Hannibal and Scipio An historicall tragedy. Acted in the yeare 1635. by the Queenes Majesties Servants, at their private house in Drury Lane. The author Thomas Nabbes.

Author: Nabbes, Thomas, 1605?-1645?1637

[Page] HANNIBAL AND SCIPIO.

AN HISTORICALL TRAGEDY.

Acted in the yeare 1635. by the Queenes Majesties Servants, at their Private house in Drury Lane.

The Author Thomas Nabbes.

Arma virosque cano.

LONDON, Printed by Richard Oulton for Charles Greene, and are to be sold at the white Lion in Pauls Church-yard. 1637.

[Page]

[Page]



To the Ghosts of HANNIBAL 
and SCIPIO.WHere e're your thin remaines, and shaddows dwell;
In the Elysian blisse, or paines of Hell;
I, that with writing of your story new
Am almost worne into a ghost like you,
Present you with your selves: such as you were
When you breath'd ayre, and had your beings here.
Let not hells Judges damne it to the fire;
It past mens sentence: there's besides some hire
Yet undischarg'd; and where the debt was due
Being deny'd, I have sent the bill to you,
Say not for money, how shall we come by it?
Borrow of 
Pluto: he will not deny it
Vpon your bond. Stay: here's a great mistaking;
His state and riches were of Poets making:
And they I feare so apt are to belye him,
I cannot think he hath one penny by him.
How e're your patronage shall doe me right,
'Bove the prefixt name of a Lord or Knight:
Or other outside men: such as inherit
Of honour but the title, not the merit.
Who think that if the least state action rest
On their dispatch; or to a Christmas feast
They yearly call the neighbour-hood; or be
Put in commission, or the Shrivaltie
(The Countreys highest grace) they may dispence
With what belongs more to their difference,


[Page] Bounty unto desert. But you are free;
And if you might would rather come to me,
Then put me to a charge: the journey's great,
And ere I could return, I might want meat:
Vnlesse some kind poore cobler, (you know well
Mending of soales is no rich trade in Hell.)
Lend me a shilling. Loth I am 'tis true
At any rate of hopes to come to you.
The honourer of your memories, 
THOMAS NABBIS.

[Page]


The Ghosts of 
Hanniball and 
Scipio to the Authour.WHat charm commands us hither to repayre?
And once again salute the upper ayre?
Would 
Lucsan vexe our shadowes? make us tell
Which of us holds priority in Hell?
What art, that do'st with thy Poetick fire
A soule into each Histrio inspire
Like ours? and make them move with active rage
As we did, when the World became our Stage?
We know thee now: thy thinne cheeke, hollow eye,
And ghostlike colour speak the mystery
Thou wonldst, but canst not live by: for the more
Thou do'st enrich thy works, they make thee poore.
Who will by fancy and invention thrive,
Must practise how to flatter men alive.
We would have left thee provinces, hadst thou
Done this whilst we had being here: but now

Pluto restraines our bounties; else wee'ld be
Not ayrie patrons to thy work and thee,
But give thee crowns of Mettall, whilst thy brows
Others did deck with cheap 
Phebean boughs.
The singer of the Punick warr had bayes
Making our acts his subject; and thy prayse
Should be no lesse. But we are empty things,
Though once we aw'd states, and commanded Kings.
Hannibal.
Scipio.

[Page]


THE PROLOGUE.ANother Tragedy? What will become
Of the soft Muse? Shee'l shortly have no roome
On this transform'd stage. Ladies shall not blush,
Nor smile under their fannes: nor he in plush,
That from the Poets labours in the pit
Informes himselfe for th' exercise of wit
At Tavernes, gather notes. Stay, I should be
A Prologue, not a Satyre. You shall see
A piece from a rich subject drawne; but how
The workmanship will please, and you allow
Th' imperfect colours and the weake designe,
Let your owne judgements tell you, and not mine.
The Author warrants us the story's cleare;
Vnlesse to fit the Stage he doth transferre
Some actions that were ones to other men:
The places sometimes chang'd too for the Scene.
Which is translated as the musick playes
Betwixt the acts: wherein he likewise prayes
You will conceive his battailes done, and then
The methode shall appeare, in which his pen
Hath smoothly drest the argument. 'Tis free
As ever Play was from scurrility.
Nor need you Ladies feare the horrid sight:
And the more horrid noise of target sight
By the blue-coated Stage-keepers: our spheares
Have better musick to delight your eares,
And not a straine that's old, though some would taske
His borrowing from a former play. We aske
Your patience but two houres, by which time hee
Shall either dye or live to Poesie.

[Page]

The speaking persons.

Maharball.	By William Shurlock.
Himulco.	By Iohn Sumner.
Souldier.	By George Stutfield.
A Lady.
Hannibal.	By William Allen.
2. other Ladies.
Nuntius.	By Hugh Clerks.
Bomilcar.	By Robert Axen.
Syphax	By Hugh Clerks.
Piston.	By Anthony Turner.
Crates.
Messenger.
Scipio.	By Michael Bowyer.
Lelius	By Iohn Page.
Sophonisba.	By Ezekiel Fenn.
Massanissa.	By Theophilus Bird.
Hanno.	By Richard Perkins.
Gisgon.	By Robert Axen.
Bostar.	By George Stutfield.
Lucius.
A young Lady.
Prusias.	By William Shurlock.
	Mutes.
Ladies.	Souldiers.
Attendants.	Senators.

I desire thee Reader to take notice that some escapes have past the Presse; As Tuning for Tunny; dimacing for dunning: meane for meere; stand for share, &c. which notwithstanding are corrected in divers of the copies: where they are not, let thine owne judgement rectifie them, before thy rashnesse condemne me.

Farewell.

[Page]

HANNIBALL AND SCIPIO.

The Argument of the first Act.

Hanniball reprooving his Souldiers for their lasciviousnesse at Capua, is himselfe taken with the love of a Lady of Salapia. Newes is brought him of Scipio, that hee hath recovered Spaine: and a command from the Senate that he returne to Carthage: which with much unwillingnesse hee assents to.

The Scene Capua.

Scene the first.Maharball 
and Himulco.
Mah.
HEre's the right use of victory, to tame
Our furies with soft case and wantonnesse,
After so many travels. Had our 
Hanniball
Possest himselfe of 
Rome without a Capua,
The conquest had beene poore.
Himul.
These spoyles of beauty,


[Page] And free ones too, that uncompel'd will runne
To imbrace a Souldier; rock him in her armes;
Sing him asleepe, and with her icy fingers
K
 [...]mbing the knotted curles of his black haire
So long neglected, make her selfe the ravisher:
O
 [...]l' is 
Elysium.
Mahar.
Nay, to have such change
Of 
 [...]; as if their inventions

 [...], busie to make our delights
The object of their care. Here we are feasted
With Chalcedonian Tuning; Rhodian guilt heads,
And more than Samian gluttony. We drinke
No wine, but of 
Campania's Mascicus,
Or grape crownd 
Aulon. Boyes more faire than hee
That beares 
Ioves Cup, rapt on the duskie wings
O
 [...]'s sky-borne Eagle, serve the banquet up
In golden dishes, or Corinthian plate,
Luxuries chiefest.
Him.
To crowne the entertainment,
Here sits a Lady, 
Hebe never blusht
A colour like her checke: and in her eye
A thousand 
Cupids move in wanton friskes,
To catch the gazers. There's another deckt
In the Seas riches, which the Negro dives for:
Her pearles reflexion dimacing the darke tapers,
As if all light were borrow'd from those Sunnes
Their orient roundnesse mockes us with. A third
Betrayes through a transparent lawne the beauty
Of a complexion, white and red did never
Mix
 [...]a more perfect; and a shape exact
As Natures first 
Pandoras. The possession
After desire hath made a preparation
In every sense to entertaine these joyes,
Can earth affoord a Heaven, and this not bee
The best hope ever faign'd?
Mahar.
Then to be cloth'd
In silkes of Tyrian dye; tosleepe on downe,


[Page] And waking claspe a Goddesse in ones armes,
Lovely as Cytharea; revell sometimes,
And dance to th'Mermaides musicke, 'till the night
Is made one artificiall day, inverting
The course of time and's actions: oh delights,
Beyond weake comprehension! Wee begin
To taste them without sense, did not diversity
Whet appetite anew?
Him.
Yet so much change
Should make invention barren: but 'tis fruitfull,
Pregnant, and teemes as fast as 'tis delivered.
Delicious 
Capua!
Mah.
Pleasures onely storehouse!
Were I an 
Hanniball? and conquest quiet me
As faire as day-light spreads his christall wings.
One 
Capua should ransome all.

Scene the Second.To them a common Souldier, with a faire Lady courting him.
Him.
What's here?
Shee courts him with as earnest zeale, as 
Cynthia
Would her 
Endymion, or the gray-ey'd Morne
Her earely 
Cephalus.
Mah.
Now by my Sword.
Him.
Is that a Souldiers oath in 
Capua?
By the bright tresses of my Mistresse haire,
Fine as 
Arachne's webbe, or 
Gosshimere:
Whose curles when garnisht with their dressing, show
Like that spunne vapour when 'tis pearl'd with dew.
Or by the Sunshine of her christall eyes,
Wherein the God of Love his wet wings dry's
After his bathing in sad Lovers teares.
These are the onely oathes a Souldier sweares.
What should we doe with swords?
Mah.
Indeed 'tis true
Their bloody use hath beene so long neglected,


[Page] And for my part I am so cloy'd with women,
Mine must bee fil'd to powder, and prepar'd
To bee their Physick: the greene-sicknesse else
Will not bee cur'd by me.
Him.
Mine shall be drawne
To weare for pinnes: and that which oft hath raign'd
The blood of Romanes on my hilts and hand,
Wearied almost with slaughter, shall bee toucht
With trembling fingers, white as 
Othris snow;
Whilst the soft handler starts, if by mischance
The point but prick her skin, and must consult
With some learn'd unguentary to prevent
Th'invisible scarre. Why here we cannot quarrell
Amongst ourselves for wenches. There's a Lady,
As meane a beauty heretofore hath beene
The ground of a sad warre, or in a Campe
Sur'd up a mutiny: wee cannot envie it,
That he, a common Souldier, valours ciphar,
One onely prest to make the number up,
Enjoves her wholly, and perhaps hath change.
Mah.
Nay, stands upon nice 
 [...] for his reward;
And must bee hir'd to pleasure, such as some
Would even through any danger to embrace.
Prethee observ..
Lady.
Why should I be deny'd?
Am I not faire enough? My beauty fresh
As the new springs, when wanton 
Phoebus mounts
His ournish't chariot early to salute her,
And k
 [...]sse dew from her cheekes.
Soul.
There are as faite
And free. A pension Lady must be thought of;
I cannot else be sportive.
Lad.
Is tha all?
Ile ful thy burgnet with Iberian gold
Stampt into medals; Sell my wanton treasurie,
Rings, Iewels, Catkanets, e're thou shalt want,
But what thy wish can covet.
Soul

[Page]This old buffe
Would be translated.
Lad.
Into Persian mantles,
Richly embroydred; no rough pelt of thrumbes
To fight with weather. Shalt be cloath'd in silkes,
Such as may vye for touch with their softnesse
When it is calmest, and no violent gust
Doth wave it into wrinckles.
Soul.
I must eate too.
Lad.
Nothing but choycest caudies, and drink wine
That shall have pearles dissolv'd in't. Come let's hasten
To our delights. I have prepar'd a bed
Of artificiall Roses mixt with downe;
Wherein our dalliance we will emulate,
The Cyprian Queene and her lov'd warriour,
When in her Ivory armes she did imbrace
His Iron sides.
Soul.
Soft Lady, there are yet
Stricter conditions. 'I is not come to that.
I must not be confin'd to times or place;
Nor to your single number. I must change
As I see cause.
Lad.
Shalt be thine owne disposer.
He minister, and like a hand-maide waite
When thou wilt grace another; nor repine,
But with a patient longing.
Soul.
On these termes
I feele a provocation. Come. 
Exeunt.
Mah.
Did ease
Ever before produce such acts of shame?
Him
No matter. 'Tis a better life than warre
Affords her sonnes. A hard cold bed of earth:
Sleepes broken with a thousand apprehensions
Of danger; diet course, and seldome seasonable;
Hunger and thirst; and death each houre presented.
Let us translate our 
Carthage unto 
Capua;


[Page] We shall not need to toyle in blood and sweat
For more inlargement.

Scene the third
To them Hanniball.
Musiek.
Husht. Our Generall.
Mah.
How doth he like this softnesse? it agrees not
With his rough nature.
Hanm.
Musick every place
Surfets with this lasciviousnesse.
A Song as from some window.

