GELOSSO

And what decrees our very virtuous senate Of worthy Massinissa that now fights and (leaving wife and bed) bleeds in good arms For right old Carthage? So first faith's breach, adultery, murder, theft, Let me not say Gods are not. Politic Lord, speak low though heaven bears A face far from us, Gods have most long ears, Jove has a hundred marble marble hands I fear Gods only know what Poets mean. Although a stagelike passion & weak heat Full of and empty wording might suit age Know I'll speak strongly truth: Lords near mistrust That he who'le not betray a private man For his country, will near betray his country For private men; then give Gelosso faith If treachery in state be serviceable, Let hangmen do it: I am bound to lose My life but not my honour for my country; Our vow, our faith, our oath, why th'are our selves And he thats faithless to his proper self, May be excused if he break faith with princes: The Gods assist just hearts, & states that trust, Plots before Providence are tossed Like dust. For Massinissa: (Oh let me slake a little Aust discourse and feel Humanity ) Me that nkes I hear him cry. Oh fight for Carthage, Charge home, wounds smart not, for that so just so great So good a City: me thinks I see him yet Leave his fair bride even on his nuptial night To buckle on his arms for Carthage: Hark- Yet, yet, I hear him cry— Ingratitude Vile stain of man. Oh over be most far From Massinissas breast: up, march amain, Fame God with lose of breath, is godlike gain. And see by this he bleeds in doubtful fight: And cries for Carthage, while Carthage—Memory Forsake Gelosso, would I could not think: Nor hear, nor be, When Carthage is So infinitely vile: see see look here, Who speaks? what mute? fair plot: what? blush to break it? How lewd to act when so shamed but to speak it. Oh very woe man! Oh very Angel! And we shall hate faith-breakers worse then man-eaters You do me wrong as long as I can die, Doubt you that old Gelasso can be vile? States may afflict, tax, torture, but our minds Are oh ̄ lie sworn to Jove: I grieve and yet am proud That I alone am honest: high powers you know Virtue is seldom seen with troops to go. A prodigy! let nature run cross legd Ops go upon thy head, let Neptune burn Cold Saturn crack with heat for now the world Hath seen a Woman: Leap nimble lightning from Jove's ample shield And make at length, and end, the proud hight breath Of thee contemning Greatness, the huge drought Of sole self loving vast Ambition. Th'vnnaturall scorching heat of all those lamps Thou reard'st to yield a temperate fruitful heat Relentless rage whose heart hath no one drop Of humane pity: all all loudly cry Thy brand Oh Jove, for know the world is dry Oh let A general end save Carthage fame When world's do burn unseens a Cities flame. Phœbus in me is great: Carthage must fallen Jove hats all vice but vows breach worst of all. mark Asdrubal. By me, it was, by me vile Asdrubal, oy to speakt. I cannot fallen. Vile? good plot, my good plot Asdrubal. Do what thou can, Thou canst but kill a weak old honest man. Ask old Gelosso who returns from them Informed with fullest charge strong Asdrubal Great Massinissa Carthage General So speaks the Senate: counsel for this war In Hanno magnus, Bytheas, Carthalon. And us Gelosso rests: Embrace this charge You never yet dishonord. Asdrubal High Massinissa by your vows to Carthage By God of great-men Glory, fight for Carthage Ten thousand strong Massulians ready troupt Expect their King, double that number waits The leading of loud Asdrubal; beat loud Our Africa drums, and whilst our overtoiled foe Snores on his vnlacd cask, all faint though proud Through his successful fight strike fresh alarms Gods are not if they grace not bold joust arms. Of base disguise: High lights scorn not to view A true old man: up Massinissa throw The lot of battle upon Syphax troops Before he join with Carthage: then amain Make through to Scipio, he yields safe abodes Spare treachery, and strike the very Gods. My hand? my hand? rot first, wither in aged sha