John Marston

The Wonder of Women, or Sophonisba

Marston, John. The Wonder of Women, or The Tragedy of Sophonisba . 1606. Edited by David J. Amelang for the EMOTHE Digital Library. Valencia: EMOTHE Universitat de València, 2025.

Joan Oleza Simó (Investigador principal) Amelang, David J. (Editor de la edición crítica) Amelang, David J. (Editor digital)

English · Verso · 236 versos

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) License

https://playcode.fly.dev/plays/EMOTHE0761_TheWonderOfWomenOrSophonisba

Note on this digital edition

This publication is part of the research project «EMOTHE: Segunda fase de teatro español y europeo de los siglos XVI y XVII: patrimonio y bases de datos (ASODAT Tercera Fase)», reference code PID2022-136431NB-C65 (acronym EMOTHE), funded by MICIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033.

NOTE ON THE TEXT AND THE PLAY

This edition of John Marston’s The Wonder of Women takes the 1606 quarto of the play as the basis of its critical text, supplemented by the 1887 edition prepared by A.H. Bullen for his The Works of John Marston collection, in which he conflates the 1606 quarto and 1633 rendition published by William Sheares. All spelling has been mordernized using US English spelling conventions. All interventions made by the EMOTHE editor as well as by Bullen that do not appear in the original 1606 version of the play have been marked in between brackets; any changes made to the original text have been listed in the edition’s critical apparatus at the end of the play. John Marston’s The Wonder of Women depicts the tragic demise of Sophonisba, an influential Carthaginian noblewoman who lived during the Second Punic War (218-201 BCE) and who famously preferred to commit suicide and die in freedom rather than be taken prisoner by Rome. Despite not being well-known before the fifteenth century, the figure of Sophonisba became widely admired in Renaissance Europe; indeed, she stands out as one of the few female protagonists whose tale was dramatized in many – if not all – dramatic traditions in early modern Europe, beginning with Gian Giorgio Trissino’s Sofonisba (c. 1515), often credited as the first Renaissance tragedy written in Italian. In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries at least eleven different plays about her exploits were written and performed in Italy, France, England, Spain, the Netherlands and Germany, cementing her status as one of the most international dramatic heroines of the early modern stage. Marston’s tragedy was entered into the Stationers’ Register in 1606, and was published as a quarto by John Windet that same year under the title, The Wonder of Women, or The Tragedie of Sophonisba . The play was originally written either in late 1605 or early 1606, and performed by the Children of the Queen’s Revels -- one of Jacobean London’s popular boy acting companies -- at the ‘private’ Blackfriars playhouse. It was customary for the children’s performances in London’s so-called private playhouses to feature various musical interludes, which explains the stage directions at the beginning of every act. Indeed, Marston himself makes note of this particular feature in a postscript he included at the end of the 1606 quarto: “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 and 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 unevenness.” In 1633 the play was re-released, with some minimal changes, as part of William Sheares’ The Workes of John Marston six-play collection. More recently it has also been included in the Marston anthologies curated by J.O. Halliwell (1856), A.H. Bullen (1887), H. Harvey Wood (1934), Corbin and Sedge (1986), Macdonald P. Jackson and Michael Neill (1986), and Sturgess (1997); in 1979, William Kemp released the only single-play critical edition to date. Forthcoming is a critical edition prepared by Suzanne Gossett for The Complete Works of John Marston to be published by Oxford University Press (https://johnmarston.leeds.ac.uk/about/the-edition/).

TO THE GENERAL READER

Know that I have not labored in this poem to tie myself to relate anything as an historian; but to enlarge everything as a poet, to transcribe authors, quote authorities, and translate Latin prose orations into English black-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. Jo[hn] Marston

ARGUMENT

A grateful heart’s just height: ingratitude, And vows base breach with worthy shame pursued A woman’s constant love as firm as fate, A blameless counsellor well born for state, The folly to inforce free love: these know This subject with full light doth amply show.

LIST OF CHARACTERS (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)

ARCATHIA waiting woman to Sophonisba

ASDRUBAL father to Sophonisba

BYTHEAS a senator of Carthage

CARTHALON a senator of Carthage

ERICHTHO an enchantress

GELOSSO a senator of Carthage

GISCO a surgeon of Carthage

HANNO MAGNUS captain for Carthage

JUGURTH Massinissa’s nephew

LAELIUS general of Rome

MASSINISSA king in Lybia, rival for Sophonisba

NUNTIUS

NYCEA waiting woman to Sophonisba

SCIPIO general of Rome

SOPHONISBA daughter to Asdrubal of Carthage

SYPHAX king in Lybia, rival for Sophonisba

VANGUE an Ethiopian slave

ZANTHIA Sophonisba’s maid

ACT ONE

Prologue

(Cornets sound a march)

(Enter at one door the prologue, two pages with torches, Asdrubal and Jugurth, two pages with lights, Massinissa leading Sophonisba, Zanthia bearing Sophonisba’s train, Arcathia and Nycea, Hanno and Bytheas. At the other door two pages with targets and javelins, two pages with lights, Syphax armed from top to toe, Vangue follows. These thus entered stand still, whilst the prologue resting between both troops speaks:)

PROLOGUE

The scene is Lybia, and the subject thus: 1

Whilst Carthage stood the only awe of Rome 2

As most imperial seat of Lybia, 3

Governed by statesmen each as great as kings 4

(For seventeen kings were Carthage feodars) 5

Whilst thus she florished, whilst her Hannibal 6

Made Rome to tremble and the walls yet pale, 7

Then in this Carthage Sophonisba lived, 8

The far-famed daughter of great Asdrubal 9

For whom (mongst others) potent Syphax sues 10

And well-graced Massinissa rivals him, 11

Both princes of proud scepters. But the lot 12

Of doubtful favor Massinissa graced 13

At which Syphax grows black, for now the night 14

Yields loud resoundings of the nuptial pomp: 15

Apollo strikes his harp, Hymen his torch, 16

Whilst louring Juno with ill-boding eye 17

Sits envious at too forward Venus. Lo, 18

The instant night. And now, ye worthier minds 19

To whom we shall present a female glory 20

(The wonder of a constancy so fixed 21

That fate itself might well grow envious), 22

Be pleased to sit such as may merrit oil 23

And holy dew stilled from diviner heat, 24

For rest thus knowing what of this you hear 25

The author lowly hopes but must not fear. 26

For just worth never rests on popular frown, 27

To have done well is fair deeds’ onely crown. 28

Nee se quisiuerit extra. 29

(Cornets sound a march, the prologue leads Massinissa’s troupes over the stage and departs, Syphax’s troops only stay)

Scene 1

([The palace of Syphax at Cirta])

(Syphax and Vangue)

SYPHAX

Syphax, Syphax, why wast thou cursed a king? 1

What angry god made thee so great, so vile? 2

Contemned, disgraced! Think, wert thou a slave, 3

Though Sophonisba did reject thy love, 4

Thy low neglected head unpointed at 5

Thy shame unrumored and thy suit unscoffed, 6

Might yet rest quiet. Reputation, 7

Thou awe of fools and great men, thou that chokest 8

Freest addictions, and makest mortals sweat 9

Blood and cold drops in fear to lose, or hope 10

To gain thy never-certain, seldom-worthy gracings. 11

Reputation, 12

Were’t not for thee, Syphax could bear this scorn 13

Not spouting up his gall among his blood 14

In black vexations. Massinissa might 15

Enjoy the sweets of his preferred graces 16

Without my dangerous envy or revenge. 17

Wert not for thy affliction, all might sleep 18

In sweet oblivion. But (O greatness’ scourge!) 19

We cannot without envy keep high name, 20

Nor yet disgraced can have a quiet shame. 21

VANGUE

Scipio— 22

SYPHAX

Some light in depth of hell! Vangue, what hope? 23

VANGUE

I have received assured intelligence 24

That Scipio, Rome’s sole hope, hath raised up men, 25

Drawn troops together for invasion— 26

SYPHAX

Of this same Carthage? 27

VANGUE

With this policy

To force wild Hannibal from Italy— 28

SYPHAX

And draw the war to Affrick? 29

VANGUE

Right.

SYPHAX

And strike

This secure country with unthought of arms? 30

VANGUE

My letters bear he is departed Rome, 31

Directly setting course and sailing up. 32

SYPHAX

To Carthage, Carthage! O thou eternal youth, 33

Man of large fame, great and abounding glory, 34

Reknownful Scipio, spread thy two-necked eagles, 35

Fill full thy sails with a revenging wind, 36

Strike through obedient Neptune till thy prows 37

Dash up our Lybian house, and thy just arms, 38

Shine with amazeful terror on these walls! 39

O now record thy father’s honored blood 40

Which Carthage drunk, thy uncle Publius’ blood 41

Which Carthage drunk, thirty thousand souls 42

Of choice Italians Carthage set on wing; 43

Remember Hannibal, yet Hannibal, 44

The consul-queller. O then enlarge thy heart, 45

Be thousand souls in one, let all the breath, 46

The spirit of thy name and nation be mixed strong 47

In thy great heart! O fall like thunder shaft, 48

The winged vengeance of incensed Jove, 49

Upon this Carthage; for Syphax here flies off 50

From all allegiance, from all love or service, 51

His (now freed) scepter once did yield this city. 52

Ye universal gods, light, heat, and air, 53

Prove all unblessing Syphax if his hands 54

Once rear themselves for Carthage but to curse it! 55

It had been better they had changed their faith, 56

Denied their gods, than slighted Syphax’s love: 57

So fearfully will I take vengeance: 58

I’ll interleague with Scipio. Vangue, 59

Dear Ethiopian negro, go wing a vessel 60

And fly to Scipio. Say his confederate, 61

Vowed and confirmed, is Syphax; bid him haste 62

To mix our palms and arms; will him make up 63

Whilst we are in the strength of discontent, 64

Our unsuspected forces well in arms; 65

For Sophonisba, Carthage, Asdrubal, 66

Shall feel their weakness in preferring weakness, 67

And one less great than we. To our dear wishes 68

Haste, gentle negro, that this heap may know 69

Me and their wrong. 70

VANGUE

Wrong?

SYPHAX

Aye, though t’were not. Yet know, while kings are 71

What they’ll but think, and not what is, is wrong. 72

I am disgraced in and by that which hath 73

No reason: love, and woman. My revenge 74

Shall therefore bear no argument of right: 75

Passion is reason when it speaks from might. 76

I tell thee, man, nor kings nor gods exempt, 77

But they grow pale if once they find contempt. 78

Haste! 79

(Exeunt.)

Scene 2

([Sophonisba’s bedchamber])

(Enter Arcathia [and] Nycea with tapers, Sophonisba in her night attire followed by Zanthia)

SOPHONISBA

Watch at the doors, and till we be reposed 1

Let no one enter. Zanthia, undo me. 2

ZANTHIA

With this motto under your girdle: 3

You had been undone if you had not been undone . 4

Humblest service! 5

SOPHONISBA

I wonder, Zanthia, why the custom is 6

To use such ceremony, such strict shape, 7

About us women: forsooth the bride must steal 8

Before her lord to bed, and then delays, 9

Long expectations, all against known wishes. 10

I hate these figures in locution, 11

These about phrases forced by ceremony! 12

We must still seem to fly what we most seek, 13

And hide ourselves from that we fain would find us. 14

Let those that think and speak and do just acts 15

Know form can give no virtue to their acts 16

Nor detract vice. 17

ZANTHIA

Alas, fair princess, those that are strongly form'd 18

And truly shaped may naked walk, but we, 19

We things called women, only made for show 20

And pleasure, created to bear children 21

And play at shuttlecock, we imperfect mixtures 22

Without respective ceremony used 23

And ever complement, alas, what are we? 24

Take from us formal custom and the courtesies 25

Which civil fashion hath still used to us, 26

We fall to all contempt. O women, how much, 27

How much are you beholding to ceremony! 28

SOPHONISBA

You are familiar. Zanthia, my shoe. 29

ZANTHIA

‘Tis wonder, Madam, you tread not awry. 30

SOPHONISBA

Your reason, Zanthia? 31

ZANTHIA

You go very high.

