the shore, Undisciplined young men most bold to do If they knew how, or what, when we descry A mighty dust beat up with horses hooves Straight Roman ensigns glitter: Scipio. Asd. Scipio. Car. Scipio advanced like the God of blood Leads up grim war, that father of foul wounds Whose sinewy feet are steeped in gore, whose hideous voice Makes turrets tremble, and whole Cities shake Before whose brows flight and disorder hurry With whom March Burnings, murder, wrong, waste, rapes Behind whom a sad train is seen, Woe, Fears Tortures, Lean, Need, Famine, and helpless tears Now make we equal stand in mutual view We judged the Romans 18. thousand foot 5000. Horse, we almost doubled them In number not in virtue: yet in heat Of youth and wine jolly and full of blood. We gave the sign of battle: shouts are raised That shook the heavens: pell-mell our arms join Horse, targets, pikes all against each opposed They give fierce shook, arms thundered as they closed Men cover earth which straight are covered With men and earth: yet doubtful stood the fight More fair to Carthage; when lo as oft you see In mines of gold, when labouring slaves delve out The richest ore, being in sudden hope With some unlooked for vain to full their buckets And send huge treasure up, a sudden damp Stifles them all, their hands yet stuffed with gold So fell our fortunes for look as ye stood proud As hopeful victors, thinking to return With spoils worth triumph, wrathful Syphax lands With full ten thousand strong Numidian horse And ions to Scipio, then lo we all were damned We fall in glusters and our wearied troops Quit all: slaughter ran throw us straight, we fly Romans pursue, but Scipio sounds retreat As fearing trains and night: we make amain For Carthage most, and some for Utica All for our lives: new force, fresh arms with speed You have said truth of all: no more. I bleed. By. O wretched fortune. Mas. Old Lord spare thy haynes What dost thou think baldness will cure thy grief What decree the Senate? Enter Gelosso with Commissions in his hand sealed. Gelo. Ask old Gelosso who returns from them Informed with fullest charge strong Asdrubal Great Massinissa Carthage General So speaks the Senate: Counsel for this war In Hanno magnus, Bytheas, Carthalon. And us Gelosso rests: Embrace this charge You never yet dishonoured. Asdrubal High Massinissa by your vows to Carthage By God of greatmen Glory, fight for Carthage Ten thousand strong Massulians ready trouped Expect their King, double that number waits The leading of loud Asdrubal; beat loud Our Afrique drums, and whilst our o'ertoiled foe Snores on his unlaced cask, all faint though proud Through his successful fight strike fresh alarms Gods are not if they grace not bold just arms. Mass. Carthage thou straight shalt know Thy favours have been done unto a king. Exit with Asdrubal and the Page. Soph. My Lords t, is most unusual such sad haps Of sudden horror, should intrude 'mong beds Of soft and private loves; but strange events Excuse strange forms. O you that know our blood Revenge if I do feign: I here protest Though my Lord leave his wife a very maid, Even this night instead of my soft arms Clasping his well strong limbs with glossful steel, What's safe to Carthage shall be sweet to me. I must not, nor I am once ignorant My choice of love hath given this sudden danger To yet strong Carthage: 'twas I lost the fight, My choice vexed Syphax enraged Syphax struck Arms fate: yet Sophonisba not repents, O we were Gods if that we knew events. But let me Lord leave Carthage, quit his virtue I will not love him, yet must honour him, As still good Subjects must bad Princes: Lords From the most ill-graced Hymeneal bed That ever juno frowned at, I entreat That you'll collect from our loose formed speech This firm resolve: that no lo Appetite Of my sex weakness, can or shall o'ercome Due grateful service unto you, or virtue. Witness ye Gods I never until now Repined at my creation; now I wish I were no woman, that my arms might speak My heart to Carthage: but in vain, my tongue Swears I am woman still: I talk to long. Cornets a march. Enter two Pages with targets and javelins two Pages with torches. Massinissa armed a cape a pee. Asdrubal armed. Ma. Ye Carthage Lords: know Massinissa knows Not only terms of honour: but his actions Nor must I now enlarge how much my cause Hath dangered Carthage but how I may show myself most priest to satisfaction The loathsome stain of king's Ingratitude From me O much be far, and since this torrent wars rage admits no Anchor: since the billow Is risen so high we may not hull but yield This ample state to stroke of speedy swords What you with sober haste hath well decreed we'll put to sudden arms: no not this night These dainties this first fruits of nuptials That well might give excuse for feeble lingerings Shall hinder Massivissa. Appetite Kisses, loves, dalliance and what softer joys The Venus of the pleasingst ease can minister I quit you all: Virtue perforce is Vice But he that may, yet holds, is manly wise Lo then ye Lords of Carthage, to your trust I leave all Massinissa's treasure by the oath Of right good men stand to my fortune just. Most hard it is for great hearts to mistrust. Car. We vow by all high powers. Ma. No do not swear. I was not borne so small to doubt or fear. So. Worthy my Lord. Ma. Peace my ears are steel I must not hear thy much enticing voice. So. By Massinissa, Sophonisba speaks Worthy his wife: go with as high a hand As worth can rear, I will not stay my Lord Fight for our country, vent thy youthful heat In field not beds, the fruit of honour Fame Be rather gotten then the oft disgrace Of hapless parents, children, go best man And make me proud to be a soldier's wife That values his renown above faint pleasures Think every honour that doth grace thy sword Trebles my love: by thee I have no lust But of thy glory: best lights of heaven with thee Like wonder stand, or fall, so though thou die My fortunes may be wretched, but not I. Mas. Wondrous creature, even fit for Gods not men Nature made all the rest of thy fair sex As weak essays, to make thee a pattern Of what can be in woman. Long Farewell. he's sure unconquered in whom thou dost dwell Carthage Palladium. See that glorious lamp Whose lifeful presence giveth sudden flight To fancies, fogs, fears, sleep, and slothful night Spreads day upon the world: march swift amain Fame got with loss of breath is godlike gain. The Ladies draw the curtains about Sophonisba, the rest accompany Massinissa forth, the Cornets and Organs playing loud full Music for the Act. Actus Primi. FINIS. Actus Secundi. Scena Prima. Whilst the Music for the first Act sounds Hanno, Carthalo, Bytheas, Gelosso enter: They place themselves to Counsel, Gisco th'impoisoner waiting on them, Hanno, Carthalo, and Bytheas, setting their hands to a writing, which being offered to Gelosso, he denies his hand, and as much offended impatiently starts up and speaks. Gelasso. Hanno. Bytheas. Carthalo. GEl. My hand? my hand? rot first, wither in aged shame Han. will you be so unseasonably wood? Byt. Hold such preposterous zeal as stand against the full decree of Senate? all think fit. Car. Nay most unevitable necessary For Carthage safety, and the now sole good Of present state, that we must break all faith With Massinissa: whilst he fights abroad Let's gain back Syphax, making him our own By giving Sophonisba to his bed. Han. Syphax is Massinissa's greater, and his force Shall give more side to Carthage; as for'rs queen And her wise father, they love Carthage fate, Profit, and Honesty, are one in state. Gel. And what decrees our very virtuous senate Of worthy Massinissa that now fights and (leaving wife and bed) bleeds in good arms For right old Carthage? Car. Thus 'tis thought fit Her father Asdrubal on sudden shall take in Revolted Syphax; so with doubled strength Before that Massinissa shall suspect, Slaughter both Massinissa and his troops, And likewise strike with his deep stratagem A sudden weakness into Scipio's arms, By drawing such a limb from the main body Of his yet powerful army: which being done Dead Massinissa's kingdom we decree To Sophonisba and great Asdrubal For their consent, so this swift plot shall bring Two crowns to her, make Asdrubal a king. Gel. So first faiths breach, adultery, murder, theft, Car. What else? Gel. Nay all is done no mischief left Car. Pish prosperous success gives blackest actions glory, The means are unremembered in most story. Gel. Let me not say Gods are