[ACT I.]

[Scene I.]

Enter Scipio[1] and Jugurtha.[2]

Scipio.

This hard and heavy task, the brunt of which
The Roman Senate gave me to sustain,

Hath brought me stress and toil to such a pitch

As quite unhinges my o'erburdened brain.

A war so long,—in strange events so rich,—

Wherein so many Romans have been slain,

Who dares presume to bring it to a close?