SOPHONISBA

Hark! Music, music! 32

(The ladies lay the princess in a fair bed, and close the curtains whilst Massinissa enters)

NYCEA

The bridegroom! 33

ARCATHIA

The bridegroom!

SOPHONISBA

Haste, good Zanthia, help, keep yet the doors! 34

ZANTHIA

Fair fall you, lady, so admit, admit! 35

(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)

MASSINISSA

You powers of joy, gods of a happy bed, 36

Show you are pleased, sister and wife of Jove, 37

High-fronted Juno, and thou Carthage patron, 38

Smooth-chinned Appollo, both give modest heat 39

And temperate graces. 40

(Massinissa draws a white ribbon forth of the bed, as from the waist of Sophonisba)

MASSINISSA

Lo, I unloose thy waist: 41

She that is just in love is godlike chaste. 42

Io to Hymen! 43

CHORUS

With cornets, organs and voices Io to Hymen!

SOPHONISBA

A modest silence, though’t be thought 44

A virgin’s beauty and her highest honor, 45

Though bashful feignings nicely wrought 46

Grace her that virtue takes not in, but on her. 47

What I dare think I boldly speak: 48

After my word my well bold action rusheth. 49

In open flame then passion break, 50

Where virtue prompts, thought, word, act never blusheth. 51

Revenging gods, whose marble hands 52

Crush faithless men with a confounding terror, 53

Give me no mercy if these bands 54

I covet not with an unfeigned fervor, 55

Which zealous vow when ought can force me t'lame, 56

Load with that plague Atlas would groan at, shame. 57

Io to Hymen! 58

CHORUS

Io to Hymen!

ASDRUBAL

Live both high parents of so happy birth, 59

Your stems may touch the skies and shadow earth. 60

Most great in fame, more great in virtue shining, 61

Prosper, o powers, a just, a strong divining. 62

Io to Hymen! 63

CHORUS

Io to Hymen!

(Enter Carthalon, his sword drawn, his body wounded, his shield struck full of darts; Massinissa being ready for bed)

CARTHALON

To bold hearts’ fortune! Be not you amazed! 64

Carthage! O Carthage! Be not you amazed! 65

MASSINISSA

Jove made us not to fear. Resolve, speak out, 66

The highest misery of man is doubt. Speak, Carthalon! 67

CARTHALON

The stooping sun, like to some weaker prince, 68

Let his shades spread to an unnatural hugeness 69

When we, the camp that lay at Utica, 70

From Carthage distant but five easy leagues, 71

Descried from off the watch three hundred sail, 72

upon whose tops the Roman eagles stretched 73

Their large spread wings, which fanned the evening air, 74

To us cold breath, for well we might discern 75

Rome swam to Carthage. 76

ASDRUBAL

Hannibal, our anchor is come back; thy slight, 77

Thy stratagem to lead war unto Rome, 78

To quite ourselves, hath taught now desperate Rome 79

T'assail our Carthage. Now the war is here. 80

MASSINISSA

He is nor blessed nor honest that can fear. 81

HANNO MAGNUS

Aye, but to cast the worst of our distress. 82

MASSINISSA

To doubt of what shall be is wretchedness. 83

Desire, fear, and hope, receive no bond 84

By whom, we in ourselves are never but beyond. On! 85

CARTHALON

Th'alarum beats necessity of fight. 86

Th’unsober evening draws out reeling forces, 87

Soldiers, half men, who to their colors troop 88

With fury, not with valor; whilst our ships, 89

Unrigged, unused, fitter for fire than water, 90

We save in our barred haven from surprise. 91

By this our army marcheth toward the shore, 92

Undisciplind young men, most bold to do, 93

If they knew how or what, when we descry 94

A mighty dust beat up with horses’ hooves; 95

Straight Roman ensigns glitter: Scipio. 96

ASDRUBAL

Scipio! 97

CARTHALON

Scipio advanced like the god of blood, 98

Leads up grim war, that father of foul wounds 99

Whose sinewy feet are steeped in gore, whose hideous voice 100

Makes turrets tremble and whole cities shake; 101

Before whose brows flight and disorder hurry; 102

With whom march burnings, murder, wrong, waste, rapes; 103

Behind whom a sad train is seen, woe, fears, 104

Tortures, lean, need, famine, and helpless tears 105

Now make we equal stand in mutual view. 106

We judged the Romans eighteen thousand foot, 107

Five thousand horse; we almost doubled them 108

In number, not in virtue. Yet in heat 109

Of youth and wine, jolly, and full of blood, 110

We gave the sign of battle: shouts are raised 111

That shook the heavens: pell-mell our armies join; 112

Horse, targets, pikes, all against each opposed, 113

They give fierce shock, arms thundered as they closed. 114

Men cover earth, which straight are covered 115

With men and earth; yet doubtful stood the fight 116

More fair to Carthage when lo, as oft you see 117

In mines of gold, when laboring slaves delve out 118

The richest ore, being in sudden hope 119

With some unlooked-for vein to full their buckets 120

And send huge treasure up, a sudden damp 121

Stifles them all, their hands yet stuffed with gold, 122

So fell our fortunes; for look, as ye stood proud 123

As hopeful victors, thinking to return 124

With spoils worth triumph, wrathful Syphax lands 125

With full ten thousand strong Numidian horse, 126

And joins to Scipio, then lo, we all were damped, 127

We fall in clusters and our wearied troops 128

Quit all. Slaughter ran through us straight, we fly, 129

Romans pursue, but Scipio sounds retreat 130

As fearing trains and night. We make amain 131

For Carthage most, and some for Utica, 132

All for our lives. New force, fresh arms with speed! 133

You have said truth of all, no more: I bleed. 134

BYTHEAS

O wretched fortune! 135

MASSINISSA

Old Lord, spare thy hairs! 136

What, dost thou think baldness will cure thy grief? 137

What decree the Senate? 138

(Enter Gelosso with commissions in his hand, sealed)

GELOSSO

Ask old Gelosso, who returnes from them 139

Informed with fullest charge, strong Asdrubal, 140

Great Massinissa, Carthage general, 141

So speaks the Senate: counsel for this war 142

In Hanno Magnus, Bytheas, Carthalon, 143

And us Gelosso rests: Embrace this charge 144

You never yet dishonored. Asdrubal, 145

High Massinissa, by your vows to Carthage, 146

By God of great men, glory, fight for Carthage! 147

Ten thousand strong Massulians, ready trooped, 148

Expect their king; double that number waits 149

The leading of loud Asdrubal. Beat loud 150

Our Afric drums! And whilst our o’er-toiled foe 151

Snores on his unlacked casque, all faint though proud, 152

Through his succesfull fight strike fresh alarms. 153

Gods are not if they grace not bold, just arms. 154

MASSINISSA

Carthage, thou straight shalt know 155

Thy favors have been done unto a king. 156

(Exit with Asdrubal and the page)

SOPHONISBA

My lords, ’tis most unusual such sad haps 157

Of sudden horror should intrude ‘mong beds 158

Of soft and private loves. But strange events 159

Excuse strange forms. O, you that know our blood, 160

Revenge if I do feign. I here protest, 161

Though my Lord leave his wife a very maid, 162

Even this night, instead of my soft arms 163

Clasping his well strong limbs with glossful steel, 164

What’s safe to Carthage shall be sweet to me. 165

I must not, nor I am once ignorant 166

My choice of love hath given this sudden danger 167

To yet strong Carthage: t'was I lost the fight, 168

My choice vexed Syphax, enraged Syphax struck 169

Arms’ fate. Yet Sophonisba not repents: 170

O, we were gods if that we knew events. 171

But let my lord leave Carthage, quit his virtue, 172

I will not love him, yet must honor him 173

As still good subjects must bad princes. Lords, 174

From the most ill-graced hymeneal bed 175

That ever Juno frowned at, I entreat 176

That you’ll collect from our loose-formed speech 177

This firm resolve: that no low appetite 178

Of my sex’s weakness can or shall o’ercome 179

Due grateful service unto you, or virtue. 180

Witness, ye gods, I never until now 181

Repined at my creation; now I wish 182

I were no woman, that my armes might speak 183

My heart to Carthage. But in vain: my tongue 184

Swears I am woman still, I talk too long. 185

(Cornets a march; enter two pages with targets and javelins; two pages with torches; Massinissa armed cap-à-pie; Asdrubal armed)

MASSINISSA

Ye Carthage lords, know Massinissa knows 186

Not only terms of honor, but his actions. 187

Nor must I now enlarge how much my cause 188

Hath dangered Carthage, but how I may show 189

Myself most pressed to satisfaction, 190

The loathsome stain of kings’ ingratitude, 191

From me O much be far. And since this torrent, 192

War’s rage, admits no anchor; since the billow 193

Is risen so high we may not hull but yield 194

This ample state to stroke of speedy swords; 195

What you with sober haste hath well decreed 196

We’ll put to sudden arms. No, not this night, 197

These dainties, these first fruits of nuptials 198

That well might gibe excuse for feeble lingerings, 199

Shall hinder Massinissa. Appetite, 200

Kisses, loves, dalliance, and what softer joys 201

The Venus of the pleasingest ease can minister, 202

I quit you all. Virtue perforce is vice, 203

But he that may, yet holds, is manly wise. 204

Lo then, ye lords of Carthage, to your trust 205

I leave all Massinissa’s treasure, by the oath 206

Of right good men stand to my fortune just: 207

Most hard it is for great hearts to mistrust. 208

CARTHALON

We vow by all high powers. 209

MASSINISSA

No, do not swear,

I was not born so small to doubt or fear. 210

SOPHONISBA

Worthy my Lord— 211

MASSINISSA

Peace, my ears are steel,

I must not hear thy much enticing voice. 212

SOPHONISBA

By Massinissa, Sophonisba speaks, 213

Worthy his wife: go with as high a hand 214

As worth can rear, I will not stay my Lord. 215

Fight for our country, vent thy youthful heat 216

In field, not bed; the fruit of honor, fame, 217

Be rather gotten than the oft disgrace 218

Of hapless parents, children. Go, best man, 219

And make me proud to be a soldier’s wife, 220

That values his renown aboue faint pleasures. 221

Think every honor that doth grace thy sword 222

Trebles my love: by thee I have no lust 223

But of thy glory. Best lights of heaven with thee! 224

Like wonder stand or fall, so though thou die, 225

My fortunes may be wretched, but not I. 226

MASSINISSA

Wondrous creature, even fit for Gods, not men, 227

Nature made all the rest of thy fair sex 228

As weak essays, to make thee a pattern 229

Of what can be in woman. Long Farewell! 230

He’s sure unconquered in whom thou dost dwell, 231

Carthage Palladium! See that glorious lamp, 232

Whose lifeful presence giveth sudden flight 233

To fancies, fogs, fears, sleep, and slothful night, 234

Spreads day upon the world. March swift amain: 235

Fame got with loss of breath is godlike gain. 236

(The ladies draw the curtains about Sophonisba; the rest accompany Massinissa forth, the cornets and organs playing loud full music for the act)

ACT TWO

Scene 1

([The Senate-house at Carthage])

(Whilst the music for the first act sounds, Hanno [Magnus], Carthalon, Bytheas, and Gelosso enter; they place themselves to counsel, Gisco the impoisoner waiting on them; Hanno, Carthalon, 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.)

(Enter Gelosso, Hanno Magnus, Bytheas, Carthalon)

GELOSSO

My hand? My hand? Rot first, wither in aged shame! 1

HANNO MAGNUS

Wil you be so unseasonably wood? 2

BYTHEAS

Hold such preposterous zeal as stand against 3

The full decree of Senate? All think fit. 4

CARTHALON

Nay, most inevitable necessary 5

For Carthage’s safety, and the now sole good 6

Of present state, that we must break all faith 7

With Massinissa. Whilst he fights abroad, 8

Lets gain back Syphax, making him our own 9

By giving Sophonisba to his bed. 10

HANNO MAGNUS

Syphax is Massinissa’s greater, and his force 11

Shall give more side to Carthage. As for’s queen 12

And her wise father, they love Carthage fate: 13

Profit and honesty are one in state. 14

GELOSSO

And what decrees our very virtuous Senate 15

Of worthy Massinissa, that now fights 16

And (leaving wife and bed) bleeds in good arms 17

For right old Carthage? 18

CARTHALON

Thus ’tis thought fit

Her father Asdrubal on sudden shall take in 19

Revolted Siphax; so, with doubled strength 20

Before that Massinissa shall suspect, 21

Slaughter both Massinissa and his troops, 22

And likewise strike with his deep stratagem 23

A sudden weakness into Scipio’s arms 24

By drawing such a limb from the main body 25

Of his yet powerful army; which, being done, 26

Dead Massinissa’s kingdom we decree 27

To Sophonisba and great Asdrubal 28

For their consent, so this swift plot shall bring 29

Two crowns to her, make Asdrubal a king. 30

GELOSSO

So first faith’s breach, adultery, murder, theft! 31

CARTHALON

What else? 32

GELOSSO

Nay, all is done, no mischief left.