not. Car. This is fit Conquest by blood is not so sweet as wit, For howsoe'er nice virtue censures of it, He hath the grace of war, that hath wars profit. But Carthage well advised, that states comes on, With slow advice, quick execution, Have here an engineer long bred for plots, Called an empoisoner, who knows this sound excuse, The only dew that makes men sprout in Courts, is use, Be't well or ill, his thrift is to be mute, Such slaves must act commands, and not dispute. Knowing foul deeds with danger do begin But with rewards do end: Sin is no sin But in respects— Gel. politic Lord, speak low though heaven bears A face far from us, Gods have most long ears, jove has a hundred marble marble hands Car. O ay, in Poetry or Tragic scene. Gel. I fear Gods only know what Poets mean. Car. Yet hear me: I will speak close truth and cease, Nothing in Nature is unserviceable, No, not even Inutility it self, Is then for nought dishonesty in being, And if it be sometimes of forced use, Wherein more urgent than in saving nations State shapes are soldered up, with base, nay faulty Yet necessary functions; some must lie, Some must betray, some murder, and some all, Each hath strong use, as poison in all purges Yet when some violent chance shall force a state, To break given faith, or plot some stratagems, Princes ascribe that vile necessity Unto heavens wrath: and sure though't be no vice, Yet 'tis bad chance: states must not stick too nice For Massinissa's death sense bids forgive Beware to offend great men and let them live For 'tis of empire's body the main arm, He that will do no good shall do no harm: yow have my mind Gel. Although a stagelike passion & weak heat Full of an empty wording might suit age Know I'll speak strongly truth: Lords near mistrust That he who'll not betray a private man For his country, will near betray his country For private men; then give Gelosso faith If treachery in state be serviceable, Let hangmen do it: I am bound to lose My life but not my honour for my country; Our vow, our faith, our oath, why theyare ourselves And he that's faithless to his proper self, May be excused if he break faith with princes: The Gods assist just hearts, & states that trust, Plots before Providence are tossed like dust. For Massinissa: (O let me slake a little Austere discourse and feel Humanity) methinks I hear him cry. O fight for Carthage, Charge home, wounds smart not, for that so just so great So good a City: methinks I see him yet Leave his fair bride even on his nuptial night To buckle on his arms for Carthage: Hark- Yet, yet, I hear him cry— Ingratitude Vile stain of man. O over be most far From Massinissa's breast: up, march amain, Fame got with loss of breath, is godlike gain. And see by this he bleeds in doubtful fight: And cries for Carthage, whilst Carthage— Memory Forsake Gelosso, would I could not think: Nor hear, nor be, When Carthage is So infinitely vile: see see look here, Cornets. Enter two Ushers. Sophonisba. Zanthia. Arcathia. Hanno Bytheas and Carthalo present Sophonisba with a paper, which she having perused, after a short silence speaks Who speaks? what mute? fair plot: what? blush to break it? How lewd to act when so shamed but to speak it. So. Is this the senate's firm decrees Car. It is. Sopho. Is this the senate's firm decree? Car. It is Sopho. Hath Syphax entertained the stratagem? Car. No doubt he hath, or will. So. My answers thus, What's safe to Carthage, shall be sweet to me Car. Right worthy Ha. Royalest Ge. O very woman! So. But 'tis not safe for Carthage to destroy, Be most unjust, cunningly politic, Your heads still under Heaven, O trust to fate, Gods prosper more a just then crafty state. 'tis less disgrace to have a pitied loss Then shameful victory. Ge. O very Angel! So. We all have sworn good Massinissa faith, Speech makes us men, and there's no other bond Twixt man and man, but words: O equal Gods Make us once know the consequence of vows— Ge. And we shall hate faith-breakers worse than man-eaters So. Ha! good Gelosso is thy breath not here? Ge. You do me wrong as long as I can die, Doubt you that old Gelasso can be vile? States may afflict, tax, torture, but our minds Are only sworn to jove: I grieve and yet am proud That I alone am honest: high powers you know Virtue is seldom seen with troops to go. So. Excellent man Carthage & Rome shall fall Before thy fame: our Lords know I the worst. Car. The Gods foresaw, 'tis fate we thus are forced. So. Gods nought foresee, but see, for to their eyes nought is to come, or past, Nor are you vile Because the Gods foresee: for Gods and We See as things are things are not, for we see But since affected wisdom in us Women Is our sex highest folly: I am silent, I cannot speak less well, unless I were More void of goodness: Lords of Carthage, thus The air and earth of Carthage owes my body, It is their servant; what decree they of it? Car. That you remove to Cirta, to the palace Of well formed Syphax, who with longing eyes Meets you: he that gives way to Fate is wise. So. I go: what power can make me wretched? what evil Is there in life to him, that knows life's loss To be no evil: show, show thy ugliest brow O most black chance: make me a wretched story Without misfortune Virtue hath no glory Opposed trees makes tempests show their power And waves forced back by rocks makes Neptune tower Tearless O see a miracle of life A maid, a widow, yet a hapless wife. Cornets. Sopho. accompanied with the Senators depart, only Gelosso stays. Ge. A prodigy! let nature run cross legged Ops go upon thy head, let Neptune burn Cold Saturn crack with heat for now the world Hath seen a Woman: Leap nimble lightning from jove's ample shield And make at length, an end, the proud hot breath Of thee contemning Greatness, the huge drought Of sole self loving vast Ambition. Th'unnatural scorching heat of all those lamps Thou rearedst to yield a temperate fruitful heat Relentless rage whose heart hath no one drop Of human pity: all all loudly cry Thy brand O jove, for know the world is dry O let A general end save Carthage fame When worlds do burn unseen's a cities flame. Phoebus in me is great: Carthage must fall jove hats all vice but vow's breach worst of all. Exit. Scena Secunda. Cornets sound a charge: Enter Massinissa in his gorget and shirt, shield, sword, his arm transfixed with a dart jugurth follows with his curaes and cask. Mas. Mount us again, give us another horse Iug. Uncle your blood flows fast, pray ye withdraw Mas. O jugurth I cannot bleed too fast. too much For that so great, so just so royal Carthage My wound smarts not, bloods loss makes me not faint For that loved City, O Nephew let me tell thee, How good that Carthage is: it nourished me, And when full time gave me fit strength for love, The most adored creature of the city. To us before great Syphax did they yield, Fair, noble, modest, and 'bove all, my, My Sophonisba, O jugurth my strength doubles I know not how to turn a coward, drop In feeble baseness, I cannot: give me horse, Know I am Carthage very creature, and I am graced, That I may bleed for them: give me fresh horse. Iug. He that doth public good for multitude, Finds few are truly grateful. Mas. O jugurth, fie you must not say so, jugurth, Some common weals may let a noble heart, Too forward bleeds abroad and bleed bemond, But not revenged at home, but Carthage, fie It cannot be ungrate, faithless through fear, It cannot jugurth: Sophonisba's there, Beat a fresh charge. Enter Asdrubal his sword drawn reading a letter Gisco follows him Asd. Sound the retreat, respect your health brave Prince, The waste of blood throws paleness on your face, Ma. By light, my hearts not pale: O my loved father, We bleed for Carthage balsam to my wounds, We bleed for Carthage: shall's restore the fight? My squadron of Massulians yet stands firm. Asd. The day looks off from Carthage cease all arms A modest temperance is the life of arms, Take our best surgeon Gisco, he is sent From Carthage to attend your chance of war, Gis. We promise sudden ease. Ma. Thy comforts good Asd. That nothing can secure us but thy blood: Infuse it in his wound, 'twill work amain, Gis. O jove, Asd. What jove? thy God must be thy gain And as for me. Apollo Pythean Thou know'st, a statist must not be a man. Exit Adru. Enter Gelosso disguised like an old soldier, delivering to Massinissa (as he preparing to be dressed by Gisco) letter which Massinissa reading, starts and speaks to Gisco. Ma. Forbear, how art thou called? Gi. Gisco