THE VVONDER of VVomen Or The Tragedie of Sophonisba, as it hath beene sundry times Acted at the Blacke Friers.

Written by IOHN MARSTON.

LONDON. Printed by Iohn Windet and are to be sold neere Ludgate, 1606.

To the generall Reader.

KNow, that I haue not labored in this poeme, to tie my selfe to relate any thing as an historian but to inlarge euery thing as a Poet, To transcribe Authors, quote authorities, & translate Latin prose orations into English black-verse, hath in this subiect beene the least aime of my studies. Then (equall Reader) peruse me with no prepared dislike, and if ought shall displease thee thanke thy selfe, if ought shall please thee thanke not me, for I confesse in this it was not my onely end.

Io. Marston.
Argumentum.
A gratefull harts iust haight: Ingratitude.
And vowes base breach with worthy shame persu'd
A womans constant loue as firm as fate
A blamelesse Counsellor well borne for state
The folly to inforce free loue, These know
This subject with full light doth amply show.
Interlocutores.
  • Kings in Lybia riuals for So­phonisba.
    • Massinissa.
    • Syphax,
  • Asdruball. Father to So­phonisba.
  • Gelosso. A Senator of Carthage.
  • Bytheas. A Senator of Carthage.
  • Hanno Mag­nus. Captaine for Carthage.
  • Iugurth. Massinissas Ne­phew.
  • Generals of Rome.
    • Scipio.
    • Laelius.
  • Vangue. An Ethiopian slaue.
  • Carthalon. A Senator of Carthage.
  • Gisco. A Surgean of Carthage.
  • Nuntius.
  • Sophonisba. Daughter to As­druball of Car­thage.
  • Zanthia. Her maide.
  • Erictho. An Inchantres.
  • Waiting women to Sophonisba.
    • Arcathia.
    • Nycea.

Prologus. Cornets sound a march.

Enter at one dore the Prologue: too Pages with torches: Asdru­bal and Iugurth too Pages with lights: Massinissa leading Sophonisba: Zanthia bearing Sophonisbas traine Ar­cathia and Nicea: Hano and Bytheas At the other dore too Pages with targets and Iauelines, too Pages with lights, Syphax armd from top to toe, Vangue followes.
These thus entred, stand still, whilst the Prologue resting be­tweene both troups speakes.
THe Sceane is Lybia, and the subiect thus.
Whilst Carthage stoode the onely awe of Rome,
As most imperiall seate of Lybia,
Gouernd by Statsmen each as great as Kings
(For 17. Kings were Carthage feodars)
Whilst thus she florishd, whilst hir Hannibal
Made Rome to tremble, and the Wals yet pale:
Then in this Carthage Sophonisba liu'd
The farre fam'd daughter of great Asdruball▪
For whom (mongst others) potent Syphax sues
And well grac'd Massinissa riuals him
Both Princes of proud Scepters: but the lot
Of doubtfull fauour Massinissa grac'd
At which Syphax grows blacke: For now the night
Yeelds loud resoundings of the nuptiall pompe:
Apollo strikes his Harpe: Hymen his Torch
Whilst lowring Iuno with ill-boding eye
Sits enuious at too forward Venus: Loe
The instant night: And now ye worthier minds
To whom we shall present a female glory
(The wonder of a constancie so fixt
That Fate it selfe might well grow enuious)
Be pleasd to sit such as may merrit oile
And holy dew stil'd from diuiner heat,
For rest thus knowing, what of this you heare,
The Author lowly hopes, but must not feare.
For iust worth neuer rests on popular frowne,
To haue done well is faire deeds onely crowne.
Nee se quisiuerit extra.
Cornets sound a March, the Prologue leads Massinissas troupes ouer the Stage, and departs: Syphax troupes onely stay.

Actus Primi.

Scena prima.

