Sy. Offence?
Not, Sophonisba; hold, thy vow is free 50
As——come, thy lips!
So. Alas, cross misery!
As I do wish to live, I long t’enjoy
Your warm embrace; but, oh my vow, ’tis thus:
If ever my lord died, I vow’d to him
A most, most private sacrifice, before
I touch’d a second spouse. All I implore,
Is but this liberty.
Sy. This? go, obtain.
What time?
So. One hour.
Sy. Sweet, good speed, speed, adieu!—
Yet, Syphax, trust no more than thou may’st view.—
Vangue shall stay.
So. He stays.
Enter a Page, delivering a letter to Sophonisba, which she privately reads.
Sy. Zanthia, Zanthia! 60
Thou art not foul, go to; some lords are oft
So much in love with their known ladies’ bodies,
That they oft love their—Vails:[342] hold, hold, thou’st find
To faithful care kings’ bounty hath no shore.
Zan. You may do much.