CARTHALON

Pish! Prosperous success gives blackest actions glory, 33

The means are unremembred in most story. 34

GELOSSO

Let me not say gods are not. 35

CARTHALON

This is fit:

Conquest by blood is not so sweet as wit, 36

For howsoe’er nice virtue censures it 37

He hath the grace of war that hath war’s profit. 38

But Carthage, well advised that states comes on 39

With slow advice, quick execution, 40

Have here an engineer long bred for plots, 41

Called an impoisoner, who knows this sound excuse: 42

The only dew that makes men sprout in courts is use. 43

Be't well or ill, his thrift is to be mute, 44

Such slaves must act commands and not dispute. 45

Knowing foul deeds with danger do begin 46

But with rewards do end: sin is no sin 47

But in respects… 48

GELOSSO

Politic lord, speak low: though Heaven bears 49

A face far from us, gods have most long ears, 50

Jove has a hundred marble hands. 51

CARTHALON

O aye, in poetry or tragic scene. 52

GELOSSO

I fear gods only know what poets mean. 53

CARTHALON

Yet hear me, I will speak close truth and cease: 54

Nothing in nature is unserviceable, 55

No, not even inutility itself. 56

Is then for nought dishonesty in being? 57

And if it be sometines of forced use, 58

Wherein more urgent than in saving nations? 59

State shapes are soldered up with base, nay faulty, 60

Yet necessary functions: some must lie, 61

Some must betray, some murder, and some all. 62

Each hath strong use, as poison in all purges. 63

Yet when some violent chance shall force a state 64

To break given faith or plot some stratagems, 65

Princes ascribe that vile necessity 66

unto heaven’s wrath. And sure, though’t be no vice, 67

Yet ’tis bad chance: states must not stick to nice, 68

For Massinissa’s death sense bids forgive. 69

Beware to offend great men and let them live, 70

For ’tis of empire’s body the main arm: 71

He that will do no good shall do no harm. 72

You have my mind. 73

GELOSSO

Although a stage-like passion and weak heat, 74

Full of an empty wording, might suit age, 75

Know I’ll speak strongly truth: Lords, ne’er mistrust 76

That he who'll not betray a private man 77

For his country, will ne’er betray his country 78

For private men; then give Gelosso faith. 79

If treachery in state be serviceable, 80

Let hangmen do it. I am bound to lose 81

My life but not my honor for my country. 82

Our vow, our faith, our oath, why they’re ourselves, 83

And he that’s faithless to his proper self 84

May be excused if he break faith with princes. 85

The gods assist just hearts, and states that trust 86

Plots before Providence are tossed like dust. 87

For Massinissa, o let me slack a little 88

Austere discourse and feel humanity! 89

Methinks I hear him cry “O, fight for Carthage! 90

Charge home! Wounds smart not for that so just, so great, 91

So good a city!” Methinks I see him yet 92

Leave his fair bride, even on his nuptial night, 93

To buckle on his arms for Carthage. Hark! 94

Yet, yet, I hear him cry “Ingratitude, 95

Vile stain of man, O ever be most far 96

From Massinissa’s breast! Up, march amain, 97

Fame got with los of breath is godlike gain!” 98

And see by this he bleeds in doubtful fight, 99

And cries “For Carthage!” whilst Carthage— Memory, 100

Forsake Gelosso! Would I could not think, 101

Nor hear, nor be, when Carthage is 102

So infinitely vile! See, see, look here! 103

(Cornets; enter two ushers, Sophonisba, Zanthia, Arcathia; Hanno [Magnus], Bytheas, and Carthalon present Sophonisba with a paper, which she having perused, after a short silence speaks)

SOPHONISBA

Who speaks? What, mute? Fair plot! What? Blush to break it? 104

How lewd to act when so shamed but to speak it! 105

Is this the Senate’s firm decree? 106

CARTHALON

It is.

SOPHONISBA

Hath Syphax entertained the stratagem? 107

CARTHALON

No doubt he hath, or will. 108

SOPHONISBA

My answer’s thus: 109

What’s safe to Carthage shall be sweet to me. 110

CARTHALON

Right worthy! 111

HANNO MAGNUS

Royalest!

GELOSSO

O very woman!

SOPHONISBA

But ’tis not safe for Carthage to destroy, 112

Be most unjust, cunningly politic, 113

Your head’s still under Heaven. O trust to fate: 114

Gods prosper more a just than crafty state. 115

’Tis less disgrace to have a pitied loss 116

Than shameful victory. 117

GELOSSO

O very angel!

SOPHONISBA

We all have sworn good Massinissa faith. 118

Speech makes us men, and there’s no other bond 119

‘Twixt man and man but words. O equal gods, 120

Make us once know the consequence of vows— 121

GELOSSO

And we shall hate faith-breakers worse than man-eaters! 122

SOPHONISBA

Ha, good Gelosso, is thy breath not here? 123

GELOSSO

You do me wrong: as long as I can die, 124

Doubt you that old Gelosso can be vile? 125

States may afflict, tax, torture, but our minds 126

Are only sworn to Jove. I grieve, and yet am proud 127

That I alone am honest: high powers, you know, 128

Virtue is seldom seen with troops to go. 129

SOPHONISBA

Excellent man, Carthage and Rome shall fall 130

Before thy fame. Our Lords, know I the worst? 131

CARTHALON

The Gods foresaw, ’tis fate we thus are forced. 132

SOPHONISBA

Gods naught foresee, but see, for to their eyes 133

Naught is to come or past. Nor are you vile 134

Because the gods foresee, for gods and we 135

See as things are; things are not as we see, 136

But since affected wisdom in us women 137

Is our sex’s highest folly, I am silent, 138

I cannot speak less well, unless I were 139

More void of goodness. Lords of Carthage, thus, 140

The air and earth of Carthage owns my body, 141

It is their servant: what decree they of it? 142

CARTHALON

That you remove to Cirta, to the palace 143

Of well-formed Syphax, who with longing eyes 144

Meets you. He that gives way to fate is wise. 145

SOPHONISBA

I go. What power can make me wretched? What evil 146

Is there in life to him that knows life’s loss 147

To be no evil? Show, show thy ugliest brow, 148

O most black chance: make me a wretched story: 149

Without misfortune virtue hath no glory. 150

Opposed trees makes tempests show their power, 151

And waves forced back by rocks makes Neptune tower 152

Tearless. O see, a miracle of life, 153

A maid, a widow, yet a hapless wife! 154

(Cornets; Sophonisba accompanied with the senators depart; only Gelosso stays)

GELOSSO

A prodigy! Let nature run cross-legged, 155

Ops go upon thy head, let Neptune burn, 156

Cold Saturn crack with heat, for now the world 157

Hath seen a Woman! 158

Leap nimble lightning from Jove’s ample shield 159

And make at length an end. The proud hot breath 160

Of thee-contemning greatness; the huge drought 161

Of sole self-loving vast ambition; 162

Th’unnatural scorching heat of all those lamps 163

Thou rear’dst to yield a temperate fruitful heat; 164

Relentless rage, whose heart hath not one drop 165

Of human pity; all, all loudly cry 166

Thy brand, O Jove, for know the world is dry! 167

O let a general end save Carthage fame! 168

When worlds do burn, unseen’s a city’s flame. 169

Phoebus in me is great: Carthage must fall. 170

Jove hates all vice, but vows’ breach worst of all. 171

(Exit)

Scene 2

([Near Cirta])

(Cornets sound a charge; enter Massinissa in his gorget and shirt, shield, sword, his arm transfixed with a dart; Jugurth follows with his curiass and casque)

MASSINISSA

Mount us again, give us another horse! 1

JUGURTH

Uncle, your blood flows fast, pray ye withdraw! 2

MASSINISSA

O Jugurth, I cannot bleed too fast, too much 3

For that so great, so just, so royal Carthage! 4

My wound smarts not, blood’s loss makes me not faint 5

For that loved city. O nephew, let me tell thee 6

How good that Carthage is. It nourished me, 7

And when full time gave me fit strength for love, 8

The most adored creature of the city, 9

To us before great Syphax did they yield: 10

Fair, noble, modest, and ‘bove all my, 11

My Sophonisba! O Jugurth, my strength doubles, 12

I know not how to turn a coward, drop 13

In feeble baseness I cannot. Give me horse! 14

Know I am Carthage’s very creature, and I am graced 15

That I may bleed for them. Give me fresh horse! 16

JUGURTH

He that doth public good for multitude 17

Finds few are truly grateful. 18

MASSINISSA

O Jugurth, fie! You must not say so, Jugurth. 19

Some common weals may let a noble heart 20

Too forward bleed abroad, and bleed bemoaned, 21

But not revenged at home. But Carthage, fie! 22

It cannot be ungrate, faithless through fear. 23

It cannot, Jugurth: Sophonisba's there. 24

Beat a fresh charge! 25

(Enter Asdrubal, his sword drawn, reading a letter; Gisco follows him)

ASDRUBAL

Sound the retreat! Respect your health, brave prince, 26

The waste of blood throws paleness on your face. 27

MASSINISSA

By light, my heart’s not pale! O my loved father, 28

We bleed for Carthage; balsam to my wounds. 29

We bleed for Carthage; shall’s restore the fight? 30

My squadron of Massulians yet stands firm. 31

ASDRUBAL

The day looks off from Carthage, cease alarms! 32

A modest temperance is the life of arms, 33

Take our best surgeon, Gisco; he is sent 34

From Carthage to attend your chance of war. 35

GISCO

We promise sudden ease. 36

MASSINISSA

Thy comfort’s good. 37

ASDRUBAL

That nothing can secure vs but thy blood. 38

Infuse it in his wound, t'will work amain. 39

GISCO

O Jove! 40

ASDRUBAL

What Jove? Thy god must be thy gain.

And as for me, Apollo Pythian, 41

Thou know'st a statist must not be a man. 42

(Exit Asdrubal)

(Enter Gelosso, disguised like an old soldier, delivering to Massinissa (as he is preparing to be dressed by Gisco) a letter, which Massinissa reading, starts and speaks to Gisco)

MASSINISSA

Forbear: how art thou called? 43

GISCO

Gisco, my Lord. 44

MASSINISSA

Um, Gisco. Ha, touch not mine arm. 45

(To Gelosso)

Most onely man!

([To Gisco])

Sirrah, sirrah, art poor? 46

GISCO

Not poor.

MASSINISSA

Nephew, command

(Massinissa begins to draw)

Our troops of horse make indisgraced retreat, 47

Trot easy off. Not poor! Jugurth, give charge 48

My soldiers stand in square battalia, 49

Entirely of themselves. 50

(Exit Jugurth)

Gisco, th'art old,

’Tis time to leave off murder. Thy faint breath 51

Scarce heaves thy ribs, thy gummy bloodshot eyes 52

Are sunk a great way in thee, thy lank skin 53

Slides from thy fleshless veins: be good to men. 54

Judge him, ye Gods, I had not life to kill 55

So base a creature. Hold, Gisco, live: 56

The godlike part of kings is to forgive. 57

GISCO

Command astonished Gisco. 58

MASSINISSA

No, return.

