_Pub._ And canst thou entertain such vile suspicions? Gods! what an outrage to a son like me! _Ham._ Yes, Roman! now I see thee as thou art, Thy naked soul divested of its veil, Its specious colouring, its dissembled virtues: Thou hast plotted with the Senate to prevent Th' exchange of captives. All thy subtle arts, Thy smooth inventions, have been set to work-- The base refinements of your _polish'd_ land. _Pub._ In truth the doubt is worthy of an African. [_Contemptuously._ _Ham._ I know.---- _Pub._ Peace, Carthaginian, peace, and hear me, Dost thou not know, that on the very man Thou hast insulted, Barce's fate depends? _Ham._ Too well I know, the cruel chance of war Gave her, a blooming captive, to thy mother; Who, dying, left the beauteous prize to thee. _Pub._ Now, see the use a _Roman_ makes of power. Heav'n is my witness how I lov'd the maid! Oh, she was dearer to my soul than light! Dear as the vital stream that feeds my heart! But know my _honour_'s dearer than my love. I do not even hope _thou_ wilt believe me; _Thy_ brutal soul, as savage as thy clime, Can never taste those elegant delights, Those pure refinements, love and glory yield. 'Tis not to thee I stoop for vindication, Alike to me thy friendship or thy hate; But to remove from others a pretence For branding Publius with the name of villain; That _they_ may see no sentiment but honour Informs this bosom--Barce, thou art _free_. Thou hast my leave with him to quit this shore. Now learn, barbarian, how a _Roman_ loves! [_Exit._ _Barce._ He cannot mean it! _Ham._ Oh, exalted virtue! Which challenges esteem though from a foe. [_Looking after_ PUBLIUS. _At._ Ah! cruel Publius, wilt thou leave me thus? Thus leave thy sister? _Barce._ Didst thou hear, Hamilcar? Oh, didst thou hear the god-like youth resign me? [HAMILCAR _and_ LICINIUS _seem lost in thought_. _Ham._ Farewell, I will return. _Lic._ Farewell, my love! [_To_ ATTILIA. _Barce._ Hamilcar, where---- _At._ Alas! where art thou going? [_To_ LICINIUS. _Lic._ If possible, to save the life of Regulus. _At._ But by what means?--Ah! how canst thou effect it? _Lic._ Since the disease so desperate is become, We must apply a desperate remedy. _Ham._ (_after a long pause._) Yes--I will mortify this generous foe; I'll be reveng'd upon this stubborn Roman; Not by defiance bold, or feats of arms, But by a means more sure to work its end; By emulating his exalted worth, And showing him a virtue like his own; Such a refin'd revenge as noble minds Alone can practise, and alone can feel. _At._ If thou wilt go, Licinius, let Attilia At least go with thee. _Lic._ No, my gentle love, Too much I prize thy safety and thy peace. Let me entreat thee, stay with Barce here Till our return.