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Por. O Lucia! language is too faint to show His rage of love; it preys upon his life; He pines, he sickens, he despairs, he dies: His passions and his virtues lie confus'd, And mixt together in so wild a tumult, That the whole man is quite disfigured in him. Heavens! would one think 'twere possible for love

To make such ravages in a noble soul? O Lucia! I'm distrest; my heart bleeds for him : [sence, Ev'n now, while thus I stand blest in thy preA secret damp of grief comes o'er my thoughts, And I'm unhappy, tho' thou smil'st upon me. Luc. How wilt thou guard thy honor in the shock [Portius, Of love and friendship? Think betimes, my Think how the nuptial tie, that might ensure Our mutual bliss, would raise to such a height Thy brother's griefs, as might perhaps destroy him.

Por. Alas, poor youth! what dost thou think, my Lucia?

His gen'rous, open, undesigning heart
Has begg'd his rival to solicit for him:
Then do not strike him dead with a denial;
But hold him up in life, and cheer his soul
With the faint glimm'ring of a doubtful hope:
Perhaps when we have passed those gloomy

hours

And weather'd out the storm that beats about

us

Luc. No, Portius, no: I see thy sister's tears, Thy father's anguish, and thy brother's death, In the pursuit of our ill-fated loves:

And, Portius, here I swear, to heaven I swear, To heaven and all the powers that judge mankind,

Never to mix my plighted hands with thine, While such a cloud of mischiefs hang about us, But to forget our loves, and drive thee out From all my thoughts as far-as I am able. Por. What hast thou said? I'm thunderstruck-recall

Those hasty words, or I am lost for ever.

Luc. Has not the vow already pass'd my lips? The gods have heard it and 'tis seal'd in heaven. May all the vengeance that was ever pour'd On perjur'd heads o'erwhelm me if I break it! Por. Fix'd in astonishment, I gaze upon thee, Like one just blasted by a stroke from heaven, Who pants for breath, and stiffens, yet alive, In dreadful looks; a monument of wrath!

Luc. At length I've acted my severest part:

I feel the woman breaking in upon me,
And melt about my heart; my tears will flow.
But O! I'll think no more! the hand of fate
Has torn thee from me, and I must forget thee.
Por. Hard-hearted, cruel maid!
Luc. O stop those sounds, [upon me?
Those killing sounds! Why dost thou frown
My blood runs cold, my heart forgets to heave,
And life itself goes out at thy displeasure.
The gods forbid us to indulge our loves;
But Ŏ! I cannot bear thy hate and live.

Por. Talk not of love, thou never knew'st I've been deluded, led into a dream [its force. Of fancied bliss. O Lucia, cruel maid! [sounds Thy dreadful vow, loaden with death, still In my stunn'd ears. What shall I say or do? Quick let us part! Perdition's in thy presence, And horror dwells about thee!-Ha! she faints! Wretch that I am, what has my rashness done! Lucia, thou injur'd innocence! thou best And loveliest of thy sex! awake, my Lucia, Or Portius rushes on his sword to join thee.

Her imprecations reach not to the tomb, They shut not out society in death-But, ah! she moves, life wanders up and down Through all her face, and lights up ev'ry charm. Luc. O Portius, was this well-to frown on

her

That lives upon thy smiles? to call in doubt
The faith of one expiring at thy feet,
That loves thee more than ever woman lov'd?
-What do I say? My half-recover'd sense
Forgets the vow in which my soul is bound.
Destruction stands betwixt us; we must part.
Por. Name not the word; my frighted

thoughts run back,

And startle into madness at the sound. Luc. What wouldst thou have me do? Consider well

The train of ills our love would draw behind it. Think, Portius, think thou seest thy dying brother [blood,

Stabb'd at his heart, and all besmear'd with Storming at heaven and thee! Thy awful sire Sternly demands the cause, th' accursed cause, That robs him of his son: poor Marcia trembles,

Then tears her hair, and, frantic in her griefs, Calls out on Lucia. What could Lucia answer, Or how stand up in such a scene of sorrow?