my Lord. Mas. umh, Gisco, ha, touch not mine arm, most only man, to Gelasso. Sirrah, sirrah, art poor? Gi. not poor. Ma. Nephew command Massinissa begins to drane. Our troops of horse make indisgraced retreat, Trot easy off: not poor: jugurth give charge, My soldiers stand in square battalia, Exit jugurth. Entirely of themselves: Gisco thouart old, 'tis time to leave off murder, thy faint breath. Scarce heaves thy ribs, thy gummy bloodshot eyes, Are sunk a great way in thee, thy lank skin, Slides from thy fleshless veins: be good to men, judge him ye Gods, I had not life to kill So base a Creature, hold Gisco() live, The Godlike part of Kings is to forgive, Gis. Command astonished Gisco. Mas. No return. Haste unto Carthage: quit thy abject fears, Massinissa knows no use of murderers. Enter jugurth amazed, his sword drawn. Speak, speak, let terror strike slaves mute. Much danger makes great hearts most resolute, Iug. Uncle I fear foul arms, myself beheld, Syphax on high speed run his well breathed horse, Direct to Cirta that most beauteous City, Of all his kingdom: whilst his troops of horse With careless trot pace gently toward our camp, As friends to Carthage, stand on guard dear uncle For Asdrubal with yet his well ranked army, Bends a deep threatening brow to us as if, He waited but to join with Syphax horse And hew us all to pieces: O my King My Uncle, Father, Captain O over All Stand like thyself or like thyself now fall Thy troops yet hold good ground: Unworthy wounds Betray not Massinissa. Ma. jugurth pluck Pluck, so, good coz. Iug. O God do you not feel? Mas. Not jugurth no, now all my flesh is steel. Gela. Of base disguise: High lights scorn not to view A true old man: up Massinissa throw The lot of battle upon Syphax troops Before he join with Carthage: then amain Make through to Scipio, he yields safe abodes Spare treachery, and strike the very Gods. Mas. Why wast thou borne at Carthage, O my fate Divinest Sophonisba! I am full Of much complaint, and many passions, The least of which expressed would sad the Gods And strike compassion in most ruthless hell Up unmaimed heart spend all thy grief and rage Upon thy foe: the fields a soldier's stage On which his action shows: If you are just And hate those that contemn you, O you God's Revenge worthy your anger, your anger, O, Down man, up heart, stoup jove and bend thy chin To thy large breast, give sign thouart pleased, and just Swear, good men's for heads must not print the dust Exeunt. Scena Tertia. Enter Asdrubal, Hanno, Bytheas. As. What Carthage hath decreed, Hanno is done Advanced and borne was Asdrubal for state Only with it his faith, his love, his hate Are of one piece: were it my daughter's life That fate hath song to Carthage safety brings What deed so red but hath been done by Kings? Ephiginia, he that's a man for men, Ambitious as a God, must like a God Live clear from passions, his full aimed attend Immense to others, sole self to comprehend Round in's own globe, not to be clasped but holds Within him all, his heart being of more folds Than shield of Telamon not to be pierced though struck The God of wisemen is themselves, not luck. Enter Gisco. See him by whom now Massivissa is not Gisco is't done? Gis. Your pardon worthy Lord, It is not done, my heart sunk in my breast, His virtue mazed me, faintness seized me all, Some Gods in Kings that will not let them fall. As. His virtue mazde thee, (umh) why now I see Thart that just man that hath true touch of blood, Of pity and soft piety: Forgive? Yes honour thee, we did it but to try What sense thou hadst of blood: go Bytheas Take him into our private treasury And cut his throat, the slave hath all betrayed. By. Are you assured? As. 'a feared for this I know Who thinketh to buy villainy with gold, Shall ever find such faith so bought so sold. Reward him thoroughly. A shout the Cornets giving a flourish. Han. What means this shout? Asd. Hanno 'tis done: Scyphax revolt by this Hath secured Carthage: and now his force come in And joined with us give Massinissa charge, And assured slaughter: O ye powers forgive, Through rottenst dung best plants both sprout & live By blood vines grow. Ha. But yet think Asdrubal 'tis fit at least you bear griefs outward show, It is your kinsman bleeds: what need men know. Your hand is in his wounds, 'tis well in state, To do close ill; but void a public hate. Asd. Tush Hanno let me prosper let routs prate, My power shall force their silence or my hate. Shall scorn their idle malice: men of weight Know, he that fears envy let him cease to reign, The people's hate to some hath been their gain. For howsoe'er a Monarch feigns his parts, Steal any thing from Kings but subjects hearts. Enter Carthalo leading in bound Gelosso. Ca. Guard, guard the camp, make to the trench stand firm As. The Gods of boldness with us, how runs chance? Ca. Think, think how wretched thou canst be, thou art, Short words shall speak long woes: Ge. mark Asdrubal. Ca. Our bloody plot to Massinissa's ear Untimely by this Lord was all betrayed. Ge. By me, it was, by me vile Asdrubal, I to speakkt. As. Down slave. Ge. I cannot fall. Car. Our trains disclosed, straight to his well used arms He took himself, rose up with all his force, On Syphax careless troops (Syphax being hurried Before to Cirta fearless of success impatient Sophonisba to enjoy.) Gelosso rides to head of all our squadrons Commands make stand in thy name Asdrubal, In mine, in his, in all: dull rest our men, Whilst Massinissa now with more than fury, Chargeth the loose and much amazed ranks, Of absent Syphax: who with broken shout, (In vain expecting Carthage secondings) Give faint repulse: a second charge is given Then look as when a falcon towers aloft Whole shoals of foul and flocks of lesser birds, Crouch fearfully and dive some among sedge, Some creep in brakes: so Massinissa's sword Brandished aloft, tossed about his shining cask, Made stoop whole squadrons, quick as thought he strikes, Here hurls he darts? and there his rage strong arm, Fights foot to foot: here cries he strike: they sink And then grim slaughter follows, for by this As men betrayed, they curse us, die, or fly, or both Often six thousand fell: Now was I come And straight perceived all Bled by his vile plot. Ge. Vile? good plot, my good plot Asdrubal. Ca. I forced our army beat a running march, But Massinissa struck his spurs apace Upon his speedy horse, leaves slaughtering All fly to Scipio who with open ranks In view receives them: All I could effect Was but to gain him. As. Die. Ge. Do what thou can, Thou canst but kill a weak old honest man. Car. scipio and Massinissa's by this strike Gelosso departs guarded Their clasped palms, then vow an endless love, straight a joint shout they raise, then turn they breasts Direct on us march strongly toward our camp As if they dared us fight, O Asdrubal. I fear they'll force our camp. As. Break up and fly, This was your plot. Ha. But 'twas thy shame to choose it. Car. He that forbids not offence he does it. As. The curse of women's words go with you: fly, You are no villains, Gods and men, which way? Advise vile things. Ha. Vile? As. I. Ca. Not? By. you did all As. Did you not plot? Car. Yielded not Asdrubal? As. But you enticed me. Ha. How? As With hope of place. Car. He that for wealth leaves faith is abject. Ha. base As. Do not provoke my sword, I live. Ca. More shame. T'outlive thy virtue and thy once great name. As. upbraid ye me? Ha. Hold. Car. Know that only thou Art treacherous: thou shouldst have had a crown. Ha. Thou didst all, all he for whom mischiefs done He does it. Asd.: — Broad scorn open feigned powers Make good the camp, no, fly, yes, what? wild rage, To be a prosperous villain yet some heat some hold, But to burn temples and yet freeze, O cold, Give me some health, now your blood sinks: thus deeds Ill nourished rot, without love nought succeeds. Exeunt. Actus Secundi. Finis. Actus Tertii Scena Prima. Organ mixed with Recorders for this Act. Syphax his dagger twine about her hair drags in Sophonisba in her night gown petticoat and Zantbia & Vaugue following. Sy. Must we entreat? sue to such squeamish ears, Know Syphax has no knees, his eyes no tears, Enraged love is senseless of remorse, Thou shalt, thou must. king's glory is their force. Thou art in Cirta, in my Palace Fool Dost think he pitieth tears, that knows to rule. For all thy scornful eyes thy proud disdain, And late contempt of us now we'll revenge, Break stubborn silence: look I'll tack thy head To the