Syphax and Vangue.
SY:
Syphax, Syphax, why wast thou cursd a King?
What angry God made thee so great, so vile?
Contemd, disgraced, thinke, wert thou a slaue
Though Sophonisba did reiect thy loue
Thy low neglected head vnpointed at
Thy shame vnrumord and thy sute vnskoffd
Might yet rest quiet: Reputation
Thou awe of fooles and greatmen: thou that choakst
Freest addictions, and makst mortals sweat
Bloud and cold drops in feare to loose, or hope
To gaine thy neuer certaine seldome worthy gracings.
Reputation!
Wert not for thee Syphax could beare this skorne
Not spouting vp his gall among his bloud
In blacke vexations: Massinissa might
Inioy the sweets of his preferred graces
Without my dangerous Enuy or Reuenge
Wert not for thy affliction all might sleepe
In sweete obliuion: But (O greatnes skourge!)
We cannot without Enuie keepe high name
Nor yet disgrac'd can haue a quiet shame.
Va.
Scipio:—
Sy.
Some light in depth of hell: Vangue what hope?
Va.
I haue receaud assur'd intelligence
That Scipio Romes sole hope hath raisd vp men
Drawne troupes together for inuasion—
Sy.
Of this same Carthage.
Va.
With this pollicie
To force wild Hannibal from Italy—
Sy.
And draw the war to Affricke.
Va.
Right.
Sy.
And strik
This secure countrey with vnthought of armes
Va.
My letters beare he is departed Rome
Directly setting course and sayling vp.—
Sy.
To Carthage, Carthage, O thou eternall youth
Man of large fame great and abounding glory
Renounefull Scipio, spread thy too-necked Eagles,
Fill full thy sailes with a reuenging wind,
Strike through obedient Neptune, till thy prows
Dash vp our Lybian ouse, and thy iust armes
Shine with amazfull terror on these wals,
O now record thy Fathers honord bloud
Which Carthage drunke, thy Vncle Publius bloud
Which Carthage drunke, 30000. soules
Of choice Italians Carthage set on wing:
Remember Hannibal, yet Hannibal
The consul-queller: O then inlarge thy hart
Be thousand soules in one, let all the breath
The spirit of thy name and nation be mixt strong
In thy great hart: O fall like thunder shaft
The winged vengeance of incensed Ioue
Vpon this Carthage: for Syphax here flies off
From all allegeance, from all loue or seruice
His (now freed) scepter once did yeeld this Cittie
Yee vniuersall Gods, Light, Heate, and Ayre
Proue all vnblessing Syphax if his hands
Once reare them selues for Carthage but to curse it.
It had beene better they had changd their faith,
Denide their Gods, then sleighted Syphax loue
So fearefully will I take vengeance.
I'le interleague with Scipio. Vangue.
Deere Ethiopian Negro, goe wing a vessell
And fly to Scipio. say his confederate
Vowd and confirmd is Syphax: bidd him hast
To mix our palmes and armes: will him make vp
Whilst we are in the strength of discontent
Our vnsuspected forces well in armes
For Sophonisba, Carthage, Asdruball
Shall feele their weaknes in preferring weaknes
And one lesse great then we, to our deere wishes
Haste gentle Negro, that this heape may knowe stronge
Me, and their wronge:
Ua:
Wronge?
Sy.
I, tho twere not, yet knowe while Kings are
What thei'le but thinke and not what is, is wrong
I am disgrac'd in, and by that which hath
No reason, Loue, and Woman, my reuenge
Shall therefore beare no argument of right
Passion is Reason when it speakes 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 attyre followed by Zanthia.
So.
Watch at the dors: and till we be repos'd
Let no one enter: Zanthia vndoe me.
Za.
With this motto vnder your girdle
You had bin vndone if you had not bin vndone humblest seruice.
So.
I wonder Zanthia why the custome is
To vse such Ceremonie such strict shape
About vs women: forsooth the Bride must steale
Before her Lord to bed: and then delaies
Long expectations all against knowne wishes
I hate these figures in locution
These about phrases forc'd by ceremonie
We must still seeme to flie what we most seeke
And hide our selues from that we faine would find vs
Let those that thinke and speake and doe iust actes
Know forme can giue no vertue to their actes
Nor detract vice.
Za.
'las faire Princes, those that are strongly form'd
And truely shapt may naked walke, but we
We things cal'd women, onely made for show
And pleasure, created to beare children
And play at shuttle-coke, we imperfect mixtures
without respectiue ceremonie vs'd
And euer complement, alas what are we?
Take from vs formall custome and the curtesies
Which ciuill fashion hath still vs'd to vs
We fall to all contempt, O women how much
How much are you beholding to Ceremony,
So.
You are familiar. Zanthia my shooe,
Za.
Ti's wonder Madam you treade not awry.
So.
Your reason Zanthia.
Za.
You goe very high.
So.
Harke, Musicke, Musicke.
The Ladies lay the Princes in a faire bed, and close the curtaines whil'st Massinissa Enters.
Ni.
The Bridgrome.
Arca.
The Bridgrome
So.
Hast good Zanthia, helpe, keepe yet the dores
Za.
Faire fall you Lady, so, admit admit.
Enter Foure boyes antiquely attiered with bows and quiuers dauncing to the Cornets, a phantastique measure, Massi­nissa in his night gowne led by Asdruball and Hanno followed by Bytheas and Iugu [...]h, the boyes draw the Curtaines discoue­ring Sophonisba to whom Massinissa speakes.
Ma.
You powers of ioy: Gods of a happie bed
Show you are pleas'd, sister and wife of Ioue
High fronted Iuno and thou Carthage Patron
Smoth chind Appollo, both giue modest heat
And temperat graces.
Mass.
drawes a white ribbon forth of the
bed as from the waste of Sopho.
Mas.
Loe I vnloose thy waste
She that is iust in loue is Godlike chaste:
Io to Hymen.
Chorus with cornets, Organ, and voices. Io to Hymen.
So.
A modest silence tho'te be thought
A virgins beautie and hir highest honor
Though bashfull fainings nicely wrought
Grace hir that vertue takes not in, but on hir
What I dare thinke I boldly speake
After my word my well bold action rusheth
In open flame then passion breake
Where Vertue prompts, thought word, act neuer blusheth.
Reuenging Gods whose Marble hands
Crush faithlesse men with a confounding terror
Giue me no mercy if these bands
I couet not with an vnfained feruor
Which zealous vow when ought can force me t'lame
Load with that plague Atlas would groane at, shame.
Io to Himē ▪
Chorus. Io to Hymen.
Asdru.
Liue both high parents of so happy birth
Your stemms may touch the skies and shaddow earth
Most great in fame more great in vertue shining
Prosper O powers a iust, a strong diuining.
Io to Hymen.
Chorus. Io to Hymen.
Enter Carthalo his sword drawne, his body wounded, his shield strucke full of darts: Massin. being reddy for bedde.
Car.
To bold harts Fortune, be not you amazd
Carthage O Carthage: be not you amazd.
Ma.
Ioue made vs not to feare, resolue, speake out
The highest misery of man is doubt: Speake Carthalo.
Car.
The stooping Sun like to some weaker Prince
Let his shads spread to an vnnaturall hugenesse
When we the campe that lay at Vtica
From Carthage distant but fiue easie leagues
Discride from of the watch three hundred saile
Vpon whose tops the Roman Eagles streachd
Their large spread winges, which fan'd the euening ayre
To vs cold breath, for well we might discerne
Rome swam to Carthage.
Asd.
Hanniball our ancor is come backe, thy slight
Thy Stratagem to lead warre vnto Rome
To quite our selues, hath taught now desperat Rome
T'assaile our Carthage, Now the warre is here.
Ma.
[Page]
He is nor blessd nor honest that can feare.
Ha.
I but to cast the worst of our distresse. - -
Ma.
To doubt of what shall be is wretchednesse
Desier, Feare, and Hope, receaue no bond
By whom, we in our selues are neuer but beyond. On.
Car.
Th'allarum beates necessitie of fight
Th'vnsober euening drawes out reeling forces
Souldiers halfe men, who to their colors troupe
With fury, not with valor: whilst our ships
Vnrigd, vnusd, fitter for fier then water
We saue in our bard hauen from surprise.
By this our army marcheth toward the shore,
Vndisciplind young men most bold to doe
If they knew how, or what, when we discrie
A mightie dust beate vp with horses houes
Straight Roman ensignes glitter: Scipio.
Asd.
Scipio.
Car.
Scipio aduaunced like the God of blood
Leads vp grim war, that father of foule wounds
Whose finowy feete are steepd in gore, whose hideous voice
Makes turrets tremble, and whole Citties shake
Before whose browes flight and disorder hurry
With whom March Burnings, murder, wrong, waste, rapes
Behind whom a sad traine is seene, Woe, Feares
Tortures, Leane, Neede, Famine, and helplesse teares
Now make we equall stand in mutuall vew
We iudg'd the Romans 18. thousand foote
5000▪ Horse, we almost doubled them
In number not in vertue: yet in heate
Of youth and wine iolly and full of bloud.
We gaue the signe of battle: shouts are raisd
That shooke the heauens: Pell Mell our armys ioyne
Horse, targets, pikes all against each apposd
They giue fierce shoke, arms thundred as they closd
Men couer earth which straight are couered
With men and earth: yet doubtfull stood the fight
More faire to Carthage; when loe as oft you see
In mines of gold, when laboring slaues delue out
The richest ore, being in suddaine hope
With some vnlookt for vaine to full their buckets
And send huge treasure vp, a suddaine damp
Stifles them all, their hands yet stuffd with gold
So fell our fortunes for looke as yee stood proud
As hopefull victors, thinking to returne
With spoiles worth triumph, wrathfull Syphax lands
With full ten thousand strong Numidian horse
And ions to Scipio, then loe we all were damp't
We fall in glusters and our wearied troups
Quit all: slaughter ran throw vs straight, we flie
Romans pursue, but Scipio sounds retraite
As fearing traines and night: we make amaine
For Carthage most, and some for Vtica
All for our liues: new force, fresh armes with speed
You haue said truth of all: no more. I bleede.
By.
O wretched fortune.
Mas.
Old Lord spare thy hay [...]s
What dost thou thinke baldnesse will cure thy greefe
What decree the Senate?
Enter Gelosso with Commissions in his hand seald.
Gelo.
Aske old Gelosso who returnes from them
Informd with fullest charge strong Asdruball
Great Massinissa Carthage Generall
So speakes the Senate: Counsell for this warre
In Hanno magnus, Bytheas, Carthalon.
And vs Gelosso rests: Imbrace this charge
You neuer yet dishonord. Asdruball
High Massinissa by your vowes to Carthage
By God of great-men Glory, fight for Carthage
Ten thousand strong Massulians readie troupt
Expect their King, double that number waites
The leading of loud Asdruball; beate lowde
Our Affrike drummes, and whil'st our o're-toild foe
Snores on his vnlacd cask, all faint though proud
Through his succesfull fight strike fresh allarmes
Gods are not if they grace not bold iust armes.
Mass.
[Page]
Carthage thou straight shalt know
Thy fauoures haue beene done vnto a king.
Exit with Asdruball and the Page.
Soph.
My Lords t,is most vnusuall such sad haps
Of suddeine horror, should intrude mong beds
Of soft and priuate loues; but strange euents
Excuse strāge form's. O you that know our bloud
Reuenge if I doe faine: I here protest
Though my Lord leaue his wife a very mayde,
Euen this night instead of my soft armes
Clasping his well strong lims with glossfull steele,
Whats safe to Carthage shall be sweete to me.
I must not, nor I am once ignorant
My choyse of loue hath giuen this suddein dāger
To yet strong Carthage: t'was I lost the fight,
My choice vext Syphax inrag'd Syphax struk
Armes fate: yet Sophonisba not repents,
O we were Gods if that we knew euents.
But let me Lord leaue Carthage, quit his virtue
I will not loue him, yet must honor him,
As still good Subjects must badd Princes: Lords
From the most ill-grac'd Hymeneall bedde
That euer Iuno frown'd at, I intreat
That you'le collect from our loose form'd speach
This firme resolue: that no loe Appetite
Of my sex weaknes, can or shall orecome
Due gratefull seruice vnto you, or virtue.
Witnesse ye Gods I neuer vntill now
Repin'd at my creation; now I wish
I were no woman, that my armes might speake
My hart to Carthage: but in vaine, my tongue
Sweares I am woman still: I talke to long.
Cornets a march. Enter two Pages with targets and Iauelins two Pages with torches. Massinissa arm'd a cape a pee. Asdruball arm'd.
Ma.
[Page]
Ye Carthage Lords: know Massinissa knowes
Not only terms of honor: but his actions
Nor must I now inlarge how much my cause
Hath dangerd Carthage but how I may show
My selfe most prest to satisfaction
The loathsome staine of Kings Ingratitude
From me O much be farre, and since this torrent
Warres rage admits no Ancor: since the billow
Is risen so high we may not hull but yeelde
This ample state to stroke of speedy swords
What you with sober hast hath well decreed
Weele put to suddaine armes: no not this night
These dainties this first fruits of nuptials
That well might giue excuse for feeble lingrings
Shall hinder Massiuissa. Appetite
Kisses, loues, dalliance and what softer ioyes
The Venus of the pleasingst ease can minister
I quit you all: Vertue perforce is Vice
But he that may, yet holds, is manly wise
Loe then ye Lords of Carthage, to your trust
I leaue all Massinissas treasure by the oath
Of right good men stand to my fortune iust.
Most hard it is for great harts to mistrust.
Car.
We vow by all high powers.
Ma.
No doe not sweare.
I was not borne so small to doubt or feare.
So.
Worthy my Lord.
Ma.
Peace my eares are steele
I must not heare thy much inticing voice.
So.
By Massinissa, Sophonisba speakes
Worthy his wife: goe with as high a hand
As worth can reare, I will not stay my Lord
Fight for our country, vent thy youthfull heate
In field not beds, the fruite of honor Fame
Be rather gotten then the oft disgrace
Of haplesse parents, children, goe best man
And make me proud to be a soldiers wife
That valews his renoune aboue faint pleasures
Thinke euery honor that doth grace thy sword
Trebbles my loue: by thee I haue no lust
But of thy glory: best lights of heauen with thee
Like wonder stand, or fall, so though thou die
My fortunes may be wretched, but not I.
Mas.
Wondrous creature, euen fit for Gods not men
Nature made all the rest of thy faire sex
As weake essaies, to make thee a patterne
Of what can be in woman. Long Farewell.
Hees sure vnconquer'd in whom thou dost dwell
Carthage Palladium. See that glorious lampe
Whose lifefull presence giueth suddaine flight
To phansies, togs, feares, sleepe, and slothfull night
Spreads day vpon the world: march swift amaine
Fame got with losse of breath is godlike gaine.
The Ladies draw the curtaines about Sophonisba, the rest accompany Massinissa forth, the Cornets and Organs playing loud full Musicke for the Act.
Actus Primi. FINIS.

Actus Secundi.

Scena Prima.

