_Zan._ Nay, in height of best I fear'd a superstitious virtue would spoil all, 70 But now I find you above women rare. She that can time her goodness hath true care Of her best good. Nature at home begins; She, whose integrity herself hurts, sins. For Massinissa, he was good, and so; But he is dead, or worse, distress'd, or more Than dead, or much distress'd. O sad, poor,-- Who ever held such friends? no, let him go; Such faith is praised, then laugh'd at; for still know Those are the living women that reduce 80 All that they touch unto their ease and use, Knowing that wedlock, virtue, or good names, Are courses and varieties of reason, To use or leave, as they advantage them, And absolute within themselves reposed, Only to greatness ope, to all else closed. Weak sanguine fools are to their own good nice; Before I held you virtuous, but now wise. _So._ Zanthia, victorious Massinissa lives, My Massinissa lives. O steady powers, 90 Keep him as safe as heaven keeps the earth, Which looks upon it with a thousand eyes! That honest valiant man! and Zanthia, Do but record the justice of his love, And my for ever vows, for ever vows! _Zan._ Ay, true madam; nay, think of his great mind, His most just heart, his all of excellence, And such a virtue as the gods might envy. Against this, Syphax, is but----and you know, Fame lost, what can be got that's good for---- _So._ Hence! 100 Take, nay, with one hand. _Zan._ My service. _So._ Prepare Our sacrifice. _Zan._ But yield you, ay or no? _So._ When thou dost know. _Zan._ What then? _So._ Then thou wilt know. [_Exit_ ZANTHIA. Let him that would have counsel 'void th' advice Of friends, made his with weighty benefits, Whose much dependence only strives to fit Humour, not reason, and so still devise In any thought to make their friend seem wise. But above all, O fear a servant's tongue, Like such as only for their gain do[344] serve. 110 Within the vast capacity of space,[345] I know no vileness so most truly base. Their lord's their gain; and he that most will give, With him (they will not die, but) they will live. Traitors and these are one; such slaves once trust, Whet swords to make thine own blood lick the dust. _Cornets and organs playing full music, enter under the conduct of_ ZANTHIA _and_ VANGUE, _the solemnity of a sacrifice; which being entered, whilst the attendants furnish the altar_, SOPHONISBA _sings a song; which done, she speaks_. Withdraw, withdraw; all but Zanthia and Vangue depart.-- [_Exeunt attendants._