low earth, whilst strength of too black knaves, Thy limbs all wide shall strain: prayer fitteth slaves. Our courtship be our force: rest calm as sleep, Else at this quake, hark, hark, we cannot weep. So. Can Sophonisba be enforced? Sy. Can? see. So. Thou mayest enforce my body but not me. Sy. Not? So. No. Sy. No? So. No off with thy loathed arms That lie more heavy on me then the chains, That wear deep wrinkles in the captives limbs I do beseech thee. Sy. What? So. Be but a beast, Be but a beast. Sy Do not offend a power Can make thee more than wretched: yield to him To whom fate yields: Know Massinissa's dead, So. dead? Sy. dead. So. To Gods of goodmen shame Sy. Help vangue my strong blood boil. So. O save thine own (yet) fame. Sy. All appetite is deaf, I will I must. Achilles armour could not bear out lust. So. Hold thy strong arm and hear my Syphax know, I am thy servant now: I needs must love thee For (O my sex forgive) I must confess, we not affect protesting feebleness. entreats faint blushings, timorous modesty, We think our lover is but little man, Who is so full of woman: Know fair Prince Loves strongest arms not rude: for we still prove Without some fury there's no ardent love. We love our loves impatience of delay, Our noble sex was only borne t'obey To him that dares command. Sy. Why this is well. Th'excuse is good: wipe thy fair eyes our Queen, Make proud thy head now feel: more friendly strength Of thy lords arm: come touch my rougher skin. With thy soft lip Zanthia dress our bed, Forget old loves and clip him that through blood, And hell acquires his Wish think not but kiss, The flourish fore loves fight is Venus' bliss. So. Great dreadful Lord by thy affection Grant me one boon, know I have made a vow, Sy. Vow? what vow? speak. So. Nay if you take offence Let my soul suffer first and yet. Sy. offence? Not Sophonisba, hold, thy vow is free, As:— come thy lips. So. Alas cross misery As I do wish to live I long to enjoy, Your warm embrace, but O my vow 'tis thus, If ever my Lord died I vowed to him, A most, most private sacrifice, before I touched a second spouse: all I implore. Is but this liberty: Sy. This go obtain What time So. One hour. Sy. sweet good speed speed adieu Yet Syphax trust no more than thou mayst view. Vangue shall stay So. He stays. Enter a Page delivering a letter to Sopho. which she privately reads. Sy. Zanthia, Zanthia Thou art not foul, go to, some Lords are oft So much in love with their known ladies bodies, That they oft love their vails, hold, hold thou'st find, To faithful care kings bounty hath no shore, Za. You may do much. Sy. But let my gold do more. Za. I am your creature. Sy. Be, get, 'tis no stain The God of service is however gain. Exit. So. Zanthia, where are we now? speak worth my service ha' we done well? Za. Nay in height of best. I feared a superstitious virtue would spoil all, But now I find you above women rare, She that can time her goodness hath true care Of her best good. Nature at home begins She whose integrity herself hurts sins. For Massinissa, he was good and so, But he is dead, or worse, distressed, or more Than dead, or much distressed, O sad, poor whoever held such friends: no let him go Such faith is praised, then laughed at, for still know, Those are the living women that reduce, All that they touch unto their ease and use. Knowing that wedlock, virtue or good names, Are courses and varieties of reason To use or leave as they advantage them And absolute within themselves reposed, Only to Greatness Ope, to all else closed. Weak sanguine fools, are to their own good nice Before I held you virtuous but now wise. So. Zanthia victorious Massinissa liu's. My Massinissa lives: O steady powers Keep him as safe as heaven keeps the earth. Which looks upon it with a thousand eyes, That honest valiant man and Zanthia, Do but record the justice of his love, And my for ever vows, for ever vows. Za. I true Madam: nay think of his great mind His most just heart his all of excellence And such a virtue as the Gods might envy Again this Syphax is but;— and you know. Fame lost what can be got that's good: for: So. hence Take nay with one hand. Za. My service. So. Prepare Our sacrifice. Za. But yield you, I or no? So. When thou dost know. Za. what then? So. then thou wilt know Let him that would have counsel void th'advice Exit Zanthia Of friends made his with weighty benefits Whose much dependence only strives to fit Humour not reason, and so still devise In any thought to make their friend seem wise But above all O fear a servants tongue, Like such as only for their gain to serve Within the vast capacity of place I know no vileness so most truly base. Their Lords, their gain: and he that most will give, With him (they will not die: but) they will live. Traitors and these are one: such slaves once trust Whet swords to make thine own blood lick the dust. Cornets and Organs playing full music. Enters the solemnity of a sacrifice, which being entered whilst the attendance furnish the Altar Sopho. Song: which done she speaks. Withdraw, withdraw All but Zanthia & Vangue depart I not invoke thy arm thou God of sound Nor thine, nor thine, although in all abound. High powers immense: But jovial Mercury And thou O brightest female of the sky Thrice modest Phoebe, you that jointly fit A worthy chastity and a most chaste wit To you corruptless Honey, and pure dew upbreathes our holy fire. Words just and few O deign to hear if in poor wretches cries You glory not: if drops of withered eyes be not your sport, be just: all that I crane Is but chaste life or an untainted grave. I can no more: yet hath my constant tongue Let fall no weakness, tho'my heart were wrung With pangs worth hell: whilst great thoughts stop our tears Sorrow unseen, unpitied in ward wears. You see now where I rest, come is my end. Cannot heaven, virtue, against weak chance defend? When weakness hath outborn what weakness can, What should I say 'tis jove's, not sin of man. Some stratagem now let wits God be shown, Celestial powers by miracles are known. I have't 'tis done. Zanthia prepare our bed Vangue Va. Your servant. So. Vangue we have performed Due rites unto the dead. Sopho: presents a carouse to Vangue & & &. Now to thy Lord great Syphax healthful cups: which done, The King is right much welcome. Va. Were it as deep as thought off it should thus— he drinks So. My safety with that draft. Va. Close the vaults mouth lest we do slip in drink, So. To what use gentle Negro serves this cave Whose mouth thus opens so familiarly, Even in the king's bedchamber? Va. O my Queen This vault with hideous darkness and much length stretcheth beneath the earth into a grove One league from Cirta (I am very sleepy) Through this when Cirta hath been strong begirt With hostile siege the King hath safely scaped To, to, So. The wine is strong. Va. strong? So. Zanthia Za. What means my princes? So. Zanthia rest firm And silent, help us: Nay do not dare refuse. Za. The Negroes dead. So. No drunk. Za. Alas. So. Too late, Her hand is fearful whose minds desperate. It is but sleepy Opium he hath drunk, Help Zanthia, They lay Vangue in Syphax bed & draw the curtains, there lie Syphax bride, a naked man is soon undressed; There bide dishonoured passion they knock within, forthwith Syphax comes. Sy. Way for the King. So. Straight for the King: I fly Where misery shall see nought but itself. Dear Zanthia close the vault when I am sunk And whilst he slips to bed escape be true I can no more, come to me: Hark Gods, my breath Scorns to crave life grant but a well famed death she descends Enter Syphax ready for bed. Sy. Each man withdraw, let not a creature stay Within large distance. Za. Sir? Sy. hence Zanthia, Not thou shalt hear, all stand without ear-reach Of the soft cries nice shrinking brides do yield When— Za. But Sir— Sy. Hence— stay, take thy delight by steps, Think of thy joys, and make long thy pleasures, O silence thou dost swallow pleasure right, Words take away some sense from our delight; Music: be proud my Venus, Mercury thy tongue, Cupid thy flame, 'bove all O Hercules Let not thy back be wanting: for now I leap To catch the fruit none but the Gods should reap Offering to leap into bed, he discovers Vangue. Hah! can any woman turn to such a Devil? Or: or: Vangue, Vangue— Van. Yes, yes. Sy. speak slave, How camest thou here? Van. Here? Sy. Zanthia, Zanthia, where's Sophonisba? speak at full, at full, Give me particular faith, or know thou art not— Za. Your pardon just moved