March on my merry mates

To Venus 
warres:

You need not feare your pates,

You shall receive no wounds nor scarres,

You may come naked to the fight:

Wee'l have no other vesle but night.

Onely you must not see

The blushes of your enemy.
Chorus.

The loving battail's set,

And we began

To counter meete

With active striving who shall win.

I saint and yet mee thinkes you yeeld,

Both lose, and yet both winne the sield.

Recover strength, and then

Wee'l to these pleasant warres agen.
A light.
Bravely maintain'd and well come off on both sides.
Curse on this case. Y'are well met noble Captaines,
How doth your courage brooke this silken slavery?
Is't not an easie bondage to be ty'd
In bracelets of a wanton Ladyes haire?


[Page] And chayne your daring spirits to the awe
Of every glance her eye shoots? Tell me truely
How doe the pleasures of this 
Capua
Relish upon your senses? are they not
Even what desire can shape?
Mah.
They are my Lord
Most absolute.
Han.
And you are pleas'd with them?
Him.
They cannot bee refus'd, being offer'd us
So ap
 [...]y after labour, as the fruits
And harvest of our paines. What stupid earth
Can be so void of apprehension,
As not to thinke them blessings?
Han.
That can 
Hanniball;
Who through the twarthy vizard age and cares
Have tann'd his face with, blusheth at the change
Of Souldiers into women. Why in stead
Of Plume-crown'd crests weare you not tyres? and deck
Your neckes with gemmes, in stead of arming them
With Corslets? Lay by all command, save onely
To set your distaffe-servants taskes, and study
Lascivious dressings, not warres discipline?
Better employ invention how to court
A Mistresse in the fashionable garbe,
Than to contrive a usefull stratagem
Where force prevailes not.
Mah.
Whom have we to sight with?
Lead us againe to action, wee'l expresse
A courage doubled by this little rest:
And from the hopes of such another conquest
We will act wonders, to make victory
Dote on our valours.
Han.
You like Carthaginians
Speake from the sonles of men. Muster your Souldiers:
We will againe to 
Rome, and with the terrour
Of our approach make earthquakes in the hearts
Of her gown'd Senators; burne the proud trophees,


[Page] Adorne her Capitoll, or make them scar-crowes:
Bury her high-ascending Towers in heapes
Of their owne ruines; and till 
Tyber's dy'd
With bloud of his owne children, not an arme
Shall cease from slaughter. Have we cut our way
Thorow Mountaines, and thaw'd rocks of Ice for passage
To reach the head of 
Rome, and shall we not
Triumph in her rich spoyles? Yes; we will triumph.
Or by the 
Genius of my native 
Carthage,
And the religious oath I made my Father,
When yet my youth had seene the progresse but
Of nine sunnes through the twelve celestial mansions,
Ile level all the rugged Appennines;
And mount the humblest valleys, 'till their heads
Be wrapt in clouds; whence thunder shall not force me,
Till I survey the playnes of 
Italy,
Like earth manur'd chalkt with the bones of Romanes,
After their slesh is buried in the gorges
Of Kites and Vultures.
Him.
Speake like 
Hanniball.

Scene the fourth.To them two Ladyes.
Han.
What Lady's that?
Mah.
Shee's of 
Salapia.
Han.
She's lovely. What unusuall passions
Soften me on a sudden? I me thinkes
Could play with ayre, and wanton with the breath
Of such a Mistresse: court her amorously,
And not mistake a phrase, nor fright her tendernesse
With any repetitions of warres horrours.
Cease your rebellion thoughts. I must be man,
And keepe my freedome.
Him.
Dost observe his eye
How it is fixt?
Han.
What did creation meane


[Page] A woman for, but pleasure? Should not I
Pursue it then since 'tis the end of all
We either doe or wish? 'tis actions soule
That makes it live. I must enjoy it this way.
Desire's a law set downe by natures Counsell,
And not to be disputed.
Mah.
So my Lord!
Example shall direct us: we may well,
If 
Anniball turne Courtier.
1 
Lady,
One at once.
Sweet gentlemen. Though I should covet change
At once l'de not admit plurality.
Han.
To you (faire storehouse of your sexes excellence)
I would direct the language of my heart.
2. 
Lady.
'Tis sure a noble dialect, my Lord,
That must expresse it.
Han.
Lady it can speake.
Nothing but passion. You have wounded it.
And from the selfe same eye that shot the dart
I must have balme to cure it.
2. 
Lady.
Y' are my Lord
A conqueror; and may command the wills
Of all beneath you.
Han.
But I am your captive.
And in that pleasant bondage would abide,
Though I might force my ransome.
2. 
Lad.
Violence
Would it become those vertues same proclaim's
To have possest you: and I dare be confident
Nothing could tempt you to turne ravisher,
Though I should boast virginity.
Han.
Suspect
Of such an ill, wrong's your owne innocence.
My love is zealous, and the passive flame
Fed with a pure desire. I would enjoy you
To mixe our soules, not merely to delight
The wanton senses.
2. 
Lad.

[Page]How can you, a man
Whom custome hath habituate in th'extremes
Of cruelty, change nature? and perhaps
Your first, innate, and not a second, onely
Borne out of use. Me thinkes it is not possible
Your thoughts should be possest of other objects,
Then what warres horrour paint's with bloudy colours.
Love and a Lady are for such as case
Hath softned into women: 
Hanniball
Hath nothing in him, but what's masculine:
So hardned too, that those weake sires can never
Alter his temper.
Han.
Yes; your eyes have done it.
Although my skin be horney, and my flesh
Almost insensible through daily weight
Of heavie armes, the substance of my heart
Is flexible, and takes impressions
Of love from your perfections. It not derogates
From the best difference in mans composition
To love: for that best speakes him man, and argues
Hee hath a spirit capable of things
Worthy his being. Come then perfect me
With your addition: make my captivity
A conquest, and Ile fixc.
2. 
Lad.
That were enough
To brand you with a lasting infamy.
You have designes for action. Should you stop
The prosecution of a warre begun
With such successe, and onely for a woman,
T' would make you be the scorne of men; the subject
Of jesters libels. I could court your valour
As you are 
Hanniball: but as a lover
The thought of that cooles all affection.
Had I at 
Cannas beene, or 
Thrasimenus,
Guirt in an Amazonian male, my head
Wrapt in an Iron 
tyara, and my hand
Arm'd with a sword, I would have kept the side


[Page] Of 
Hanniball, to dote upon those wonders
His conquering arme then acted.
Han.
As from water
Cast on 
bytumen, so from these sharpe checks
My flame encreaseth. You expresse a soule
Makes others valours but derivative
From yours; as if the spring of all flow'd thence;
And we but dranke our small proportions
From your abundance. Our embraces would
People the wasted world with Warriours.

Scene the fifth.

To them Nuntius.

Mah.

Whence speakes your hast? and what?

Nun.

I come from Spaine,

And bring important newes; but sad.

Him.

Shall wee

By change ride through the Zodiack of your pleasures,

And feast our selves in every house?

1. Lad.

You still

Mistake the signe.

Mah.

'Tis not in Virgo sure.

1. Lad.

Nor yet in Taurus, though I have a husband.

You two are Gemini: a payre of—Captaines.

Him.

Shee slouts us sure.

Nun.

What should this courtship meane?

Maharball and Himulco that were character'd

For valiant Captaines, turn'd sinock-souldiers?

And Hanniball?

1. Lad.

The ayre of Capua

Hath not so chang'd us, but we can preserve

Our modesties.

Mah.

Oh miracle! that Capua

Hath honest women in't.

Nun.

Will Hanniball

Attend my message?

Han.

[Page]

Hast thou brought her pearles

Ravish't from necks of richest Romane dames?

I'le pave the path we tread to Hymens joy

With spovles of all the cities I have conquer'd.

Nunt.

N [...]t of new Carthage; Sagunt; Locris; Tarracon.

All these are re-orecome by Scipio;

In Spaine he onely triumph's.

2. Lad.

Doth not Hannibal?

Minde the sad newes? Revenge if nothing else

Should wing him to new conquest.

Hann.

I perceive

Errours in my behaviour. Court a woman,

When I should threaten vengeance! But shee's faire.

Hang beauty: that and ease are th' onely engines

To ruine vertue. Ladies pray' withdraw:

Th' affaires of men are handling.

2. Lad.

May they prove

Your honours more in valour th [...]n in love.

Exeunt.

Han.

I am prepar'd: and if there were an accident

That did exceed in horrour, praise or wonder,

Discourse it lively, that it may impresse

Something within to beget an act

Shall paralell it.

Nunt.

That must be new Carthage

Her siege and taking. When the Romane generall

Approach't the walls, a cold feare shoke her Genius:

The earth groning with weight of such a multitude.

His Navy likewise at that instant made

A cloud upon the Sea. So round about

The citty was beguirt. Our resolution

Mix't with despaire soone arm'd us; and th'assault

Being suddaine, we did doe before consider:

Yet what we did thus with the wals height proving

Successefull, we had respite to advice.

The Sea we thought sullicient to defend

That pait it washeth, and directed all

Our force to th'Isthmus: where we sallied forth.

[Page] The enemy retir's; but out of policy

To draw us farther on. And now the Sunne

Survey'd us from his heigth; when suddenly

A violent North-winde joyning with the ebbe

Swept all the channell dry. Of which the Romans

Being inform'd by certaine Fishermen

Seize th' opportunity, and freely passe

To th' unman'd walls; entring without resistance.

What more they, being fully conquerors, did,

Need's no relation: custome shew's it Hannibal.

Th' example made some other citties yeeld;

Some policy wonne; some force; some trechery

Deliv'rd up: all are possest by Scipio.

Han.

Then Rome shall ransome them. Revenge is able

Out of a flinty cowardize to strike

The fire of valour, with that new supply

I doe expect from Carthage we'l to Rome,

And emulate this victory; nor let it

Be your affliction that blinde chance hath rob'd

Your former labours of their due reward;

Rome will repaire all.

Scene the sixth.
To him Bomilcar.
See Bomilcar's come.
Cozen what answer send's the Carthage Senate
To my demands? Thy lookes speake discontent;
As if the busines of thy errand choak't
Th' unwilling passage. Vtter it; my brest
Is proofe 'gainst all misfortune.
Bom.
I must then
Deliver a relation of ingratitude
Beyond example. Those whom you have made
Masters of wealth and honour, and releas'd
Their palsied age from many a coward feare,
Not minding the rich benefits you have done them,


[Page] Deny your need reliefe. If you want ayde,
They say your conquest's but a lying rumour:
Nor will they credit doubtful, testimonies
Of any presents. They not stick to call
The ground of this your warre in 
Italy
Your owne ambition, not their sa
 [...]ety: malice
Of 
Hannos faction having fra
 [...]n'd pretences
To cloude the glory of your actions.
Which to confirme the more, see their command
That you should instantly withdraw your forces,
And to returne to 
Carthage.
Han.
Not till now?
When in my tallons I had almost seiz'd

Romes Eagle, and prepar'd my sharpned beake
To prey upon her heare?
Bom.
Tis likewise fear'd
That 
Massanissa hath forsaken 
Carthage.
So that unlesse some policy can winne

Syphax unto us, we must never more
Expect Numidian ayde. His Counsailours
Seeme to desire it; for they wish your presence:
And that you'l put th'instructions here contein'd
Into a sudden act.
Han.
Must I then leave

Rome unsubverted? So a man that strives
To make himselfe eternall by erecting
Of some stupendious monument, is forc't
To his last quiet e're the worke be perfect.
Leaving it but a lame and halfe designe
Of his ambition.
Him.
Hath not 
Hanniball
His forces here? Let's forward with that strength
Which yet is left us; nor regard the tyes
Their doting policies would chaine us with.
Valour consists in hearts more than in number.
Let's on to 
Rome.
Han.
No: passion shall submit


[Page] Vnto my best part. Conquest of my selfe
Shall speake me more in this, then if my power
Had level'd her seven hills. I leave her onely
To grow more worthy of my victory.
I will obey, though each unwilling step
Wounds me beyond the cure of common patience.
Commands of power must not be withstood.
Great actions make men great; good actions good.
Exeunt.

The argument of the second Act.

Hanniball and Scipio meet accidentally at the Court of Syphax: who favouring the Romanes, and being a young man, is wrought upon by Hanniball, to dote upon Sophonisba: who after much unwillingnesse exprest, and reflexion on some former love shee bare Massanissa (who had beene the Carthaginians friend, but now become the Romanes) is given to Syphax for his Wife.

