TO THE GENERAL READER.

K

NOW, that I have not laboured in this
Poeme, to tye my selfe to relate any

thing as an historian, but to inlarge

every thing as a poet. To transcribe authors, quote authorities, and translate Latine prose Oratione into English blank verse, hath, in this subject, been the least ayme of my studies. Then (equall Reader) peruse me with no prepared dislike; and, if ought shall displease thee, thanke thy selfe; if ought shall please thee, thanke not me: for I confesse in this it was not my onely end.

A

TARGUMENTUM.

GRATEFULL hearts just height: ingratitude;

And vowes base breach with worthy shame pursude;

A womans constant love as firme as fate ;
A blamelesse counsellor well borne for state;
The folly to inforce free love. These know,
This subject with full light doth amply show.

MASSINISSA,

SYPHAX,

INTERLOCUTORES.

} Kings of Lybia, rivalls for SOPHONISBA.

ASDRUBALL, Father to SOPHONISBA.

GELOSSO, a Senator of Carthage.

BYTHEUS, a Senator of Carthage.

HANNO MAGNUS, Captaine for Carthage.

JUGURTH, MASSINISSA's Nephew.

THE TRAGEDIE

OF

SOPHONISBA.

PROLOGUS.

¶ Cornets sound a march.

¶ Enter at one doore the PROLOGUE, two Pages with torches, ASDRUBALL and JUGURTH, two Pages with lights, MASSINISSA leading SOPHONISBA, ZANTHIA bearing SOPHONISBAS traine, ARCATHIA and NICEA, HANNO and BYTHEAS: at the other doore two Pages with targets and javelins, two Pages with lights, SYPHAX arm'd from top to toe, VANGUE followes.

T These, thus entred, stand still, whilst the PROLOGUE, resting betweene both troupes, speakes.

T

HE sceane is Lybia, and the subject thus:
Whilst Carthage stood the onely awe of Rome,
As most imperiall seate of Lybia,

Govern'd by statesmen, each as great as kings (For seventeene kings were Carthage feodars); Whilst thus shee flourisht, whilst her Hanniball

Made Rome to tremble, and the walles yet pale:
Then in this Carthage Sophonisba liv'd,

The farre fam'd daughter of great Asdruball :
For whom ('mongst others) potent Syphax sues,
And well-grac'd Massinissa rivalls him,
Both princes of proud scepters: but the lot
Of doubtfull favour Massinissa grac'd,

At which Syphax growes blacke: for now the night
Yeelds lowd resoundings of the nuptiall pompe :
Apollo strikes his harpe: Himen his torch,
Whilst lowring Juno, with ill-boading eye,
Sits envious at too forward Venus: loe,

:

The instant night and now yee worthier minds,
To whom wee shall present a female glory
(The wonder of a constancie so fixt,
That fate it selfe might well grow envious),
Be pleas'd to sit, such as may merit oyle,
And holy deaw, still'd from diviner heat :
For rest thus knowing, what of this you heare,
The Author lowly hopes, but must not feare:
For just worth never rests on popular frowne,
To have done well is fayre deeds onely crowne.

Nec se quæsiverit extra.

Cornets sound a march.

The Prologue leades Massinissas troupes over the stage, and departs Syphax troups onely stay.

ACTUS PRIMUS.

Sy.

S

SCENA PRIMA.

T SYPHAX and VANGUE.

YPHAX, Syphax! why wast thou curst a king?

What angry god made thee so great, so
vile ?

Contemn'd, disgraced; think, wert thou a slave,
Though Sophonisba did reject thy love,
Thy low neglected head unpoynted at,
Thy shame unrumour'd, and thy suite unscoft,

Might yet rest quiet. Reputation,

Thou awe of fooles and great men: thou that choakst
Freest addictions, and mak'st mortalls sweat

Blood and cold drops in feare to lose, or hope

To gaine thy never certaine seldome worthy gracings.
Reputation!

Wert not for thee, Syphax could beare this scorne,
Not spouting up his gall among his bloud
In blacke vexations: Massinissa might
Injoy the sweets of his preferred graces
Without my dangerous envie or revenge :