University of Virginia Library

SCÆNA VII.

To them Archidamus, Theagines, Meleager.
Arch.
How doe your Workes goe on. Theagines?
Are they of Height and Strength enough to keepe
Us from th'Assaults oth' Enemy, untill
Our other Forces come?

Theag:
Unlesse we should
Like th'Ancient Gyants, who invaded Heaven,
Pile Hils on Hils, or compasse in our selves
With Mountaines heap't on Mountaines, Sir, we cannot
Immure our selves with more Defences, or
Raise Guards more strong, or more Impregnable.
That which was er'st a Champion Feild is now
A perfect Fort. If they have winged Horses,
Or feather'd Breed of Pegasus, and can
Be a flying Army in the Aire, or give
Us battle from the Clouds, there is some feare
They may surprize us; But by th'common way
Of Battery by Rammes, or Engines, They
As well may beseige Rockes, or strive to make
Their Souldiers scale Towers.

Arch.
And have you Meleager
Made true Discovery of their Campe?

Mel.
It seemes
They meane to make the plaine beyond next Hill,
The Scene oth' Fight. I have observ'd from thence
Their severall Quarters; Tents cast into Streets,
Painted Pavillions in the midst, and Heart
Oth' Leaguer, which show like moveable pallaces;
And vye a kinde of bravery with the Sunne,
Which shall cast, or reflect the brightest Glory.
About these in a decent order stand
A Numerous Towne of Tabernacles, of
Lesse Glitterings, which doe end in a large Suburbs
Of common souldiers Cabbins. Had they brought
Their Wives, and Temples with them, it would be
A perfect warlike City.

Arch.
You describe
The preparations of a Wedding; This
Trim show can't be intended for a fight.
Have they secur'd all this with Trenches too?
Have they Wals to their painted City?

Mel:
It seemes
They meane their number shall supply those, Sir,
Unlesse it were the Persian Army, which
Was overcome by Alexander, where
The Greekes at once fought, and beheld a Masque,
Perform'd by Ladies in gilt Chariots; And where
The Souldiers tooke Directions how to fight
From Harpes and Lutes, which play'd betweene the battles,
As betweene Acts and Entrances, I ne're read
Of any expedition which consisted
Of so much Spectacle and Number too.

Arch.
Surely Eurimedon hath rais'd these forces
To make an Entertainment for my sister,
A shout within.
And make his Conquest of the Ladies show
More sweet, and Courtly. Harke, what meanes this shout?
Go one of you, and see.

Call:
Troth, Sir, if I
Exit Neand.
May take the humble leave to speake, methinkes
You might compose this Warre by Treaty. A Preist,
In my poore judgement, Sir, might save much bloud,
And joine hands, which divided will joine battells.

Arch:
You faine would give up your Commission, Callias,
And be at Court againe.

Call:
Troth, Sir, I had
Much rather tire my selfe with dancing at
Your, and your Sisters Nuptials, then here venture
Marts on my transitory Life. Which if
It have a lease of three weekes longer, or
If providence doe spin it out a Moneth,
'Tis more then I expect. Your Father, Sir,
Must thanke you in the Elisyan Shades hereafter.
For being so pious, to preferre his will
Before your Subjects safety. If Eurymedon
Enter Neand.
Endow your Sister with your Kingdome, say
Your Court once bred a Prophet.

Arch.
Call'd a Coward.

Neand:
The Queene oth' Amazons, Sir, hearing of
Your Warres, is newly landed, and hath brought
An Army of She Archers in your Succour.
She hath before her sent two Captaines of
Her Guard, who call Themselves Embassadours; But looke
Like Nymphs sent of an Errand from the Goddesse
Of Woods and Huntings, who would have your leave,
To make Warre on your Stags, Wild Boares, and Panthers.
Looke here they come, Sir.