Haste unto Carthage: quit thy abject fears, 59

Massinissa knows no use of murderers. 60

(Enter Jugurth amazed, his sword drawn)

Speak, speak, let terror strike slaves mute: 61

Much danger makes great hearts most resolute. 62

JUGURTH

Uncle, I fear foul arms: myself beheld 63

Syphax on high speed run his well-breathed horse 64

Direct to Cirta, that most beauteous city 65

Of all his kingdom, whilst his troopss of horse 66

With careless trot pace gently toward our camp, 67

As friends to Carthage. Stand on guard, dear uncle, 68

For Asdrubal, with yet his well-ranked army, 69

Bends a deep threatening brow to us, as if 70

He waited but to join with Syphax’s horse, 71

And hew us all to pieces. O my king, 72

My uncle, father, captain, O over all! 73

Stand like thyself or like thyself now fall! 74

Thy troops yet hold good ground. Unworthy wounds, 75

Betray not Massinissa! 76

MASSINISSA

Jugurth, pluck,

Pluck! So, good coz. 77

JUGURTH

O god, do you not feel?

MASSINISSA

Not, Jugurth no: now all my flesh is steel. 78

GELOSSO

Off, base disguise! High lights scorn not to view 79

A true old man. Up, Massinissa! Throw 80

The lot of battle upon Syphax’s troops 81

Before he join with Carthage! Then amain, 82

Make through to Scipio, he yields safe abodes: 83

Spare treachery, and strike the very gods. 84

MASSINISSA

Why wast thou born at Carthage? O my fate! 85

Divinest Sophonisba! I am full 86

Of much complaint, and many passions, 87

The least of which expressed would sad the gods 88

And strike compassion in most ruthless hell. 89

Up, unmaimed heart, spend all thy grief and rage 90

Upon thy foe! The fields’ a soldier’s stage 91

On which his action shows. If you are just 92

And hate those that contemn you, o you gods, 93

Revenge worthy your anger, your anger! O, 94

Down man, up hart! Stoop Jove, and bend thy chin 95

To thy large breast, give sign th'art pleased and just: 96

Swear good men’s foreheads must not print the dust! 97

(Exeunt)

Scene 3

([Carthage])

(Enter Asdrubal, Hanno [Magnus], Bytheas)

ASDRUBAL

What Carthage hath decreed, Hanno, is done: 1

Advanced and born was Asdrubal for state. 2

Only with it, his faith, his love, his hate, 3

Are of one piece. Were it my daughter’s life 4

That, fate hath sung, to Carthage safety brings, 5

What deed so red but hath been done by kings? 6

Iphigenia, he that’s a man for men, 7

Ambitious as a god, must like a god 8

Live clear from passions; his full aimed at end, 9

Immense to others, sole self to comprehend, 10

Round in's own globe. Not to be clasped, but holds 11

Within him all, his heart being of more folds 12

Than shield of Telamon, not to be pierced though struck: 13

The god of wise men is themselves, not luck. 14

(Enter Gisco)

See him by whom now Massinissa is not: 15

Gisco, i'st done? 16

GISCO

Your pardon, worthy Lord,

It is not done: my heart sunk in my breast, 17

His virtue ‘mazed me, faintness seized me all. 18

Some god’s in kings that will not let them fall. 19

ASDRUBAL

His virtue ‘mazed thee, hum! Why, now I see 20

Th’art that just man that hath true touch of blood, 21

Of pity and soft piety. Forgive? 22

Yes, honor thee; we did it but to try 23

What sense thou hadst of blood. Go, Bytheas, 24

Take him into our private treasury... 25

([Aside to Bytheas])

...and cut his throat: the slave hath all betrayed. 26

BYTHEAS

[Aside to Asdrubal] Are you assured? 27

ASDRUBAL

[Aside to Bytheas] Afeared, for this I know,

Who thinketh to buy villany with gold 28

Shall ever find such faith so bought so sold. 29

([Aloud])

Reward him thoroughly! 30

(Exit Bytheas and Gisco)

(A shout; the cornets giving a florish)

HANNO MAGNUS

What means this shout? 31

ASDRUBAL

Hanno, ’tis done! Scyphax’s revolt by this 32

Hath secured Carthage. And now his force come in, 33

And joined with us, give Massinissa charge 34

And assured slaughter. O ye powers, forgive! 35

Through rottenest dung best plants both sprout and live; 36

By blood vines grow. 37

HANNO MAGNUS

But yet think, Asdrubal,

’Tis fit at least you bear grief’s outward show: 38

It is your kinsman bleeds. What need men know 39

Your hand is in his wounds? ’Tis well in state 40

To do close ill, but ‘void a public hate. 41

ASDRUBAL

Tush, Hanno! Let me prosper, let routs prate, 42

My power shall force their silence or my hate! 43

Shall scorn their idle malice: men of weight 44

Know, he that fears envy, let him cease to reign; 45

The people’s hate to some hath been their gain. 46

For howsoe’er a monarch feigns his parts, 47

Steal anything from kings but subjects’ hearts. 48

(Enter Carthalon, leading in bound Gelosso)

CARTHALON

Guard, guard the camp! Make to the trench! Stand firm! 49

ASDRUBAL

The gods of boldness with us! How runs chance? 50

CARTHALON

Think, think how wretched thou canst be, thou art; 51

Short words shall speak long woes! 52

GELOSSO

Mark, Asdrubal.

CARTHALON

Our bloody plot to Massinissa’s ear 53

Untimely by this lord was all betrayed! 54

GELOSSO

By me, it was by me, vile Asdrubal! 55

I joy to speak’t. 56

ASDRUBAL

Down, slave!

GELOSSO

I cannot fall!

CARTHALON

Our train’s disclosed, straight to his well-used arms 57

He took himself, rose up with all his force, 58

On Syphax’s careless troops (Syphax being hurried 59

Before to Cirta, fearless of success, 60

Impatient Sophonisba to enjoy). 61

Gelosso rides to head of all our squadrons, 62

Commands make stand in thy name, Asdrubal, 63

In mine, in his, in all: dull rest our men 64

Whilst Massinissa, now with more than fury, 65

Chargeth the loose and much-amazed ranks 66

Of absent Syphax, who with broken shout 67

(In vain expecting Carthage secondings) 68

Give faint repulse. A second charge is given; 69

Then look as when a falcon towers aloft, 70

Whole shoals of fowl and flocks of lesser birds 71

Crouch fearefully and dive; some among sedge, 72

Some creep in brakes. So Massinissa’s sword, 73

Brandished aloft, tossed 'bout his shining casque, 74

Made stoop whole squadrons; quick as thought he strikes, 75

Here hurls he dartes, and there his rage-strong arm 76

Fights foot to foot. Here cries he “Strike!” They sink!”, 77

And then grim slaughter follows; for by this 78

As men betrayed, they curse us, die, or fly, or both. 79

Often six thousand fell. Now was I come, 80

And straight perceived all bled by his vile plot. 81

GELOSSO

Vile? Good plot! My good plot, Asdrubal! 82

CARTHALON

I forced our army beat a running march, 83

But Massinissa strook his spurs apace 84

Upon his speedy horse, leaves slaughtering. 85

All fly to Scipio, who with open ranks 86

In view receives them; all I could effect 87

Was but to gain him. 88

ASDRUBAL

Die!

GELOSSO

Do what thou can,

Thou canst but kill a weak old honest man. 89

(Gelosso departs guarded)

CARTHALON

Scipio and Massinissa by this strike 90

Their clasped palms, then vow an endless love. 91

Straight a joint shout they raise, then turn they breasts 92

Direct on us, march strongly toward our camp 93

As if they dared us fight. O Asdrubal, 94

I fear they’ll force our camp! 95

ASDRUBAL

Break up and fly!

This was your plot. 96

HANNO MAGNUS

But t'was thy shame to choose it!

CARTHALON

He that forbids not offence, he does it. 97

ASDRUBAL

The curse of women’s words go with you. Fly! 98

You are no villains! Gods and men, which way? 99

Advise, vile things. 100

HANNO MAGNUS

Vile?

ASDRUBAL

Aye!

CARTHALON

Not?

BYTHEAS

You did all.

ASDRUBAL

Did you not plot? 101

CARTHALON

Yielded not Asdrubal?

ASDRUBAL

But you enticed me. 102

HANNO MAGNUS

How?

ASDRUBAL

With hope of place.

CARTHALON

He that for wealth leaves faith is abject. 103

HANNO MAGNUS

Base.

ASDRUBAL

Do not provoke my sword: I live. 104

CARTHALON

More shame.

T'outlive thy virtue and thy once great name. 105

ASDRUBAL

Upbraid ye me? 106

HANNO MAGNUS

Hold!

CARTHALON

Know that only thou

Art treacherous: thou shouldst have had a crown. 107

HANNO MAGNUS

Thou didst all, all he for whom mischief’s done, 108

He does it. 109

ASDRUBAL

Brook open scorn, faint powers!

Make good the camp! No, fly! Yes, what? Wild rage! 110

To be a prosperous villain! Yet some heat some hold, 111

But to burn temples and yet freeze, O cold! 112

Give me some health, now your blood sinks: thus deeds 113

Ill nourished rot; without Jove nought succeeds. 114

(Exeunt)

ACT THREE

Scene 1

([The palace of Syphax at Cirta])

(Organ mixed with recorders for this act; Syphax, [with] his dagger twon about her hair, drags in Sophonisba in her nightgown [and] petticoat, and Zanthia and Vangue following)

SYPHAX

Must we entreat? Sue to such squeamish ears? 1

Know Syphax has no knees, his eyes no tears; 2

Enraged love is senseless of remorse. 3

Thou shalt, thou must: Kings’ glory is their force. 4

Thou art in Cirta, in my palace, fool. 5

Dost think he pitieth tears that knows to rule? 6

For all thy scornful eyes, thy proud disdain, 7

And late contempt of us, now we’ll revenge, 8

Break stubborn silence. Look, I’ll tack thy head 9

To the low earth, whilst strength of two black knaves 10

Thy limbs all wide shall strain. Prayer fitteth slaves, 11

Our courtship be our force: rest calm as sleep, 12

Else at this quake; hark, hark, we cannot weep. 13

SOPHONISBA

Can Sophonisba bee enforced? 14

SYPHAX

Can? See!

SOPHONISBA

Thou mayest enforce my body but not me! 15

SYPHAX

Not? 16

SOPHONISBA

No.

SYPHAX

No?

SOPHONISBA

No! Off with thy loathed arms,

That lie more heavy on me than the chains 17

That wear deep wrinkles in the captive’s limbs! 18

I do beseech thee. 19

SYPHAX

What?

SOPHONISBA

Be but a beast,

Be but a beast. 20

SYPHAX

Do not offend a power

Can make thee more than wretched: yield to him 21

To whom fate yields. Know: Massinissa’s dead. 22

SOPHONISBA

Dead? 23

SYPHAX

Dead.

SOPHONISBA

To gods’ and good men’s shame.

SYPHAX

Help, Vangue, my strong blood boils. 24

SOPHONISBA

O yet save

thine own fame. 25

SYPHAX

All appetite is deaf; I will, I must. 26

Achilles’ armor could not bear out lust. 27

SOPHONISBA

Hold thy strong arm and hear me. Syphax, know 28

I am thy servant now: I needs must love thee, 29

For (O, my sex forgive!) I must confess, 30

We not affect protesting feebleness, 31

Entreats, faint blushings, timorous modesty; 32

We think our lover is but little man 33

Who is so full of woman. Know, fair Prince, 34

Love’s strongest arm’s not rude, for we still prove 35

Without some fury there’s no ardent love. 36

We love our love’s impatience of delay; 37

Our noble sex was only born t'obey 38

To him that dares command. 39

SYPHAX

Why, this is well,

Th'excuse is good. Wipe thy fair eyes, our Queen, 40

Make proud thy head; now feel more friendly strength 41

Of thy Lord’s arm. Come, touch my rougher skin 42

With thy soft lip. Zanthia, dress our bed. 43

Forget old loves and clip him that through blood 44

And hell acquires his wish. Think not but kisse, 45

The flourish fore love’s fight is Venus’ bliss. 46

SOPHONISBA

Great dreadful lord, by thy affection 47

Grant me one boon. Know I have made a vow... 48

SYPHAX

Vow? What vow? Speak. 49

SOPHONISBA

Nay, if you take offence

Let my soul suffer first. And yet... 50

SYPHAX

Offence?

