Asd. Tush, Hanno! let me prosper, let routs prate;
My power shall force their silence or my hate.
I scorn their idle malice: men of weight
Know, he that fears envy let him cease to reign;
The people’s hate to some hath been their gain.
For howsoe’er a monarch feigns his parts,
Steal anything from kings but subjects’ hearts.
Enter Carthalon leading in bound Gelosso.
Car. Guard, guard the camp!—make to the trench!—stand firm!
Asd. The gods of boldness with us!—how runs chance?
Car. Think, think how wretched thou canst be, thou art; 50
Short words shall speak long woes.
Gel. Mark, Asdrubal.
Car. Our bloody plot to Massinissa’s ear
Untimely by this lord was all betrayed.
Gel. By me it was; by me, vile Asdrubal;
I joy to speak’t.
Asd. Down, slave!
Gel. I cannot fall.