_Mass._ Ye Carthage lords, know Massinissa knows Not only terms of honour, but his actions; Nor must I now enlarge how much my cause Hath danger'd Carthage, but how I may show Myself most prest[314] to satisfaction. The loathsome stain of kings' ingratitude 190 From me O much be far! And since this torrent, War's rage, admits no anchor--since the billow Is risen so high we may not hull,[315] but yield This ample state to stroke of speedy swords; What you with sober haste have well decreed, We'll put to sudden arms; no, not this night, These dainties, these firstfruits of nuptials, That well might give excuse for feeble lingerings, Shall hinder Massinissa. Appetite, Kisses, loves, dalliance, and what softer joys 200 The Venus of the pleasing'st ease can minister, I quit you all. Virtue perforce is vice; But he that may, yet holds, is manly wise. Lo then, ye lords of Carthage, to your trust I leave all Massinissa's treasure: by the oath Of right good men stand to my fortune just: Most hard it is for great hearts to mistrust. _Car._ We vow by all high powers. _Mass._ No, do not swear; I was not born so small to doubt or fear. _So._ Worthy, my lord---- _Mass._ Peace, my ears are steel; 210 I must not hear thy much-enticing voice. _So._ My Massinissa, Sophonisba speaks Worthy thy wife: go with as high a hand As worth can rear. I will not stay my lord. Fight for our country; vent thy youthful heat In field, not beds: the fruit of honour, Fame, Be rather gotten than the oft disgrace Of hapless parents, children. Go, best man, And make me proud to be a soldier's wife, That values his renown above faint pleasures: 220 Think every honour that doth grace thy sword Trebles my love. By thee I have no lust But of thy glory. Best lights of heaven with thee! Like wonder, stand or fall; so, though thou die, My fortunes may be wretched, but not I. _Mass._ Wondrous creature! even fit for gods, not men: Nature made all the rest of thy fair sex As weak essays, to make thee a pattern Of what can be in woman! Long farewell! He's sure unconquer'd in whom thou dost dwell, 230 Carthage Palladium.[316] See that glorious lamp-- Whose lifeful[317] presence giveth sudden flight To fancies, fogs, fears, sleep, and slothful night-- Spreads day upon the world: march swift amain;-- Fame got with loss of breath is god-like gain! [_The Ladies draw the curtains about_ SOPHONISBA; _the rest accompany_ MASSINISSA _forth: the cornets and organs playing loud full music for the Act_. [301] The maiden-girdle worn by unmarried women. It was loosed by the bridegroom on the marriage night. [302] So ed. 1.--Ed. 2. (8vo of 1633) "claime."