The Scene, the Court of Syphax in Cyrtha.

Scene the first.Syphax, Piston, Crates, 
Attendants.
Pist.
'T will prove I feare lame policy to hault
Betwixt these factions, aw'd by two such spirits,
As ne're were still'd from envie or revenge.
Syph.
Brave 
Hanniball; brave 
Scipio; great 
Carthage;
But greater 
Rome: whose Eagle eyes have gaz'd
Against the Sunne of many a glorious triumph!
When the bright beames reflected from their riches
Have blinded day-light, as if heavens great eye,
Borrowed his onely from them.
Crat.

[Page]
Carthage is
Oar ancient friend, and friendship long continu'd
Should not be easily lost.
Syph.
A usefull tenent
Where the condition's private; but in Kings
It doth not hold. Warres chance is variable:
And he that now is victor may be conquer'd
Before his peace be settled. From example
We must consult our safety, more than from
A m
 [...]rall precept. Hath not 
Scipio
Got 
Spa
 [...] from 
Hanniball, and joyn'd unto him

Massilia's King? Are not their armies flusht
With the rich spovles of 
Sagunt? and who knowes
But they'l transport then forces, and begirt

Carthage it selfe. 'Tis better that we yeeld
Freely to amity, than be compel'd,
Than 
Scipio must bee welcome.
Pist.
But if fortune
Prosper my counterplot, he will be greeted
With an affront shall cloud his entertainment;
And dimme the painted glory of that pompe
Your complement intends. Our youthfull King
Must not direct our counsels; nor affaires
Of state be order'd by th'affection
Of one so weake in policy, indulgent
To his owne passions. 
Carthage is set downe
By our experience for 
Numidia's love,
And shall possesse it.
Syph.
We may then consider,
The Carthaginian Generall is a man
Worne with imployment into more decay
Of strength and yeares, than can give any hopes
Of a continuance. 
Romes greene Champion
Is full of growing sappe to make him spread.
Whilst the other like an aged Oke that long
Hath fought with tempests, and withstood the rage
Of burning ayre, now yeelds to every gust.


[Page] A bough or arme, 'till one more violent
Shatters the dry'd limbes, or quite roots it up.
Tis better to provide for lasting state,
Then meerely to prevent a present fate.
Then 
Scipio must be welcome.
Crat.
But if 
Syphax
Would heare our reasons.
Syph.

Crates you have beene
Our worthy counsellour, and by your wisdome
Stear'd government in a right course whilst yet
Our youth did want it: but we are now growne
Riper in judgement, and we can distinguish 
To them Messenger.
The different grounds of any politick act.
Nor doe we finde it safe in rules of state
If 
Seipio be not welcome. What's your hast?
Mes.
The Romane Generall is arriv'd, and entring.
Syph.
And no faygn'd thunder to informe us of it
From the lowd voyce of slocking multitudes,
Should throng to bid him welcome?
Mes.
Hee's scarce knowne
To any but my selfe. His traine is private,
Without due state: onely some needfull servants
To wait upon his person.
Syph.
Were they his army,
I would exhaust my treasury to feast them:
And every common souldier should drinke healthes
In his Corinthian Goblet, which should be
His largesse likewise. Let our ministers
Fill the shrill throats of warres loud instruments.
And Dodonean brasse be beaten deafe
Whilst it proclaimes his welcome. Let the Sea
Eccho the sounds to 
Sagant, and returne
Their shoots agen. 
Flourish.

[Page]

Scene the second.

To them Scipio, Lelius.

Welcome great Scipio.

Never did Syphax joyfull armes imbrace

A guest of so rich valew, in whose minde

Worlds of heroick vertues are congested

To make him up a worthy.

Scip.

I'le not answere

Your kindnesse Syphax with a complement.

My tongue's not oyld with slattery. I have stolne

A little time from action, to informe

Numidia's King, how Rome, by my advice,

Hath chosen him a favourer of her cause

That suffers by false Carthage. The successe

Of my recovering Spaine, hath given new hopes

Vnto her fainting spirits, that were neere

Their last expiring by the massacres

The Carthaginian made. Sixe Consuls have

Already fall'n: my Father, and mine Vncle;

Sempronius; Terentius and Flaminius;

And last Marcellus, who receiv'd his death

Even in the sight of Rome. Yet there's a Scipio

Surviv's to conquer him, or dye in th'enterprise.

Syph.

And that brave Scipio shall not want what ayde

My person, or my Kingdome can affoord him.

Scip.

Rome shal make great esteem of Syphax friendship

And when she shall be wrapt in silken wings

Of victory and peace, his statue crown'd

Shall grace the triumph.

Pist.

I should rather joy

To see him chayn'd a captive, though my se [...]e

And family were sold to be his ransome,

In Carthage quarrell.

[Page]

Scene the third.

To them Hanniball, Himulco, Maharball.

Han.

This cold entertainment

Doth make me jealous.

Crat.

See: how soone their eyes

Have found each other?

Scip.

Sure 'tis Hanniball.

His name and nature's stampt upon his brow;

I in those wrinckles read it: valour mixt

With cruelty; to which ambition onely

As the first wheele in engines moves the rest.

That eye he lost passing the fennes of Arnus;

And such a looke his counterfeit is drawne with.

If there be trechery.

Syph.

What would Hanniball?

Scip.

Is't Hanniball? We are betrai'd by Syphax.

Han.

What art?

Scip.

Romes Generall, and thy enemy.

Han.

Ha! Scipio! Then the character report

Give's of him's false. He scornes ignoble wayes

Of honour; to ore-come by trechery.

Scip.

I thought the same of Hanniball.

Han.

And findst it.

Tis onely thy conspiracy with Syphax;

Who makes his Court a priviledge for that

Fame will proclaime with blushes.

Syph.

Why this uproare?

Han.

Syphax th'art trecherous.

Scip.

To Rome and Scipio.

Han.

To Hannibal and Carthage.

Pist.

Now observe

How he will calme the tempest.

Syph.

What to answer

From sudden doubts you both possesse me with,

I cannot easily resolve. A jealousie

[Page] Is sometimes strengthned by th'excuse should kill it.

Yet if your confidence will give credit to

A Kings religious oath, by all that makes

The sacred difference in me I am free

From thought of ill to either. Your arrivals

Were unexpected; and if eithers danger

Be smother'd in intent, you brought it with you:

Which Ile prevent, if all Numidia's strength

Can doe it. Thinke not me perfidious,

For then Ile doubt you: since selfe cvills are

Most commonly the parents of suspicion.

But for your owne mistrusts, y'are safer here

Than in your owne campes, guarded with a maze

Of your best souldiers.

Han.

'Tis a satisfaction.

I blesse th' occasion makes us meet: my longings

Were violent to see thee Scipio.

Scip.

Mine more to see thee Hanniball; but rather

Arm'd in the sield, prepard for an encounter,

Then here to parlee.

Han.

Doubt not such a greeting

When next we meet.

Syph.

I needs must interpose,

And moderate this contention. Pray my Lords

Let me be powerfull to dispose your tempers

For other mild impressions, that my Court

For entertaining two such enemies

At once, be made discourse for after-ages.

A banquet waits yee: musick usher it.

Musick.

Thus peace bids Souldiers welcome.

Scip.

Syphax no.

Thinke of Romes cause, and let your feast be season'd

With saith to that. If thou prove trecherous,

Expect a vengeance, justice never yet

Gave severe execution to a greater.

I must be gone; th'affaires of warre attend me

When I have settled Romes peace, wee'l comply

[Page] In the effects: action 'till then must live

By blood and labour. Hanniball farewell:

Next greeting will be rougher.

Han.

Not to be calm'd

With words. Grow strong; be still a conquerour,

Till I shall conquer thee.

Scip.

Thou art but flatter'd

By an ambition vainer than thy dreames.

Ten Carthages and Hannibals will not weigh

Equall with the atchievment.

Han.

One Hanniball

And Carthage poys'd but in an equall scale

With twenty Romes, and twenty Scipios,

Shall weigh like lead' gainst feathers.

Scip.

Proud insister

Vpon his owne slight merits! Remember Syphax

Thy vow hath made thee Romes.

Syph.

Which Ile preserve

As sacredly inviolate, as if

Eternall seales had ratifi'd it. Vsher

The Romane Generall forth.

Flourish. Exeunt.

Him.

Have words such power

Vpon our Generall to deject him thus?

Han.

My braine is labouring.

Him.

Ile helpe to deliver it.

Han.

As giddy fancies when they doe present

Delightfull shaddowes, seeme to please the sense

When it is quiet, and not capable

Of any object, 'till the dreamers joy

Suddenly wakes him, and the false impressions

Vanish to their first nothing, so have I

Flatter'd my hopes.

Him.

I prophesie successe

Despight of Scipio. Syphax Counsailours

(Whose secret correspondency with us

Taught the great meanes by which their Masters love

Must be regain'd) a long experience

[Page] Confirmes our friends: then prosecute it throughly.

Scene the fourth.
To them Piston, Crates, 
and a little after Syphax.
They are return'd.
Pist.
My Lord' till now the accidents
Caus'd by the Romanes presence did prevent us
From giving satisfaction to your doubts,
Which were but justly grounded. Our young King
Is full of's youthfull passions, and so violant
Ith' prosecution ofthem counsell rather
Doth set a keener edge upon his appetite.
We therefore give him way. But if we cannot
Reduce his actions to a rule of judgement,
Wee'l openly oppose him, or conspire
As 'gainst a tyrant that makes will his law.
See hee's return'd: be confident.
Syph.
How! whispering!
I doe suspect.
Han.
If 
Syphax dare be private.
Syph.
Dare 
Hannibal! Hadst thou intents more blaek
Than ever night gave execution to,
Even in 
Carthage Senate house as well
As in mine owne Court, I dare stand th'encounter
Of single 
Hannibal. Withdraw.
Han.
They must not.
The wrongs thou hast done 
Carthage must be witness'd:
That when same speakes them lowdest, partiall men
Make not their incredulity an excuse
For what no satisfaction can restore,
Thy honour lost in infamy.
Syph.
Thou tempt'st me
With these darke prefaces. Yet thy upbraydings
Doe seeme so frivolous, my patience rather
Laughs at their vainnesse. Cleare my understanding
Without more circumstance, for yet my innocence


[Page] Knowesnot t' accuse my selfe, unlesse for
 [...]giving
Thy sawcy taunts a priviledge.
Han.
What errour
But to defend it selfe will strive (though vainly)
To mock truth out of truth? Well 
Syphax knowes
The expectation of a state deluded
Cannot but trouble it. A King is more
Than a meane person, bounded with dimensions
Of the bare man. His actions are his peoples;
And what he doth or suffers they must stand.
Consider then when 
Carthage shall call up
Revenge, and with all force pursue the injury
To satisfaction; when her souldiers
(Whom custome hath made pittilesse) shall plough
The wombes of teeming Mothers with their fauchions,
To prevent the issue that might vindicate
A father slaine; make your Numidian Virgins
The ruines of their pleasure, and not leave
An altar to your gods, nor private Lar
That may defend a houshould from their violence:
When these (whose very repetition carry's
Horrour enough to fright men into peace)
Shall happen—
Syph.
When they shall! it rather seemes
A positive threat. Tell 
Carthage were her power
Of an extent that limits could not bound
With any circumscription, I'de not feare it.
To dye for 
Rome were above victory.
Furnisht ten thousand choyce Numidian Horsemen
To wait on 
Scipio. Why are our commands
No more respected? Ile have execution
Forerunne my Edicts that concerne the good
Of 
Rome and 
Scipio. Stand yee like dull statues
Fixt to their first foundations; when your diligence
Should borrow speed from winds, as if yee rid
On the contracted ayre to hasten it?
Han.
Full well their age wise with experience knows


[Page] To disobey a Kings unjust commands
Law and religion warrants. 
Syphax youth
Were fitter to court beauty, than to sit
At a states helme, and steere the various course
It's subject to, by his greene violent passions.
With which his bed e're this had beene enricht,
Had 
Carthage found him kind: Faire 
Sophonisba.
Crat.
That name hath stattled him.
Han.
She from whose eyes
The amorous sunne, resigning first his owne;
Might be ambitious to derive new fires.
Yet she to be reserv'd for his embraces,
Who slights that honour all the neighbouring Kings
Have beene competitors for, and would lay downe
Their Crownes to purchase; sell their very beings
To be translated into a possession
Of 
Sophonisba.
Pist.
It begins to worke.
Syph.
Whence did th'intent of this great honour to me
Derive it selfe?
Han.
From a desire of friendship
And league with 
Syphax: which his passionate love
To 
Rome and 
Scipio (that admits no reason)
Denying, I must publish the dishonour
Done to a Lady, at whose least command
A Nation shall be arm'd, led by such Captaines
As in their emulation will declare
What mortals owe to her divine perfections;
That warrant her revenge as just a quarrell,
As ever stir'd up valour in a conscience
Scruples had cowarded. Here my commission
Takes end, and I must goe.
Syph.
Stay 
Hanniball.
Strange passions warre against my resolution;
And love begins to circle me in flames
E're my eye takes the fire. What's 
Rome or 
Scipio
To 
Sophonisba? in whose richer beauty