prince & private ear Sy. Ill actions have some grace, that they can fear Va. How came I laid? which way was I made drunk? Where am I? think, or is my state advanced? O jove how pleasant is it but to sleep In a king's bed! Sy. Sleep there thy lasting sleep Improvident, base, o'er-thirsty slave. Sy. kills Va. Die pleased a king's couch is thy too proud grave. Through this vault sayst thou? Za. As you give me grace To live, 'tis true. Sy. We will be good to Zanthia; Go cheer thy Lady, and be private to us. She descends after Sophonisba. Za. As to my life. Sy. I'll use this Zanthia, And trust her as our dogs drink dangerous Nile, only for thirst, the Fly the Crocodile: Wise Sophonisba knows loves tricks of art, Without much hindrance, pleasure hath no heart; Despite all virtue or weak plots I must seven walled Babel cannot bear out lust Descends through the vault. Scena Secunda. Cornets sound Marches. Enter Scipio and Lelius with the compliments of a Roman General before them, At the other door, Massinissa and jugurth. Ma. Let not the virtue of the world suspect Sad Massinissa's faith: nor once condemn Our just revolt: Carthage first gave me life, Her ground gave food, her air first lent me breathe The Earth was made for men, not men for Earth. Scipio I do not thank the Gods for life, Much less vile men, or earth: know best of Lords, It is a happy being breath well famed, For which jove sees these thus; Men be not fold With piety to place: traditions fear, A just man's country jove makes everywhere. Sci. Well urgeth Massinissa, but to leave A City so ingrate, so faithless, so more vile Than civil speech may name, fear not, such vice To scourge is heavens most grateful sacrifice. Thus all confess first they have broke a faith To the most due, so just to be observed That barbarousness itself may well blush at them Where is thy passion? they have shared thy crown Thy proper right of birth; contrived thy death. Where is thy passion? given thy beauteous spouse. To thy most hated rival: statue, not man, And last thy friend Gelosso (man worth Gods) With tortures have they rent to death. Ma. O Gel. For thee full eyes Sci. No passion for the rest. Ma. O Scipio my grief for him may be expressed by tears But for the rest silence & secret anguish Shall waste: shall waste:— Scipio he that can weep, Grieves not like me private deep inward drops Of blood: my heart— for God's rights give me leave To be a short time Man. Sci. stay prince. Ma. I cease; Forgive if I forget thy presence: Scipio Thy face makes Massinissa more than man, And here before your steady power a vow As firm as fate I make: when I desist To be commanded by thy virtue, (Scipio) Or fall from friend of Rome's, revenging Gods Afflict me worth your torture: I have given Of passion and of faith my heart. Sci. To counsel then Grief fits weak hearts, revenging virtue men. Thus I think fit, before that Syphax know How deeply Carthage sinks, let's beat swift march Up even to Cirta, and whilst Syphax snores With his, late thine— Ma. With mine? no Scipio, Libya hath poison, asps, knives, & too much earth To make one grave, with mine? not, she can die, Scipio, with mine? jove say it thou dost lie. Sci. Temperance be Scipio's honour. Le. Cease your strife She is a woman. Ma. But she is my wife. Le. And yet she is no god. Ma. And yet she's more I do not praise God's goodness but adore. God's cannot fall, and for their constant goodness (Which is necessited) they have a crown Of never ending pleasures: but faint man (Framed to have his weakness made the heavens glory If he with steady virtue holds all siege That power, that speech, that pleasure, that full sweets A world of greatness can assail him with, Having no pay but self wept misery, And beggar's treasure heaped, that man I'll praise Above the Gods. Sc. The Libean speaks bold sense Ma. By that by which all is, Proportion, I speak with thought. Sci. No more. Ma. Forgive my admiration You touched a string to which my sense was quick, Can you but think? do, do; my grief! my grief Would make a Saint blaspheme: give some relief, As thou art Scipio forgive that I forget, I am a Soldier; such woes jove's ribs would burst, Few speak less ill that feel so much of worst. My ear attends Sci. Before than Syphax join With new strengthened Carthage, or can once unwind His tangled sense from out so wild amaze Fall we like sudden lightning fore his eyes; Boldness and speed are all of victories. Ma. Scipio, let Massinissa clip thy knees; May once these eyes view Syphax? shall this arm Once make him feel his sinew? O ye Gods My cause, my cause! justice is so huge odds That he who with it fears, Heaven must renounce In his creation. Sci. Beat then a close quick march Before the morn shall shake cold dews through skies, Syphax shall tremble at Rome's thick alarms. Ma. Ye powers I challenge conquest to just arms. With a full flourish of cornets they depart. Actus Tertii FINIS. Actus Quarti Scena Prima. Organs Viols and Voices play for this Act. Enter Sophonisba and Zanthia as out of a caves mouth So. Where are we Zanthia? Za. Vangue said the cave opened in Belos forest. So. Lord how sweet I sent the air? the huge long vaults close vain, What dumps it breathed? In Belos forest sayst? Be valiant Zanthia; how far's Utica From these most heavy shades? Zan. Ten easy leagues. So. there's Massinissa, my true Zanthia shalls venture nobly to escape, and touch My Lords just arms: loves wings so justly heave The body up, that as our toes shall trip Over the tender and obedient grass, Scarce any drop of dew is dashed to ground. And see the willing shade of friendly night Makes safe our instant haste: Boldness and speed Make actions most impossible succeed. Za. But Madam know the forest hath no way But one to pass the which holds strictest guard. So. Do not betray me Zanthia. Za. I Madam. So. No I not mistrust thee, yet, but, Za. Here you may Delay your time. So. I Zanthia delay By which we may yet hope, yet hope, Alas How all benumbed's's my sense Chance hath so often struck I scarce can feel: I should now curse the Gods Call on the furies: stamp the patient earth cleave my stretched cheeks with sound speak from all sense But loud and full of player's eloquence No, no, What shall we eat. Za. Madam i'll search For some ripe Nuts which Autumn hath shook down From the unleaved hazel, than some cooler air Shall lead me to a spring: Or I will try The courteous pale of some poor foresters, For milk. So. Exit Zanthia. Do Zanthia, O happiness, Of those that know not pride or lust of city, there's no man blessed but those that most men pity. O fortunate poor maids, that are not forced, To wed for state nor are for state divorced! Whom policy of kingdoms doth not marry, But pure affection makes to love or vary, You feel no love, which you dare not to show, Nor show a love which doth not truly grow: O you are surely blessed of the sky, You live, that know not death before you die, Through the vault's mouth in his night gown, torch in his hand, Syphax enters just behind Sophon. You are: Sy. In Syphax arms, thing of false lip, What God shall now release thee, So. Art a man? Sy. Thy limbs shall feel, despite thy virtue know I'll thread thy richest pearl: this forests deaf, As is my lust: Night and the God of silence, Swells my full pleasures, no more shalt thou delude, My easy credence Virgin of fair brow, Well featured creature, and our utmost wonder, Queen of our youthful bed be proud, Syphax setteth away his light, & prepareth t'' embrace Soph. I'll use thee, Sopho snatcheth out her knife. So. Look thee, view this, show but one strain of force Bow but to seize this arm, and by myself, Or more by Massinissa this good steel, Shall set my soul on wing, thus formed Gods see, And men with God's worth envy nought but me. Sy. Do strike thy breast, know being dead, I'll use, With highest lust of sense thy senseless flesh, And even then thy vexed soul shall see, Without resistance, thy trunk prostitute, Unto our appetite. So. I shame to make thee know, How vile thou speakest: Corruption then as much, As thou shalt do: but frame unto thy lusts, imagination's utmost sin: Syphax, I speak all frightless, know I live or die To Massinissa, nor the force of fate Shall make me leave his love, or slake thy hate. I will speak no more, Sy. Thou hast amazed us, Woman's forced use, Like unripe fruits, no sooner got but waste, They have proportion, colour but no taste, Think Syphax— Sophonisba rest thine own, Our Guard, Enter a Guard. Creature of