Not, Sophonisba, hold! Thy vow is free 51

As... Come, thy lips! 52

SOPHONISBA

Alas, cross misery!

As I do wish to live, I long to enjoy 53

Your warm embrace, but O! My vow tis thus: 54

If ever my Lord died, I vowed to him 55

A most, most private sacrifice before 56

I touched a second spouse. All I implore 57

Is but this liberty. 58

SYPHAX

This go obtain.

What time? 59

SOPHONISBA

One hour.

SYPHAX

Sweet, good speed, speed, adieu!

Yet Syphax, trust no more than thou mayest view. 60

Vangue shall stay. 61

SOPHONISBA

He stays.

(Enter a page delivering a letter to Sophonisba, which she privately reads)

SYPHAX

Zanthia, Zanthia! 62

Thou art not foul, go to! Some lords are oft 63

So much in love with their known ladies’ bodies 64

That they oft love their veils. Hold, hold, thou'st find 65

To faithful care kings’ bounty hath no shore. 66

SOPHONISBA

You may do much. 67

SYPHAX

But let my gold do more.

SOPHONISBA

I am your creature. 68

SYPHAX

Be yet, ’tis no stain

The god of service is however gain. 69

(Exit)

SOPHONISBA

Zanthia, where are we now? Speak worth my service: 70

Ha’ we done well? 71

ZANTHIA

Nay, in height of best

I feared a superstitious virtue woulde spoil all, 72

But now I find you above women rare. 73

She that can time her goodness hath true care 74

Of her best good. Nature at home begins; 75

She whose integrity herselfe hurts sins. 76

For Massinissa, he was good and so, 77

But he is dead, or worse, distressed, or more 78

Than dead, or much distressed. O sad, poor, 79

Whoever held such friends! No, let him go; 80

Such faith is praised, then laughed at, for still know 81

Those are the living women that reduce 82

All that they touch unto their ease and use. 83

Knowing that wedlock, virtue or good names 84

Are courses and varieties of reason, 85

To use or leave as they advantage them 86

And absolute within themselves reposed, 87

Only to greatness ope, to all else closed. 88

Weak sanguine fools are to their own good nice; 89

Before I held you virtuous, but now wise. 90

SOPHONISBA

Zanthia, victorious Massinissa lives! 91

My Massinissa lives! O steady powers, 92

Keep him as safe as heaven keeps the earth, 93

Which looks upon it with a thousand eyes! 94

That honest valiant man! And Zanthia, 95

Do but record the justice of his love 96

And my forever vows, forever vows! 97

ZANTHIA

Ay, true madam. Nay, think of his great mind, 98

His most just heart, his all of excellence 99

And such a virtue as the gods might envy. 100

Against this, Syphax is but... and you know, 101

Fame lost what can be got that’s good for... 102

SOPHONISBA

Hence!

Take, nay, with one hand. 103

ZANTHIA

My service.

SOPHONISBA

Prepare

Our sacrifice. 104

ZANTHIA

But yield you, ay or no?

SOPHONISBA

When thou dost know. 105

ZANTHIA

What then?

SOPHONISBA

Then thou wilt know.

Let him that would have counsel ‘void th'advice 106

Of friends made his with weighty benefits 107

Whose much dependance only strives to fit 108

Humor, not reason, and so still devise 109

In any thought to make their friend seem wise. 110

But, above all, O fear a servant’s tongue, 111

Like such as only for their gain to serve 112

Within the vast capacity of place, 113

I know no vileness so most truly base. 114

Their lords, their gain; and he that most will give, 115

With him (they will not die, but) they will live. 116

Traitors and these are one: such slaves once trust 117

Whet swords to make thine own blood lick the dust. 118

(Cornets and organs playing full music; enter the solemnity of a sacrifice, which being entered whilst the attendance furnish the altar, Sophonisba [sings a] song, which done she speaks:)

SOPHONISBA

Withdraw, withdraw. 119

(All but Zanthia and Vangue depart)

I not invoke thy arm, thou god of sound, 120

Nor thine, nor thine, although in all abound 121

High powers immense. But jovial Mercury, 122

And thou, O brightest female of the sky, 123

Thrice-modest Phoebe, you that jointly fit 124

A worthy chastity and a most chaste wit 125

To you corruptless honey and pure dew 126

Upbreathes our holy fire. Words just and few, 127

O deign to hear! If in poor wretches’ cries 128

You glory not; if drops of withered eyes 129

Be not your sport, be just. All that I crave 130

Is but chaste life or an untainted grave. 131

I can no more. Yet hath my constant tongue 132

Let fall no weakeness, tho' my heart were wrung 133

With pangs worth hell. Whilst great thoughts stop our tears, 134

Sorrow unseen, unpitied, inward wears. 135

You see now where I rest, come is my end. 136

Cannot Heaven virtue against weak chance defend? 137

When weakeness hath outborne what weakeness can, 138

What should I say? ’Tis Jove’s, not sine of man. 139

Some stratagem now! Let wit’s god be shown, 140

Celestial powers by miracles are known. 141

I have’t, ’tis done. Zanthia, prepare our bed. 142

Vangue... 143

VANGUE

Your servant.

SOPHONISBA

Vangue, we have performed

Due rites unto the dead. 144

(Sophonisba presents a carouse to Vangue)

Now to thy lord, great Syphax, healthful cups, which done, 145

The king is right much welcome. 146

VANGUE

Were it as deep as thought, off it should thus. 147

(He drinks)

SOPHONISBA

My safety with that draught. 148

VANGUE

Close the vault’s mouth lest we do slip in drink. 149

SOPHONISBA

To what use, gentle negro, serves this cave 150

Whose mouth thus opens so familliarly, 151

Even in the king’s bedchamber? 152

VANGUE

O my queen,

This vault with hideous darkeness and much length 153

stretcheth beneath the earth into a grove 154

One league from Cirta (I am very sleepy); 155

Through this, when Cirta hath been strong begirt, 156

With hostile siege the king hath safely ‘scaped 157

To... to... 158

SOPHONISBA

The wine is strong.

VANGUE

strong?

SOPHONISBA

Zanthia!

ZANTHIA

What means my princess? 159

SOPHONISBA

Zanthia, rest firm

And silent, helpe us! Nay, do not dare refuse! 160

ZANTHIA

The negro’s dead! 161

SOPHONISBA

No, drunk.

ZANTHIA

Alas!

SOPHONISBA

Too late.

Her hand is fearful whose mind’s desperate. 162

It is but sleepy opium he hath drunk. 163

Help, Zanthia. 164

(They lay Vangue in Syphax’s bed and draw the curtains)

there lie Syphax’s bride, a naked man is soon undressed. 165

There bide dishonoured passion 166

(They knock within; forthwith Syphax comes)

SYPHAX

Way for the king! 167

SOPHONISBA

Straight for the king. I fly

Where misery shall see nought but itself. 168

Dear Zanthia, close the vault when I am sunk, 169

And whilst he slips to bed, escape. Be true; 170

I can no more; come to me. Hark, gods, my breath 171

Scorns to crave life, grant but a well-famed death. 172

(She descends)

(Enter Syphax ready for bed)

SYPHAX

Each man withdraw, let not a creature stay 173

Within large distance. 174

ZANTHIA

Sir...

SYPHAX

Hence, Zanthia,

Not thou shalt hear. All stand without ear-reach 175

Of the soft cries nice shrinking brides do yield 176

When... 177

ZANTHIA

But Sir...

SYPHAX

Hence! Stay, take thy delight by steps,

Think of thy joys, and make long thy pleasures. 178

O silence, thou dost swallow pleasure right; 179

Words take away some sense from our delight. 180

Music! Be proud, my Venus; Mercury, thy tongue; 181

Cupid, thy flame; ‘bove all, O Hercules, 182

Let not thy back be wanting, for now I leap 183

To catch the fruit none but the Gods should reap! 184

(Offering to leap into bed, he discovers Vangue)

Hah! Can any woman turn to such a devil? 185

Or... or... Vangue! Vangue! 186

VANGUE

Yes... yes...

SYPHAX

Speak, slave!

How camest thou here? 187

VANGUE

Here?

SYPHAX

Zanthia, Zanthia!

Where’s Sophonisba? Speak at full, at full, 188

Give me particular faith, or know thou art not... 189

ZANTHIA

Your pardon, just-moved prince, and private ear. 190

SYPHAX

Ill actions have some grace, that they can fear. 191

VANGUE

How came I laid? Which way was I made drunk? 192

Where am I? Think I, or is my state advanced? 193

O Jove, how pleasant is it but to sleep 194

In a king’s bed! 195

SYPHAX

Sleep there thy lasting sleep,

Improvident, base, o’er-thirsty slave! 196

(Syphax kills Vangue)

Die pleased, a king’s couch is thy too proud grave. 197

Through this vault sayst thou? 198

ZANTHIA

As you give me grace

To live, ’tis true. 199

SYPHAX

We will be good to Zanthia.

Go cheer thy lady, and be private to us. 200

ZANTHIA

As to my life. 201

(She descends after Sophonisba)

SYPHAX

I'll use this Zanthia,

And trust her as our dogs drink dangerous Nile, 202

only for thirst, that fly the crocodile. 203

Wise Sophonisba knows love’s tricks of art: 204

Without much hindrance pleasure hath no heart. 205

Despite all virtue or weak plots I must: 206

Seven-walled Babel cannot bear out lust. 207

(Descends through the vault)

Scene 2

([Neighborhood of Utica])

(Cornets sound marches; enter Scipio and Laelius with the complements of a Roman General before them; at the other door, Massinissa and Jugurth)

MASSINISSA

Let not the virtue of the world suspect 1

Sad Massinissa’s faith, nor once condemn 2

Our just revolt. Carthage first gave me life, 3

Her ground gave food, her air first lent me breath: 4

The earth was made for men, not men for earth. 5

Scipio, I do not thank the Gods for life, 6

Much less vile men, or earth: know, best of lords, 7

It is a happy being, breath well famed, 8

For which Jove sees these thus. Men, be not fooled 9

With piety to place, tradition’s fear; 10

A just man’s country Jove makes everywhere. 11

SCIPIO

Well urgeth Massinissa. But to leave 12

A city so ingrate, so faithless, so more vile 13

Than civil speech may name, fear not; such vice 14

To scourge is Heaven’s most grateful sacrifice. 15

Thus all confess, first they have broke a faith 16

To the most due, so just to be observed 17

That barbarousness itself may well blush at them. 18

Where is thy passion? They have shared thy crown, 19

Thy proper right of birth, contrived thy death. 20

Where is thy passion? Given thy beauteous spouse 21

To thy most hated rival. Statue, not man! 22

And last, thy friend Gelosso (man worth gods) 23

With tortures have they rent to death. 24

MASSINISSA

O Gelosso,

For thee full eyes... 25

SCIPIO

No passion for the rest?

MASSINISSA

O Scipio, my grief for him may be expressed by tears, 26

But for the rest silence, and secret anguish 27

Shall waste... shall waste. Scipio, he that can weep 28

Grieves not, like me, private deep inward drops 29

Of blood. My heart! For god’s rights give me leave 30

To be a short time man. 31

SCIPIO

Stay, prince.

MASSINISSA

I cease.

Forgive if I forget thy presence, Scipio. 32

Thy face makes Massinissa more than man, 33

And here before your steady power a vow 34

As firm as fate I make: when I desist 35

To be commanded by thy virtue, Scipio, 36

Or fall from friend of Rome’s, revenging gods 37

Afflict me worth your torture. I have given 38

Of passion and of faith my heart. 39

SCIPIO

To counsel, then.

Grief fits weak hearts, revenging virtue men. 40

Thus I think fit, before that Syphax know 41

How deeply Carthage sinks, let’s beat swift march 42

Up even to Cirta, and whilst Syphax snores 43

With his, late thine... 44

MASSINISSA

With mine? No, Scipio;

Libya hath poison, asps, knives, and to much earth 45

To make one grave. With mine? Not! She can die. 46

Scipio, with mine? Jove, say it, thou dost lie. 47

SCIPIO

Temperance be Scipio’s honor. 48

LAELIUS

Cease your strife:

She is a woman. 49

MASSINISSA

But she is my wife.

