 | Boadicia
|  |
|
SCENE the eighth.
Dumnorix, Ebrancus, Trinobantians, and Tenantius.
Dumnorix.
Hark! we are summon'd.
Tenantius.
Ev'ry band is form'd.
The Romans too in close arrangement stand.
Dumnorix.
You, warriors, destin'd to begin the onset,
My Trinobantians, it is time to seek
Th'embattled foe. And you, all-judging gods,
Look down benignant on a righteous cause!
Indeed we cannot give you, like the Romans,
A proud and sumptuous off'ring; we abound not
In marble temples, or in splendid altars:
Yet though we want this vain, luxurious pomp,
Rough though we wander on the mountain's head,
Through the deep vale, and o'er the craggy rock,
We still demand your favour; we can shew
Hands, which for justice draw th'avenging steel,
Firm hearts, and manners undebas'd by fraud.
To you, my dauntless friends, what need of words?
Your cities have been sack'd, your children slain,
Your wives dishonour'd; lo! on yonder hills
You see the spoilers; there the ruffians stand:
Your hands are arm'd; then follow, and revenge.
| Boadicia
| |
|