most astonishing virtue, If with fair usage, love and passionate courtings, We may obtain, the heaven of thy bed, We cease, no suit from other force be free. We dote not on thy body, but love thee, So.. Wilt thou keep faith? Sy. By thee & by that power By which thou art thus glorious, trust my vow, Our guard, convey the royal'st excellence That ever was called Woman, to our Palace, Observe her with strict care: So. Dread Syphax speak As thou art worthy: is not Zanthia false? Sy. To thee she is. So. As thou art then thyself Let her not be. Sy. she is not. The guard seizeth Zanthia. Za. Thus most speed when two foes are grown friends Partakers bleed. Sy. When Plants must flourish Their manure must rot. So. Syphax be recompensed. I hate thee not. Sopho. Exit. Sy, A wasting flame feeds on my amorous blood Which we must cool or die? what way all power, All speech full Opportunity can make, We have made fruitless trial. Infernal jove, You resolute Angels that delight in flames, To you all wonder working spirits I fly Since heaven helps not, deepest hell we'll try. Here in this desert the great soul of Charms, Dreadful Erichtho lives whose dismal brow, contemns all roofs or civil coverture. Forsaken graves and tombs the Ghosts forced out She joys to inhabit. Infernal Music plays softly whilst Erichtho enters and & when she speaks ceaseth. A loathsome yellow leanness spreads her face A heavy hell-like paleness loads her cheeks Unknown to a clear heaven: but if dark winds. Or thick black clouds drive back the blinded stars When her deep magic makes forced heaven quake And thunder spite of jove. Erichtho then From naked graves stalks out, heaves proud her head With long unkempt hair loaden, and strives to snatch The night's quick sulphur: than she bursts up tombs From half rot cerecloths then she scrapes dry gums For her black rites: but when she finds a corpse New graved whose entrails yet not turn To fly my filth with greedy havoc than she makes fierce spoil: & swells with wicked triumph To bury her lean knuckles in his eyes Then doth she knaw the pale and o'ergrown nails From his dry hand: but if she find some life Yet lurking close she bites his gelled lips, And sticking her black tongue in his dry throat, She breathes dire murmurs, which enforce him bear Her baneful secrets to the spirits of horror. To her first sound, the Gods yield any harm, As trembling once to hear a second charm, She is: Eri. Here Syphax here, quake not, for know I know thy thoughts, thou wouldst entreat our power, Nice Sophonisba's passion to enforce To thy affection be all full of jove, 'tis done, 'tis done, to us heave earth, sea, air, And Fate itself obeys, the beasts of death, And all the terrors angry Gods invented, (T'afflict th'ignorance of patient man), Tremble at us: the rolled up snake uncurled, His twisted knots at our affrighting voice, Are we incensed? the King of flames grows pale, lest he be choked with black and earthy fumes, Which our charms raise: Be joyed, make proud thy lust I do not pray you Gods, my breathes: You must. Sy. Deep knowing spirit, mother of all high Mysterious science, what may Syphax yield, Worthy thy art, by which my soul's thus eased, The Gods first made me live, but thou live pleased. Eri. Know then our love, hard by the reverent ruins Of a once glorious temple reared to jove, Whose very rubbish (like the pitied fall, Of Virtue much unfortunate) yet bears, A deathless Majesty though now quite razed, Hurled down by wrath, and lust of impious Kings So that where holy flamens wont to sing, Sweet hymns to heaven, there the daw and crow, The ill voiced Raven, and still chattering Pie: Send out ungrateful sound, and loathsome filth, Where statues and jove's acts were vively limned Boys with black coals, draw the veiled parts of nature, And lecherous actions of imagined lust, Where tombs and beauteous urns of well dead men. Stood in assured rest, the shepherd now, Unloads his belly: Corruption most abhorred Mingling itself with their renowned ashees, ourself quakes at it. There once a Charnel house, now a vast cave, Over whose brow a pale and untrod grove Throws out her heavy shade, the mouth thick arms Of darksome Ewe, (Sun proof) for ever choke Within rests barren darkness, fruitless drew Pines in eternal Night: The steam of Hell Yields not so lazy air: there that's my cell From thence a charm which jove dare not here twice Shall force her to thy bed: but Syphax know Love is the highest rebel to our art. Therefore I charge thee by the fear of all Which thou knowest dreadful, or more, by ourself; As with swift haste she passeth to thy bed, And easy to thy wishes yields: speak not one word, Nor dare as thou dost fear thy loss of joys T'admit one light, one light, Sy. As to my Fates I yield my guidance. Eri. Then when I shall force The air to music and the shades of night To form sweet sounds: make proud thy raised delight. Mean time behold I go a charm to rear Whose potent sound will force ourself to fear. Sy. Whither is Syphax heaved? at length shall's joy Hope's more desired than Heaven? Sweet labouring Earth Let Heaven be unformed with mighty charms, Let Sophonisba only fill these arms. Joan we'll not envy thee: bloods appetite Is Syphax God: My wisdom is my sense, Without a man I hold no excellence. Give me long breath young beds and sickless ease For we hold firm that's lawful which doth please Infernal Music softly. Hark, hark, now rise infernal tones The deep fetched groans Of labouring spirits that attend Erichtho. Eri. Erichtho. within. Sy. Now crack the trembling earth and send Shrieks that portend Affrightment to the Gods which hear Erichtho. Eri. Erichtho within A treble Viol and a base Lute play softly within the Canopy. Hark hark, now softer melody strikes mute Disquiet nature: O thou power of sound How thou dost melt me. Hark, now even Heaven Gives up his soul amongst us: Now's the time When greedy expectation strains mine eyes For their loved object: now Erichtho willed Prepare my appetite for loves strict gripes O you dear founts of pleasure Blood and Beauty Raise active Venus' worth fruition Of such provoking sweetness. Hark: she comes, A short song to soft Music above. Now nuptial Hymen's enforced Spirits sing Hark, (Syphax) hark: Cantant. Now Hell and Heaven rings With Music spigh of Phoebus: Peace: Enter Erichtho in the shape of Sophonisba, her face veiled and hasteth in the bed of Syphax. she comes: Fury of bloods impatient: Erichtho 'bove thunder sit; to thee egregious soul Let all flesh bend. Sophonisba thy flame But equal mine, and we'll joy such delight That Gods shall not admire, but even spite. Syphax hasteneth within the Canopy as to Sophonisba's bed Actus Quarti. FINIS. Actus Quinti Scena Prima. A Base Lute and a Treble Viol play for the Act. Syphax draws the curtains and discovers Erichtho lying with him. Eri. Ha, ha, ha, Se. Light, light, Eri. Ha, ha, Sy. Thou rotten scum of Hell— O my abhorred heat! O loathed delusion! They leap out of the bed Syphax takes him to his sword Eri. Why fool of kings, could thy weak soul imagine That 'tis within the grasp of Heaven or Hell To enforce love? why know Love dotes the Fates jove groans beneath his weight: more ignorant thing, Know we Erichtho, with a thirsty womb Have coveted full threescore Suns for blood of kings, We that can make enraged Neptune toss His huge curled locks without one breath of wind: We that can make Heaven slide from Atlas' shoulder: We in the pride and height of covetous lust Have wished with woe man's greediness to fill Our longing arms with Syphax well strong limbs: And dost thou think if philtre or hell's charms Could have enforced thy use, we would ha' damned Brain sleights? no, no, Now are we full Of our dear wishes: thy proud heat well wasted Hath made our limbs grow young: our love farewell, Know he that would force love, thus seeks his Hell. Erichtho slips into the ground as Syphax offers his sword to her. Sy. Can we yet breath? is any plagued like me? Are we? let's think: O now contempt, my hate To thee, thy thunder, sulphur and scorned name. He whose life's loathed, and he who breathes to curse His very being; let him thus with me Syphax kneels at the Altar Fall fore an Altar sacred to black powers, And thus dare Heavens: O thou whose blasting flames Hurl barren droughts upon the patient earth, And thou gay God of riddles and strange tales Hot-brained Phoebus, all add if you can Something unto my misery; if aught Of plagues lurk in your deep trenched brows Which yet I