Act 5 — FUIMUS TROES: THE TRUE TROJANS
Reading edition
EDITION.
Fvimvs Troes, Æneid. 2. The Trve Troianes, Being a Story of the Britaines valour at the Romanes first invasion: Publikely represented by the Gentlemen Students of Magdalen Colledge in Oxford.
Quis Martem tunicâ tectum adamantinâ Dignè scripserit?
London, Printed by I. L. for Robert Allott, and are to be sold at the signe of the Beare in Pauls-Churchyard, 1633. 4o.
INTRODUCTION
Dr Jasper Fisher, a gentleman's son, born in Bedfordshire, and entered a Commoner of Magdalen Hall in 1607, is declared by Wood[249] to be the author of this play. He afterwards took the degrees in arts, became divinity or philosophy reader of Magdalen College; rector of Wilden, Bedfordshire about 1631, and at length doctor of divinity. Besides this play he published some sermons. Oldys in his MSS. notes says he was blind. At what time he died is unknown. The title of this performance does not inform us when it was acted, nor is it spoken of as a republication.[250] Langbaine mentions no other edition but that of 1633, [nor is any other known, or believed to exist].
FOOTNOTES:
DRAMATIS PERSONÆ
Mercury. Livius, lib. 5
Fur. Camillus.
Brennus.
Julius Cæsar. Cæsar, Com. de bell. Gall., lib 4 et 5.
C. Volusenus.
Q. Laberius, alias Labienus.
Q. Atrius.
Comius Atrebas.
Cassibelanus, imperator Britannorum.
Mandubratius, princeps Trinobantum.
Cingetorix, four petty kings in Kent.
Carvilius,
Taximagulus,
Segonax,
Lud, his sons Androgeus. Galfrid Monumetensis lib. 4.
Tenantius.
Cassibelane.
Nennius.
Belinus, a chief nobleman.
Hirildas, nephew to Cassibelane.
Eulinus, nephew to Androgeus.
Cridous, king of Albania.
Britael, king of Demetia.
Guerthed, king of Ordovicia.
Names Feigned.
Lantonus, two druids, or priests.
Hulacus,
Landora, two ladies mentioned.
Cordella,
Rollano, a Belgic.
Chorus of five Bards or Poets-Laureate.
Soldiers, Shipmen, Servants.
FUIMUS TROES: THE TRUE TROJANS.
Mercury conducting the ghosts of Brennus and Camillus[251] in complete armour, and with swords drawn.
Mer. As in the vaults of this big-bellied earth Are dungeons, whips and flames for wicked ghosts; So fair Elysian fields, where spotless souls Do bathe themselves in bliss.[252] Amongst the rest,[253] Two pleasant groves by two sorts are possess'd: One by true lovers crown'd with myrtle boughs, Who hand-in-hand sing pæans of their joy: Brave soldiers hold the second, clad in steel, Whose glittering arms brighten those gloomy shades, In lieu of starry lights. From hence I bring A pair of martial imps,[254] by Jove's decree, As sticklers[255] in their nation's enmity. Furious Camillus, and, thou Briton bold, Great Brennus, sheathe your conquering blades. In vain You threaten death; for ghosts may not be slain. Bren. From the unbounded ocean and cold climes, Where Charles his wain[256] circles the Northern Pole, I first led out great swarms of shaggy Gauls And big-bon'd Britons. The white-pated Alps, Where snow and winter dwell, did bow their necks To our victorious feet: Rome, proudest Rome, We cloth'd in scarlet of patrician blood, And 'bout your Capitol pranc'd our vaunting steeds, Defended more by geese,[257] than by your gods. Cam. But I cut short your fury, and my sword Redeem'd the city, making your huge trunks To fat our crows, and dung our Latian fields. I turn'd your torrent to another coast; And what you quickly won, you sooner lost. Mer. Leave these weak brawlings. Now swift time hath spent A Pylian age and more, since you two breath'd, Mirrors of Briton and of Roman valour. Lo, now the black imperial bird doth clasp Under her wings the continent; and Mars, Trampling down nations with his brazen wheels, Fights for his nephews, and hath once more made Britons and Romans meet. To view these deeds I, Hermes, bring you to this upper sky; Where you may wander, and with ghastly looks Incite your countrymen, when night and sleep Conquer the eyes: when weary bodies rest, And senses cease,[258] be furies in their breast. Never two nations better match'd; for Jove Loves both alike. Whence then these armed bands? Mavors[259] for Rome, Neptune for Albion stands. Bren. Then let war ope his jaws as wide as hell, And fright young babes; my country-folk, more stern, Can outlook Gorgon. Let the Fates transpos'd Hang beaten flags up in the victor's land: Full dearly will each pace of ground be sold, Which rated is at dearest blood, not gold. What! are their ruin'd fanes, demolish'd walls, So soon forgot? Doth Allia yet run clear? Or can three hundred summers slake their fear? Cam. Arise, thou Julian star, whose angry beams Be heralds to the North of war and death. Let those black calends be reveng'd; those ghosts, Whose mangled sheaths, depriv'd of funeral rites, Made the six hills promise a Cadmus' crop— Be expiated with a fiery deluge. Jove rules the spheres, Rome all the world beside; And shall this little corner be denied? Mer. Bandy no more these private frowns; but haste, Fly to your parties, and enrage their minds: Till, at the period of these broils, I call And back reduce you[260] to grim Pluto's hall [Exeunt.