LAELIUS

And yet she is no god. 50

MASSINISSA

And yet she's more:

I do not praise gods’ goodness, but adore. 51

Gods cannot fall, and for their constant goodness 52

(Which is necessited) they have a crown 53

Of never-ending pleasures. But faint man 54

(Framed to have his weakness made the heavens’ glory), 55

If he with steady virtue holds all siege 56

That power, that speech, that pleasure, that full sweets, 57

A world of greatness can assail him with, 58

Having no pay but self-wept misery, 59

A beggar’s treasure-heap, that man I’ll praise 60

Above the gods. 61

SCIPIO

The Libyan speaks bold sense.

MASSINISSA

By that by which all is, proportion, 62

I speak with thought. 63

SCIPIO

No more.

MASSINISSA

Forgive my admiration:

You touched a string to which my sense was quick, 64

Can you but think? Do, do. My grief... my grief 65

Would make a saint blaspheme! Give some relief, 66

As thou art Scipio, forgive that I forget, 67

I am a soldier. Such woes Jove’s ribs would burst, 68

Few speak lesse ill that feel so much of worst. 69

My ear attends. 70

SCIPIO

Before then Syphax join,

With new-strengthed Carthage, or can once unwind 71

His tangled sense from out so wild amaze, 72

Fall we like sudden lightning ‘fore his eyes: 73

Boldness and spead are all of victories. 74

MASSINISSA

Scipio, let Massinissa clip thy knees! 75

May once these eyes view Syphax? Shall this arm 76

Once make him feel his sin? O ye gods! 77

My cause, my cause! Justice is so huge odds, 78

That he who with it fears, heaven must renounce 79

In his creation. 80

SCIPIO

Beat then a close quick march!

Before the morn shall shake cold dews through skies, 81

Syphax shall tremble at Rome’s thick alarms. 82

MASSINISSA

Ye powers, I challenge conquest to just arms. 83

(With a full florish of cornets they depart)

ACT FOUR

Scene 1

([Near Cirta])

(Organs, viols and voices play for this act; enter Sophonisba and Zanthia, as out of a cave’s mouth)

SOPHONISBA

Where are we, Zanthia? 1

ZANTHIA

Vangue said the cave

Opened in Belos’ forest. 2

SOPHONISBA

Lord, how sweet

I scent the air! The huge long vault’s close vein, 3

What damps it breathed! In Belos’ forest, sayest? 4

Be valiant, Zanthia. How far's Utica 5

From these most heavy shades? 6

ZANTHIA

Ten easy leagues.

SOPHONISBA

There’s Massinissa. My true Zanthia, 7

Shall’s venture nobly to escape and touch 8

My lord’s just arms? Love’s wings so justly heave 9

The body up that, as our toes shall trip 10

Over the tender and obedient grass, 11

Scarce any drop of dew is dashed to ground. 12

And see the willing shade of friendly night 13

Makes safe our instant haste. Boldness and speed 14

Make actions most impossible succeed. 15

ZANTHIA

But madam, know the forest hath no way 16

But one to pass, the which holds strictest guard. 17

SOPHONISBA

Do not betray me, Zanthia. 18

ZANTHIA

I, madam?

SOPHONISBA

No,

I not mistrust thee, yet... but... 19

ZANTHIA

Here you may

Delay your time. 20

SOPHONISBA

Ay, Zanthia, delay,

By which we may yet hope... yet hope, alas! 21

How all benumbed's my sense! Chance hath so often struck 22

I scarce can feel. I should now curse the gods, 23

Call on the furies, stamp the patient earth, 24

Cleave my stretched cheeks with sound, speak from all sense 25

But loud and full of players’ eloquence. 26

No, no; what shall we eat? 27

ZANTHIA

Madam, I’ll search

For some ripe nuts which autumn hath shook down 28

From the unleaved hasel; then some cooler air 29

Shall lead me to a spring. Or I will try 30

The courteous pale of some poor foresters 31

For milk. 32

(Exit Zanthia)

SOPHONISBA

Do, Zanthia. O happiness

Of those that know not pride or lust of city! 33

There’s no man blessed but those that most men pity. 34

O fortunate poore maids that are not forced 35

To wed for state nor are for state divorced! 36

Whom policy of kingdoms doth not marry 37

But pure affection makes to love or vary, 38

You feel no love which you dare not to show, 39

Nor show a love which doth not truly grow. 40

O you are surely blessed of the sky! 41

You live, that know not death before you die. 42

(Through the vault’s mouth, in his night gown, torch in his hand, Syphax enters just behind Sophonisba)

You are... 43

SYPHAX

...in Syphax’s arms! Thing of false lip,

What god shall now release thee? 44

SOPHONISBA

Art a man?

SYPHAX

Thy limbs shall feel! Despite thy virtue, know 45

I'll thread thy richest pearl. This forest’s deaf, 46

As is my lust. Night and the god of silence 47

Swells my full pleasures, no more shalt thou delude 48

My easy credence. Virgin of fair brow, 49

Well-featured creature, and our utmost wonder, 50

Queen of our youthful bed, be proud, 51

(Syphax setteth away his light and prepareth to embrace Sophonosiba)

I’ll use thee. 52

(Sophonisba snatcheth out her knife)

SOPHONISBA

Look thee, view this! Show but one strain of force, 53

Bow but to seize this arm, and by myself, 54

Or more by Massinissa, this good steel 55

Shall set my soul on wing. Thus, formed gods, see, 56

And men with gods’ worth, envy nought but me! 57

SYPHAX

Do, strike thy breast. Know, being dead, I’ll use 58

With highest lust of sense thy senseless flesh, 59

And even then thy vexed soul shall see, 60

Without resistance, thy trunk prostitute 61

Unto our appetite. 62

SOPHONISBA

I shame to make thee know

How vile thou speakest. Corruption then as much 63

As thou shalt do; but frame unto thy lusts 64

Imagination’s utmost sin: Syphax, 65

I speak all frightless, know I live or die 66

To Massinissa. Nor the force of fate 67

Shall make me leave his loue, or slake thy hate. 68

I will speak no more. 69

SYPHAX

Thou hast amazed us: woman’s forced use, 70

Like unripe fruits, no sooner got but waste. 71

They have proportion, color but no taste. 72

Think, Syphax... 73

Our guard! 74

(Enter a guard)

Creature of most astonishing virtue, 75

If with faire usage, love, and passionate courtings 76

We may obtain the heaven of thy bed, 77

We cease no suit. From other force be free: 78

We dote not on thy body, but love thee. 79

SOPHONISBA

Wilt thou keep faith? 80

SYPHAX

By thee and by that power 81

By which thou art thus glorious, trust my vow. 82

Our guard, convey the royalest excellence 83

That ever was called woman to our palace; 84

Observe her with strict care. 85

([Enter Zanthia])

SOPHONISBA

Dread Syphax, speak

As thou art worthy: is not Zanthia false? 86

SYPHAX

To thee she is. 87

SOPHONISBA

As thou art then thyself,

Let her not be. 88

SYPHAX

She is not!

(The guard seizeth Zanthia)

ZANTHIA

Thus most speed: 89

When two foes are grown friends, partakers bleed. 90

SYPHAX

When plants must florish their manure must rot. 91

SOPHONISBA

Syphax, be recompensed: I hate thee not. 92

(Sophonisba exits)

SYPHAX

A wasting flame feeds on my amorous blood, 93

Which we must cool or die. What way all power, 94

All speech, full opportunity can make, 95

We have made fruitless trial. Infernal Jove, 96

You resolute angels that delight in flames, 97

To you, all wonder working spirits, I fly! 98

Since heaven helps not, deepest hell we’ll try. 99

Here, in this desert, the great soul of charms, 100

Dreadful Erichtho lives, whose dismal brow 101

Contemns all roofs or civil coverture. 102

Forsaken graves and tombs, the ghosts forced out, 103

She joys to inhabit. 104

(Infernal music plays softly whilst Erichtho enters, and when she speaks ceaseth)

A loathsome yellow leanness spreades her face, 105

A heavy hell-like paleness loads her cheeks, 106

Unknown to a clear heaven. But if dark winds 107

Or thick black clouds drive back the blinded stars 108

When her deep magic makes forced heaven quake 109

And thunder spite of Jove. Erichtho then 110

From naked graves stalks out, heaves proud her head 111

With long uncombed hair loaden, and strives to snatch 112

The night’s quick sulphur. Then she bursts up tombs, 113

From half-rot sear-cloths then she scrapes dry gums 114

For her black rites. But when she finds a corpse 115

Newly graved, whose entrails yet not turn 116

To slimy filth, with greedy havock then 117

she makes fierce spoil and swells with wicked triumph 118

To bury her lean knuckles in his eyes. 119

Then doth she gnaw the pale and o’ergrown nails 120

From his dry hand. But if she find some life 121

Yet lurking close, she bites his gelid lips, 122

And sticking her black tongue in his dry throat 123

She breathes dire murmurs, which enforce him bear 124

Her baneful secrets to the spirits of horror. 125

To her first sound, the gods yield any harm, 126

As trembling once to hear a second charm. 127

She is... 128

ERICHTHO

...here, Syphax, here! Quake not, for know

I know thy thoughts. Thou wouldst entreat our power, 129

Nice Sophonisba's passion to enforce 130

To thy affection, be all full of Jove. 131

’Tis done, ’tis done; to us heave, earth, sea, air, 132

And Fate itself obeys. The beasts of death, 133

And all the terrors angry gods invented 134

(T'afflict th'ignorance of patient man), 135

Tremble at us. The rolled-up snake uncurls 136

His twisted knots at our affrighting voice. 137

Are we incensed? The king of flames grows pale, 138

Lest he be choked with black and earthy fumes, 139

Which our charms raise. Be joyed, make proud thy lust, 140

I do not pray you, gods: my breath’s “You must”. 141

SYPHAX

Deep-knowing spirit, mother of all high 142

Misterious science, what may Syphax yield, 143

Worthy thy art, by which my soul's thus eased? 144

The gods first made me live, but thou live pleased. 145

ERICHTHO

Know then, our love, hard by the reverent ruins 146

Of a once glorious temple reared to Jove, 147

Whose very rubbish (like the pitied fall 148

Of virtue much unfortunate) yet bears 149

A deathless majesty, though now quite rased, 150

Hurled down by wrath and lust of impious kings, 151

So that where holy flamens wont to sing 152

Sweet hymns to heaven, there the daw and crow, 153

The ill-voiced raven, and still-chattering pie, 154

Send out ungrateful sound and loathsome filth; 155

Where statues and Jove’s acts were vively limned 156

Boys with black coals, draw the veiled parts of nature 157

And leacherous actions of imagined lust; 158

Where tombs and beauteous urns of well-dead men 159

Stood in assured rest, the shepherd now 160

Unloads his belly, corruption most abhorred 161

Mingling itself with their renowned ashes, 162

Ourself quakes at it. 163

There once a charnel house, now a vast cave, 164

Over whose brow a pale and untrod grove 165

Throws out her heavy shade, the mouth thick arms 166

Of darksome yew (sun-proof) for ever choke. 167

Within rests barren darkness; fruitless drought 168

Pines in eternal night; the steam of Hell 169

Yields not so lazy air; there, that's my cell. 170

From thence a charm which Jove dare not hear twice, 171

Shall force her to thy bed. But Syphax, know: 172

Love is the highest rebel to our art. 173

Therefore I charge thee, by the fear of all 174

Which thou knowest dreadful, or more, by ourself: 175

As with swift haste she passeth to thy bed 176

And easy to thy wishes yields, speak not one word, 177

Nor dare, as thou dost fear thy loss of joys 178

T'admit one light, one light. 179

SYPHAX

As to my fate,

I yield my guidance. 180

ERICHTHO

Then, when I shall force

The air to music and the shades of night 181

To form sweet sounds, make proud thy raised delight. 182

Meantime, behold, I go a charm to rear 183

Whose potent sound will force ourself to fear. 184

([Exit Erichtho])