Whil'st the Musicke for the first Act soundes Hanno, Car­thalo, Bytheas, Gelosso enter: They place themselues to Counsell, Gisco th'impoisner waiting on them, Han­no, Carthalo, and Bytheas, setting their hands to a writing, which being offer'd to Gelosso, he denies his hand, and as much offended impati­ently starts vp and speakes.
[Page]Gelasso. Hanno. Bytheas. Carthalo.
GEl.
My hand? my hand? rotte first, wither in aged sha [...]
Han.
Wil you be so vnseasonably wood?
Byt.
Hold such preposterous zeale as stand against
the full decree of Senate? all think fitte.
Car.
Nay most vneuitable necessarie
For Carthage safty, and the now sole good
Of present state, that wee must breake all faith
With Massinissa: whilst he fights abroad
Lets gaine backe Syphax, making him our owne
By giuing Sophonisba to his bed.
Han.
Syphax is Massinissas greater, and his force
Shall giue more side to Cartthage; as fors queene
And her wise father, they loue Carthage fate,
Profit, and Honesty, are one in state.
Gel.
And what decrees our very vertuous senate
Of worthy Massinissa that now fightes
and (leauing wife and bed) bleeds in good armes
For right old Carthage?
Car.
Thus tis thought fit
Hir father Asdruball on sudeine shall take in
Reuolted Siphax; so with doubled strength
Before that Massinissa shall suspect,
Slaughter boeth Massinissa and his troupes,
And likewise strike with his deepe stratagem
A suddeine weaknes into Scipios armes,
By drawing such alim from the maine body
Of his yet powerfull armie: which being don
Dead Massinissas kingdom we decree
To Sophonisba and great Asdruball
For their consent, so this swift plot shall bring
Two crowns to hir, make Asdruball a king.
Gel.
So first faithes breach, adultery, murder, theft,
Car.
What els? Gel. Nay all is don no mischeifleft
Car.
Pish prosperous successe giues blackest actions glory,
The means are vnremembred in most story.
Gel.
Let me not say Gods are not.
Car.
This is fit
Conquest by bloud is not so sweet as wit,
For how so ere nice vertue censures of it,
He hath the grace of warre, that hath wars profit.
But Carthage well aduisde, that states comes on,
With slow aduice, quicke execution,
Haue here an Engineere long bred for plots,
Cal'd an impoisner, who knows this sound excuse,
The onely dew that makes men sprout in Courtes, is vse,
Be't well or ill, his thrift is to be mute,
Such slaues must act commands, and not dispute.
Knowing foule deedes with danger do begin
But with rewardes do end: Sin is no sin
But in respects—
Gel.
Politique Lord, speake low tho heauen beares
A face far from vs, Gods haue most long eares,
Ioue has a hundred marble marble hands
Car.
O I, in Poetry or Tragique sceane.
Gel.
I feare Gods onely know what Poets mean.
Car.
Yet heare me: I will speake close truth and cease,
Nothing in Nature is vnseruisable,
No, not euen Inutility it selse,
Is then for nought dishonesty in beeing,
And if it be somtines of forced vse,
Wherein more vrgent then in sauing nations
State shapes are sodderd vp, with base, nay faulty
Yet necessary functions; some must lie,
Some must betray, some murder, and some all,
Each hath strong vse, as poyson in all purges
Yet when some violent chance shall force a state,
To breake giuen faith, or plot some stratagems,
Princes ascribe that vile necessity
Vnto Heauens wrath: and sure tho't be no vice,
Yet t'is bad chance: states must not stick to nice
For Massinissas death sence bids forgiue
Beware to offend greate men and let them liue
For tis of empires body the mayne arme,
He that will do no good shall doe no harme: yow haue my mind
Gel.
Although a stagelike passion & weake heate
Full of an empty wording might sute age
Know Ile speake strongly truth: Lordes neere mistrust
That he who'le not betray a priuate man
For his country, will neer betray his country
For priuate men; then giue Gelosso faith
If treachery in state be seruiceable,
Let hangmen doe it: I am bound to loose
My life but not my honour for my country;
Our vow, our faith, our oath, why th'are our selues
And he thats faithlesse to his proper selfe,
May be excusd if he breake faith with princes:
The Gods assist just hearts, & states that trust,
Plots before Prouidence are tost like dust.
For Massinissa: (O let me slake a little
Aust [...] discourse and feele Humanitie)
Me th [...]nkes I heare him cry. O fight for Carthage,
Charge home, wounds smart not, for that so just so great
So good a Citty: me thinks I see him yet
Leaue his faire bride euen on his nuptiall night
To buckle on his armes for Carthage: Harke-
Yet, yet, I heare him cry— Ingratitude
Vile staine of man. O ouer be most far
From Massinissas breast: vp, march amaine,
Fame got with losse of breath, is godlike gaine.
And see by this he bleedes in doubtfull fight:
And cries for Carthage, whilst Carthage—Memory
Forsake Gelosso, would I could not think:
Nor heare, nor bee, When Carthage is
So infinitely vile: see see looke here,
Cornets. Enter two Vshers. Sophonisba. Zanthia. Arcathia. Hanno Bytheas and Carthalo present Sophonisba with a paper, which shee hauing perused, after a short silence speakes
Who speakes? what mute? fair plot: what? blush to breake it?
How lewd to act when so sham'd but to speake it.
So.
Is this the Senates firme decrees
Car.
It is.
Sopho.
[Page]
Is this the Senates firme decree?
Car.
It is
Sopho.
Hath Syphax entertaind the stratagem?
Car.
No doubt he hath, or will.
So.
My answers thus,
Whats safe to Carthage, shall be sweet to me
Car.
Right worthy
Ha.
Roialest
Ge.
O very woman!
So.
But tis not safe for Carthage to destroy,
Be most vniust, cunninglie politique,
Your heads still vnder Heauen, O trust to fate,
Gods prosper more a iust then crafty state.
Tis lesse disgrace to haue a pitied losse
Then shamefull victory.
Ge.
O very Angel!
So.
We all haue sworne good Massinissa faith,
Speach makes vs men, and thers no other bond
Twixt man and man, but words: O equall Gods
Make vs once know the consequence of vowes—
Ge.
And wee shall hate faith-breakers worse then man-eaters
So.
Ha! good Gelosso is thy breath not here?
Ge.
You doe me wrong as long as I can die,
Doubt you that old Gelasso can be vile?
States may afflict, tax, torture, but our mindes
Are ōly sworne to Ioue: I greiue and yet am proud
That I alone am honest: high powers you know
Virtue is seldom seene with troupes to goe.
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 forc'd.
So.
Gods naught foresee, but see, for to their eyes
Naught is to come, or past, Nor are you vile
Because the Gods foresee: for Gods and We
See as thinges are things are not, for we see
But since affected wisdom in vs Women
Is our sex highest folly: I am silent,
I cannot speake lesse well, vnlesse I were
More void of goodnesse: Lordes of Carthage, thus
The ayre and earth of Carthage owes my body,
It is their seruant; what decree they of it?
Car.
That you remoue to Cirta, to the pallace
Of well form'd Syphax, who with longing eyes
Meetes you: he that giues way to Fate is wise.
So.
[Page]
I goe: what power can make me wretched? what euill
Is there in life to him, that knowes lifes losse
To be no euill: show, show thy vgliest brow
O most blacke chaunce: make me a wretched story
Without misfortune Vertue hath no glorie
Opposed trees makes tempests show their power
And waues forc'd back by rocks maks Neptune tower
Tearelesse O see a miracle of life
A maide, a widdow, yet a haplesse wife.
Cornets. Sopho. accompanied with the Senators depart, onely Gelosso staies.
Ge.
A prodegy! let nature run crosse legd
Ops goe vpon thy head, let Neptune burne
Cold Saturne cracke with heate for now the world
Hath seene a Woman:
Leape nimble lightning from Ioues ample shield
And make at length, an end, the proud hot breath
Of thee contemning Greatnesse, the huge drought
Of sole selfe louing vast Ambition.
Th'vnnaturall scorching heate of all those lamps
Thou reard'st to yeeld a temperate fruitfull heat
Relentlesse rage whose hart hath no one drop
Of humane pittie: all all loudly cry
Thy brand O Ioue, for know the world is dry
O let A generall end saue Carthage fame
When worlds doe burne vnseens a Citties flame.
Phoebus in me is great: Carthage must fall
Ioue hats all vice but vows breach worst of all.
Exit.
Scena Secunda. Cornets sound a charge: Enter Massinissa in his gorget and shert, shield, sword, his arme transfixt with a dart Iugurth followes with his curaes and caske.
Mas.
Mount vs againe, giue vs another horse
Iug.
Vncle your bloud flows fast, pray ye withdraw
Mas.
O Iugurth I cannot bleed too fast. too much
For that so great, so iust so royall Carthage
My wound smarts not, blouds losse maks me not faint
For that lou'de Citty, O Nephew let me tell thee,
How good that Carthage is: it nourishde me,
And when full time gaue me fit strength for loue,
The most adored creature of the citty.
To vs before great Syphax did they yeeld,
Faire, noble, modest, and boue all, my,
My Sophonisba, O Iugurth my strength doubles
I know not how to turne a coward, drop
In feeble basenes, I cannot: giue me horse,
Know I am Carthage very creature, and I am gracde,
That I may bleed for them: giue me fresh horse.
Iug.
He that doth publike good for multitude,
Findes few are truely gratefull.
Mas.
O Iugurth, fie you must not say so, Iugurth,
Some common weales may let a noble hart,
Too forward bleeds abroad and bleed bemond,