Por. To my confusion, and eternal grief, I must approve the sentence that destroys me. The mist that hung about my mind clears up; And now, athwart the terrors that thy vow Has planted round thee, thou appear'st more More amiable, and risest in thy charms. [fair, Loveliest of women! Heaven is in thy soul; Beauty and virtue shine for ever round thee, Brightening each other! Thou art all divine. Luc. Portius, no more; thy words shoot through my heart,

Melt my resolves, and turn me all to love. Why are those tears of fondness in thy eyes? Why heaves thy heart? why swells thy soul

with sorrow?

It softens me too much-farewell, my Portius; Farewell, though death is in the word-forever!

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Luc. If the firm Portius shakes To hear of parting, think what Lucia suffers! Por. 'Tis true, unruffled and serene I've met The common accidents of life; but here Such an unlook'd-for storm of ills falls on me, It beats down all my strength. I cannot bear it. We must not part.

Luo. What dost thou say? not part! Hast thou forgot the vow that I have made? Are there not heavens, and gods, that thunder o'er us?

-But see, thy brother Marcus bends this way; I sicken at the sight. Once more farewell; Farewell, and know thou wrong'st me if thou

think'st

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Por. What wouldst thou have me say? Marc. What means this pensive posture? Thou appear'st

Like one amaz'd and terrified.

Por. I've reason.

[ordered thoughts Marc. Thy down-cast looks and thy disTell me my fate. I ask not the success My cause has found.

Por. I'm griev'd I undertook it. [my heart, Marc. What! does the barbarous maid insult My aching heart, and triumph in my pains? That I could cast her from my thoughts for ever! [griefs; Por. Away, you're too suspicious in your Lucia, though sworn never to think of love, Compassionates your pains, and pities you. Marc. Compassionates my pains, and pities

me!

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Marc. O, for some glorious cause to fall in

battle!

Cato's life

Lucia, thou hast undone ine; thy disdain [ease. Has broke my heart: 'tis death must give me Por. Quick, let us hence. Who knows if [heart Stands sure? O Marcus, I am warm'd, my Leaps at the trumpet's voice, and burns for glory. [Exeunt.

Enter Sempronius with the Leaders of the Mutiny

Sem. At length the winds are rais'd, the Be it your care, my friends, to keep it up storm blows high : In its full fury and direct it right, Till it has spent itself on Cato's head. Meanwhile I'll herd among his friends, and

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1st Leader. We are all safe, Sempronius is our friend.

Sempronius is as brave a man as Cato.
But hark! he enters. Bear up boldly to him;
Be sure you beat him down and bind him fast.
This day will end our toils and give us rest;
Fear nothing, for Sempronius is our friend.
Re-enter Sempronius, with Cato, Lucius, Per-
tius, and Marcus.
[war

Cato. Where are these bold intrepid sons of That greatly turn their backs upon the foe, And to their general send a brave defiance? Sem. Curse on their dastard souls, they stand astonish'd.

[Aside.

Cato. Perfidious men! And will you thus

dishonor

Your past exploits, and sully all your wars?
Do you confess 'twas not a zeal for Rome,
Nor love of liberty, nor thirst of honor,
Drew you thus far; but hopes to share the spoil
Of conquer'd towns, and plunder'd provinces ?
Fir'd with such motives, you do well to join
With Cato's foes, and follow Cæsar's banners.
Why did I 'scape th' envenom'd aspic's rage,
And all the fiery monsters of the desert,
To see this day? Why could not Cato fall
Without your guilt? Behold, ungrateful men,
Behold my bosom naked to your swords,
And let the man that's injur'd strike the blow.
Which of you all suspects that he is wrong'd,
Or thinks he suffers greater ills than Cato?
Am I distinguish'd from you but by toils,
Superior toils, and heavier weight of cares?
Painful pre-eminence!

Sem. By heavens they droop! Confusion to the villains; all is lost. [Aside. Culo. Have you forgotten Libya's burning waste, [sand, Its barren rocks, parch'd earth, and hills of Its tainted air, and all its broods of poison? Who was the first to explore th' untrodden path,

When life was hazarded in every step?
Or, fainting in the long laborious march,
When on the banks of an unlook'd-for stream

You sunk the river with repeated draughts, Who was the last in all your host that thirsted? Sem. If some penurious source by chance appear'd,

Scanty of waters, when you scoop'd it dry, And offer'd the full helmet up to Cato, Did he not dash th'untasted moisture from him? 4 Did he not lead you through the mid-day sun, And clouds of dust? Did not his temples glow, In the same sultry winds, and scorching heats? Cato. Hence, worthless men! hence! and complain to Cæsar,

..