[Page] Mor's comprehended, then the 
Macedonian
Could from his many conquests, and subversion
Of Monarchies boast himselfe owner of.
What's a King's promise but a politick
(And that's allow'd) evasion to gaine time
For counsaill with his will? Ile be for 
Carthage
To enjoy 
Sophonisba. I'am enflam'd
From the report, and if my senses find
Truth answering fame, great 
Hannibal shall lead
Numidias power' gainst 
Rome, or any place
He hath design'd for conquest.
Han.
But if 
Syphax
Should againe suffer 
Scipio's menacies
To fright his weaknesse out of this resolve I
Syph.
My weakenesse! tempt me not with a suspect.
Let me have 
Sophonisba, or I'le make
A rape upon your 
Carthage, not on her,
For what delight's in violence? Enquire
The cause of that lowd shout. 
Shout within. Messenger.
Messen.
I come t'informe you.
A stately ship from her rich laden wombe,
Hath on our shore deliver'd such a traine
Of glorious Virgins that attend on one,
Who lead's the rest—
Han.
No more; 'tis 
Sophonisba.
Syph.
Receive her with religious ceremony.
Perfume the ayre with incence richer then
The Phoenix funerall pile. Let harmony 
Musicke.
Breath out her soule at every artists touch.
Cover the pavement which her steps must hallow
With Persian Tapestry. How I am ravish't
With th'expectation? and like somelight matter
Catch't in a whirle-wind, all my faculties
Are hurried forward.

[Page]

Scene the fifth.
Tothem Sophonisba, 
Ladies all in white, and veil'd: who to the musicke of the song, place themselves in a figure for a daunce.
Veil'd! 'tis sure some mockery.
The Song.

Beautie no more the subject be

Of want on art to slatter thee:

Or in dull figures call thee spring;

Lillie or Rose, or other thing:

All which beneath thee are, and grow

Into contempt when thou dost show

The unmatch't glory of thy brow.
Chorus.

Behold a spheare of Virgins move,

None mongst them lesse then Queene of Love.

And yet their Queene so farre excels

Beauty and she are onely parallels.
A daunce too ▪ I'le expect th'event.

In the daunce they discover themselves in order, Sophonisba 
last.
A faire one:
But 'tis not 
Sophonisba. Fairer yet.
Vnhappy 
Syphax from whose eyes such wonders
Have beene to long conceal'd. Which is the goddesse?
Which 
Sophonisba?
Sopho.
Can thy sense distinguish?
See 
Syphax, thus I deigne to shew thee that
Kings have beene proud to worship.
Syph.

[Page]E're I embrace
Let me admire. 
 [...]each eye sit's a Cupid;
Who as he skip's about to shoot his dartes.
Is himselfe fetter'd in the golden curles
That deck her brow. Elysium's but a fable.
And that eternity the Poets dreame of
Serv's but to figure this.
Sopho.
Although my difference
Might challenge more, I'm not ambitious
Of shallow praise. My spirit must flie high
To catch at fame, not flattery.
Syph.
Came you not
To love me then?
Sopho.
I did: but not to thinke
All your expressions (though they were extended
Beyond my wish) can merit it.
Syph.
I am
A King; and you me thinks should court the fortune
With a glad readinesse, to share my honours,
And to be made my equall.
Sopho.
Were you more,
I am above addition in my selfe:
And should be lessen'd if I did confine
A thought to any person, and the act
Included nothing but bare satisfaction
Of a desire. I will not let a smile
Fall loosly from me, but shall be attended
By actions worth their history; which read
Shall with the apprehension of my greatnesse
Amaze posterity.
Syph.
Can 
Sophonisba
Be covetous of more then the earths honours?
When she shall sit incompass'd in a ring
Of noble Matrons that shall deifie
Her beauty with their praises? When she shall
Be crown'd with sparkling wreathesto blind the gazers,
As if a Constellation had beene rob'd


[Page] To make her shine. When in a Kings armes sleeping
All pleasures shall be minister'd, that Nature
And art in their contention strive to owne,
And take their glory from.
Sopho.
I hei'r prety baites
To catch an easie wanton, whose dull earth
A little varnish'to're doth know it selfe
No farther then the superficiall tincture
Discoverd in her glasse. I have a soule
Greater then 
Syphax Kingdome: and to bound it
Would take from what I am. 'Twill be your honour
'Bove all that your ambition can direct you
To hope for (next eternity) If I
Vouchsafe to add unto your petty royalty
My greater selfe; and the addition be
Greater then you can purchase by your conquests.
'Tis but her due when 
Sophonisba crav's
Worlds for her Kingdomes, their Kings for her slaves.
Should 
Syphax make a resignation
Of all he own's for me; 'twere but as if
He par'd a mol-hill from the earth, to place
An 
Atlas in its stead.
Han.
Come 
Sophonisba
You must consent: ther's fame in't that will give you
An everlasting being in the memory
O
 [...] benefits your Country will derive from't.
Children shall first be taught to speake your name;
And from their aged grandsires learne your story.
Whose often repetition shall take from
The tediousnesse of age, and make them seeme
As if they danc't for joy, when palsies shake them.
Syph.
Am I enslam'd, and shall I not enjoy?
Mock me not Lady into a despaire.
You shew me heaven, and shut the gates against me.
Make not a King, that daign's to be your servant,
A slave unto your cruelty.
Han.
To give


[Page] 
Syphax a satisfaction, your competitor
False 
Massanissa, he that shar's your Kingdome.
And would ingrosse it all, hath long solicited
For 
Sophonisbas love.
Sopho.
Oh 
Massanissa.
Han.
He having now forsaken 
Carthage, shee
Out of her piety to doe her Country
A good, preferr's you: and that her revenge
May be pursu'd with greater violence,
Allow's her elfe your right; though she's a treasure
Might be dispos'd of to a more advantage
Of 
Carthage strength.
Syph.
Will 
Sophonisba love then
If I fight 
Carthag's quarrell?
Sopho.
Yes; your fortune
Wh
 [...] 'tis at hight: but the least declination
Waving it to an ebb, I from that fall
Must mount to higher honours, if a gale
Meete it to raise me.
Syph.

Massanissas person
It seem's could limit your desires.
Sopho.
He was
A man made up of fire; no grosse earth clog'd
His spirit when 'twould mount to honours top,
And load same with his acts. Had he not falln
From 
Carthage, Sophonisba had but beene
The price of his desert. And yet I love him.
Deere 
Massanissa!
Syph.
Shee hath overcome me.
I will be great; every dayes action
Shall raise me a step higher, and I'le take
You with me Lady: no; you shall lead me
The tribute I will pay for every kisse
Shall be a victory o're your enemies.
Proud 
Rome shall find 
Syphax can be a Souldier,
When 
Sophonisba bid's him put on steele.
Han.
The not to be resisted power of beauty.


[Page] 
Carthage I will salute thee now with joy.
Nor shall the thought of thy ingratitude
Make me lesse willing to pursue thy good
Through a deepe sea of vanquisht. Roman's blood.
Syph.
Wee'l feast, then fight. Who led by such bright eves
Would not match on to any enterprize? 
Exennt.

The argument of the third Act.

Syphax warring against the Romans, at length is taken prisoner by Massanissa; who finding Sophonisba in the City of Cirtha, marry's her, with a vow not to deliver her up to the Romanes. For which marriage being reprov'd by Scipio, he giv's her poyson? which shee tak's to prevent the Romanes triumph over her.

The Scene Vtica.

Scene the first.Scipio, 
Souldiers: a little after Lelius.
Scip.

Syphax so soone revolted I what weake man
Would mock away his safetie? Chldren thus
Playing with fire to please their foolish sense
Are often burn't and make their sport the instrument
Of their owne danger. 
Massanissa yet
Is constant, and by this time hath subdu'd him.
Successe must follow those attemps that rise
From a just cause, and crowne the enterprise.

Lelius what newes?
Lelius.
I labour with th'event;
Ioy hinder's a delivery. 
Massanissa
Guirt in a conquest, greater never made
A triumph glorious, is returning back


[Page] To present 
Scipio with Numidias spoyles,
And 
Syphax cativ'd.
Scip.
'Tis a joyfull errant.
Iust 
Nemesis, thy Grirfins have beene swift,
And borne thee well to see the execution
Of a revenge upon perfidious 
Syphax.
Hadst thou fail'd in't, we justly might disclaime
Thy deity, and without feare of punishment
Prophane thy altars: on whose marbles now
Wee'l pay a sacrifice of richest flame
Mixt with the blood of Kings, Discourse the progresse
To this event.
Leli.
When your successefull policy
Had destroy'd both the Campes of 
Asdrubal
And 
Syphax with devouring fire, whose flames
seem'd to the distant gazers on't a prodigie
That threaten'd dissolution, and begot
Their greater feare, then when th' Artilerie
Of heaven speak's lowdest through the burning ayre
To tell the world 
Iove's angry: When you retir'd
To 
Vtica to prevent an invasion
Intended by the Carthaginian Navy,
Which dark't the Sea (much like a clowd of Vulturs
That are convented after some great fight
To glut their ravenous gorges with the gore,
Thousands of soul-lesse men lye reeking in)
The mad Numidian King, in whom despaire
Had kindled a new valour, gather's head.
And with a fresh supply of unman'd men
(For had they beene such as experience
Had taught the usefull order of a warre
Th'end had againe beene doubtfull) giv's us battaile.
Their first assault made us retire; yet still
We kept the suddaine forme hast put us in
For best advantage: 'till their heedlesse courage
Hurri'd them on, where our foot Legions
Observing their disorder (for they fought


[Page] In throngs so thick, that many times one striking
Wounded his fellow) giv's them new resistance.
At which they stop, mated with apprehension
Of their owne danger: whom th'incensed King
Mixing his threates with promises of honour
Labour's to bring one till his horse being kill'd
We tooke him prisoner, with two thousand more.
The rest not flame are fled.
Scip.
Brave victory
Worthy th'atchievers, to whose memories
Eternall statues shall be rais'd, and trophees
Rich as 
Romes Capitoll is glorious with.
But where is 
Massanissa?
Leli.
He pretended
To visit 
Cirtha, Syphax chiefest Citie:
Which is deliver'd up.
Scip.
I have new feares 
Flourish.
That woman will agen bewitch him. Know
The cause.

Scene the Second.

To them Massanissa, Souldiers bringing in Syphax bound.

Leli.

'Tis Massanissa.

Scip.

Th'only wealth

I'de be possest of. I embrace in thee

A boundlesse treasure.

Massa.

Let not Scipio

Flatter me into pride for what is rather

Fortunes then mine.

Scip.

The actions of thy vertue.

Fortun's an under power that is her selfe

Commanded by desert. 'Tis a meere vainnesse

Of our credulity to give her more

Then her due attribute; which is but servant

To an heroick spirit.

Massa,

This example

[Page] Might instance proofes for her divinity.

All's but endeavour untill perfected

By the successe, and that is fortunes only;

Desert shar's little in'r.

Scip.

Let not thy modesty

Maintaine such errors. To refuse just praise

Is an extreme worse then man's over-weening

Opinion of himselfe. Great Massanissa

Shall have all honours due unto his conquest;

And weare triumphant Garlands; that false King

Chain'd to his Chariot from the gazers eyes

Inviting scorne, not pitty.

Syph.

'Tis not manly

To insult over misery, to which

Thy self's as subject, and perhaps mai'st feele,

Chance mak's prosperity when 'tis at highest

But pastime to delight her giddy humour:

And will d ject the most seeme possessour,

When she command's a restitution

Of her lent favours, that she may conferre them

Vpon another. This consideration

Might invite mercy.

Scip.

When superiour justice

Mak's us her instrument, should we be partiall

I th'execution, 'twere to mock the power,

And call downe vengeance. Yet I grieve for Syphax

That he deserv's the punishment; whose weaknesse!

Suffer'd a peece of painted earth to tempt him

From his religion, and neglect the gods,

Whom he invok't for witnesse to that vow

A woman made him violate.

