_Asd._ Tush, Hanno! let me prosper, let routs prate; My power shall force their silence or my hate. I scorn their idle malice: men of weight Know, he that fears envy let him cease to reign; The people's hate to some hath been their gain. For howsoe'er a monarch feigns his parts, Steal anything from kings but subjects' hearts. _Enter_ CARTHALON _leading in bound_ GELOSSO. _Car._ Guard, guard the camp!--make to the trench!--stand firm! _Asd._ The gods of boldness with us!--how runs chance? _Car._ Think, think how wretched thou canst be, thou art; 50 Short words shall speak long woes. _Gel._ Mark, Asdrubal. _Car._ Our bloody plot to Massinissa's ear Untimely by this lord was all betrayed. _Gel._ By me it was; by me, vile Asdrubal; I joy to speak't. _Asd._ Down, slave! _Gel._ I cannot fall. _Car._ Our train's disclosed, straight to his well-used arms He took himself, rose up with all his force On Syphax' careless troops, Syphax being hurried Before to Cirta, fearless of success, Impatient Sophonisba to enjoy; 60 Gelosso rides to head of all our squadrons, Commands make stand in thy name, Asdrubal, In mine, in his, in all: they all obey; Whilst Massinissa, now with more than fury, Chargeth the loose and much-amazèd ranks Of absent Syphax, who with broken shout (In vain expecting Carthage secondings) Give faint repulse. A second charge is given: Then look, as when a falcon towers aloft, Whole shoals of fowl and flocks of lesser birds 70 Crouch fearfully, and dive; some among sedge, Some creep in brakes: so Massinissa's sword, Brandish'd aloft, toss'd 'bout his shining casque, Made stoop whole squadrons; quick as thought he strikes, Here hurls he darts, and there his rage-strong arm Fights foot to foot; here cries he "strike! they sink!" And then grim slaughter follows; for by this, As men betray'd, they curse us, die, or fly, or both; Six thousand fell at once. Now was I come, And straight perceived all bled by his vile plot. 80 _Gel._ Vile! Good plot! my good plot, Asdrubal! _Car._ I forced our army beat a running march; But Massinissa struck his spurs apace Upon his speedy horse, leaves slaughtering; All fly to Scipio, who with open ranks In view receives them: all I could effect Was but to gain him. _Asd._ Die! _Gel._ Do what thou can, Thou canst but kill a weak old honest man. [GELOSSO _departs, guarded_. _Car._ Scipio and Massinissa by this strike Their claspèd palms, then vow an endless love; 90 Straight a joint shout they raise, then turn they breasts Direct on us, march strongly toward our camp, As if they dared us fight. O Asdrubal, I fear they'll force our camp. _Asd._ Break up and fly.-- This was your plot. _Han._ But 'twas thy shame to choose it.