But not reuengd at home, but Carthage, fie
It cannot be vngrate, faithles through feare,
It cannot Iugurth: Sophonisba's there,
Beat a fresh charge.
Enter Asdrubal his sword drawne reading a letter Gisco follows him
Asd.
Sound the retraite, respect your health braue Prince,
The waste of blood throw's palenes on your face,
Ma.
By light, my harts not pale: O my lou'd father,
We bleed for Carthage Balsum to my woundes,
We bleede for Carthage: shals restore the fight?
My squadron of Massulians yet stands firme.
Asd.
The day lookes off from Carthage cease all arms
A modest temperance is the life of armes,
Take our best surgeon Gisco, he is sent
From Carthage to attend your chance of warre,
Gis.
We promise sudden ease.
Ma.
Thy cōforts good
Asd.
That nothing can secure vs but thy blood:
Infuse it in his wound, t'will worke amaine,
Gis.
O Ioue,
Asd.
What Ioue? thy God must be thy gain
And as for me.
Apollo Pythean
[Page]
Thou know'st, a statist must not be a man.
Exit Adru.
Enter Gelosso disguised like an olde soldier, deliuering to Massinissa (as he preparing to be dressed by Gisco) letter which Massinissa reading, starts and speakes to Gisco.
Ma.
Forbeare, how art thou cald?
Gi.
Gisco my Lord.
Mas.
Vm, Gisco, ha, touch not mine arme, most onely man,
to Gelasso.
Sirrha, sirrha, art poore?
Gi.
not poore.
Ma.
Nephew cōmand
Massinissa begins to drane.
Our troupes of horse make indisgracde retraite,
Trot easie off: not poore: Iugurth giue charge,
My souldiers stand in square battalia,
Exit Iugurth.
Intirely of themselues: Gisco th'art old,
Tis time to leaue off murder, thy faint breath.
Scarce heaues thy ribs, thy gummy bloud-shut eyes,
Are sunke a great way in thee, thy lanke skinne,
Slides from thy fleshlesh veines: be good to men,
Iudge him yee Gods, I had not life to kill
So base a Creature, hold Gisco () liue,
The God-like part of Kings is to forgiue,
Gis.
Command astonishd Gisco.
Mas.
No returne.
Haste vnto Carthage: quit thy abiect feares,
Massinissa knowes no vse of murderers.
Enter Iugurth amazde, his sword drawne.
Speake, speake, let terror strike slaues mute.
Much danger makes great hartes most resolute,
Iug.
Vnkle I feare foule armes, my selfe beheld,
Syphax on high speed run his well breathde horse,
Direct to Cirta that most beauteous Citty,
Of all his kingdome: whilst his troupes of horse
With careles trot pace gently toward our campe,
As friendes to Carthage, stand on guard deere vnckle
For Asdrubal with yet his well rankt armie,
Bends a deepe threatning brow to vs as if,
He waited but to ioyne with Syphax horse
And hew vs all to peeces: O my King
My Vncle, Father, Captaine O ouer All
Stand like thy selfe or like thy selfe now fall
Thy troups yet hold good ground: Vnworthy wounds
Betray not Massinissa.
Ma.
Iugurth pluck
Pluck, so, good cuz.
Iug.
O God doe you not feele?
Mas.
Not Iugurth no, now all my flesh is steele.
Gela.
Of base disguise: High lights scorne not to vew
A true old man: vp Massinissa throw
The lot of battle vpon Syphax troups
Before he ioyne with Carthage: then amaine
Make through to Scipio, he yeelds safe abods
Spare treacherie, and strike the very Gods.
Mas.
Why wast thou borne at Carthage, O my fate
Diuinest Sophonisba! I am full
Of much complaint, and many passions,
The least of which expresd would sad the Gods
And strike compassion in most ruthlesse hell
Vp vnmaimd hart spend all thy greefe and rage
Vpon thy foe: the fields a soldiers stage
On which his action shows: If you are iust
And hate those that contemne you, O you Gods
Reuenge worthy your anger, your anger, O,
Downe man, vp hart, stoup Ioue and bend thy chin
To thy large brest, giue signe th'art pleasd, and iust
Sweare, good mens for heads must not print the dust
Exeunt.
Scena Tertia. Enter Asdruball, Hanno, Bytheas.
As.
What Carthage hath decreed, Hanno is done
Aduauncd and borne was Asdruball for state
Onely with it his faith, his loue, his hate
Are of one peece: were it my daughters life
That fate hath song to Carthage safetie brings
What deed so red but hath beene done by Kings?
[...]phiginia, he thats a man for men,
Ambitious as a God, must like a God
Liue cleare from passions, his full aimde attend
Immence to others, sole selfe to comprehend
Round in's own globe, not to bee claps'd but holds
Within him all, his hart being of more foldes
Then sheeld of Telamon not to be peirced tho struck
The God of wisemen is themselues, not lucke.
Enter Gisco.
See him by whom now Massiuissa is not
Gisco i'st done?
Gis.
Your pardon worthy Lord,
It is not don, my heart sunke in my breast,
His virtue mazd me, faintnes seasd me all,
Some Gods in Kinges that will not let them fall.
As.
His virtue mazde thee, (vm) why now I see
Thart that iust man that hath true touch of blood,
Of pitty and soft piety: Forgiue?
Yes honour thee, wee did it but to trye
What sense thou hadst of blood: goe Bytheas
Take him into our priuate treasurie
And cut his throate, the slaue hath all betraide.
By.
Are you assured? As. A feard for this I know
Who thinketh to buy villany with golde,
Shall euer find such faith so bought so solde.
Reward him thorowly.
A shoute the Cornets giuing a florish.
Han.
What meanes this shoute?
Asd.
Hanno tis don: Scyphax reuolt by this
Hath securd Carthage: and now his force come in
And ioynde with vs giue Massinissa charge,
And assured slaughter: O ye powers forgiue,
Through rottenst dung best plāts both sprout & liue
By blood vines grow.
Ha.
But yet thinke Asdruball
Tis fit at least you beare greefes outward showe,
It is your kinsman bleedes: what neede men knowe.
Your hand is in his wounds, tis well in state,
To doe close ill; but voide a publique hate▪
Asd.
[Page]
Tush Hanno let me prosper let routs prate,
My power shall force their silence or my hate.
Shall skorne their idle malice: men of waight
Know, he that feares enuy let him cease to raigne,
The peoples hate to some hath bin their gaine.
For how so ere a Monarke faines his partes,
Steale anie thing from Kinges but subiects hartes.
Enter Carthalo leading in bound Gelosso.
Ca.
Gard, gard the campe, make to the trench stand firme
As.
The Gods of boldnes with vs, how runs chance?
Ca.
Think, think how wretched thou canst be, thou art,
Short wordes shall speake long woes:
Ge.
marke Asdruball.
Ca.
Our bloody plot to Massinissas eare
Vntimely by this Lord was all betraide.
Ge.
By me, it was, by mee vile Asdruball,
[...]oy to speakt.
As.
Downe slaue.
Ge.
I cannot fall.
Car.
Our traines disclosd, straight to his well vsde armes
He tooke himselfe, rose vp with all his force,
On Syphax careles troupes ( Syphax beeing hurried
Before to Cirta feareles of successe
impatient Sophonisba to inioy.)
Gelosso rides to head of all our squadrons
Commandes make stand in thy name Asdruball,
In mine, in his, in all: dull rest our men,
Whilst Massinissa now with more then fury,
Chargeth the loose and much amazed rankes,
Of absent Syphax: who with broken shoute,
(In vaine expecting Carthage secondings)
Giue faint repulse: a second charge is giuen
Then looke as when a Fawcon towrs alo ft
Whole shoales of foule and flocks of lesser birdes,
Crouch fearefully and diue some among sedge,
Some crepein brakes: so Massinissas sword
Brandisht aloft, tossd'bout his shining cask,
Made stoope whole squadrons, quick as thought he strikes,
Here hurles he dartes? and there his rage strong arme,
Fights foote to foote: heere cryes he strike: they sinke
And then grim slaughter followes, for by this
As men betraide, they curse vs, dye, or flye, or both
Often sixe thousand fell: Now was I come
And straight perceaud all Bled by his vile plot.
Ge.
Vile? good plot, my good plot Asdruball.
Ca.
I forcd our army beat a running march,
But Massinissa strooke his spurs apace
Vpon his speedy horse, leaues slaughtering
All flye to Scipio who with open rankes
In view receaues them: Al I could effect
Was but to gaine him.
As.
Dye.
Ge.
Do what thou can,
Thou canst but kill a weake old honest man.
Car.
scipio and Massinissas by this strike
Gelosso departes guarded
Their clasped palmes, then vow an endles loue,
straight a ioynt shoute they raise, then turne they breastes
Direct on vs march strongly toward our campe
As if they darde vs fight, O Asdruball.
I feare theile force our campe▪
As.
Breake vp and flye,
This was your plot.
Ha.
But t'was thy shame to choose it.
Car.
He that forbids not offence he dos it.
As.
The curse of womens wordes go vvith you: fly,
You are no villaines, Gods and men, vvhich vvay?
Aduise vile thinges.
Ha.
Vile?
As.
I.
Ca.
Not?
By.
you did al
As.
Did you not plot?
Car.
Yeelded not Asdruball?
As.
But you intic'd me.
Ha.
Hovv?
As
With hope of place.
Car.
He that for vvealth leaues faith is abiect.
Ha.
base
As.
Do not prouoke my svvord, I liue.
Ca.
More shame.
T'out liue thy virtue and thy once great name.
As.
Vp braide yee me?
Ha.
Hold.
Car.
Knovv that only thou
Art treacherous: thou shouldst haue had a crovvne.
Ha.
Thou didst all, all he for vvhome mischiefes don
He dos it.
Asd.:
—Brode skorne oppen faind povvers
Make good the campe, no, fly, yes, vvhat? vvild rage,
To be a prosperous villane yet some heate some hold,
But to burne temples and yet freese, O cold,
Giue me some health, now your bloud sinkes: thus deedes
Ill nourisht rot, without I oue naught succeedes.
Exeunt.
Actus Secundi. Finis.