know not: let them fall like bolts Which wrathful jove drives strong in into oh my bosom, If any chance of war, or news ill voiced, Mischief unthought of lurk, come gift us all, Heap curse on curse, we can no lower fall. Out of the Altar the ghost of Asdrubal ariseth. Asd. Lower, lower, Sy. What damned air is formed Into that shape? speak, speak, we cannot quake, Our flesh knows not ignoble tremblings, speak, We dare thy terror: methinks Hell and fate Should dread a soul with woes made desperate. As. Know me the spirit of great Asdrubal Father to Sophonisba, whose bad heart Made justly most unfortunate: for know I turned unfaithful, after which the field Chanced to our loss, when of thy men there fell 6000 souls next fight of Lybeans ten. After which loss we unto Carthage flying, Th'Enraged people cried their army fell Through my base treason: straight my revengeful fury Makes them pursue me, I with resolute haste, Made to the grave of all our Ancestors Where poisoned, hoped my bones should have long rest. But see the violent multitude arrives Tear down our monument, and me now dead Deny a grave: hurl us among the rocks To staunch beasts hunger; therefore thus ungraved I seek slow rest: now dost thou know more woes And more must feel: Mortals O fear to sleight Your Gods and vows: jove's arm is of dread might. Sy. Yet speak shall I o'ercome approaching foes. As. Spirits of wrath know nothing but their woes. Exit. Enter Nuntius. Nuu. My liege, my liege, the scouts of Cirta bring intelligence Of sudden danger, full ten thousand horse Fresh and well rid strong Massinissa leads As wings to Roman legions that march swift Led by that man of conquest, Scipio, Sy. Scipio Nu. Direct to Cirta. A march far off is heard. Hark their march is heard even to the city. Sy. Help, our guard, my arms, bid all our leaders march. Beat thick alarms, I have seen things which thou Wouldst quake to hear, Boldness and strength the shame of slaves be fear. Up heart, hold sword: though waves roll thee on shelf, Though fortune leave thee leave not thou thyself. Exit arming Scena Secunda. Enter 2. Pages with targets & Javelins Lelius & jugurth with halberds. Scipio & Massinissa armed Cornets sounding a march. Sc. Stand. Ma. Give the word stand. So. Part the file. Ma. give way Scipio by thy great name, but greater virtue, By our eternal love give me the chance Of this days battle: Let not thy envied fame Vouchsafe t'oppose the Roman legions Against one weakened Prince of Libya This quarrels mine: mine be the stroke of fight Let us and Syphax hurl our well forced darts Each unto others breast, O (what should I say) Thou beyond epithet thou whom proud Lords of fortune May even envy: (alas my joys so vast Makes me seem lost let us thunder and lightning Strike from our brave arms, look, look, seize that hill. Hark he comes near: From thence discern us strike Fire worth jove, mount up, and not repute Me very proud though wondrous resolute. My cause: my cause, is my bold heartening odds, That seven fold shield, just arms should fright the Gods Sci. Thy words are full of honour take thy fate, Mas. Which we do scorn to fear, to Scipio state Worthy his heart. Now let the forced brass Sound on. Cornets sound a march Scipio leads his train up to the mount. jugurth clasp sure our cask Arm us with care, and jugurth if I fall Through this days malice, or our father's sins If it in thy sword lie, break up my breast And save my heart that never fell nor's adieu To aught but jove and Sophonisba. Sound Stern hartners unto wounds and blood, sound loud For we have named Sophonisba. Cornets a flourish Cornets a march far off. So. Hark hark, he comes, stand blood, now multiply Force more than fury, sound high, sound high, we strike For Sophonisba. Enter Syphax armed his pages with shields & darts before Cornets sounding marches. Sy. For Sophonisba. Ma. Syphax. Sy. Massinissa. Ma. Be twixt us too Let single fight try all. Sy Well urged, Ma. Well granted Of you my stars as I am worthy you I implore aid, and O if angels wait Upon good hearts my Genius be as strong As I am just. Sy. kings glory is their wrong. He that may only do just act's a slave My Gods my arm, my life, my heaven, my grave To me all end. Ma. Give day Gods, life and death To him that only fears blaspheming breath For Sophonisba. Sy. For Sophonisba. Cornets sound a charge Massinissa & Syphax combat, Syphax falls Massinissa unclasps Syphax cask & as ready to kill him speaks Syphax. Sy. Unto thy fortune not to thee we yield Ma. Lives Sophonisba yet unstained, speak just Yet ours unforced? Sy Let my heart fall more low Than is my body, if only to thy glory She lives not yet all thine. Ma. Rise, rise, cease strife. Hear a most deep revenge, from us take life. Cornets sounded a march Scipio & Lelius Enter, Scipio passeth to his throne Massinissa presents Syphax to Scipio's feet Cornets sounding a flourish. To you all power of strength: and next to thee Thou spirit of triumph borne for victory. I heave these hands: March we to Cirta straight, My Sophonisba with swift haste to win In honour & in love all mean is sin. Ex. Ma. & jug. Sc. As we are Rome's great General thus we press Thy Captive neck, but as still Scipio And sensible of just humanity We weep thy bondage: speak thou ill chanced man What spirit took thee when thou wert our friend (Thy right hand given both to Gods and us With such most passionate vows and solemn faith) Thou fledst with such most foul disloyalty To now weak Carthage strengthening their bad arms Who lately scorned thee with all loathed abuse Who never entertain for love but use Sy. Scipio my fortune is captived not I Therefore I'll speak bold truth: nor once mistrust What I shall say, for now being wholly yours I must not feign, Sophonisba 'twas she 'twas Sophonisba that solicited My forced revolt, 'twas her resistless suit Her love to her dear Carthage enticed me break All faith with men: 'twas she made Syphax false She that loves Carthage with such violence And hath such moving graces to allure That she will turn a man that once hath sworn Himself on's father's bones her Carthage foe To be that cities Champion and high friend Her hymenaeal torch burnt down my house Then was I captived when her wanton arms There moving clasped about my neck, O charms Able to turn even fate: but this in my true grief Is some just joy, that my love sotted foe Shall seize that plague, that Massinissa's breast Her hands shall arm, and that ere long you'll try She can force him your foe as well as I, Sci. Lelius, Lelius, take a choice troop of horse And spur to Cirta. To Massinissa thus Syphax palace crown, spoil cities sack Be free to him but if our new laughed friend Possess that woman of so moving art Charge him with no less weight than his dear vow Our love, all faith, that he resign her thee As he shall answer Rome will him give up A Roman prisoner to the senate's doom She is a Carthaginian, now our laws Wise men prevent not actions, but ever cause Sy. Good malice, so, as liberty so dear Prove my revenge: what I cannot possess Another shall not: that's some happiness. Exeunt the Cornets flourishing. Scena tertia, The Cornets afar off sounding a charge, A Soldier wounded at one door, Enters at the other Sophonisba, two Pages before her with lights, two women bearing up her train. Sol. Princes O fly, Syphax hath lost the day, And captived lies, the Roman legions Have seized the town, and with inveterate hate, Make slaves or murder all: Fire and steel, Fury and night hold all: fair Queen O fly, We bleed for Carthage, all of Carthage die. Exit. The Cornets sounding a March, Enter Pages with javelins and Targets, Massinissa and jugurth, Massinissa's beaver shut. Ma. March to the Palace. So. whate'er man thou art Of Libya, thy fair arms speak: give heart, To amazed weakness, hear her, that for long time, Hath seen no wished light. Sophonisba, A name for misery much known, 'tis she, entreats of thy graced sword, this only boon, Let me not kneel to Rome, for though no cause, Of mine deserves their hate, though Massinissa, Be ours to heart, yet Roman Generals Make proud their triumphs, with whatever captives O 'tis a Nation which from soul I fear, As one well knowing the much grounded hate, They bear to Asdrubal and Carthage blood, Therefore with tears that wash thy feet, with hands Unused to beg I clasp thy manly knees, O save me from their fetters and contempt, Their proud insults, and more than insolence, Or if it rest not in thy grace of breath, To grant such