SYPHAX

Whither is Syphax heaved? At length shall’s joy 185

Hopes more desired than heaven? Sweet laboring earth, 186

Let heaven be unformed with mighty charms, 187

Let Sophonisba only fill these arms. 188

Jove, we’ll not envy thee. Blood’s appetite 189

Is Syphax’s god. My wisdom is my sense, 190

Without a man I hold no excellence. 191

Give me long breath, young beds, and sickness’ ease; 192

For we hold firm that’s lawfull which doth please. 193

(Infernal music softly)

Hark, hark! Now rise infernal tones, 194

The deep-fetched groans 195

Of laboring spirits that attend 196

Erichtho. 197

ERICHTHO

Within Erichtho. 198

SYPHAX

Now crack the trembling earth, and send 199

Shrieks that portend 200

Affrightment to the gods which hear 201

Erichtho. 202

ERICHTHO

Within Erichtho. 203

(A treble viol and a base lute play softly within the canopy)

Hark, hark, now softer melody strikes mute 204

Disquiet nature. O thou power of sound, 205

How thou dost melt me! Hark, now even heaven 206

Gives up his soul amongst us. Now's the time 207

When greedy expectation strains mine eyes 208

For their loved object. Now Erichtho willed 209

Prepare my appetite for love’s strict gripes. 210

O you dear founts of pleasure, blood and beauty, 211

Raise active Venus worth fruition 212

Of such provoking sweetness. Hark, she comes! 213

(A short song to soft music above)

Now nuptial hymns enforced spirits sing. 214

Hark, Syphax, hark! Now hell and heaven rings. 215

(Cantant)

With music spite of Phoebus. Peace, she comes! 216

(Enter Erichtho in the shape of Sophonisba, her face veiled and hasteth in the bed of Syphax)

Fury of blood’s impatient: Erichtho, 217

‘Bove thunder sit. To thee, egregious soul, 218

Let all flesh bend. Sophonisba, thy flame 219

But equal mine, and we’ll joy such delight 220

That gods shall not admire but even spite! 221

(Syphax hasteneth within the canopy as to Sophonisba’s bed)

ACT FIVE

Scene 1

([Bedchamber in the palace of Syphax])

(A base lute and a treble viol play for the act; Syphax draws the curtains and discovers Erichtho lying with him)

ERICHTHO

Ha, ha, ha! 1

SYPHAX

Light, light!

ERICHTHO

Ha, ha!

SYPHAX

Thou rotten scum of hell! 2

O my abhorred heat! O loathed delusion! 3

(They leap out of the bed [and] Syphax takes him to his sword)

ERICHTHO

Why, fool of kings, could thy weak soul imagine 4

That ’tis within the grasp of heaven or hell 5

To enforce love? Why, know love dotes the fates, 6

Jove groans beneath his weight: mere ignorant thing, 7

Know we, Erichtho, with a thirsty womb 8

Have coveted full threescore suns for blood of kings. 9

We that can make enraged Neptune toss 10

His huge curled locks without one breath of wind, 11

We that can make heaven slide from Atlas’ shoulder, 12

We in the pride and height of covetous lust, 13

Have wished with woman’s greedines to fill 14

Our longing arms with Syphax’s well-strung limbs. 15

And dost thou think if philters or hell’s charms 16

Could have enforced thy use we would have deigned 17

Brain sleights? No, no, now are we full 18

Of our dear wishes. Thy proud heat, well wasted, 19

Hath made our limbs grow young. Our love, farwell! 20

Know he that would force love thus seeks his hell. 21

(Erichtho slips into the ground as Syphax offers his sword to her)

SYPHAX

Can we yet breathe? is any plagued like me? 22

Are we — let’s think — O now contempt, my hate 23

To thee, thy thunder, sulphur and scorned name! 24

He whose life’s loathed, and he who breathes to curse 25

His very being; let him thus with me 26

(Syphax kneels at the altar)

Fall ‘fore an altar sacred to black powers 27

And thus dare heavens! O thou whose blasting flames 28

Hurl barren droughts upon the patient earth, 29

And thou, gay god of riddles and strange tales, 30

Hot-brained Phoebus, all add if you can 31

Something unto my misery! If aught 32

Of plagues lurk in your deep-trenched brows, 33

Which yet I know not, let them fall like bolts, 34

Which wrathful Jove drives strong into my bosom. 35

If any chance of war, or news ill-voiced, 36

Mischeife unthought of lurk, come, gift us all, 37

Heap curse on curse: we can no lower fall. 38

(Out of the altar the ghost of Asdrubal ariseth)

ASDRUBAL

Lower, lower... 39

SYPHAX

What damned air is formed

Into that shape? Speak, speak! We cannot quake! 40

Our flesh knows not ignoble tremblings, speak! 41

We dare thy terror. Methinks hell and fate 42

Should dread a soul with woes made desperate. 43

ASDRUBAL

Know me the spirit of great Asdrubal, 44

Father to Sophonisba, whose bad heart 45

Made justly most unfortunate: for know 46

I turned unfaithful, after which the field 47

Chanced to our loss, when of thy men there fell 48

Six thousand souls, next fight of Libyans ten. 49

After which loss we unto Carthage flying, 50

Th’enraged people cried their army fell 51

Through my base treason. Straight my revengeful Furies 52

Makes them pursue me, I with resolute haste 53

Made to the grave of all our ancestors 54

Where, poisoned, hoped my bones should have long rest. 55

But see, the violent multitude arrives, 56

Tear down our monument, and me now dead 57

Deny a grave, hurl us among the rocks 58

To staunch beasts’ hunger. Therefore thus ungraved 59

I seek slow rest: now dost thou know more woes, 60

And more must feel. Mortals, O fear to slight 61

Your gods and vows: Jove’s arm is of dread might. 62

SYPHAX

Yet speak: shall I o’ercome approaching foes? 63

ASDRUBAL

Spirits of wrath know nothing but their woes. 64

(Exit)

(Enter Nuntius)

NUNTIUS

My liege, my liege! 65

The scouts of Cirta bring intelligence 66

Of sudden danger: full ten thousand horse, 67

Fresh and well-rid, strong Massinissa leads 68

As wings to Roman legions that march swift 69

Led by that man of conquest, Scipio. 70

SYPHAX

Scipio?

NUNTIUS

Direct to Cirta. 71

(A march far off is heard)

Hark! Their march is heard even to the city. 72

SYPHAX

Help! Our guard, my arms! 73

Bid all our leaders march! Beat thick alarms! 74

I have seen things which thou wouldst quake to hear. 75

Boldness and strength! The shame of slaves be fear. 76

Up, heart! Hold sword! though waves roll thee on shelf, 77

Though fortune leave thee, leave not thou thyself. 78

(Exit arming)

Scene 2

([Neigborhood of Cirta])

(Enter two pages with targets and javelins; Laelius and Jugurth with halberds; Scipio and Massinissa armed; cornets sounding a march)

SCIPIO

Stand! 1

MASSINISSA

Give the word, stand!

SCIPIO

Part the file!

MASSINISSA

Give way!

Scipio, by thy great name but greater virtue, 2

By our eternal love, give me the chance 3

Of this day’s battle. Let not thy envied fame 4

Vouchsafe t’oppose the Roman legions 5

Against one weakened prince of Libya. 6

This quarrel’s mine, mine be the stroke of fight! 7

Let us and Syphax hurl our well-forced darts 8

Each unto other’s breast. O (what should I say?) 9

Thou beyond epithet, thou whom proud lords of fortune 10

May even envy... Alas, my joy’s so vast 11

Makes me seem lost. Let us thunder and lightning 12

Strike from our brave arms! Look, look, seize that hill! 13

Hark, he comes near! From thence discern us strike 14

Fire worth Jove; mount up, and not repute 15

Me very proud, though wondrous resolute. 16

My cause: my cause is my bold heartening odds, 17

That sevenfold shield; just arms should fright the gods. 18

SCIPIO

Thy words are full of honor; take thy fate. 19

MASSINISSA

Which we do scorn to feare, to Scipio state 20

Worthy his heart. Now let the forced brass 21

Sound on! 22

(Cornets sound a march; Scipio leads his train up to the mount)

Jugurth, clasp sure our casque, 23

Arm us with care, and Jugurth: if I fall 24

Through this day’s malice or our fathers’ sins, 25

If it in thy sword lie, break up my breast 26

And save my heart that never fell nor sued 27

To aught but Jove and Sophonisba. Sound 28

Stern hearteners unto wounds and blood, sound loud, 29

For we have named Sophonisba! 30

(Cornets a florish)

(Cornets, a march far off)

SCIPIO

Hark, hark, he comes! Stand blood, now multiply 31

Force more than fury! Sound high, sound high, we strike 32

For Sophonisba! 33

(Enter Syphax armed, his pages with shields and darts before; cornets sounding marches)

SYPHAX

For Sophonisba! 34

MASSINISSA

Syphax! 35

SYPHAX

Massinissa!

MASSINISSA

Betwixt us two,

Let single fight try all. 36

SYPHAX

Well urged.

MASSINISSA

Well granted.

Of you, my stars, as I am worthy you, 37

I implore aid. And O, if angels wait 38

Upon good hearts, my genius be as strong 39

As I am just. 40

SYPHAX

Kings’ glory is their wrong.

He that may only do just act's a slave. 41

My god’s my arm, my life, my heaven; my grave 42

To me all end. 43

MASSINISSA

Give day, gods. Life, not death,

To him that onely fears blaspheming breath. 44

For Sophonisba! 45

SYPHAX

For Sophonisba!

(Cornets sound a charge; Massinissa and Syphax combat; Syphax falls; Massinissa unclasps Syphax’s casque, and is ready to kil him [when] Syphax speaks)

SYPHAX

Unto thy fortune, not to thee, we yield! 46

MASSINISSA

Lives Sophonisba yet unstained? Speak just: 47

Yet ours unforced? 48

SYPHAX

Let my heart fall more low

Than is my body, if only to thy glory 49

She lives not yet all thine. 50

MASSINISSA

Rise, rise, cease strife!

Hear a most deep revenge: from us take life! 51

(Cornets sound a march; Scipio and Laelius enter; Scipio passeth to his throne; Massinissa presents Syphax to Scipio’s feet; cornets sounding a florish)

To you all power of strength; and next to thee, 52

Thou spirit of triumph, born for victory, 53

I heave these hands. March we to Cirta straight 54

My Sophonisba with swift haste to win, 55

In honor and in love all mean is sin. 56

(Exit Massinissa and Jugurth)

SCIPIO

As we are Rome’s great Generall, thus we press 57

Thy captive neck. But as still Scipio, 58

And sensible of just humanity, 59

We weep thy bondage. Speak, thou ill-chanced man, 60

What spirit took thee when thou wert our friend 61

(Thy right hand given both to gods and us 62

With such most passionate vows and solemn faith), 63

Thou fledst with such most foul disloyalty 64

To now weak Carthage? Strengthening their bad arms, 65

Who lately scornd thee with all loathed abuse, 66

Who never entertain for love but use? 67

SYPHAX

Scipio, my fortune is captived, not I, 68

Therefore I’ll speak bold truth; nor once mistrust 69

What I shall say, for now being wholy yours 70

I must not feign: Sophonisba, 'twas she, 71

T'was Sophonisba that solicited 72

My forced revolt. T’was her resistless suit, 73

Her love to her dear Carthage, ’ticed me break 74

All faith with men. T’was she made Syphax false. 75

She that loves Carthage with such violence 76

And hath such moving graces to allure, 77

That she will turn a man that once hath sworn 78

Himself on's father’s bones her Carthage foe 79

To be that city’s champion and high friend. 80

Hir hymeneal torch burnt down my house; 81

Then was I captived, when her wanton arms 82

There moving clasped about my neck. O charms, 83

Able to turn even Fate! But this, in my true grief, 84

Is some just joy, that my love-sotted foe 85

Shall seize that plague; that Massinissa’s breast 86

Her hands shall arm, and that ere long you’ll try 87

She can force him your foe as well as I. 88

SCIPIO

Laelius, Laelius, take a choice troop of horse 89

And spur to Cirta. To Massinissa thus: 90

Syphax’s palace, crown’s spoil, city’s sack, 91

Be free to him. But if our new-leagued friend 92

Possess that woman of so moving art, 93

Charge him with no less weight than his dear vow, 94

Our love, all faith, that he resigne her the 95

As he shall answer Rome, will him give up 96

A Roman prisoner to the Senate’s doom: 97

She is a Carthaginian. Now our laws 98

Wise men prevent not actions, but euer cause. 99

SYPHAX

Good Malice, so, as liberty so dear, 100

Prove my revenge: what I cannot possess 101

Another shall not. That’s some happiness. 102

(Exeunt the cornets flourishing)