Actus Tertii

Scena Prima.

Organ mixt with Recorders for this Act.
Syphax his dagger twon about her haire drags in So­phonisba in hir night gowne petticoate and Zantbia & Vaugue following.
Sy.
Must wee intreat? sue to such squeamish eares,
Know Syphax has no knees, his eyes no teares,
Inraged loue is senseles of remorce,
Thou shalt, thou must. Kings glory is their force.
Thou art in Cirta, in my Pallace Foole
Dost thinke he pittieth teares, that knowes to rule.
For all thy scornefull eyes thy proud disdaine,
And late contempt of vs now weele reuenge,
Breake stubborne scilence: looke Ile tack thy head
To the low earth, whilst strēgth of too black knaues,
Thy limbes all wide shall straine: praier fitteth slaues.
Our courtship bee our force: rest calme as sleepe,
Els at this quake, harke, harke, wee cannot weepe.
So.
Can Sophonisba bee inforc'd?
Sy.
Can? see.
So.
Thou maiest inforce my body but not mee.
Sy.
Not?
So.
No.
Sy.
No?
So.
No off with thy loathed armes
That lye more heauy on me then the chaines,
That weare deepe wrinckles in the captiues limbes
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 then wretched: yeelde to him
To whome fate yeeldes: Know Massinissas dead,
So.
dead?
Sy.
dead.
So.
To Gods of goodmen shame
Sy.
Help vangue my strong blood boiles.
So.
O saue
thine owne (yet) fame.
Sy.
All appetite is deafe, I will I must.
Achilles armour could not beare out lust.
So.
Hold thy strong arme and heare my Syphax know,
I am thy seruant now: I needes must loue thee
For (O my sex forgiue) I must confesse,
Wee not affect protesting feeblenes.
Intreats faint blushings, timerous modesty,
We thinke our louer is but little man,
Who is so full of woman: Know faire Prince
Loues strongest armes not rude: for we still proue
Without some fury thers no ardent loue.
We loue our loues impatience of delay,
Our noble sex was onely borne t'obay
To him that dares commaund.
Sy.
Why this is well.
Th'excuse is good: wipe thy faire eyes our Queene,
Make proud thy head now feele: more frendly strēgth
Of thy Lordes arme: come touch my rougher skin.
With thy soft lip Zanthia dresse our bed,
Forget ould loues and clip him that through blood,
And hell acquir's his Wish thinke not but kisse,
The florish fore loues fight is Venus blisse.
So.
Great dreadfull Lord by thy affection
Grant mee one boone, know I haue made a vow,
Sy.
Vow? what vow? speake.
So.
Nay if you take offēce
Let my soule suffer first and yet.
Sy.
offence?
Not Sophonisba, hold, thy vow is free,
As:—come thy lips.
So.
Alas crosse misery
As I do wish to liue I long to inioy,
Your warme imbrace, but O my vow tis thus,
If euer my Lord died I vowed to him,
A most, most priuate sacrifice, before
I touched a second spouse: all I implore.
Is but this liberty:
Sy.
This goe obtaine
What time
So.
One hower.
Sy.
sweet good speed speed adew
Yet Syphax trust no more then thou maist view.
Vangue shall stay
So.
He stayes.
Enter a Page deliuering a letter to Sopho. which she [...] priuately reads.
Sy.
Zanthia, Zanthia
Thou art not foule, go to, some Lords are oft
So much in loue with their knowne Ladyes bodies,
That they oft loue their vails, hold, hold thou'st find,
To faithfull care Kinges bounty hath no shore,
Za.
You may do much.
Sy.
But let my gold do more.
Za.
I am your creature.
Sy.
Bee, get, tis no staine
The God of seruice is howeuer gaine.
Exit.
So.
Zāthia, where are we now? speak worth my seruice
Ha wee don well?
Za.
Nay in haight of best.
I feard a superstitious virtue woulde spoile all,
But now I finde you aboue woemen rare,
Shee that can time her goodnesse hath true care
Of hir best good. Nature at home beginnes
She whose integritye her selfe hurts sinnes.
For Massinissa, hee was good and so,
But hee is dead, or worse, distressed, or more
Then dead, or much distressed, O sad, poore
Who euer held such friendes: no let him goe
Such faith is praisd, then laught at, for still knowe,
Those are the liuing woemen that reduce,
All that they touch vnto their ease and vse.
Knowing that wedlock, virtue or good names,
Are courses and varietyes of reason
To vse or leaue as they aduantage them
And absolute within themselues reposde,
Onely to Greatnes Ope, to all els closde.
Weake sanguine fooles, are to their owne good nice
Before I held you vertuous but now wise.
So.
Zanthia victorious Massinissa liu's.
My Massinissa liues: O steddye powers
Keepe him as safe as heauen keepes the earth.
Which lookes vpon it with a thousand eyes,
That honest valiant man and Zanthia,
Doe but recorde the iustice of his loue,
And my for euer vowes, for euer vowes.
Za.
I true Madam: nay thinke of his great minde
His most iust heart his all of excellence
And such a virtue as the Gods might enuy
Againe this Syphax is but▪—and you know.
Fame lost what can be got thats good: for:
So.
hence
Take nay with one hand.
Za.
My seruice.
So.
Prepare
Our sacrifice.
Za.
But yeeld you, I or no?
So.
Whē thou dost know.
Za.
what thē?
So.
then thou wilt know
Let him that would haue counsell voide th'aduice
Exit Zanthia
Of friendes made his with waighty benefites
Whose much dependance onely striues to fit
Humor not reason, and so still deuise
In any thought to make their frieud seeme wise
But aboue all O feare a seruants toung,
Like such as onely for their gaine to serue
Within the vaste capacitye of place
I know no vilenes so most truly base.
Their Lordes, their gaine: and he that most will giue,
With him (they will not dye: but) they will liue.
Traitors and these are one: such slaues once trust
Whet swords to make thine own blood lick the dust.
Cornets and Organs playing full musick. Enters the solemni­ty of a sacrifice, which beeing entred whilst the attendance furnish the Altar Sopho. Songe: which don shee speakes.
Withdraw, withdraw All but Zauthia & Vangue depart
I not invoake thy arme thou God of sound
Nor thine, nor thine, although in all abound.
High powers immense: But Iouiall Mercury
And thou O brightest femall of the sky
Thrice modest Phoebe, you that iointly fit
A worthy chastity and a most chast witte
To you corruptles Hunny, and pure dewe
Vpbreathes our holy fier. Words iust and few
O daine to heare if in poore wretches cryes
You glory not: if drops of withered eyes
Bee not your sport, bee iust: all that I crane
Is but chast life or an vntainted graue.
I can no more: yet hath my constant toung
Let fall no weakenes, tho'my heart were wrung
VVith pangus worth hell: whilst great thoghts stop our tears
Sorrowe vnseene, vnpittied in ward wears.
You see now where I rest, come is my end.
Cannot heauen, virtue, against weake chance defend?
VVhen weakenes hath outborne what weakenes can,
VVhat should I say tis Ioues, not sinne of man.
Some stratagem now let wits God be showne,
Celestiall powers by miracles are knowne.
I hau't tis don. Zanthia prepare our bed
Vangue
Va.
Your seruant.
So.
Vangue we haue performd
Due rites vnto the dead.
Sopho: presents a carous to Vangue & & &.
Now to thy Lord great Syphax healthfull cups: which don,
The King is right much welcome.
Va.
VVere it as deep as thoght off it should thns—he drinks
So.
My safety with that draught.
Va.
Close the vaults mouth least we do slip in drinke,
So.
To what vse gentle Negro serues this caue
Whose mouth thus opens so familliarly,
Euen in the Kings bedchamber?
Va.
O my Queene
This vault with hideous darkenes and much length
stretcheth beneath the earth into a groue
One league from Cirta (I am very sleepy)
Through this when Cirta hath beeue strong begirt
VVith hostile siedge the King hath safely scaped
To, to,
So.
The wine is strong.
Va.
strong?
So.
Zanthia
Za.
VVhat meanes my princes?
So.
Zanthia rest firme
And scilent, helpe vs: Nay do not dare refuse.
Za.
The Negros dead.
So.
No drunke.
Za.
Alas.
So.
Too late,
Her hand is fearefull whose mindes desperate.
It is but sleepie Opium he hath drunke,
Helpe Zanthia, They lay Vangue in Syphax bed & draw the cur­taines, there lye Syphax bride, a naked man is soone vndrest;
There bide dishonoured passion they knock within, forth­with Syphax comes.
Sy.
VVay for the King.
So.
Straight for the King: I flye
VVhere misery shall see nought but it selfe.
Deere Zanthia close the vault when I am sunk
And whilst he slips to bed escape be true
I can no more, come to me: Harke Gods, my breath
Scornes to craue life graunt but a well famde death she de­scends
[Page]Enter Syphax ready for bedd.
Sy.
Each man withdraw, let not a creature stay
Within large distance.
Za.
Sir?
Sy.
hence Zanthia,
Not thou shalt heare, all stand without eare-reach
Of the soft cries nice shrinking brides do yeeld
When—
Za.
But Sir—
Sy.
Hence—stay, take thy delight by steps,
Thinke of thy joyes, and make long thy pleasures,
O silence thou dost swallow pleasure right,
Wordes take avvay some sense from our delight;
Musique: be proud my Uenus, Mercury thy tong,
Cupid thy flame, boue all O Hercules
Let not thy backe be wanting: for now I leape
To catch the fruite none but the Gods should reap
Offering to leape into bed, he discouers Vangue.
Hah! can any woman turne to such a Diuell?
Or: or: Vangue, Vangue—
Van.
Yes, yes.
Sy.
speake slaue,
How camst thou here?
Van.
Here?
Sy.
Zanthia, Zanthia,
Wher's Sophonisba? speake at full, at ful,
Giue me particular faith, or know thou art not—
Za.
Your pardon just mou'd prince & priuat eare
Sy.
Ill actions have some grace, that they can feare
Va.
How cam I laid? which way was I made drūk?
Where am I? think, or is my state aduanc'd?
O Ioue how pleasant is it but to sleepe
In a kings bed!
Sy.
Sleepe there thy lasting sleep
Improuident, base, o're-thirsty slaue.
Sy. killes Va.
Dy pleas'd a kings couch is thy too proud graue.
Through this vault sayst thou?
Za.
As you giue me grace
To liue, tis true.
Sy.
We will be good to Zanthia;
Go cheare thy Ladie, and be priuate to vs.
She descends after Sophonisba.
Za.
As to my life.
Sy.
I'le vse this Zanthia,
And trust her as our dogs drink dangerous Nile,
only for thirst, the Flie the Crocodile:
Wise Sophonisba knowes loues trickes of art,
Without much hindrance, pleasure hath no hart;
Dispight all vertue or weake plots I must
Seauen waled Babell cannot bear out lust
Descends through the vault.
Scena Secunda. Cornets sound Marches. Enter Scipio and Lelius with the complements of a Roman Generall before them, At the other dore, Massinissa and Iugurth.
Ma.
Let not the virtue of the world suspect
Sad Massinissas faith: nor once cōdemne
Our just reuolt: Carthage first gaue me life,
Hir ground gaue food, hir aire first lent me breath
The Earth was made for men, not men for Earth.
Scipio I do not thanke the Gods for life,
Much lesse vile men, or earth: know best of Lords,
It is a happy being breath well fam'd,
For which Ioue sees these thus; Men be not foold
With piety to place: traditions feare,
A iust mans contry Ioue makes euery where.
Sci.
Well vrgeth Massinissa, but to leaue
A Citie so ingrate, so faithlesse, so more vile
Then ciuill speach may name, fear not, such vice
To scourge is heauens most gratefull sacrifice.
Thus all confesse first they haue broke a faith
To the most due, so just to be obseru'd
That barborousnes it selfe may well blush at them
Where is thy passiō? they haue shar'd thy crowne
Thy proper right of birth; contriu'd thy death.
Where is thy passion? giuen thy beauteous spouse.
To thy most hated riuall: statue, not man,
And last thy freind Gelosso (man worth Gods)
With tortures haue they rēt to death.
Ma.
O Gel.
For thee full eyes
Sci.
No passion for the rest.
Ma.
O Scipio my greefe for him may be expressd by teares
But for the rest silence & secret anguish
Shall wast: shall wast:— Scipio he that can weepe,
Greeues not like me priuate deepe inward drops
Of bloud: my heart—for Gods rights giue me leaue
To be a short time Man.
Sci.
stay prince.
Ma.
I cease;
Forgiue if I forget thy presence: Scipio
Thy face makes Massinissa more then man,
And here before your steddy power a vow
As firme as fate I make: when I desist
To be commaunded by thy virtue, ( Scipio)
Or fall from frend of Romes, reuenging Gods
Aflict me worth your torture: I haue giuen
Of passion and of faith my heart.
Sci.
To counsel then
Greefe fits weake hearts, reuenging virtue men.
Thus I thinke fit, before that Syphax know
How deepely Carthage sinkes, lets beat swift march
Vp euen to Cirta, and whilst Syphax snores
With his, late thine—
Ma.
With mine? no Scipio,
Libea hath poyson, aspes, kniues, & to much earth
To make one graue, with mine? not, she can dye,
Scipio, with mine? Ioue say it thou dost lie.
Sci.
Temperance be Scipios honor.
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 prayse Gods goodnes but adore.
Gods cannot fall, and for their constant goodnesse
(Which is necessited) they haue a crowne
Of neuer ending pleasures: but faint man
(Framd to haue his weaknes made the heauens glo­ry
If he with steddy vertue holdes all seidge
That power, that speach, that pleasure, that full sweets
A world of greatnes can assaile him with,
Hauing no pay but selfe wept miserie,
And beggars treasure heapt, that man Ile prayse
Aboue the Gods.
Sc.
The Libean speakes bold sense
Ma.
By that by which all is, Proportion,
I speake with thought.
Sci.
No more.
Ma.
Forgiue my admiration
You toucht a string to which my sense was quick,
Can you but thinke? doe, do; my greefe! my greefe
Would make a Saint blaspheme: giue some releefe,
As thou art Scipio forgiue that I forget,
I am a Soldier; such woes Ioues ribs would burst,
Few speake lesse ill that feele so much of worst.
My eare attends
Sci.
Beefore then Syphax ioine
With new strength'd Carthage, or can once vnwind
His tangled sense from out so vilde amaze
Fall we like suddeine lightning fore his eyes;
Boldnesse and spead are all of victories.
Ma.
Scipio, let Massinissa clip thy knees;
May once these eyes vew Syphax? shall this arme
Once make him feele his sinue? O yee Gods
My cause, my cause! Iustice is so huge odds
That he who with it feares, Heauen must renounce
In his creatiō.
Sci.
Beat then a close quicke march
Before the morne shall shake cold dewes through skyes,
Syphax shall tremble at Romes thicke allarmes.
Ma.
Yee powres I challenge conquest to just armes.
With a full florish of Cornettes they depart.
Actus Tertii FINIS.

