Page:The Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets, Volume 2.djvu/399

 "Sempronius is, it seems, to pass for Juba in full day at Cato's house, where they were both so very well known, by having Juba's dress and his guards; as if one of the marshals of France could pass for the duke of Bavaria, at noon-day at Versailles, by having his dress and liveries. But how does Syphax pretend to help Sempronius to young Juba's dress? Does he serve him in a double capacity, as general and master of his wardrobe? But why Juba's guards? For the devil of any guards has Juba appeared with yet. Well!, though this is a mighty politick invention, yet, me thinks, they might have done without it: for, since the advice that Syphax gave to Sempronius was, To hurry her away by manly force, in my opinion, the shortest and likeliest way of coming at the lady was by demolishing, instead of putting on an impertinent disguise to circumvent two or three slaves. But Sempronius, it seems, is of another opinion. He extols to the skies the invention of old Syphax: Semp. Heavens! what a thought was there! Now,