Syph.

'Tis my hope

Shee may deceive thee too, and with her charmes

Bewitch the boasting Conquerour that's her slave

From's faith to Rome.

Massa.

His madnesse will betray me

To a reproach

Syph.

[Page]

It tak's from mine owne suffering

To see mine enemy in the same danger:

When he by his adulterous embraces

Receiv's the like infection int' his soule

That made me sick of vertue, and of all

But my disease.

Scip.

Doe you enjoy the Lady?

Massa.

Yes: she's my wife.

Scip.

Yoar act was somewhat rash;

Before her husbands death! Doth the religion

You pay Numidia's gods warrant it law full?

Massa.

Syphax is dead in his captivity.

Hislife was mine; which I but lent him only

For Romes great triumph.

Scip.

Wee'l consult a little,

And then dispose you Syphax.

Syph.

As your will

Adviseth you. It is the curse of greatnesse

To be it's owne destruction. So we see

That mountaine Cedars have the least defence

Gainst stormes, when shrubs confront their violence.

Exeunt.

Scene the third.Scipio, Massanissa 
remaining.
Scip.
When first you freely did commit your selfe
Vnto my charge, and promis'd with a vow
My liking only should dispose your actions,
Either you lov'd them, or your slattery
Pretended admiration of some vertues
You thought possest me. One I must confesse
I glory to be master of, that's continence.
I have converst with beauties rich as Nature
Did ever make art proud to counterfeit;
Might have commanded some that conquest gave me:
Yet have I still kept out desire, but you


[Page] Have yeelded to that passion doth betray
A weakenesse in you, will obscure the glory
Of all your other goodnesse. Thinke how dangerous
'Tis to a yong man (on whose expectation
Opinions eye is six't) to mixe his actions
With wanton pleasures, when his thoughts transferre
The wicked objects of his humorous sense
Vnto his soule, that poison all her faculties,
And make them uselesse. Noble 
Massanissa,
Your good deeds sung by same are musicke to me:
Your errours I had rather you your selfe
Would silently consider, and reforme,
Before with any shew of least unkindnesse
You force me to reprove them.
Massa.
Let not 
Scipio
Deny those errors an excuse. If nature
Had a like cloth'd mens dispositions,
And all did weare one habit of the mind,
You need not urge th'example of your owne
T'instruct anothers continence: for all
From a necessited and innate temperance
Would be as you are. Though I doe not boast
Command o're pleasures, I pursue them not
With an intemperate appetite, but make
Reason my guide, that tell's me to provide
For a succession, doth become the judgement
Of a wise King. Posterity may well
Be call'd th'eternity of life: he never
Dy's that hath issue; for which I have marryed
Her mine owne conquest gave me.
Scip.
Your owne conquest!
Pray doe not arrogate too much: you must not
Dispose 
Romes prisoners whilst you fight her quarrell.
The warr's not yours, though yours the victory.
She must attend her sentence from our Senate;
Which hardly will be partiall to her beauty,


[Page] Though 'twere adulterated with more art,
Then e're lasciviousinesse was mistresse of,
And rack 't invention for. Let 
Sophonisba
Be then deliver'd up.
Massa.
Perhaps your selfe
A
 [...]ter your boatted continence would have her
To be your owne.
Scip.
Is that your jealousie?
Weake passionate man, that through thy blinded reason
Foresee'st not thine owne danger by th'example
Of others misery, and yet art ripe,
To maintaine grossest errours of thy will,
And seeme discretions master. Had not 
Syphax
(Bewitch by magick of her wanton eye
Into a dotage) broke his faith with 
Rome,
He might have flourish't in his height of glory;
And still commanded over his Division.
Which 
Rome will add to 
Massanissas Kingdome
Yeelding up 
Sophonisba.
Massa.
You would seeme
To give me mines, upon condition
I should restore the gold, reserving only
The earth to trample on. In 
Sophonisba
I have a treature mine owne life shall ransome,
If she be forc't away; and to consent
She should be yeelded up to any Romane
Were worse then sacriledge, though I should tcare
The hallowed sta'ues of 
Nunsidias gods
Downe from their altars, and convert their Temples
Into the loathsom'st uses of necessity.
Kings oathes are equall with decrees of Fate,
Those I have made I cannot violate.
Scip.
Then I disclaime thee. Ther's not so much danger
In a knowne foe, as a suspected friend.
To preventan incendium it is best;
To quench a brand before it fire the rest. 
Exit.
Massa.
He's angry, and I must not let it grow


[Page] To ripenesse of his hate. I am resolv'd
To be th'example of a constancy
Fame shall proclaime for wonder.

Scene the fourth.
To him Sophonisba.
She's already
Come e're my wish could summon her. Her sight
Begins to shake the weake foundation
Of my resolves. Like stones shot from an engine
She ruin's with the battery of her eye
What my intents had built.
Soph.
Why is my Lord
Thus clowdy? I expected entertainment
Of other difference; such as cheerefull love
Present's desire with from the enterchange
Of smiles and amorous glaunces.
Massa

Sophonisba!
I was new enter'd into meditations
Of death, and other wretchednesse, depend's
Vpon mortality.
Soph.
Is that the argument
Of your dejectednesse? it shew's too much
Of womans weakenesse. Man should have a spirit
Above the feare any consideration
Can worke within him. Death is but an entrance
To our eternity: and if our life
Merit a blessednesse hereafter, we
Should runne with joy to meete it.
Massa.
But if one
Possest of happinesse beyond the hope
Of any greater; that denies another
Can be in expectation (more then what
His soule enjoy's already) apprehended
A separation from it by the malice
Of death, or other accident, 'twould force him


[Page] Weep silently within, though shame restrain'd
His outward teares.
Sopho.
This circumstance would seeme
To prepare something that should have relation
Vnto your selfe or me. Perhaps the Consull
Hath urg'd that I should be deliver'd up
To 
Romes disposing. 
Massanissas vow
Made with religious ceremony cannot
If he respect the gods consent to it.
And rather then their tyranny should make me
Wretched a new, to my first earth returne me,
The worst remaines of 
Sophonisba.
Massa.
Dare shee
Dyethen to quit her feares?
Sopho.
And meete the instrument
With greater cherefalnesse, then fondest parents
Can shew at the returne of their decre child
From long captivity. This tender frame
Lodgeth a masculine and heroick spirit.
And if thy passionate love deny's thy selfe
To be the Actor in this benefit,
Give me thy sword; my owne right hand shall guide
The point unto my heart: I'le without trembling
Open a passage for the crimson drops;
And smile to see them diaper the pavement,
As if't were some conceited workemanship
Made by the lookers sancie.
Massa.
E're mine eyes
Should suffer such an object to offend
Their hitherto pleas'd sense, I would dissolve them
In their owne humour. No 
Sophonisba;
This breath shall first wast into empty ayre,
And leave my naked bones i'th'hallow'd pile
E're I prove false to thee. Give me some wine:
I'le drinke a bridall health to 
Sophonisba,
And mixe it with Nepenthe. Here's the juice
Will cause forgetfulnesse, and mock th'extremity

[Page] Of any adverse fortune. 
Messenger with wine.
Sopho.
Sure 'tis poyson.
Will 
Massanissa leave me then unguarded
To 
Scipios violence? I have here no father
Nor uncle to defend me; not so much
As a poore teare by weeping to stirre up
A Romanes pity: I shall only dart
An anger from my burning eye, to shew
The Carthaginian spirit I was borne with,
Which not with standing will not quit this part
From a captivity: this 
Scipios rage
Will hurry in his triumph to be gaz'd at,
And scorn'd by the course rabble. Doe not then
By such a keeping of it breake thy vow;
For 'tis no lesse to me. I must still want
The benefice of such a constancy.
For though himselfe live not to yeeld me up
I am expos'd to't, and without least power
To make resistance. Let me then partake
That meanes of best security
Massa.
Not to have
A Monument of lasting Adamant
Rais'd to my memory. No 
Sophonisba
This is no potion to preserve a beauty
In it's first greene; or ripe it to a Summer;
Or prevent th' Autumme; or returne the Winter
Into a new Spring. This will pale the dye
Which thy cheek blusheth when it would cloth mo­desty
In a rich scarlet: make that Ivorie brest
(Now Loves soft bed whereon he play's the wanton,
And ambusheth himselfe to catch the flames
He shoot's at others from thy eyes) as cold
As Scythian sands, bleak't with continuall freezing
Into a seeming christall. 
Scipio dar's not
Insult o're thee: thy face would check his malice
Into a silent admiration of it.
Or if he sin so much as to deject thee


[Page] With the least feare of ill, the gods themselves
Will leave their immortality to be
Each others rivals in thy love, and strive
Which should revenge thee best. This must not weaken
What is so powerfull.
Sopho.
If my Lord be then
Resolv'd to leave me widdow'd, being yet
Scarce warme in his embraces, let me mixe
A teare with his last drink, that he may carry
Something of 
Sophonisba with him.
Massa
That
Hath in't sufficient vertue to convert
All the Thessalian, Pontick, Phasian aconites
Into pretervatives, and turne this draught
Into an antidote: which yet is powerfull,
'Bove all that Art and Nature in conspiracy
Of mischiefe e're invented. We that are
Great, and yet subject to th'incertainty
Of Fortune, have this custome to prevent it.
We affect glory: and conclude no slate
That end's not in it selfe, is fortunate.
So— 
Offers to drinke.
Soph.
Let my Lord first give me leave to breath
An errant o're it; that when he is entred
Ely sium, throngs of Carthaginian Heroes
May bid him welcome, and informe themselves
From him of 
Sophonisba.
Massa.
Do't then quickly.
I'le beare it, and command the King of night
Resigne his ravish't Queene to be thy hand-maid.
Hell, I shall now be armed to meete thy horrours
With greater power then thine.
Soph.
If there be Fate,
Why is't conceal'd? The revelation of t
Would make us strive to mock eternall providence,
Th'ingenious Artist that did forme this cup
Foresaw not such a use of't. Had he knowne


[Page] It should have minister'd death to a King,
His trembling hands could ne're have finish't it
With such exactnesse. What so e're decree
Is written in the Adamantine Tables
Of Destiny, we must subscribe to. Time
Though he keepe on his swift and silent pace,
Death's sure at first or last to win the race.
Pray keepe out 
Scipio: I have almost ended.
So— 
Drink's.
Massa.
Ha! 'what hath 
Sophonisbas madnesse done'?
Oh 
Aesculapius if thy deity
Be not a feign'd one, then administer,
And shew it powerfull in restoring back
My 
Sophonisba to her former safety.

Numidia shall pay worship to none other
But thee and 
Phoebus. Altars shall be rais'd
Made of Iberian gold, and flame with incense
Vntill 
Arabia's richest earth grow's barren
Of gummes and spices.
Sopho.
Why doth 
Massanissa
Invoke vaine aide? The gods are mercifull
In their denying it: and 'tis but justice
That I should dye; m'adulterous easinesse
Deserv'd it, that without the least resistance
Left my yet living husband to embrace
His enemy. But it had warrant from
The end, my Countries good, and the first love
I bare thee 
Massanissa. Now let 
Scipio
Boast of his conquest; 
Sophonisba is
Her owne subverter. It begin's to worke
With a full strength: my blood would serve to heate
A Salamander, and convert his ice
Into a flame. Aetna's but painted fire
To that which burn's my marrow. Yet my lookes
Are cherefull and erected. Victory
Was never met more joyfully, then I
Embrace that death prevents my misery.


[Page] My weake earth totters underneath a weight
That sink's it downewards: my still living spirit
Rid's upon clowds to reach 
Ioves highest skie.
Who feare not death, but in the worst part dye. 
Dy's.
Mass.
She's dead. Sincke ye supporters of this fabrick
Into your deep foundations; make them graves
For your owne ruines, since there is not left
A weight worthy your bearing. Shee's not dead:
Only she hath translated her divinity
To it's owne blest abodes, and call's on me
To pay a mortals duty. Shallt have sacrifice,
And rich too. Kings out of devotion shall
Offer themselves in flames, and from their ashes
Rise glorious stars; whence learned curiosity
Deriving a new art, shall teach Astrologers
The vertues of an influence shall include
Secrets to make credulity astonish't
At their presages. I will be their president;
And make this earth, already consecrated
With 
Sophonisba's pretious feete, an altar.
Open thy crannies to receive my blood,
And from it's mixture spring a grove of Balsame.
Led by whose ravishing odour the new issue
Of every Phoenix shall neglect 
Panehaia,
To bring her mothers spicy death bed hither,
That's likewise her owne cradle. But this action
Should have more state, and ceremony. No.
A King's the Priest; a King's the Sacrifice;
His owne sword whilst 'tis yet warme with his victory
Shall serve forth' axe, and so—Shall I but dye then?
I'le live to pay her more then th'expiration
Of a short breath, and dye to all delights,
But what I can derive from her faire memory:
Which shall be treasur'd here; and by it's virtue
Revive to kill me; every life it giv's
Causing another death.

