University of Virginia Library

Scen. 4.

Rhodon, Anthophotus, Acanthus.
Rho.
Since that the proud usurper Martagon
Will not restore what he hath tane away
By force and injury from Violetta,
We are resolu'd to put on lawfull armes,
To swage the pride of that great Termagant;
That of his prowesse doth so vainly vaunt.
Therefore deere friends addresse your selves to shew
Your true and faithfull fortitudes, for know
An ignominious peace may not compare,
With any iust and honourable warre.

An.
Out upon this Fabian valour,
These tedious cunctations: I tell thee Rhodon,
I must needs chide thee for our losse of time,
My troopes are all in perfect readinesse,
And long to meet their foes in open field;
If we deliberate a day longer
The edge of their valour (I feare) will be quite taken off.

Rho.
Now fie upon that valour which depends
On circumstance of time or place,
Tis relative vertue, that like glasse is brittle,
Whose force soone dyes and perfects very little,

Ac.
Now recollect thy spirits Rhodon,
Let Spartan resolution spread it selfe


Into each angle of thy noble heart.
For now our hostile forces are assembled,
Covering the fields from Ossa to Olympus.
Their painted banners with the windes are playing:
Their pamper'd coursers thunder on the plaines:
The splendor of their glistring armes repels
The bashfull sun-beames backe unto the clouds.
Their bellowing drums and trumpets shrill,
Doe many sad corrantos sound,
Which danger grim and sprawling death must dance.
Now therefore Rhodon, doe reflect thy eye
Upon the glories of thy ancestours,
And strive by emulation to transcend
Those trophies which were yet nere paralleld.

An.
Surcease this needlesse talke, let us to action,
The losse of time consisteth in protraction.

Rho.
Your noble courages, endeared friends,
A good event to our designes portends.

exeunt.