[_Exeunt, cornets flourishing._ [374] Ed. 1. "t'appose." [375] Ed. 1. "that neuer fell nor's adue." [376] So Mezentius in the _Æneid_, x. 772:--"Dextra mihi deus." [377] Old eds. "_and as ready to kill him, speaks_ SYPHAX." [378] Ed. 1. "Threw mouing claspt."--Ed. 2. "There mouing claspt." [379] Old eds. "new laugh'd." [380] "Will him," &c.,--order him to give up. Ed. 2. "will give him up." [381] Perhaps we should read-- "She is a Carthaginian, 'neath our laws. Wise men," &c. SCENE III. _Cirta._ _Cornets afar off sounding a charge. A soldier wounded at one door. Enter at the other_ SOPHONISBA, _two Pages before her with lights, two women bearing up her train_. _Sol._ Princess, O fly! Syphax hath lost the day, And captived lies. The Roman legions Have seiz'd the town, and with inveterate hate Make slaves, or murder all. Fire and steel, Fury and night, hold all. Fair Queen, O fly! We bleed for Carthage, all for[382] Carthage die! [_Exit._ _Cornets sounding a march. Enter Pages with javelins and targets._ MASSINISSA _and_ JUGURTH; MASSINISSA'S _beaver shut_. _Mass._ March to the palace. _So._ Whate'er man thou art, Of Libya thy fair arms speak, give heart To amazed weakness; hear her, that for long time Hath seen no wishèd light. Sophonisba, 10 A name for misery much known, 'tis she Entreats of thy graced sword this only boon:-- Let me not kneel to Rome; for though no cause Of mine deserves their hate, though Massinissa Be ours to heart, yet Roman generals Make proud their triumphs with whatever captives. O 'tis a nation which from soul I fear, As one well knowing the much-grounded hate They bear to Asdrubal and Carthage blood; Therefore with tears that wash thy feet, with hands 20 Unused to beg, I clasp thy manly knees: O save me from their fetters and contempt, Their proud insults and more than insolence! Or, if it rest not in thy grace of breath To grant such freedom, give me long-wish'd death; For 'tis not now loath'd life that we do crave,-- Only an unshamed death and silent grave, We will now deign to bend for. _Mass._ Rarity! [MASSINISSA _disarms his head_. By thee and this right hand, thou shalt live free! _So._ We cannot now be wretched. _Mass._ Stay the sword! 30 Let slaughter cease; sounds soft as Leda's breast [_Soft music._ Slide through all ears. This night be love's high feast. _So._ O'erwhelm me not with sweets; let me not drink Till my breast burst, O Jove, thy nectar-skink.[383]