See him by whom now Massinissa is not.
Gisco, is’t done?
Gis. Your pardon, worthy lord,
It is not done, my heart sunk in my breast,
His virtue mazed me, faintness seized me all:
Some god’s in kings, that will not let them fall. 19
Asd. His virtue mazed thee! (umh) why now I see
Th’art that just man that hath true touch of blood,
Of pity, and soft piety. Forgive?
Yes, honour thee; we did it but to try
What sense thou hadst of blood. Go, Bytheas,
Take him into our private treasury—
[Aside to Bytheas] And cut his throat; the slave hath all betray’d.
By. —Are you assured?
Asd. —Afear’d, for this I know,
Who thinketh to buy villainy with gold,
Shall ever find such faith so bought, so sold.—
Reward him thoroughly.
[A shout; the cornets giving a flourish.
Han. What means this shout? 30
Asd. Hanno, ’tis done. Syphax’ revolt by this
Hath secured Carthage; and now his force come in,
And join’d with us, give Massinissa charge,
And assured slaughter. O ye powers! forgive,
Through rotten’st dung best plants both sprout and live;
By blood[333] vines grow.
Han. But yet think, Asdrubal,
’Tis fit at least you bear grief’s outward show;
It is your kinsman bleeds. What need men know
Your hand is in his wounds? ’Tis well in state
To do close ill, but ’void a public hate. 40