_Mass._ How then keep I my faith? _So._ My death Gives help to all. From Rome so rest we free; So brought to Scipio, faith is kept in thee. _Mass._ Thou darest not die--some wine!--thou darest not die! _Enter a Page with a bowl of wine._ _So._ How near was I unto the curse of man. Joy! How like was I yet once to have been glad! 90 He that ne'er laugh'd may with a constant face Contemn Jove's frown: happiness makes us base. [_She takes the bowl, into which_ MASSINISSA _puts poison_. Behold me, Massinissa, like thyself, A king and soldier; and I prithee keep My last command. _Mass._ Speak, sweet. _So._ Dear, do not weep. And now with undismay'd resolve behold, To save you--you (for honour and just faith Are most true gods, which we should much adore), With even disdainful vigour I give up An abhorr'd life. You have been good to me, 100 [_She drinks._ And I do thank thee, heaven! O my stars, I bless your goodness, that with breast unstain'd, Faith pure, a virgin wife, tried to my glory, I die, of female faith the long-lived story; Secure from bondage and all servile harms, But more--most happy in my husband's arms. [_She sinks._ _Ju._ Massinissa, Massinissa! _Mass._ Covetous, Fame-greedy lady, could no scope of glory, No reasonable proportion of goodness, Fill thy great breast, but thou must prove immense 110 Incomprehence in virtue! What, wouldst thou Not only be admired, but even adored? O glory ripe for heaven! Sirs, help, help, help! Let us to Scipio with what speed you can; For piety make haste, whilst yet we are man. [_Exeunt, bearing_ SOPHONISBA _in a chair_. [382] Ed. 1. "of." [383] So ed. 2.--Ed. 1. "O Ioue thy Nectar, thinke." ("Nectar-skink"--draught of nectar.) [384] Old eds. "beare," but the sense clearly requires "bar" (pronounced "bear" to rhyme with "spare"). We have twice had the word "bar" spelt "beare" earlier in the present play. [385] Ed. 2. "struck." SCENE IV. _Neighbourhood of Cirta._ _Cornets a march. Enter_ SCIPIO _in full state, triumphal ornaments carried before him, and_ SYPHAX _bound; at the other door_, LÆLIUS. _Sci._ What answers Massinissa? Will he send That Sophonisba of so moving tongue?[386]