You could not undergo the toil of war,
Nor bear the hardships that your leaders bore.
Luc. See, Cato, see the unhappy men; they
weep!

Fear and remorse and sorrow for their crime
Appear in ev'ry look, and plead for mercy.
Cato. Learn to be honest men, give up your
leaders,

And pardon shall descend on all the rest.
Sem. Cato, commit these wretches to my

care:

First let 'em each be broken on the rack;
Then with what life remains, impal'd, and left
To writhe at leisure round the bloody stake;
There let 'em hang, and taint the southern
wind.
[ence,
The partners of their crime will learn obedi-
When they look up and see their fellow traitors
Stuck on a fork, and black'ning in the sun.
Luc. Sempronius, why, why wilt thou urge
Of wretched men?
[the fate

Sem. How! wouldst thou clear rebellion? Lucius (good man) pities the poor offenders That would imbrue their hands in Cato's blood. Cato. Forbear, Sempronius!-see they suffer death,

But in their deaths remember they are men: Strain not the laws to make their tortures grie

vous.

Lucius, the base degenerate age requires
Severity and justice in its rigor:

This awes an impious, bold, offending world,
Commands obedience, and gives force to laws.
When by just vengeance guilty mortals perish,
The gods behold their punishment with plea-
And lay th' uplifted thunderbolt aside. [sure,
Sem. Cato, I execute thy will with pleasure.
Cato. Meanwhile we'll sacrifice to liberty.
Remember, O my friends, the laws, the rights,
The gen'rous plan of pow'r deliver'd down,
From age to age, by your renown'd forefathers,
(So dearly bought, the price of so much blood:)
O let it never perish in your hands!
But piously transmit it to your children.
Do thou, great Liberty, inspire our souls,
And make our lives in thy possession happy,
Or our deaths glorious in thy just defence.
[Exeunt Cato, &c.
1st Leader. Sempronius, you have acted
like yourself.

One would have thought you had been half in

earnest.

Sem. Villain, stand off! base grov'ling worthless wretches,

Mongrels in faction, poor faint-hearted traitors!

Sempronius;

2d. Lead. Nay, now you carry it too far, [friends Throw off the mask, there are none here but Sem. Know, villains, when such paltry slaves presume

To mix in treason, if the plot succeeds, They're thrown neglected by: but if it fails, They're sure to die like dogs as you shall do. Here, take these factious monsters, drag 'em To sudden death. [forth 1st Lead. Nay, since it comes to this Sem. Dispatch 'em quick! but first pluck out their tongues,

Lest with their dying breath they sow sedition. [Exeunt Guards, with the leaders. Enter Syphax.

Sy. Our first design, my friend, has prov'd
abortive:

Still there remains an after-game to play:
My troops are mounted: their Numidian steeds
Snuff up the wind and long to scour the desert:
Let but Sempronius head us in our flight,
We'll force the gate where Marcus keeps his
guard,
And hew down all that would oppose our pas-
[sage.
A day will bring us into Cæsar's camp.
Sem. Confusion! I have fail'd of half my
Marcia, the charming Marcia's left behind!
Sy. How! will Sempronius turn a woman's
slave?

purpose.

[soft Sem. Think not thy friend can ever feel the Unmanly warmth and tenderness of love. Syphax, I long to clasp that haughty maid, And bend her stubborn virtue to my passion: When I have gone thus far, I'd cast her off.

Sy. Well said! that's spoken like thyself,

Sempronius.

What hinders, then, but that thou find her out, And hurry her away by manly force?

Sem. But how to gain admission? For access Is given to none but Juba, and her brothers. Sy. Thou shalt have Juba's dress, and Juba's

guards;

The doors will open when Numidia's prince Seems to appear before the slaves that watch

them.

Sem. Heavens, what a thought is there!