Actus Quarti

Scena Prima.

Organs Violls and Voices play for this Act.
Enter Sophonisba and Zanthia as out of a caues mouth
So.
Where are wee Zanthia?
Za.
Vangue said the caue
Op'ned in Belos forrest.
So.
Lord how sweete
I sent the ayre? the huge longe vaultes close vaine,
What dumps it breathd? In Belos forrest sayst?
Be valiant Zanthia; how farr's Vtica
From these most heauy shades?
Zan.
Ten easy leages.
So.
Thers Massinissa, my true Zanthia
Shals venture nobly to escape, and touch
My Lordes just armes: Loues winges so justly heaue
The body vp, that as our toes shall trip
Ouer the tender and obedient grasse,
Scarse any drop of dew is dasht to ground.
And see the willing shade of friendly night
Makes safe our instant haste: Boldnesse and speede
Make actions wost impossible succeede.
Za.
But Madam know the forrest hath no way
But one to passe the which holds strictest gard.
So.
Doe 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 be numd's my sense Chaunce hath so often
I scarce cā feele: I should now curse the Gods ▪struck
Call on the furies: stampe the patient earth
cleaue my streachd cheeks with sound speake from all sense
But loud and full of players eloquence
No, no, What shall we eate.
Za.
Madam ile search
For some ripe Nuts which Autumn hath shook down
From the vnleau'd Hasel, then some cooler ayre
Shall lead me to a spring: Or I will try
The courteous pale of some poore forrestres,
For milke.
So.
Exit Zanthia.
Do Zanthia, O happinesse,
Of those that know not pride or lust of citty,
Ther's no man bless'd but those that most men pitty.
O fortunate poore maides, that are not forc'd,
To wed for state nor are for state diuorc'd!
Whome policy of kingdoms doth not marry,
But pure affection makes to loue or vary,
You feele no loue, which you dare not to shew,
Nor show a loue which doth not truely grow:
O you are surely blessed of the skie,
You liue, that know not death before you die,
Through the vautes mouth in his night gowne, torch in his hand, Syphax enters iust behind Sophon.
You are:
Sy.
In Syphax armes, thing of false lip,
What God shall now release thee,
So.
Art a man?
Sy.
Thy limbs shall feele, despight thy vertue know
I'le thredd thy richest pearle: this forrests deafe,
As is my lust: Night and the God of scilence,
Swels my full pleasures, no more shalt thou delude,
My easie credence▪ Virgin of faire brow,
Well featurde creature, and our vtmost wonder,
Queene of our youthfull bed be proud,
Syphax setteth away his light, & prepareth tin'brace Soph.
Ile vse thee,
Sopho snatcheth out her knife.
So.
Look thee, view this, show but one strain of force
Bow but to sease this arme, and by my selfe,
Or more by Massinissa this good steele,
Shall set my soule on wing▪ thus formde Gods see,
And men with Gods worth enuy nought but me.
Sy.
Doe strike thy breast, know being dead, Ile vse,
With highest lust of sense thy senselesse flesh,
And euen then thy vexed soule shall see,
Without resistance, thy trunke prostitute,
Vnto our appetite.
So.
I shame to make thee know,
How vile thou speakest: Corruption then as much,
As thou shalt doe: but frame vnto thy lusts,
Imaginatious vtmost sin: Syphax,
I speake all frightles, know I liue or die
To Massinissa, nor the force of fate
Shall make me leaue his loue, or slake thy hate▪
I will speake no more,
Sy.
Thou hast amazde vs, Womans forced vse,
Like vnripe fruites, no sooner got but waste,
They haue proportion, colour but no taste,
Thinke Syphax—Sophonisba rest thine owne,
Our Guard,
Enter a Guard.
Creature of most astonishing vertue,
If with faire vsage, loue and passionate courtings,
We may obtaine, the heauen of thy bed,
We cease, no sute from other force be free.
VVe dote not on thy body, but loue thee,
So▪
Wilt thou keep faith?
Sy.
By thee & by that power
By which thou art thus glorious, trust my vow,
Our guard, conuay the roialst excellence
That euer was cald Woman, to our Pallace,
Obserue her with strict care:
So.
Dread Syphax speak
As thou art worthy: is not Zanthia false▪
Sy.
[Page]
To thee shee is.
So.
As thou art then thy selfe
Let hir not bee.
Sy.
Shee is not.
The gaurd seizeth Zanthia.
Za.
Thus most speed when two foes are growne friends
Partakers bleed.
Sy.
When Plants must florish
Their manure must rot.
So.
Syphax bee recompenced.
I hate thee not.
Sopho. Exit.
Sy,
A wasting flame feedes on my amorous bloud
Which wee must coole or dye? what way all power,
All speech full Opportunity can make,
We haue made fruitles trial. Infernall Ioue,
You resolute Angels that delight in flames,
To you all wonder working spirites I flie
Since heauen helpes not, deepest hell weele trie.
Here in this desart the great soule of Charmes,
Dreadfull Erictho liues whose dismall brow,
Contemnes all roofes or ciuill couerture.
Forsaken graues and tombes the Ghosts forcd out
Shee ioyes to inhabit.
Infernall Musicke plaies softly whilst Erich­tho enters and & when she speakes ceaseth.
A loathsome yellowe leannesse spreades hir face
A heauy hell-like palenes loades hir cheekes
Vnknowne to a cleare heauen: but if darke windes.
Or thick black cloudes driue back the blinded stars
When her deepe magique makes forc'd heuen quake
And thunder spite of Ioue. Erichtho then
Frō naked graues stalkes out, heaues proud hir head
With lōg vnkēde haire loaden, and striues to snatch
The Nights quick sulphar: then she bursts vp tombes
From half rot searcloaths then she scrapes dry gums
For hir black rites: but when she findes a corse
New graud whose entrailes yet not turne
To fly my filth with greedy hauock then
she makes fierce spoile: & swels with wicked triumph
To bury hir leane knuckles in his eyes
Then doeth she knaw the pale and or'egrowne nailes
From his dry hand: but if she find some life
Yet lurking close she bites his gelled lips,
And sticking her blacke tongue in his drie throat,
She breathes dire murmurs, which inforce him beare
Her banefull secrets to the spirits of horror.
To her first sound, the Gods yeeld any harme,
As trembling once to heare a second charme,
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 al full of Ioue,
Tis done, tis done, to vs heaue earth▪ sea, aire,
And Fate it selfe obayes, the beastes of death,
And all the terrors angry Gods inuented,
(T'afflict th' ignorance of patient man),
Tremble at vs: the roulde vp snake vncurlde,
His twisted knots at our affrighting voice,
Are we incensd? the King of flames grows pale,
Least he be choakde with blacke and earthy fumes,
Which our charms raise: Be ioi'd, make proud thy lust
I doe not pray you Gods, my breathes: You must.
Sy.
Deepe knowing spirit, mother of all high
Misterious science, what may Syphax yeeld,
Worthy thy art, by which my soule's thus easde,
The Gods first made me liue, but thou liue pleasde.
Eri.
Know then our loue, hard by the reuerēt ruines
Of a once glorious temple rearde to Ioue,
Whose very rubbish (like the pittied fall,
Of Vertue much vnfortunate) yet beares,
A deathlesse Maiesty though now quite rac'd,
Hurld downe by wrath, and lust of impious Kings
So that where holy Flamins wont to sing,
Sweet Hyms to heauen, there the daw and crow,
The ill voic'de Rauen, and still chattering Pie:
Send out vngratefull sound, and loathsome filth,
Where statues and Ioues acts were viuely lim'd
Boyes with blacke coales, draw the vaild parts of nature,
And leacherous actions of imaginde lust,
Where tombes and beauteous vrns of well dead men.
Stoode in assured rest, the shepheard now,
Vnloads his belly: Corruption most abhord
Mingling it selfe with their renowned ashees,
Our selfe quakes at it.
There once a Charnel house, now a vast caue,
Ouer whose brow a pale and vnt rod groue
Throwes out her heauy shade, the mouth thick armes
Of darksom Ewe, (Sun proofe) for euer choake
Within rests barren darknesse, fruitlesse drough
Pines in eternal Night: The steame of Hell
Yeeldes not so lasie ayre: there that's my cell
From thence a charme which Ioue dare not here twic [...]
Shall force her to thy bed: but Syphax know
Loue is the highest rebell to our art.
Therfore I charge thee by the feare of all
Which thou knowest dreadfull, or more, by our selfe▪
As with swift hast she passeth to thy bed,
And easie to thy wishes yeelds: speake not one word▪
Nor dare as▪ thou dost feare thy losse of joyes
T'admit one light, one light,
Sy.
As to my Fate [...]
I yeeld my guidance.
Eri.
Then when I shall force
The ayre to musicke and the shads of night
To forme sweete sounds: make proud thy rais'd delight.
Meane time behold I go a charme to reare
Whose potent sound will force our selfe to feare.
Sy.
Whither is Syphax heau'd? at length shalls joy
Hopes more desired then Heauen? Sweet laboring Earth
Let Heauen be vnform'd with mighty charmes,
Let Sophonisba only fill these armes.
Ione weele not enuie thee: Blouds appetite
Is Syphax God: My wisedome is my sense,
Without a man I hold no excellence.
Giue me long breath yong beds and sicklesse ease
For we hold firme thats lawfull which doeth please
Infernall Musique softly.
Harke, harke, now rise jnfernall tones
The depe fetch'd grones
Of laboring spirits that attend
Erichtho.
Eri.
Erichtho.
within.
Sy.
Now cracke the trembling earth and send
Shreekes that portend
Affrightment to the Gods which heare
Erichtho.
Eri.
Erichtho
within
Atreble Uioll and a base Lute play softlyd within the Canopy.
Harke harke, now softer melody strikes mute
Disquiet nature: O thou power of sound
How thou dost melt me. Harke, now euen Heauen
Giues vp his soule amongst vs: Now's the time
When gready expectation strains mine eyes
For their lou'd object: now Erichtho will'd
Prepare my appetite for loues strict gripes
O you dear founts of pleasure Bloud and Beauty
Rayse actiue venus worth fruition
Of such prouoking sweetnesse. Harke: shee coms▪
A short song to soft Musique aboue.
Now nuptiall Hymes inforced Spirits sing
Harke, ( Syphax) harke:
Cantant▪
Now Hell and Heauen ringes
With Musique spigh of Phoebus: Peace:
Enter Erichtho in the shape of Sophonisba, her face vailed and hasteth in the bed of Syphax.
Shee coms:
Fury of blouds impatient: Erichtho
Boue thunder sit; to thee egregious soule
Let all flesh bend. Sophonisba thy flame
But equall mine, and weele ioy such delight
That Gods shall not admire, but euen spight.
Syphax hasteneth within the Canopy as to Sophonisbas bed
Actus Quarti. FINIS.

