Page:Cato, a tragedy (Addison, 1712).djvu/54

 SCENE III.

Enter and.

Luc.Sure 'twas the clash of swords; my troubled heart Is so cast down, and sunk amidst its sorrows, It throbs with fear, and akes at every sound. O Marcia, should thy brothers for my sake! I die away with horror at the thought.

Marc.See, Lucia, see! here's blood! here's blood! and murder! Hah! a Numidian! Heav'ns preserve the Prince: The face lies muffled up within the garment. But hah! death to my sight! a diadem, And purple robes! O gods! 'tis he, 'tis he! Juba the lovliest youth that ever warm'd A virgin's heart, Juba lies dead before us!

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

Marc.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 distracted!

Luc.What can I think or say to give thee comfort?

Marc.Talk not of comfort, 'tis for lighter ills: Behold a sight that strikes all comfort dead.

Enter, listening. I will indulge my sorrows, and give way To all the pangs and fury of despair; That man, that best of men, deserv'd it from me.

Jub.What do I hear? and was the false Sempronius That best of men? Oh, had I fall'n like him, And could have thus been mourn'd, I had been happy.

Luc.Here will I stand, companion in thy woes, And help the with my tears, when I behold A loss like thine, I half forgot my own.

Marc.'Tis not in fate to ease my tortur'd breast, This empty world, to me a joyless desart, Has nothing left to make poor Marcia happy.

Jub.I'm on the rack! was he so near her heart! Marc.