Marcia's my own! How will my bosom swell with anxious joy When I behold her struggling in my arms, With glowing beauty and disorder'd charms, While fear and anger, with alternate grace, Pant in her breast and vary in her face! So Pluto, seiz'd of Proserpine, convey'd To hell's tremendous gloom th' affrighted maid, There grimly smil'd, pleas'd with the beauteous prize,

Nor envied Jove his sunshine and his skies. [Exeunt.

ACT IV.

Enter Lucia and Marcia. Luc. Now tell me, Marcia, tell me frem thy soul,

If thou believ'st 'tis possible for woman
To suffer greater ills than Lucia suffers ?

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Vent all its griefs, and give a loose to sorrow, Marcia could answer thee in sighs, keep pace With all thy woes, and count out tear for tear. Luc. I know thou art doom'd alike to be belov'd

By Juba, and thy father's friend Sempronius;
But which of these has power to charm like
Portius?

Mar. Still I must beg thee not to name
Sempronius;

Lucia, I like not that loud boist'rous man;
Juba to all the brav'ry of a hero [ness;
Adds softest love and more than feinale sweet-
Juba might make the proudest of our sex,
Any of womankind, but Marcia, happy.
Luc. And why not Marcia? Come, you
strive in vain
[too well
To hide your thoughts from one who knows
The inward glowings of a heart in love.
Mar. While Cato lives, his daughter has no
right

To love or hate, but as his choice directs.
Luc. But should this father give you, to
Sempronius ?

Mar. I dare not think he will: but if he
should-

Why wilt thou add to all the griefs I suffer
Imaginary ills, and fancied tortures?
I hear the sound of feet! they march this way!
Let us retire, and try if we can drown
Each softer thought in sense of present danger:
When love once pleads admission to our hearts,
(In spite of all the virtue we can boast)
The woman that deliberates is lost. [Exeunt.

Enter Sempronius, dressed like Juba, with
Numidian Guards.

Sem. The deer is lodg'd, I've track'd her to

her covert.

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Jub. Nay, then beware thy own, proud barbarous man!

[They fight, Sem. falls; his Guards surrender.] Sem. Curse on my stars! am I then doom'd By a boy's hand, disfigur'd in a vile [to fall Numidian dress, and for a worthless woman? Gods, I'm distracted! this my close of life! O, for a peal of thunder that would make Earth, sea, and air, and heaven, and Cato tremble. [Dies.

Jub. With what a spring his furious soul broke loose, [ground! And left the limbs still quivering on the Hence let us carry off those slaves to Cato, That we may there at length unravel all This dark design, this mystery of fate.

[Exit Juba, with Prisoners, &c. Enter Lucia and Marcia. Luc. Sure 'twas the clash of swords; my troubled heart

Is so cast down, and sunk amidst its sorrows, It throbs with fear, and aches at every sound. O Marcia, should thy brothers for my sake!I die away with horror at the thought.

Mar. See, Lucia, see! here's blood! here's blood and murder!

Ha! a Numidian! Heaven preserve the prince!
The face lies muffled up within the garment,
But hah! death to my sight! a diadem,
And royal robes! O gods! 'tis he, 'tis he;
Juba, the loveliest youth that ever warm'd
A virgin's heart, Juba lies dead before us!

Luc. Now, Marcia, call up to thy assistance Thy wonted strength and constancy of mind; Thou canst not put it to a greater trial.

Mar. Lucia, look there, and wonder at my

patience :

Have I not cause to rave, and beat my breast, To rend my heart with grief, and run dis

tracted?

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Sempronius

That best of men? O, had I fallen like him, And could have thus been mourn'd, I had been happy. [woes, Luc. Here will I stand companion in thy And help thee with my tears; when I behold A loss like thine, I shall forget my own.

Mar. 'Tis not in fate to ease my tortur'd breast.

This empty world, to me a joyless desert,
Has nothing left to make poor Marcia happy.
Jub. I'm on the rack! was he so near her

heart?

Mar. O, he was all made up of love and charins :

Whatever maid could wish or man admire ;

Delight of every eye; when he appear'd,
A secret pleasure gladden'd all that saw him;
But when he talk'd, the proudest Roman blush'd
To hear his virtues, and old age grew wise.
Jub. I shall run mad!-
Mar. O Juba! Juba! Juba!

[Aside.