Scene 3

([Cirta])

(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)

SOLDIER

Princess, O fly! Syphax hath lost the day, 1

And captived lies. The Roman legions 2

Have seized the town, and with inveterate hate 3

Make slaves or murder all. Fire and steel, 4

Fury and night hold all. Fair queen, O fly! 5

We bleed for Carthage, all for Carthage die! 6

(Exit)

(The cornets sounding a march; enter pages with javelins and targets, Massinissa and Jugurth, Massinissa’s beaver shut)

MASSINISSA

March to the palace. 7

SOPHONISBA

Whate’er man thou art,

Of Libya thy fair arms speak, give heart 8

To amazed weakeness. Hear her, that for long time 9

Hath seen no wished light. Sophonisba, 10

A name for misery much known, ’tis she 11

Entreats of thy graced sword this only boon: 12

Let me not kneel to Rome. For though no cause 13

Of mine deserves their hate, though Massinissa 14

Be ours to heart, yet Roman generals 15

Make proud their triumphs with whatever captives. 16

O ’tis a nation which from soul I fear, 17

As one well knowing the much grounded hate 18

They bear to Asdrubal and Carthage blood. 19

Therefore, with tears that wash thy feet, with hands 20

Unused to beg, I clasp thy manly knees: 21

O save me from their fetters and contempt, 22

Their proud insults and more than insolence! 23

Or, if it rest not in thy grace of breath 24

To grant such freedom, give me long-wished death; 25

For ’tis not much loathed life that now we craue, 26

Only an unshamed death and silent grave 27

We will now deign to bend for. 28

MASSINISSA

Rarity!

(Massinissa disarms his head)

By thee and this right hand thou shalt live free! 29

SOPHONISBA

We cannot now be wretched. 30

MASSINISSA

Stay the sword!

Let slaughter cease! Sounds soft as Leda’s breast 31

(Soft music)

Slide through all ears. This night be love’s high feast. 32

SOPHONISBA

O’erwhelm me not with sweets! Let me not drink 33

‘Till my breast burst, O Jove, thy nectar-skink! 34

(She sinks into Massinissa’s arms)

MASSINISSA

She is o’ercome with joy! 35

SOPHONISBA

Help! Help to bear

Some happiness, ye powers, I have joy to spare! 36

Enough to make a god! O Massinissa! 37

MASSINISSA

Peace!

A silent thinking makes full joys increase! 38

(Enter Laelius)

LAELIUS

Massinissa. 39

MASSINISSA

Laelius.

LAELIUS

Thine ear.

MASSINISSA

Stand off.

([Massinissa and Laelius move away from Sophonisba])

LAELIUS

From Scipio thus: by thy late vow of faith, 40

And mutual league of endless amity, 41

As thou respects his virtue or Rome’s force, 42

Deliver Sophonisba to our hand. 43

MASSINISSA

Sophonisba? 44

LAELIUS

Sophonisba.

SOPHONISBA

My lord

Looks pale, and from his half-burst eyes a flame 45

Of deep disquiet breaks. The gods turn false 46

My sad presage! 47

MASSINISSA

Sophonisba?

LAELIUS

Even she.

MASSINISSA

Shee killed not Scipio’s father nor his uncle, 48

Great Cneius. 49

LAELIUS

Carthage did.

MASSINISSA

To her what’s Carthage?

LAELIUS

Know ’twas her father Asdrubal struck off 50

His father’s head. Give place to faith and fate! 51

MASSINISSA

’Tis cross to honor. 52

LAELIUS

But ’tis just to state.

So speaketh Scipio. Do not thou detain 53

A Roman prisoner, due to this great triumph, 54

As thou shalt answer Rome and him. 55

MASSINISSA

Laelius.

We now are in Rome’s power. Laelius, 56

View Massinissa do a loathed act, 57

Most sinking from that state his heart did keep. 58

Look, Laelius, look! See Massinissa weep! 59

Know I have made a vow more dear to me 60

Than my soul’s endless being: she shall rest 61

Free from Rome’s bondage. 62

LAELIUS

But dost thou forget

Thy vow, yet fresh, thus breathed: “When I desist 63

To be commanded by thy virtue, Scipio, 64

Or fall from friend of Rome, revenging gods, 65

Afflict me with your torture.” 66

MASSINISSA

Laelius, enough.

Salute the Roman, tell him we will act 67

What shall amaze him. 68

LAELIUS

Wilt thou yield her, then?

MASSINISSA

She shall arrive there straight. 69

LAELIUS

Best fate of men

To thee. 70

MASSINISSA

Have I lived, O heavens,

To be enforcedly perfidious? 71

([Exit Laelius with pages])

SOPHONISBA

What unjust grief afflicts my worthy lord? 72

MASSINISSA

Thank me, ye gods, with much beholdingness; 73

For mark, I do not curse you. 74

SOPHONISBA

Tell me, sweet,

The cause of thy much anguish. 75

MASSINISSA

Ha, the cause?

Let's see: wreathe back thine arms, bend down thy neck, 76

Practice base prayers, make fit thyself for bondage. 77

SOPHONISBA

Bondage? 78

MASSINISSA

Bondage. Roman bondage.

SOPHONISBA

No, No!

MASSINISSA

How then have I vowed well to Scipio? 79

SOPHONISBA

How then to Sophonisba? 80

MASSINISSA

Right, which way?

Run mad! Impossible! Distraction! 81

SOPHONISBA

Dear lord, thy patience! Let it maze all power, 82

And list to her in whose sole heart it rests 83

To keep thy faith upright. 84

MASSINISSA

Wilt thou be slaved?

SOPHONISBA

No, free. 85

MASSINISSA

How then keep I my faith?

SOPHONISBA

My death

Gives help to all. From Rome so rest we free; 86

So brought to Scipio, faith is kept in thee. 87

(Enter a page with a bowl of wine)

MASSINISSA

Thou darest not die... Some wine! Thou darest not die! 88

SOPHONISBA

How near was I unto the curse of man: joy. 89

How like was I yet once to have been glad! 90

He that ne’er laughed may with a constant face 91

Contemn Jove’s frown: Happiness makes us base. 92

(She takes a bowl into which Massinissa puts poison)

Behold me, Massinissa, like thyself, 93

A king and soldier. And I prithee keep 94

My last command. 95

MASSINISSA

Speak, sweet.

SOPHONISBA

Dear, do not weep.

And now, with undismayed resolve behold, 96

To save you... you (for honor and just faith 97

Are most true gods which we should much adore), 98

With even disdainful vigor I give up 99

An abhorred life! 100

(She drinks)

You have been good to me,

And I do thank thee, heaven. O my stars, 101

I bless your goodness, that with breast unstained, 102

Faith pure, a virgin wife, tried to my glory 103

I die, of female faith, the long-lived story; 104

Secure from bondage and all servile harms, 105

But more most happy in my husband’s arms. 106

(She sinks)

JUGURTH

Massinissa, Massinissa! 107

MASSINISSA

Covetous,

Fame-greedy lady, could no scope of glory, 108

No reasonable proportion of goodness 109

Fill thy great breast, but thou must prove immense 110

Incomprehence in virtue! What wouldst thou 111

Not only be admired, but even adored? 112

O glory ripe for heaven! Sirs, help, help, help! 113

Let us to Scipio with what speed you can! 114

For piety make haste, whilst yet we are man! 115

(Exeunt bearing Sophonisba in a chair)

Scene 4

([Neighborhood of Cirta])

(Cornets a march; enter Scipio in full state, triumphal ornaments carried before him, and Syphax bound; at the other door Laelius)

SCIPIO

What answers Massinissa? Will he send 1

That Sophonisba of so moving tongue? 2

LAELIUS

Full of dismayed unsteadiness he stood, 3

His right hand locked in hers, which hand he gave 4

As pledge from Rome she ever should live free. 5

But when I entered and well urged this vow 6

And thy command, his great heart sunk with shame. 7

His eyes lost spirit, and his heat of life 8

Sank from his face, as one that stood benumbed, 9

All mazed, t'effect impossibilities, 10

For either unto her or Scipio 11

He must break vow. Long time he tossed his thoughts, 12

And as you see a snowball being rolled, 13

At first a handful yet long bowled about 14

Insensibly acquires a mighty globe, 15

So his cold grief through agitation grows, 16

And more he thinks the more of grief he knows. 17

At last he seemed to yield her. 18

SYPHAX

Mark, Scipio:

Trust him that breaks a vow? 19

SCIPIO

How then trust thee?

SYPHAX

O misdoubt him not, when he's thy slave like me. 20

(Enter Massinissa, all in black)

MASSINISSA

Scipio. 21

SCIPIO

Massinissa.

MASSINISSA

General.

SCIPIO

King.

MASSINISSA

Lives there no mercy for one soul of Carthage, 22

But must see baseness? 23

SCIPIO

Wouldst thou joy thy peace,

Deliver Sophonisba straight and cease. 24

Do not grasp that which is too hot to hold: 25

We grace thy grief, and hold it with soft sense; 26

Enjoy good courage, but ‘void insolence. 27

I tell thee, Rome and Scipio deign to bear 28

So low a breast as for her say, we fear. 29

MASSINISSA

Do not, do not. Let not the fright of nations 30

Know so vile terms. She rests at thy dispose. 31

SYPHAX

To my soul joy! Shall Sophonisba then 32

With me go bound and wait on Scipio’s wheel? 33

When th' whole world’s giddy, one man cannot reel! 34

MASSINISSA

Starve thy lean hopes, and Romans, now behold 35

A sight would sad the gods, make Phoebus cold. 36

(Organ and recorders play to a single voice; enter in the meantime the mournful solemnity of Massinissa’s presenting Sophonisba’s body)

Look, Scipio, see what hard shift we make 37

To keep our vows. Here, take, I yield her thee, 38

And Sophonisba, I keep vow: thou art still free. 39

SYPHAX

Burst my vexed heart! The torture that most racks 40

An enemy is his foe’s royal acts. 41

SCIPIO

The glory of thy virtue live forever: 42

Brave hearts may be obscured, but extinct never. 43

(Scipio adorns Massinissa)

Take from the general of Rome this crown, 44

This robe of triumph, and this conquest’s wreath, 45

This scepter, and this hand: forever breathe 46

Rome’s very minion. Live worth thy fame 47

As far from faintings as from now base name. 48

MASSINISSA

Thou, whom like sparkling steel the strokes of chance 49

Made hard and firm, and like wildfire turned, 50

The more cold fate, more bright thy virtue burned, 51

And in whole seas of miseries didst flame. 52

On thee, loved creature of a deathless fame, 53

(Massinissa adorns Sophonisba)

Rest all my honour. O thou for whom I drink 54

So deep of grief, that he must only think, 55

Not dare to speak, that would express my woe; 56

Small rivers murmur, deep gulfs silent flow. 57

My grief is here, not here. Heave gently then, 58

Women’s right wonder, and just shame of men. 59

(Cornets a short florish; Exeunt all but Massinissa)

Epilogue

MASSINISSA

And now, 1

With lighter passion, though with most just fear, 2

I change my person, and do hither bear 3

Another’s voice, who with a phrase as weak 4

As his deserts now willed me thus formed, speak: 5

If words well sensed, best suiting subject grave, 6

Noble true story, may once boldly crave 7

Acceptance gracious; if he whose fires 8

Envy not others, nor himself admires; 9

If scenes exempt from ribaldry or rage, 10

Of taxings indiscreet, may please the stage; 11

If such may hope applause, he not commands, 12

Yet craves as due the justice of your hands. 13

But freely he protests, howe’er it is— 14

Or well, or ill, or much, not much amiss— 15

With constant modesty he doth submit 16

To all, save those that have more tongue than wit. 17