Act 3 — ACT III., SCENE I.
Reading edition
Noise of ships landing, and the battle within.
Cæsar, Volusenus, Laberius, Atrius. Ensign, drums, flags.
Cæs. Our landing cost us dearly, many lives Between the ships and shore being sacrific'd: Our men, with heavy armour clogg'd, and ignorant Of all the flats and shallows, were compell'd To wade and fight, like Tritons, half above, Half under water. Now we surer tread, Though much diminish'd by so many lost. Come on, come on. [They march and go out.
Cassibelanus, Cridous, Britael, Guerthed, the four Kings of Kent, Nennius, Androgeus, Tenantius, Eulinus, Hirildas, Belinus, Rollano. Ensigns, drum. A march.
Cas. So, let them land. No matter which they choose, Fishes or crows, to be executors. They'll find the land as dangerous as the sea. The nature of our soil won't bear a Roman, As Irish earth doth poison poisonous beasts.[301] On then! charge close, before they gather head. Nen. Brother, advance. On this side I'll lead up The new-come succours of the Scots and Picts.
[They march and go out.
Cæsar, &c.
Cæs. What, still fresh supplies come thronging from their dens! The nest of hornets is awake. I think Here's nature's shop: here men are made, not born; Nor stay nine tedious months, but in a trice Sprout up like mushrooms at war's thunderclap. We must make out a way. [Exeunt.
Rollano, armed cap-a-pie.
Rol. Since I must fight, I am prepar'd to fight! And much inflam'd with noise of trump and drum: Methinks I am turn'd lion, and durst meet Ten Cæsars. Where are all these covetous rogues, Who spoil the rich for gain, and kill the poor For glory? bloodsuckers and public robbers.
[Laberius enters, Rollano retires, afraid; but being gone out, goes forward.
Rol. Nay, stay, and brag Rollano did thee kill: Stay, let me flesh my sword, and wear thy spoils.
[Laberius re-enters with an ensign.
Lab. Come, will ye forsake your ensign, and fall off? I call to witness all the gods, I here Perform my duty. Thou canst not escape.
[Rollano would fly, fights, falls as wounded.
Now die, or yield thyself! Rol. I yield, I yield! O, save my life, I yield! I am no Briton, but by chance come hither. I'll never more lift weapon in their quarrel. Lab. How may I trust your faith? Rol. Command me anything. Lab. Lay down your neck. [Treads on it. Give up your sword. [Beats him with it. Base coward, live: such foes will ne'er do hurt. [Exit.
Enter Eulinus, Androgeus, Belinus, with bloody swords.
Eul. Rollano! what, at stand? pursue the chase. Rol. I made their strongest captain fly: this hand, This martial hand, I say, did make him fly. Eul. Some silly scout! Rol. He was a match for Cyclops; at each step The ground danc'd, and his nostrils blew the dust: Arm'd as the god of battle pictur'd is. Eul. What were his looks? Rol. His brows were like a stormy winter night, When Juno scolding and Mars malcontent Disturb the air. At each look lightning flies; Jove 'gainst the giants needed but his eyes. Eul. How eloquent is fear! Rol. So came he stalking with a beam-like spear: I gave the onset, then receiv'd his charge, And next blow cleft his morion:[302] so he flies. Eul. O, bravely done! here comes a straggling soldier.
Enter Laberius.
Rol. 'Tis he, 'tis he. I care not for vain glory; It's sweeter live, than dead to be a story. [Runs away. Eul. O valiant coward, stay! There's not a spark Of Briton spirit doth enlive thy corpse. [Exeunt.