[Page]

Scene the fifth.

To him Scipio, Lelius, Souldiers.

Scip.

The Lady dead!

Massa.

To Scipios malice.

Scip.

Could not Massanissa

Acquit himselfe of one, but by committing

A greater folly! But I must not chide.

Most worthy Massanissa!

Massa.

Keep your flattery.

I have no Sophonisba. Touch her not:

None but my selfe shall beare her to the pile.

The sacrilegious hand besides attempt's it

I will cut off. Your triumph shall not twice

Kill Sophonisba.

Exit with the body.

Scip.

With best care attend him

Vnto our Tent; least that his passion grow

Into a desperate frenzie, I must cure it

By counsell mixt with gifts. In that weake woman

Halfe Carthage strength is gone.

Leli.

Our Spyes informe

That th'other halfe (which I conceive is Hannibal)

Intend's upon th'event of one great battell

To hazard all. His Camp's already pitch't

Neere Zama: whence a messenger is sent

That show's the Carthaginian much desit's

To have some conference with you.

Scip.

Wee'l dispose

Our Army thitherward. Me thinks I see

Victory crown'd already clap her wings

Over our heads. What a strange circulation

Is in times accidents? From victory

Peace is deriv'd; from peace security;

Thence lust; ambition: two maine grounds of jarres:

We fight for peace, and peace agen breed's warres.

Exeunt.

[Page]

The argument of the fourth Act.

Hannibal being wholly overcome by Scipio at the battle of Zama, return's to Carthage: where being ill entertain'd by the Senate, he behav's himselfe roughly in the Senate house; and their intention of delivering him up to Scipio being discover'd, by the avde of his Faction, he escap's and flies. The Carthaginians submitting themselves are reprov'd by Scipio; who likewise imposeth upon them the strictest conditions, and by an example of his owne, reclaim's Massanissa from his passion.

The Scene Carthage.

Scene the first.Hanno, Gisgon, Bostar, 
a full Senate.

Being sate, To them Nuntius.
Hanno.
Pray' take no notice that we know th'event
Of the late battaile. I already have
Employ'd my Faction 'bout a peace, and 
Scipio
Is not farre off. It shall not be the act
Of 
Hannibal to boast of. When we have
Betray'd him to the Romanes, the conditions
Besides are casie.
Gisg.
Mind the publick 
Bostar:
D'you thinke it not concern's you?
Bost.
I was my riches
Made me a Senatour: my wisedome never
Deserv'd the purple. Be you politick;
Let me preserve my state.
Gisg.
Your wealth! 'tis granted
Rais'd you to this high place. Necessity


[Page] May corrupt justice in a Magistrate:
Which to prevent, at least our jealousies,
Our Carthaginian custome in election
Of Senatours, sometimes preferr's the rich
Before the best men. Take your seate.
Bost.
To fill it:
Feare will not let me sleep.
Hanno.
Attend the Message:
It seem's from 
Hannibal.
Bost.
A worthy man.
He sent us home three bushels full of rings,
Of which I shar'd the most.
Nunt.
Before I speake,
Me thinks the ayre about me as the sound
Of my sad words doth passe through it, should thicken
Into a clowd; then melt at every periode
Into a weeping raine, till none be left
To give us breath for sighes. Our 
Hannibal
Is vanquish't by the Romanes.
Bost.
We shall then
Have no more wealth brought home, nor safely keepe
What we possesse already. Curse on chance
That mock's us thus. I'le never make her statue
Of gold hereafter, and by consequent
Ne're worship her: I have but cold devotion
Towards a wooden goddesse.
Hanno.
'Tis not fit
Evils remedilesse should be lamented.
From a misfortune something may arise
To prevent greater, if it be apply'd
With an exact consideration
O'all occurents that may make it usefull.
Relate it then.
Nun.
Before the battaile joyn'd
The worlds two Captaines (for besides them none
Merit's the name in equall competition)
Mett to have conference: where for a space


[Page] They stood astonish't at each others presence:
And like two Comets tilting in the ayre
'Gainst one another, shot prodigious flames
From eithers eyes; and with a counterchange
Of fierce and angry lookes seem'd to begin
An eagre fight: 'till 
Hannibal broke silence,
And mov'd a peace: Which 
Scipio (or suspecting it
To be but wonted policy, or confident
Both of his owne strength and successe) refus'd.
Then like two clowds swoln big with a mights tempest,
And hurryed forward by contrary winds,
Iusling each other, 'till their ribbes being broken
The sulphurous issue slie's through the black ayre;
An inundation following that would fright
Natures Archeus from his quiet center;
To seeke an Aetna or Vesaevus out
Where he might drie himselfe: so met the Armies.
And with a shout, that out-noys'd thunder, charg'd
Each other bravely; at their first encounter
Mixing their bloods in streames, that every way
Flow'd like a tide. As yet the peacefull goddesse
Inclin'd to neither part, 'till 
Massanissa
Brought up his right wing of Numidian horsemen,
And broke th'array; enforcing our first battle
Back to our second; when we were compel'd
To fight against our owne, least their retiring
Might put us out of order; 'till betwixt us
Dead bodies made a Bulwarke; so that neither
We nor the Romanes but by trampling on
Our fellowes carcasses could strike a blow
Of any use. The Romane Legions now
O're-prest us with their number, and both wings
Of horsemen wheel'd about t'assault our reere.
We then were compast; yet like angry Lyons
Whom the toyle hamper's, labour'd for our freedome;
But few escap't: five hundred only live
Of forty thousand, which to 
Adrumentum


[Page] Are fled with 
Hannibal: whence he intend's
To visit 
Carthage suddainely.
Hanno.
His welcome
If he fore-knew't would give him small encouragement.
Th'incertainty of warre! Did 
Hannibal
Solicite peace? l'le seeme t'oppose it then,
Though it intend a good. The inborne malice
Bet wixt our families will not permit me
Allow his acts or counsell. By his greatnesse
Mine is eclips'd: and though this overthrow
May make him lesse in popular opinion,
His Faction yet is strong.
Gisg.
What meane you 
Bostar!
Bost.
I'm dead; that horrible relation kill'd me
In'ere shall see addition to my heape,
Now 
Hannibal is conquer'd.
Hanno.
You have stor'd
Enough wealth to maintaine another Army
That may bring home increase. Pray'let us use
Your state, wee'l spare your wisedome.
Bost.
How's that 
Hanno!
My state, and spare my wisedome. I'm a Senatour,
And weare my gowne as formally as you:
Can nodde and spet at th'end of every sentence,
And number with my owne Arithmetick
More somes of coyne then thy whole family.
Part with my wealth l I'le rather dye, and purchase
Hell with't, if 
Pluto would but sell his Kingdome.
Yet sure it cannot be so rich as I am.
The judges there are just; bribes cannot buy
A partiall sentence,

Scene the Second.
To them Hannibal, 
some Souldiers.
Han.
Ha! me thinks they should
Salute me, though I bring not victory.


[Page] When I presented them with wealth, their flatteries
Were greater then became them. Am I lesse
In merit now, then when successe attended
My actions! glew'd unto their seates, and 
Hannibal
Enter'd. Grave fathers.
Hanno.
On sir: we are patient
To heare you speake.
Han.
But patient! he that stand's
Accus'd may challenge that, or justly taxe yee
Of more then tyranny.
Hanno.
Are you so confident
You dare affront your Iudges?
Han.
Ha! my Iudges.
What envy though 'twere still'd from the black galls
Ofleane 
Erinnis Adders, can so blemish
My life or same, that from the least suspect
I might incurre a sentence! Wa'st for this
I have through blood and sweat made 
Carthage great
As 
Rome her selfe; and had not politick dotage
Infected with your private avarice
(That would not spare me what my selfe bestow'd
Vpon your case) prevented it by calling
Me and my Army home, I had e're this
Made 
Rome your tributary; and am I
Return'd now to be judge, because I have
After so many victories lost one battle!
The monstrous bi
 [...]th of your ingratitude
Were able to fright manhood from posterity,
And check all undertakings.
Hanno.
Whence did you
Receive commission to move peace with 
Scipio?
Han.
From mine owne judgement that foresaw the danger
My power could not prevent.
Hanno.
It seem's you were
Declm'd to coward.
Han.
Ther's no priviledge 
Pulls him downe.
Vnder your gowne for that. Learne to know man;


[Page] Then be his judge.
Bost.
Pray heaven he hurt not me.
Most valiant 
Hanniball.
Han.
I hate your slattery,
Tis mixt with scorne; and I will rather trample
Vpon your purple.
Nunt.
Good my Lord forbeare
Your violence. Consider but their persons
And dignities.
Han.
Should 
Jove himselfe provoke me
With a disgrace like this, l'de challenge him
To meet upon a cloud ram'd full of thunder:
And dart it at him, 'till with flames I had
Consum'd the brasse supporters of his heaven;
Tumbling him downe with all his petty gods
Vnto their first mortality.
Nunt.
The custome
Of 
Carthage government commands respect
Vnto their difference.
Han.
Let the respect
Belikewise taught them that belongs to me.
And if my labour hath maintain'd their ease.
In which they have both studied and establish't
Civill formalities, my rugged life
Did never practise, it may well excuse
A greater errour. Who is my accuser?
Hanno.
Your selfe.
Han.
My selfe! my selfe will be my judge then:
And maketh'abus'd seate honour'd for a justice,
Which your corrupted soules would never suffer
Your power to execute. Looke Carthaginians;
And if your reasons eyes can see the errours
Your blinded envie led it to, with blushes
Guide them to reformation. I that tooke
An oath at nine yeares old before the Altar,
When it was smoking with the horrid sacrifice
Of immolated men, to be 
Romes enemy,


[Page] And perfect what my Father had begun;
I that transferr'd the wealth of 
Spaine to 
Carthage,
And thorow the frozen Alpes melted my way
Into the fertile plaines of 
Italy;
That waded with my army thorow the fennes
Of gloomy 
Arnus, in whose fogges I lost
One of my bodies comfortable lights;
I that o'rethrew sixe Consuls, and at 
Cannas
In one sight kill'd a hundred Romane Senators,
And thence presented 
Carthage with a prey
That might out-vye an Indian treasury
Cram'd with the choycest wealth; I that abroad
Whilst here you bath'd in pleasures made my body
Proose 'gainst a tempest, and endur'd the rage
Of more prodigious stormes then ever frighted
Mortals into religion.
Hanno.
Yet at 
Capua
The faire Salapian 
Omphale could teach
Our Carthaginian 
Hercules to spin,
And mind his distaffe; else she would not smile
Vpon him for his worke.
Han.
Thy malice 
Hanno
Like to the broken some a rock beats back
Vpon the angry maine, fowl's thine owne bosome.
I am above it; and in spight of thee
Or all the battery of thy calumnies,
Will stand like a 
Colossus to be gaz'd at
By all beneath me, when the scorne of men
Shall lash thy envie with the whips of Satyres:
Who vainely dost attempt to ruine that
Is built for fame.
Hanno.
Nay you may keepe your seate,
It well becomes you.
Han.
It becomes you better,
When your grave nod and formall hem strik's terrour
Through the affrighted malefactors heart;
Who for some slight offence expects his judgement,


[Page] No lesse than banishment, or confiscation
Of all his substance; which is shar'd amongst you,
The publike use neglected. But in vaine
I taxe your vices, when your soules are fullyed
With an ingratitude to me, that makes
All others white as innocence compar'd
With that black monster. 
Carthage I disclaime thee,
And rather then imploy my power agen
To raise thy head 'bove others, in thy ruines
Ile hide mine owne. And but for reverence
I beare the ashes of mine ancestors,
I would my selfe plough furrowes in thy wombe,
And sow my faction onely for th'increase
Of mine owne greatnesse.
Hanno.
Pray observe it Fathers.
He doth affect the Monarchie; he would
Alter our government.
Han.
You are deceiv'd.
Y'are weake enough already; there's no need
Of a sedition to subvert your state.
Can yee resist the Romanes, and make peace
Vpon your owne conditions?

Scene the third.

To them Himulco hastily.

What's the meaning?

Him.

You are betray'd my Lord; your safety needs

A sudden resolution. Scipio's enter'd

The Gates of Carthage.