Actus Quinti

Scena Prima.

A Base Lute and a Treble Violl play for the Act.
Syphax drawes the curtaines and discouers 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 loath'd delusion!
They leape out of the bed Syphax takes him to his sword
Eri.
Why foole of kings, could thy weake soule imagin
That t'is within the graspe of Heauen or Hell
To inforce loue? why know Loue doates the Fates
Ioue groanes beneath his waight: more ignorant thing,
Know we Erichtho, with athirsty womb
Haue coueted full threescore Suns for bloud of kings,
We that can make inraged Neptune tosse
His huge curld lockes without one breath of wind:
We that can make Heauen slide from Atlas shoulder:
We in the pride and haight of couetous lust
Haue wisht with wo mans gredines to fill
Our longing armes with Syphax well strong lims:
And dost thou think if Philters or Hels charmes
Could haue inforc'd thy vse, we would hau'dam'd
Braine sleightes? no, no, Now are we full
Of our deare wishes: thy proud heat well wasted
Hath made our lims grow young: our loue farwell,
Know he that would force loue, thus seekes his Hell.
Erichtho slips into the ground as Syphax offers his sword to hir.
Sy.
Can we yet breath? is any plagued like me?
Are we? lets thinke: O now contempt, my hate
To the, thy thunder, sulphure and scorn'd name.
He whose lifes loath'd, and he who breathes to curse
His very being; let him thus with me
Syphax kneeles at the Aultar
Fall fore an Aultar sacred to black powers,
And thus dare Heauens: O thou whose blasting flames
Hurle barren droughes vpon the patient earth,
And thou gay God of riddles and strange tales
Hot-brained Phebus, all adde if you can
Something vnto my misery; if ought
Of plagues lurk in your deepe trench'd browes
Which yet I know not: let them fall like boltes
Which wrathfull Ioue driues strong in ▪o my bosom,
If any chance of war, or newes ill voyc'd,
Mischeife vnthought of lurke, come gift vs all,
Heape curse on curse, we can no lower fall.
Out of the Aultar the ghost of Asdruball ariseth.
Asd.
Lower, lower,
Sy.
What damn'd ayre is form'd
Into that shape? speake, speake, we cannot quake,
Our flesh knowes not ignoble tremblinges, speake,
We dare thy terror: me thinkes Hell and fate
Should dread a soule with woes made desperate.
As.
Know me the spirit of great Asdruball
Father to Sophonisba, whose bad heart
Made justly most vnfortunate: for know
I turn'd vnfaithfull, after which the feeld
Chanc'd to our losse, when of thy men there fell
6000 soules next fight of Lybeans ten.
After which losse we vnto Carthage flying,
Th'inraged people cride their army fell
Through my base treason: straight my reuengefull fury
Makes them persue me, I with resolute hast▪
Made to the graue of all our Auncestors
Where poyson'd, hop'd my bones should haue long rest.
But see the violent multitude arriues
Teare downe our monument, and mee now dead
Deny a graue: hurle vs among the rockes
To stanch beasts hunger; therefore thus vngrau'd
I seeke slow rest: now doest thou know more woes
And more must feele: Mortals O feare to sleight
Your Gods and vowes: Ioues arme is of dread might.
Sy.
Yet speake shall I orecome approaching foes.
As.
Spirits of wrath know nothing but their woes.
Exit▪
Enter Nuntius.
Nuu.
My liedge, my liedge, the scouts of Cirta bring intelligēce
Of suddaine danger, full ten thousand horse
Fresh and well [...]id strong Massinissa leades
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.
Harke their march is heard euen to the cittye.
Sy.
Helpe, our guard, my armes, bid all our leaders march.
Beate thicke allarms, I haue seene things which thou
Wouldst quake to heare,
Boldnes and strength the shame of slaues bee feare.
Vp heart, hold sword: though waues roule thee on shelfe,
Though fortune leaue thee leaue not thou thy selfe.
Exit arming
Scena Secunda.
Enter 2. Pages with targets & Ianelins Lelius & Iugurth with hol­berds. Scipio & Massinissa armed Cornets sounding a march.
Sc.
Stand▪
Ma.
Giue the word stand.
So.
Part the fyle.
Ma.
giue way
Scipio by thy great name, but greater vertue,
By our eternall loue giue me the chance
Of this dayes battle: Let not thy enuied fame
Vouchsafe t'appose the Roman legious
Against one weakened Prince of Lybea
This quarrels mine: mine bee the stroke of fight
Let vs and Syphax hurle our well forcd dartes
Each vnto others▪ breast, O (what should I say)
Thou beyonde epithete thou whom proude Lords of fortune
May euen enuye: (alas my ioyes so vaste
Makes me seeme lost let vs thunder and lightning
Strike from our braue armes, looke, looke, sease that hill.
Harke he comes neare: From thence discerne vs strike
Fyer worth Ioue, mount vp, and not repute
Mee very proud tho wondrous resolute.
My cause: my cause, is my bold hartning ods,
That seeuen fold shield, just armes should fright the Gods
Sci.
Thy words are full of honour take thy fate,
Mas.
Which wee do scorne to feare, to Scipio state
Worthy his heart. Now let the forced brasse
Sound on.
Cornets sound a march Scipio leades his traine vp to the mount.
Iugurth claspe sure our caske
Arme vs with care, and Iugurth if I fall
Through this dayes malice, or our fathers sinnes
If it in thy sword lye, breake vp my breast
And saue my heart that neuer fell nor's adue
To ought but Ioue and Sophonisba. Sound
Sterne hartners vnto woundes and blood, sound loude
For wee haue named Sophonisba.
Cornets a florish
Cornets a march far of.
So.
Harke harke, hee comes, stand bloud, now multiply
Force more then fury, sound high, sound high, wee strike
For Sophonisba.
Enter Syphax armd his pages with shields & darts before Cornets sounding marches.
Sy.
For Sophonisba.
Ma.
Syphax.
Sy.
Massinissa.
Ma.
Be twixt vs too
Let single fight try all.
Sy
Well vrgd,
Ma.
Well graunted
Of you my stars as I am worthy you
I implore aide, and O if angels waite
Vpon good harts my Genius bee as strong
As I am iust.
Sy.
Kinges glory is their wrong.
Hee that may onely do iust act's a slaue
My Gods my arme, my life, my heauen, my graue
To mee all end.
Ma.
Giue day Gods, life and death
To him that onely feares blaspheming breath
For Sophonisba.
Sy.
For Sophonisba.
Cornets sound a charge Massinissa & Syphax combate, Syphax falles Massinissa vn­clasps Syphax caske & as reddy to kil him speakes Syphax.
Sy.
Vnto thy fortune not to thee wee yeeld
Ma.
Liues Sophonisba yet vnstaind, speake iust
Yet ours vnforcd?
Sy
Let my heart fall more low
Then is my body, if onely to thy glory
She liues not yet all thine.
Ma.
Rise, rise, cease strife.
Heare a most deepe reuenge, from vs take life.
Cornets sounded a march Scipio & Lelius Enter, Scipio passeth to his thron Massinissa presēts Syphax to Scipios feet Cornets sounding a flo­rish.
To you all power of strength: and next to thee
Thou spirit of triumph borne for victory.
I heaue these handes: March wee to Cirta straight,
My Sophonisba with swift hast to winne
In honor & in loue all meane is sinne▪ Ex. Ma. & Iug.
Sc.
As we are Romes great Generall thus wee press
Thy Captiue neck▪ but as still Scipio
And sensible of iust humanitie
We weepe thy bondage: speake thou ill chanc'd man
What spirit tooke thee when thou wert our friend
(Thy right hand giuen both to Gods and vs
With such most passionate vowes and solemne faith)
Thou fledst with such most foule disloyalty
To now weak Carthage strēgthning their bad arms
Who lately scornd thee with all lothd abuse
Who neuer intertaine for loue but vse
Sy.
Scipio my fortune is captiud not I
Therefore Ile speake bold truth▪ nor once mistrust
What I shall say, for now beeing wholy yours
I must not faine, Sophomsba t'was shee
T'was Sophonisba that solicited
My forc'd reuolt, t'was hir resistles sute
Hir loue to hir deare Carthage'tic'd mee breake
All faith with men: t'was shee made Syphax false
Shee that lou's Carthage with such violence
And hath such mouing graces to allure
That shee will turne a man that once hath sworne
Himselfe on's fathers bones hir Carthage foe
To bee that citties Champion and high friend
Hir Himeneall torch burnt downe my house
Then was I captiud when hir wanton armes
There mouing claspt about my neck, O charmes
Able to turne euen fate: but this in my true griefe
Is some iustioy, that my loue sotted foe
Shall sease that plague, that Massinissas breast
Hir handes shall arme, and that ere long youle try
Shee can force him your foe as well as I,
Sci.
Lelius, Lelius, take a choice troupe of horse
And spur to Cirta. To Massinissa thus
Syphax pallace▪ crowne, spoile citties sack
Be free to him but if our new laughd friend
Possesse that woman of so mouing art
Charge him with no lesse waight then his deare vow
Our loue, all faith, that hee resigne her thee
As hee shall aunswere Rome will him giue vp
A Roman prisoner to the Senates doome
Shee is a Carthaginian, now our lawes
VVise men preuent not actions, but euer cause
Sy.
Good malice, so, as liberty so deere
Proue my reuenge: what I cannot possesse
Another shall not: thats some happines.
Exeunt the Cornets flourishing.
[Page]Scena tertia, The Cornets afar off sounding a charge, A Souldier wounded at one dore, Enters at the other Sophonisba, two Pa ges before her with lightes, two women bearing vppe her traine.
Sol.
Princes O flie, Syphax hath lost the day,
And captiu'de lies, the Roman Legeons
Haue seisde the towne, and with inueterate hate,
Make slaues or murder all: Fier and steele,
Fury and night hold all: faire Queene O flie,
We bleede for Carthage, all of Carthage die.
Exit.
The Cornets sounding a March, Enter Pages with iauelings and Targets, Massinissa and Iugurth, Massinissas beauer shut.
