ACT III., SCENE I.

_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._