Jub. What means that voice? did she not call on Juba?

Mar. Why do I think on what he was? he's dead! [him. He's dead, and never knew how much I lov'd Lucia, who knows but his poor bleeding heart, Amidst his agonies, remember'd Marcia, And the last words he utter'd call'd me cruel! Alas! he knew not, hapless youth, he knew not Marcia's whole soul was full of love and Juba! Jub. Where am I? do I live? am I indeed What Marcia thinks? All is Elysium round me! Aside.

Mar. Ye dear remains of the most lov'd of

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Jub. A wretch,

Disguis'd like Juba, on a curst design.
The tale is long, nor have I heard it out:
Thy father knows it all. I could not bear
To leave thee in the neighbourhood of death,
But flew, in all the haste of love, to find thee;
I found thee weeping, and confess this once,
Am wrapt with joy to see my Marcia's tears.
Mar. I've been surpris'd in an unguarded
hour,

But must not now go back; the love that lay Half smother'd in my breast, has broke through all

Its weak restraints, and burns in its full lustre.
I cannot, if I would, conceal it from thee.
Jub. I am lost in ecstasy: and dost thou
love,

Thou charming maid ?——

Mar. And dost thou live to ask it?

Jub. This, this is life indeed! life worth preserving.

Such life as Juba never felt till now!
Mar. Believe me, prince, before I thought
thee dead,

I did not know myself how much I lov'd thee.
Jub. O fortunate mistake!
Mar. O happy Marcia!

Jub. My joy, my best belov'd, my only wish! How shall I speak the transport of my soul! Mar. Lucia, thy arm. O, let me rest upon

it! The vital blood that had forsook my heart, Returns again in such tumultuous tides, It quite o'ercomes me. Lead to my apart

ment.

O prince, I blush to think what I have said,
But fate has wrested the confession from me.
Go on, and prosper in the paths of honor:
Thy virtue will excuse my passion for thee,
And make the gods propitious to our love.
[Exeunt Mar. and Luc.

Jub. I am so blest, I fear 'tis all a dream.
Fortune, thou now hast made amends for all
Thy past unkindness; I absolve my stars.
What though Numidia add her conquer'd towns
And provinces to swell the victor's triumph,
Juba will never at his fate repine:
Let Cæsar have the world, if Marcia's mine.
A March at a Distance.
[Exit.
Enter Cato and Lucius.
Luc. I stand astonish'd! What, the bold
Sempronius,

That still broke foremost through the crowd of patriots,

And with a hurricane of zeal transported,
And virtuous even to madness-

Cato. Trust me, Lucius,

Our civil discords have produc'd such crimes, Such monstrous crimes, I am surpris'd at nothing.

-O Lucius, I am sick of this bad world! The day-light and the sun grow painful to me. Enter Portius.

But see where Portius comes: what means this Why are thy looks thus chang'd? [haste?

Por. My heart is griev'd,

1 bring such news as will afflict my father. Cato. Has Cæsar shed more Roman blood? Por. Not so.

The traitor Syphax, as within the
square
He exercis'd his troops, the signal given,
Flew off at once with his Numidian horse
To the south gate where Marcus holds the
watch:

I saw, and call'd to stop him, but in vain:
He toss'd his arm aloft, and proudly told me,
He would not stay and perish like Sempronius.
Cato. Perfidious man! But haste, my son,
[Exit Por.

and see

Thy brother Marcus acts a Roman's part. Lucius, the torrent bears too hard upon me: Justice gives way to force; the conquer'd world Is Caesar's; Cato has no business in it.

Luc. While pride, oppression, and injustice reign, The world will still demand her Cato's presence. In pity to mankind submit to Cæsar, And reconcile thy mighty soul to life.

Cato. Would Lucius have me live to swell the number

Of Cæsar's slaves, or by a base submission Give up the cause of Rome, and own a tyrant?

Luc. The victor never will impose on Cato Ungen'rous terms. His enemies confess The virtues of humanity are Cæsar's.

Cato. Curse on his virtues! they've undone his country. Such popular humanity is treasonBut see young Juba; the good youth appears, Full of the guilt of his perfidious subjects! Luc. Alas! poor prince! his fate deserves compassion.

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