Ma.
March to the Pallace. So▪ What ere man thou art
Of Libea, thy faire armes speake: giue hart,
To amazde weakenes, heare her, that for long time,
Hath seene no wished light. Sophonisba,
A name for misery much knowne, tis she,
Intreates of thy gracd sword, this onely boone,
Let me not kneele to Rome, for though no cause,
Of mine deserues their hate, though Massinissa,
Be ours to hart, yet Roman Generals
Make proud their triumphs, with what euer captiues
O tis a Nation which from soule I feare,
As one well knowing the much grounded hate,
They beare to Asdrubal and Carthage bloud,
Therefore with teares that wash thy feet, with hands
Vnusde to beg I claspe thy manlie knees,
O saue me from their fetters and contempt,
Their proud insultes, and more then insolence,
Or if it rest not in thy grace of breath,
To grant such freedome, giue me long wishd death,
For tis not much loathde life, that now we craue,
Onely an vnshamd death, and silent graue
We will now daine to bend for.
Ma.
Rarity
Mas. disarmes his head.
By thee and this right hand thou shalt liue free.
So.
We cannot now be wretched.
Ma.
Stay the sword.
Let slaughter cease, Soundes soft as Ledas breast, Soft Musique.
Slide through all eares, this night be loues high feast,
So.
O're whelme me not with sweetes, let me not drinke,
Till my breast burst, O loue thy Nectar, thinke
She sinkes into Massi. armes.
Ma.
She is orecome with ioy.
So.
Helpe, helpe to beare
Some happinesse yee powers, I haue ioy to spare,
Inough to make a God, O Massinissa.
Ma.
Peace,
A silent thinking makes full ioyes increase.
Enter Lelius.
Le.
Massinissa.
Ma.
Lelius.
Le.
Thine eare.
Ma.
Stand off
Le.
From Scipio thus: by thy late vow of faith,
And mutuall league of endles amity,
As thou respects his vertue or Romes force,
Deliuer Sophonisba to our hand,
Ma.
Sophonisba?
Le.
Sophonisba.
So.
My Lord,
Lookes pale, and from his halfe burst eyes a flame,
Of deepe disquiet breakes, the Gods turne false,
My sad presage.
Ma.
Sophonisba?
Le.
Euen she,
Ma.
Shee kilde not Scipios father nor his vnkle,
Great Cneius.
Le.
Carthage did.
Mas.
to her whats Carthage?
Le.
Know twas her father Asdrubal strooke off
His fathers head, giue place to faith and fate,
Ma.
Tis crosse to honor.
Le.
But tis iust to state,
So speaketh Scipio, doe not thou detaine,
A Roman prisoner, due to this great triumph,
As thou shalt answere Rome and him.
Ma.
Lelius.
We now are in Romes power, Lelius,
View Massinissa do, a loathed act,
Most sinking from that state his hart did keepe,
Looke Lelius looke, see Mas [...]inissa weepe,
Know I haue made a vow more deere to me,
Then my soules endles being: she shall rest,
Free from Romes bondage.
Le.
But dost thou forget,
Thy vow yet fresh thus breathd: When I desist:
To be commaunded by thy vertue: Scipio,
Or fall from friend of Rome, Reuenging Gods,
Afflict me with your torture.
Ma.
Lelius enough:
Salute the Roman, tell him wee will act
What shall amaze him.
Le.
Wilt thou yeeld her then?
Ma.
Shee shall ariue there straight.
Le.
Best fate of men,
To thee.
Ma.
and Scipio: Haue I liude O Heauens,
To be inforcedly perfidious?
So.
What vniust griefe afflicts my worthy Lord,
Ma
Thanke me yee Gods, with much beholdingnes▪
For marke, I doe not curse you:
So.
Tell mee sweet
The cause of thy much anguish.
Ma.
Ha, the cause?
Lett's see, wreath backe thine armes, bend down thy necke▪
Practise base Praiers, make fit thy selfe for bondage,
So.
Bondage.
Ma.
Bondage, Roman bondage.
So.
No, No.
Ma.
How then haue I vowde well to Scipio?
So.
How then to Sophonisba?
Ma.
Right which way
Runne mad impossible distraction,
So.
Deere Lord thy patience; let it maze all power,
And list to her in whose sole heart it rests,
To keepe thy faith vpright.
Ma.
Wilt thou be slau'd,
So.
No free.
Ma.
How then keepe I my faith?
So.
My death▪
Giu's helpe to all: From Rome so rest we free,
So brought to Scipio, faith is kept in thee.
Enter a Page with a bole of wine.
Ma.
Thou darst not die, some wine, thou darst not die.
So.
How neere was I v [...]to the curse of man, Ioye,
How like was I yet once to haue beene glad:
He that neere laught may with a constant face,
Contemne Ioues frowne. Happinesse makes vs base.
She takes a bole into which Mas. puts poison.
Behold me Massinissa, like thy selfe,
A king and souldier, and I pree thee keepe,
My last command,
Ma.
Speake sweet.
So.
Deere doe not weepe
And now with vndismaid resolue behold,
To saue You, you, (for honor and iust faith.
Are most true Gods, which we should much adore)
With euen disdainefull vigour I giue vp,
An abhord life.
She drinks.
You haue beene good to me,
And I doe thanke thee heauen, O my stars,
I blesse your goodnes, that with breast vnstaind,
Faith pure: a Virgin wife, try'de to my glory,
I die of female faith, the long liu'de story,
Secure from bondage, and all seruile harmes,
But more most happy in my husbands armes.
she sinks
Iug.
Massinissa, Massinissa,
Ma.
Couetous
Fame greedy Lady, could no scope of glory,
No reasonable proportion of goodnes
Fill thy great breast, but thou must proue immense
Incomprehence in vertue, what wouldst thou,
Not onely be admirde, but euen adorde?
O glory ripe for heauen? Sirs helpe, helpe, helpe,
Let vs to Scipio with what speed you can.
For piety make haste, whilst yet we are man.
Exeunt bearing Soph. in a chaire,
Cornets, A March, Enter Scipio in full state triumphal or­namentes carried before him and Sy. bound at the other dore Lelius.
Sc.
What answers Massinissa will he send,
That Sophonisba of so mouing tongs
Le.
Full of dismaid vnsteddines he stood,
His right hand lookt in hers, which hand he gaue
As pledge from Rome, she euer should liue free
But when I entred, and well vrg'd this vow
And thy command his great hart sunke with shame:
His eyes lost spirite, and his heat of life,
Sanke from his face, as one that stood benumbde,
All mazde, t'effect, impossibilities,
For eyther vnto her or Scipio,
He must breake vow, long time he tossd his thoughts
And as you see a snow ball being rolde
At first a handfull, yet long bould about,
Infensibly acquires a mighty globe,
So his cold griefe through agitation growes,
And more he thinkes, the more of griefe he knowes
At last hee seemde to yeeld her.
Sy.
Marke Scipio,
Trust him that breaks a vow?
Sci.
How thē trust thee?
Sy
O misdoubt him not, when hee's thy slaue like me
Enter Massinissa all in black,
Mas.
Scipio,
Sc.
Massinissa,
Ma.
Generall.
Sc.
King.
Mas.
Liu's there no mercy for one soule of Carthage
But must see basenes?
Sc.
Wouldst thou ioy thy peace,
Deliuer Sophonisba straight and cease,
Do not graspe that which is too hote to hold,
We grace thy griefe, and hold it with soft sense.
Inioy good courage, but voide insolence.
I tell thee Rome and Scipio daine to beare,
So low a breast as for her say, we feare.
Ma.
Do not, doe notilet not the fright of Nations
Know so vile termes. Shee rests at thy dispose
Sy.
To my soule ioy, shall Sophonisba then
With me go bound and waite on Scipios wheele?
VVhen th'whole worlds giddy one man cānot reele,
Ma.
Starue thy leane hopes, and Romans now behold
A sight would sad the Gods? make Phaebus cold.
Orgaine and Recorders play to a single voice: Enter in the mean time the mournful solemnity of Massinissas presenting Sophon. body:
Looke Scipio, see what hard shift we make
To keepe our vowes; here, take I yeeld her thee,
And Sophonisba I keepe vow thou art still free.
Sy.
Burst my vext heart, the torture that most rackes
An enimie, is his foes royall actes.
Sc.
The glory of thy vertue liue for euer,
Braue heartes may be obscur'd, but extinct neuer.
Scipio adornes Massinissa.
Take from the Generall of Rome this crowne,
This roabe of triumph, and this conquests wreath
This scepter, and this hand for euer breath,
Romes very minion: Liue worth thy fame
As far from faintings as from now base name.
Ma.
Thou whom like sparkling steele the strokes of Chance
Made hard and firme; and like wild fier turnd
The more cold fate, more bright thy vertue burnd,
And in whole seas of miseries didst flame.
On theelou'd creature of a deathlesse fame
Massinissa adornes Sophonisba▪
Rest all my honour: O thou for whom I drinke
So deepe of greefe, that he must onely thinke,
Not dare to speake) that would expresse my woe,
Small riuers murmur, deepe gulfes silent flow,
My griefe is here, not here, heaue gently then,
Womens right wonder, and iust shame of men.
Cornets a short florish. Exeuntque, manet Ma.

EPILOGVS.

And now with lighter passion, though with most iust feare
I change my person, and do hether beare
Anothers voyce, who with a phrase as weak
As his deserts now will'd me▪ (thus form'd) speake,
If wordes well senc'd, best suting subiect graue,
Noble true story may once boldly craue,
Acceptance gratious, if he whose fiers,
Enuy not others nor him selfe admires.
If sceans exempt from ribaldrie or rage,
Of taxinges indiscreet, may please the stage,
If such may hope applause, he not commandes
Yet craues as due, the iustice of your hands
But freely he protests how ere it is,
Or well or ill, or much, not much amisse,
With constant modesty he doth submit,
To all, saue those, that haue more tongue then wit.

After all, let me intreat my Reader not to taxe me, for the fa­shion of the En [...]ances and Musique of this Tragidy, for know it is printed onely as it was presented by youths, & after the [...]shion of the priuate stage. Nor let some easily amended [...] in the Printing afflict thee sinc [...] thy owne discours [...] will [...]

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