Han.

Oh inhumane trechery!

But for preventing justice that will fall

Heavie upon you by some other instrument,

'Twere piety to wash corruption

From this abus'd place with your bloods; whose staines

Would yet infect the pavement, and remaine

Like blushes in the marble to betray

[Page] The guilt yee dy'd for. When the Romanes practise

Their tyranny upon you, wish in vaine

Yee had an Hannibal.

Him.

Your danger will not

Allow your passion vent. Pray 'fligh my Lord.

Han.

Into some desart to converse with beasts;

Th'have gratefull soules. Carthage me thinkes an earthquake

Should palsey thy old joynts, & shrink thy head

Into thy shoulders: or thy Genius wrap thee

In a perpetuall cloud to hide the shame

Of this base act. Revenge, Ile court thee through

The ruine of mine owne. Carthage shall see

Not mine from her, her greatnesse grew from me.

All those that love me follow.

Exeunt, Senators remayning.

Hanno.

Would we had

Ensnar'd him better: but his faction wanting

A head, 'tis strengthlesse. Let a cryer publish

The sentence of his banishment, that Scipio

May take it for our act. We must comply

With all occasions that may make our peace

A usefull good, no voluntary bondage.

We must receive the Romanes with a shew

Of lesse feare, then the straites of our necessity

Might excuse manhood for.

Scene the fourth.
To them Scipio, Massanissa, Lelius, 
some Souldiers.
Scip.
Now Carthaginians,
Although I am a conquerour, successe
Swelis me no higher to preferre my selfe
Above what judgement warrants. I have strove
With all opposing reasons to forget
Your often breach of faith: which you are tax't with
By all men for a vice that th'ayre you breath
Infects you with, as if the places nature
Enforc't it from necessity. But custome


[Page] Must be concluded, is the most efficient
To cause that barbarous neglect of piety,
Which should be mans sole object. I am strengthned
Sufficiently 'gainst feare; since I can easily
Compell you to subjection. But preferring
A mild command before imperious rigour,
Declare your selves, and you shall finde that we
Practise no cruelty.
Hanno.
Most worthy Romane
We might excuse the generall, and conferre
The guilt upon some private few, who led
By an ambition made this warre without
Consent from us. Some we have justly punisht;
And him, by whom (as by the first great mover)
The rest were hurried forward, we have banisht,
To take from 
Rome all cause of after-jealousie.
His faction did prevent it, else we had
Yeelded him up to 
Scipio. Peace is now
The thing we crave, and the conditions
No stricter then the Carthaginians
Would have propos'd, had they beene conquerours,
And 
Scipio su'd to them.
Scip.
Can there be faith
In those that would betray their owne! and such a one
As made the end of all his actions
Your greatnesse first, and when that fail'd your safety?
A man that more than figur'd 
Mars, and merited
A deifying by your gratitude.
Blush at it fame, and with thy hundred tongues
Till all are hoarse proclaime it. The conditions
Propos'd shall stand, if but to punish this,
This monstrous act. Nature me thinks should throw yee
From her warme bosome with an angry motion
Of all th'earths sinewes, and not suffer yee
To suck her milke; but dry her fruitfull wombe
Into a barrennesse, before such monsters
Should be againe produc't. As you performe


[Page] The strictest clause, and what afflicts yee most,
Call it not satisfaction for our injuries,
But punishment for your ingratitude
To 
Hannibal.
Hanno.
That will take from my suffering.
When those we hate in misery beare a part,
Envie growes fat by eating her owne heart. 
Exeunt.
Scip.

Lelius attend the Carthaginian Senators;
Survey the City, and see execution 
Exit.
Of all the league includ's. Doth 
Scipio triumph,
And 
Massanissa hang the head! One article
Is that they shall restore to 
Massanissa
All that they have depriv'd him of.
Massa.
They cannot
Restore my 
Sophonisba.
Scip.
Still that passion!
I thought her memory had beene wash't away
With the large streames of blood so lately flow'd
From his victorious sword. Come 
Massanissa
You shall enjoy a Romane Lady; one
That shall out-vye the glory of a sunne
Thron'd in his cleerest skie, and make his light
Appeare but as a shadow to her beauty,
One that shall comprehend within her selfe
All that was ever faign'd of other women,
And make their fables probable.
Massa.

Rome hath not
Another 
Sophonisba.
Scip.
That the wealth
Of 
Romes best province might but ransome home
His lost command o're passions.

[Page]

Scene the fift.

To them Lelius, Lucius, a young Lady.

Who's this Lady?

Leli.

A Spanish captive.

Scip.

Did ever innocence

Looke sweeter as if she were joy'd to make

This little frame her mansion. Why d'ee weepe?

They shall not hurt you pretty one.

Lad.

They say

They'l carry me to Rome.

Scip.

Suppose they doe;

Romanes are full of gentlenesse, and mildly

Will entertaine you; where you shall be taught

Civility of manners. Education

Clothing your minde in ornaments of vertue

Fitting your expectation, and your beauty

Rip't with mature age, Romane Knights shall court it.

Perhaps my selfe would take you to my bed.

Lad.

Indeed you should not. You are a rough souldier;

Your lookes would fright me.

Scip.

Can you then deny

To cherish such a hope? You should enjoy

Delights above your wish. Your house should be

A court of pleasure. Spring should alwaies dwell

Within your gardens, as it Tempe were

Translated thither. Virgins should attend you

Faire as the morning, when she ushers in

The day with blushes. Your bathes should be the dew

Gather'd from Roses, and your garments soft

As the curl'd ayre, by mild Etesian windes

Made temperate, when the Sunne rides on his Lion

To hunt heavens Dog up. You should sleepe on downe

Driven from Swannes white necks; be visited

By Matrons; usher'd to solemnities;

And at the publike showes out-shine the glory

[Page] Of daylight with the lustre of those jemmes

You should be deckt in and a conquerour when

His head's wrapt in triumphant Lawrell, couch it

Vpon your lap.

Massa.

He's taken. Mans weake judgement,

That calls it vice in others, which himselfe

Is equally inclin'd to.

Lad.

I nere heard

Of such fine things before.

Scip.

The barren soyle

That bred you is in fault. I must confesse

Nature hath in your yet imperfect beauty

Shew'd wonders to the world: you areth'epitome

Of her most curious labours; and if fortune

Should in so faire a booke blurre any lest

Exact drawne line, her deity were cruell.

Your owne's a barbarous country, where civility

Hath scarce a name. You cannot there expect

A value of your selfe, above the worship

Their eyes will give you, when they rudely gaze

Vpon your forme, and by the sense distinguish

The outward workmanship. We teach our soules

A glorious conversation with those vertues

That deck the inside of a beauteous frame,

And vary pleasures, honours, earths delights

To th'imitation of that infinite

And never dying part.

Lad.

You Lucius

Did never court me thus. You'd onely tell me

That I should be a Queene, when your old Father

Went to the lower Kingdome.

Scip.

What is Lucius?

Luci.

A Prince amongst the Celtiberians.

This Lady Nobly borne to me betroth'd,

If Scipio will be mercifull, l'de ransome.

Scip.

You love her then?

Luci.

Above my selfe: without her

[Page] My being is not perfect.

Scip.

Blest occasion.

Now Massanissa if example may

Rectifie errors in thee, make my act

An imitable president. Young Prince

Receive her from my hands; withall the summe

Intended for her ransome as a dowry.

Love Rome and Scipio.

Luci.

Noblenesse above

The reach of praise. How shall I shew my gratitude?

Lad.

When he hath made me Queen, He bid you welcome

To Lucius Court.

Luci.

And Lucius when growne man

Will bring you Souldiers.

Massa.

Seem'd he not to love her?

And yet without least pause he gave her back

Being possest. I am o'recome; I see

Passion's the noble soules worst enemy

I'm all for action.

Musick.

Scip.

Massanissa is

Become himselfe agen. Wherefore this musick?

Lels.

To gratulate your victory, and the peace

That gives them rest, the Souldiers have prepar'd

A slight solemnity: The Carthaginians

Mixe with the Romanes, though their heavie hearts

To part with so much treasure scarce admits it.

Scip.

'Tis seasonable: there is cause to joy,

Since Massanissa's new wed to my bosome,

And this young Ladies nuptials.

[Page]

The Souldiers led in by their Captaines, distinguisht severally by their Armes and Ensignes, to the Musick of the following, put themselves into a figure like a battalia.

The Song.

On bravely, on; the foe is met;

The Souldiers ranck't, the battaile set.

Make the earth tremble, and the skies

Redouble ecchoes from your cryes.

Bloud puts a scarlet mantle on

The late greene plaine: they 'l stie anon.

Chorus.

Then follow; but your orders keepe;

Take prisoners; set their ransomes deepe.

Retreat. For same and the delight

That peace brings onely Souldiers fight.

The dance expressing a fight.

Thankes to all.

So you proportion pleasures, we give way to't.

Is Lelius yet inform'd of Hannibal?

Leli.

That he is fled unto Antiochus,

Or else to Prusias of Bythinia.

His ends are doubtfull.

Scip.

If his discontent

Should anew whet his envie to attempt

Their aydes, 'twould much disturb the Asian provinces.

Wee'l follow to prevent it. Lelius you

Shall carry our successe unto the Senate,

And with it Syphax, and the Carthage pledges.

Come my soules halfe, wee'l hunt this Affrick Lion

Into a stronger toyle. Fame shall waite on us

Till we have loaded her, and that shee see

Our triumph finisht in his tragedy.

Exeunt.

[Page]

The argument of the last Act.

Hannibal being fled to Prusias King of Bythinia, receives his promise for his safety. The Romane Legates being arrived, and Hannibal perceiving Scipio and Flaminius (the Sonne of Flaminius whom hee had formerly slaine) to be amongst them, and understanding the house to be encompassed by armed men, suspecting himselfe to be betray'd, takes poison, (which he alwayes carryed about him in his ring) Of which he dyes; and Scipio to prevent the like ingratitude from his Romanes, and out of a naturall addiction he alwayes had to learning (it being said of him, that Paediam Cyri de manu non ponebat; and nonnunquam incepto praelio cum philosophis disputabat) retires himselfe to his Country Villa; taking upon him as it were a voluntary banishment.

The Scene Bythinia.

Scene the first.Prusias, Hanniball, Himulco, 
Attendants.]
Prus.
Y'are welcome, though your fortun's ebb'd. The memory
Of what you have bin should cōmand respect
From good men to you. Vertue is not lessen'd
By want of a successe; that's but a glosse
Fortune sets on her: Misery doth make
Her inside glorious sometimes, when desertlesse,
And bastard actions as the heires of chance
Shine in their superficies: but being searcht


[Page] Are found like bladders, swolne with an enforcement
Of wind into them: which the least necessity
Or adverse fortune pricking, they dilate
Th'included ayre, and shrinke into their first
Narrow dimensions: When true vertue beares
Her owners head above afflictions waves,
And steeres him into harbour.
Han.
You are noble,
And like a King with judgement value me.
My mind was ne're subjected: I have knowne
So much of both, that neither of the pastimes
Fortune delights her selfe with, can incline me
To height above a moderate, nor decline me
Below my selfe. Prosperity, adversity;
Both make one even scale, and weight being added
To either, shews the difference. Hee's not man
Will be dejected or exalted. Every one
Should temper the condition of his state,
Such as the present makes it, with the feare
Or hope of after change: and when hee labour's
In the extremity of one, or slowes
I'th swelling height of th'other, still his mind
Should be the same. Chance varies every way;
But vertues course is constant.
Prus.
You expresse
A noble resolution, and your soule
Shows rich and glorious even through the clouds
Of your misfortune. There's a readinesse,
And a propens
 [...] desire in me to ayde you.
But circumstance must make it probable
Whether the causes justnesse may command
Th'attendence of successe. For an attempt
That's warranted by justice, cannot want
A prosperous end.
Han.
If to desend my Country.
Or to compell encroaching 
 [...]
To satisfaction, such as would deprive us


[Page] Of th'earth that nature in her legacy
Made our proportion be a justice, I
Did never injury; for these were onely
The motives to my actions. Fame I know
Could not be silent, but shee must informe
Even the remotest dwellers, how proud 
Rome
(Whose infant greatnesse by ambition nurst
Is now in growing, and will spread it selfe
If a prevention stay it not, beyond
All limits of the yet knowne world) insults
Over her neighbouring Provinces. From 
Carthage
She hath enfore't 
Sicilia (the worlds granary)
And other Hands: and her Generall
Swolne with his fortune, hath attempted farther
To overslow all 
Affrick. You may likewise
Expect he will encroach upon your 
Asia;

Antiochus being already vanquisht,
And sled to 
Ephesus. If nothing else,
Your safety should invite you to take armes,
Though but defensive. States that never knew
A change but in their growth, which a long peace
Hath brought unto perfection, are like steele;
Which being neglected will consume it selfe
With its ownerust. So doth security
Eate through he hearts of states whilst they are sleeping
And lull'd in her false quiet. Prusias therefore
Should dwell no longer in so great a danger.
If hee'l not be a Souldier, let him arme
His people; 
Hannibal will be their Captaine,
And lead them unto actions that shall take
Fam. with the wonder, 'till I have made 
Rome
(Who like th'earths issue heapes up hills on hills,
To raise her proud head) nothing. My right hand

Jove-like is arm'd with thunder, which shall sligh
Wing'd with prodigious slames of just revenge
To punish her impiety.
Prus.
I could gladly


[Page] Cherish your resolutions, being grounded
On justice: but t'engage my selfe or people
In an uncertaine warre, before provok't
By enemies, were rashnesse that excuse
Could no way glosse to make it show an act
Worthy a man, much lesse a King.
Han.
You value
Those scruples more than a full weight of honour.
Heaven gave the difference to you but to be
The sigure of that power, that will exact
A just account of a Kings greater actions,
Then what inferiours owe to their creation.
Th'essentiall part of your eternity
Depends upon that point: and can you more
Expresse your selfe heavens minister, then when
You doe the things agree with't?
Prus.