freedom, give me long wished death, For 'tis not much loathed life, that now we crave, Only an unshamed death, and silent grave We will now deign to bend for. Ma. Rarity Mas. disarms his head. By thee and this right hand thou shalt live free. So. We cannot now be wretched. Ma. Stay the sword. Let slaughter cease, Sounds soft as Leda's breast, Soft Music. Slide through all ears, this night be loves high feast, So. o'er whelm me not with sweets, let me not drink, Till my breast burst, O love thy Nectar, think She sinks into Massi. arms. Ma. She is o'ercome with joy. So. Help, help to bear Some happiness ye powers, I have joy to spare, Enough to make a God, O Massinissa. Ma. Peace, A silent thinking makes full joys increase. Enter Lelius. Le. Massinissa. Ma. Lelius. Le. Thine ear. Ma. Stand off Le. From Scipio thus: by thy late vow of faith, And mutual league of endless amity, As thou respects his virtue or Rome's force, Deliver Sophonisba to our hand, Ma. Sophonisba? Le. Sophonisba. So. My Lord, Looks pale, and from his half burst eyes a flame, Of deep disquiet breaks, the Gods turn false, My sad presage. Ma. Sophonisba? Le. even she, Ma. she killed not Scipio's father nor his uncle, Great Cneius. Le. Carthage did. Mas. to her what's Carthage? Le. Know 'twas her father Asdrubal struck off His father's head, give place to faith and fate, Ma. 'tis cross to honour. Le. But 'tis just to state, So speaketh Scipio, do not thou detain, A Roman prisoner, due to this great triumph, As thou shalt answer Rome and him. Ma. Lelius. We now are in Rome's power, Lelius, View Massinissa do, a loathed act, Most sinking from that state his heart did keep, Look Lelius look, see Massinissa weep, Know I have made a vow more dear to me, Than my soul's endless being: she shall rest, Free from Rome's bondage. Le. But dost thou forget, Thy vow yet fresh thus breathed: When I desist: To be commanded by thy virtue: Scipio, Or fall from friend of Rome, Revenging Gods, Afflict me with your torture. Ma. Lelius enough: Salute the Roman, tell him we will act What shall amaze him. Le. Wilt thou yield her then? Ma. She shall arrive there straight. Le. Best fate of men, To thee. Ma. and Scipio: Have I lived O Heavens, To be enforcedly perfidious? So. What unjust grief afflicts my worthy Lord, Ma Thank me ye Gods, with much beholdings, For mark, I do not curse you: So. Tell me sweet The cause of thy much anguish. Ma. Ha, the cause? Let's see, wreath back thine arms, bend down thy neck, practice base Prayers, make fit thyself for bondage, So. Bondage. Ma. Bondage, Roman bondage. So. No, No. Ma. How then have I vowed well to Scipio? So. How then to Sophonisba? Ma. Right which way Run mad impossible distraction, So. Dear Lord thy patience; let it maze all power, And list to her in whose sole heart it rests, To keep thy faith upright. Ma. Wilt thou be slaved, So. No free. Ma. How then keep I my faith? So. My death Gives help to all: From Rome so rest we free, So brought to Scipio, faith is kept in thee. Enter a Page with a bowl of wine. Ma. Thou darest not die, some wine, thou darest not die. So. How near was I unto the curse of man, joy, How like was I yet once to have been glad: He that near laughed may with a constant face, Contemn jove's frown. Happiness makes us base. She takes a bowl into which Mas. puts poison. Behold me Massinissa, like thyself, A king and soldier, and I pray thee keep, My last command, Ma. Speak sweet. So. Dear do not weep And now with undismayed resolve behold, To save You, you, (for honour and just faith. Are most true Gods, which we should much adore) With even disdainful vigour I give up, An abhorred life. She drinks. You have been good to me, And I do thank thee heaven, O my stars, I bless your goodness, that with breast unstained, Faith pure: a Virgin wife, tried to my glory, I die of female faith, the long lived story, Secure from bondage, and all servile harms, But more most happy in my husband's arms. she sinks Iug. Massinissa, Massinissa, Ma. Covetous Fame greedy Lady, could no scope of glory, No reasonable proportion of goodness Fill thy great breast, but thou must prove immense Incomprehence in virtue, what wouldst thou, Not only be admired, but even adored? O glory ripe for heaven? Sirs help, help, help, Let us to Scipio with what speed you can. For piety make haste, whilst yet we are man. Exeunt bearing Soph. in a chair, Cornets, A March, Enter Scipio in full state triumphal ornaments carried before him and Sy. bound at the other door Lelius. Sc. What answers Massinissa will he send, That Sophonisba of so moving tongues Le. Full of dismayed unsteadiness he stood, His right hand looked in hers, which hand he gave As pledge from Rome, she ever should live free But when I entered, and well urged this vow And thy command his great heart sunk with shame: His eyes lost spirit, and his heat of life, Sank from his face, as one that stood benumbed, All mazde, t'effect, impossibilities, For either unto her or Scipio, He must break vow, long time he tossed his thoughts And as you see a snow ball being rolled At first a handful, yet long bold about, Insensible acquires a mighty globe, So his cold grief through agitation grows, And more he thinks, the more of grief he knows At last he seemed to yield her. Sy. Mark Scipio, Trust him that breaks a vow? Sci. How then trust thee? Sy O misdoubt him not, when he's thy slave like me Enter Massinissa all in black, Mas. Scipio, Sc. Massinissa, Ma. General. Sc. King. Mas. Liu's there no mercy for one soul of Carthage But must see baseness? Sc. Wouldst thou joy thy peace, Deliver Sophonisba straight and cease, Do not grasp that which is too hot to hold, We grace thy grief, and hold it with soft sense. Enjoy good courage, but void insolence. I tell thee Rome and Scipio deign to bear, So low a breast as for her say, we fear. Ma. Do not, do notilet not the fright of Nations Know so vile terms. she rests at thy dispose Sy. To my soul joy, shall Sophonisba then With me go bound and wait on Scipio's wheel? When th'whole world's giddy one man cannot reel, Ma. Starve thy lean hopes, and Romans now behold A sight would sad the Gods? make Phoebus' cold. Orgaine and Recorders play to a single voice: Enter in the mean time the mournful solemnity of Massinissa's presenting Sophon. body: Look Scipio, see what hard shift we make To keep our vows; here, take I yield her thee, And Sophonisba I keep vow thou art still free. Sy. Burst my vexed heart, the torture that most racks An enemy, is his foes royal acts. Sc. The glory of thy virtue live for ever, Brave hearts may be obscured, but extinct never. Scipio adorns Massinissa. Take from the General of Rome this crown, This robe of triumph, and this conquests wreathe This sceptre, and this hand for ever breath, Rome's very minion: Live worth thy fame As far from faintings as from now base name. Ma. Thou whom like sparkling steel the strokes of Chance Made hard and firm; and like wild fire turned The more cold fate, more bright thy virtue burnt, And in whole seas of miseries didst flame. On thee loved creature of a deathless fame Massinissa adorns Sophonisba. Rest all my honour: O thou for whom I drink So deep of grief, that he must only think, Not dare to speak) that would express my woe, Small rivers murmur, deep gulfs silent flow, My grief is here, not here, heave gently then, Women's right wonder, and just shame of men. Cornets a short flourish. Exeuntque, manet Ma. epilogus. And now with lighter passion, though with most just fear I change my person, and do hither bear Another's voice, who with a phrase as weak As his deserts now willed me, (thus formed) speak, If words well sensed, best suiting subject grave, Noble true story may once boldly crave, Acceptance gracious, if he whose fierce, Envy not others nor himself admires. If scenes exempt from ribaldry or rage, Of taxings indiscreet, may please the stage, If such may hope applause, he not commands Yet craves as due, the justice of your hands But freely he protests howe'er it is, Or well or ill, or much, not much amiss, With constant modesty he doth submit, To all, save those, that have more tongue than wit. After all, let me entreat my Reader not to tax me, for the fashion of the Entrances and Music of this tragedy, for know it is printed only as it was presented by youths, & after the fashion of the private stage. Nor let some easily amended errors in the Printing afflict thee since thy own discourse will easily set upright any svch unevenness. FINISvneuennes