Læ. Know ’twas her father Asdrubal strook[385] off 50
His father’s head. Give place to faith and fate!
Mass. ’Tis cross to honour.
Læ. But ’tis just to state.
So speaketh Scipio. Do not thou detain
A Roman prisoner, due to this great triumph,
As thou shalt answer Rome and him.
Mass. Lælius,
We now are in Rome’s power. Lælius,
View Massinissa do a loathèd act,
Most sinking from that state his heart did keep.
Look, Lælius, look, see Massinissa weep!
Know I have made a vow, more dear to me 60
Than my soul’s endless being, she shall rest
Free from Rome’s bondage!
Læ. But dost thou forget
Thy vow, yet fresh, thus breath’d: When I desist
To be commanded by thy virtue, Scipio,
Or fall from friend of Rome, revenging gods,
Afflict me with your torture!
Mass. Lælius, enough.
Læ. Salute the Roman, tell him we will act
What shall amaze him.
Læ. Wilt thou yield her then?
Mass. She shall arrive there straight.
Læ. Best fate of men
To thee.