Rome comply's
With us for peace. The violation
Of a religious oath, superiour justice
Cannot but punish: else we might be bold
To call the worship of the gods no more
Than th'issue of credulity, produc't
To fright us with a name that had no power
But what our feares allow'd it. 
Rome is yet
Our friend; and 'till she fall from honour, we
Must hold her deare.
Han.
In that consists your danger.
Shee's mask't in policy, and like a Statesman
Without religion, steeres her course by showes
And meere appearance to what ever ends
Amoition points her. Be not then too rash.
Make not the greatnesse which is yet your owne
Derivative from her. 'T will leave your name
A staine in times records, and blot the tables
That should preserve it.
Prus.
Noble 
Hannibal
Be safe with us and confident. I expect


[Page] The Romane Legates; and if mediation
Or any practice which I can with honour
Assay to reconcile yee, may be usefull.
Han.
To reconcile us! Time shall first runne back
To his beginning, and the world returne
To its first 
Chaos e're I will admit
Of such a word. L'et those that fawne upon
The smiles of peace and softnesse to delight
Their wanton appetites, practise their low
Effeminate soules in feares and passions.
Each thought of mine shall be a numerous Army
To lead' gainst 
Rome: in my imagination
I will fight with her still, though I want Souldiers.
Prus.
Nobly resolv'd.

Scene the Second.
To them Scipio, Massanissa, Flaminius, 
other Romane Legates.
Han.
Ha! 
Scipio and 
Flaminius
Amongst the Romane Legates! there's some treachery.
Informe thy selfe 
Himulco. His pursuing 
Exit.
My course, imports no good, and my sad soule
Labours with a prophetick apprehension
Of something he intends. Beready thou,
Thou my last refuge.
Prus.
Sudden clouds me thinkes
Creepe o're your eyes. Though you be enemies,
Peace warrants gentle greeting. Shee is emblem'd
In Doves that have no gall. Y'are here my guests,
And shall partake a courtly entertainment
Worthy such persons.
Scip.

Hannibal I know
Hath put of the rough habit which his mind
Was lately wrapt in: and since chance hath made him
The subject of my conquest, in the peace

Rome hath allow'd his Country (the conditions


[Page] Being stricktly kept) all past contentions
Must lose their memory, and after strites
Be stisled in their first birth by prevention.
I must acknowledge my ambition
Bore my thoughts higher than my Countries good,
Or her enlargement onely. Had my fortune
Captiv'd the person of great 
Hannibal.
My triumph should out-vye all the rich pompes
That ever made 
Rome shine.
Han.
That person yet
Is free, and capable of new designes,
To make himselfe full owner of a glory
'Bove 
Scipio's conquest. Tis not thy successe
Declines me the least step towards subjection
Of my still high built hopes: which being strongly
Propt with my resolutions, shall in time
Raise monuments of fame unto my actions.
Let not one chance exalt thee. 
Hannibal,
Though 
Carthage ownes him not, command's a world
Greater than her, or 
Rome.
Scip.
But the dimensions
Are bounded with that strict necessity
They cannot be extended. Flatter not
Those hopes with expectation of a change
To any better than the now condition
Of thy subverted greatnesse: which being ruin'd
Beyond all reparation, thy attempts
To build it new, wanting materials,
Are vainer farre than the 
Sycilian Dogs
Barking against the Moone.
Han.
Be not deceiv'd
With too much confidence. The more th'are prest,
The more palmes flourish. That that would make 
Scipio
Looke downewards, lifts me up.
Scip.
How thou art mockt
With selfe-opinion! Know I have a soule
So full instructed, it hath power to temper


[Page] The difference of my fortune with that meane,
That even the highest glory to my selfe
Is but adversity, and an abject state
No lesse then is my present greatnesse. Man
From outward accidents should not derive
The knowledge of himselfe: for so hee's made
The creature of beginnings over which
His vertue may command: Fortune and chance.
When he by speculation hath inform'd
His divine part hee's perfect; and 'till then
But a rough matter, onely capable
Of better forme. It oft begets my wonder
That thou a rude Barbarian, ignorant
Of all art, but of warres, which custome onely
Hath (being joyn'd to thy first nature) taught thee,
Shouldst know so much of man.
Han.
I study man
Better from practice, than thou canst from bookes.
Thy learning's but opinion, mine knowne truth;
Subject to no grosse errours, such as cannot
Be reconcil'd, but by production
Of new and greater. Did thy learned Masters
Of Arts, with whom even arm'd thou hast converst
Before a battayle joyn'd (if fame speake truth)
By their instructions show thee surer wayes
To victory, than Fortune joyn'd to valour,
And a full strength of men?
Scip.
That which consists
In action onely, and th'event, depends
Vpon no certaine rule demonstrative,
Is fates, not reasons.
Prus.
Fie, this strife sounds harshly,
Come 
Massanissa, you have shar'd your part
Of vertue and of fortune.
Han.
Least of vertue,
That left a just cause to support a wrong one;
Such was his fall from 
Carthage.
Massa.

[Page]You being judge
In your owne cause: but who will else subscribe
To such a partiall sentence?
Prus.
Pray' no more.
My Court lookes like a Parliament of Souldiers;
Where warre me thinkes should be discours'd on; how
A battaile should be order'd, or what forme
Hath most advantage. What men have you knowne,
Or History doth mention, that exceoded
In the degrees of merit?
Han.

Alexander
The first best Captaine.
Scip.
Who the second?
Han.

Pyrrhus.
Prus.
And who the third?
Han.
Doubtlesse my selfe.
Scip.
What then
Am I that conquer'd 
Hanniball?
Han.
If I
Had conquer'd 
Scipio, I had then beene first.
Scip.
Did ever pride so swell th'infected parts
Of a rich soule! Were not his mind corrupted
With that disease of vertue, I should covet
To joyne mine with't in an eternall fellowship;
And onely here in outward enmity
Divide our bodies.

Scene the last.
To them Himulco.
Han.
How art satisfy'd?
Am I yet safe?
Him.
My observation
Hath beene I feare too curious: for your danger
If any be intended wants all meanes
Of opposition. But my feare perhaps


[Page] Interprets worse than a consideration
Will from the circumstance; which yet hath shew
Of probability.
Han.
Why what hast seene?
Him.
Arm'd troupes guard all the passages by which
The house is enter'd.
Han.
I am then betray'd.
Can Kings be trecherous? have they mortall parts
Subject to that corruption staines with leprosie
The glorious brow of honour! Can creation
Be in her different workes so negligent
As not to perfect them? Shee's idle when
She makes Kings, should be like gods, lesse then men.

Prusias and 
Scipio, thus I mock your plots.
Be trecherous now; you shall have nothing but
Hannibals earth to worke on. 
Takes the poison.
Scip.
What's the meaning
Of this?
Massa
Tis poison surely that he takes.
Scip.
Restraine him.
Han.
'Tis too late.
Prus.
Call our Physitians.
Han.
All helpe is vaine as your conspiracy.
It was no juggling sop to wrap the senses
In slumbers like death, 
Colches never yeelded
A juyce more banefull. I went still prepar'd
Thus to o'recome your malice; which discover'd,
My death beares me above it.
Scip.
Why should 
Hannibal
From the weake warrant of a bare suspition
Be guilty of such barbarousnesse! By all
The hopes I have of good mens loves, or memory
'Mongst their true valuing of desert, I ever
Restrain'd m'uncertaine thoughts their liberty
From being busie 'bout betraying 
Hanniball
By any practise honour might not father,
And gladly call his owne.
Han.

[Page]Perswade thy flatterers
To credit it: Those that would deifie
The vertues in thy booke, not of thy mind.
Practice hath taught me how to read mens soules.
Doe not I know then thy hypocrisie
Plasters the wounded credit of thy act!
But if thou healst it, there will be a scarre
To shew posterity that what thou didst
Was full of base corruption.
Scip.
Thou didst much
Lessen thy selfe in thy first feare; and now
By the ill-grounded jealousie of my vertue
Wilt make thy owne taxt. From this 
Paedia
I have beene truely morall; th'institutions
Have beene my guides in every action
Which I did either as a man, or Prince.

Cyrus himselfe, to whom they were directed,
Pursu'd them not so strictly as I have.
Breath not thy soule forth then 'till thou art satisfy'd
Of my true innocence: for if thou dy'st
In thy suspition, be assur'd it will
Disturbe thy peace hereafter, and thy ashes,
As the pile hallows them, will fright thy ghost
With shapes of the dishonour thou unjustly
Would lay on 
Scipio.
Han.
Tell thy Philosophers
The earth hath not a center; that the day
Is not illumin'd by the Sunne; that fire
Is colder than the ever-frozen rocks
That beare the North-end of th'earths Axeltree:
When they allow these paradoxes, I
Will credit 
Scipio. Worke on thou brave minister
Of my last victory over my selfe.
Quench thy unnaturall flames with my scortcht bowels.
Now thou hast met a heat, which joyn'd to thine
Makes all the frame like the bright forge, whence 
Jove
Hath his artillery. My heatt, my heart;


[Page] Quench it 
Eridanus: but it would dry
Thy waters up. I'm wrapt in greater fires
Then the rash boy thou choak'st. Would this were 
Oeta;
That like the furious Thebane I might build
Mine owne pile, and the flame as it ascends
Transforme it selfe into a constellation;
Or fixe ith' upper region of the ay re
Like a perpetuall comet to fright 
Rome
With his prodigious light. Me thinkes an earthquake
Totters the aged fabrick that so long
Hath borne me on't, and the divided poles
Embrace to kisse each other. An inversion
Of natures order shall attend the fate
Of dying 
Hannibal. So Okes eradicated
By a prodigious whirlwind, teare the earth
Through which their large rootes spread themselves.
No lesse then the whole world to be my grave.
Scip.
He's dead: with him my glory. 
Scipio's acts (Ile have 
Dy's.
Havenot another object worthy them,
Or his attempts.
Him.
Fame breake thy trumpet now;
Deafe thy wide eares, and silence all thy tongues
Since he's dead, who with his actions wont
To ympe new feathers to thy broken wings,
And make thee sligh a pitch above the reach
Of common eyes.
Prus.
Left that my honour suffer
In the suspition of betraying him,
I will provide a lasting monument,
And fixe his statue on't.
Scip.
You 
Massanissa
Ile see establisht in your Kingdome. 
Carthage
Thy base ingratitude to him, whose merit
But justly challeng'd all that thou could'st owne
Shall teach me a prevention. Solitude
Is the souies best companion. At 
Linturnum
My Country 
Villa I will terminate


[Page] My after life free from mens flatteries,
And feare of their leane envie. He that suffers
Prosperity to swell him 'bove a meane,
Like those impressions in the ayre, that rise
From dunghill vapours, scatter'd by the wind,
Leaves nothing but an empty fame behind.

The Epilogue by Scipio.Our strife is ended: yet in ones I spy
Peace smile, and warre frowne in anothers eye.
Being victorious I must not submit
To a dislike. Rather to him that writ
Our story, gratefully I would allow
One leafe of Lawrell torne from mine owne brow.
And with their faire opinion of it these
May make it a full Garland if they please.

FINIS.

[Page]

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