 | Boadicia |  |
SCENE the Fourth.
Dumnorix, Ebrancus, Tenantius and Trinobantians.Dumnorix.
Well, my brave friends, what tidings?
Ebrancus.
Through thy quarter
With weary steps, and mourning, have we travers'd
A silent desart of unpeopled tents
Quite to the distant station of th'Icenians.
Their chiefs we found in council round their queen;
The multitude was arming: twenty thousand
Were yet remaining, and unhurt by war,
Unlike our Trinobantians, who, unaided,
The fatal onset bore. Those huge battalions,
Which Rome so dreaded, are alas! no more.
Dumnorix.
Be not dejected. Far the greater part,
Are fled for shelter to their native roofs,
And will rejoin us, when with force repair'd
We may dispute our island still with Rome.
But have you gain'd access to Boadicia?
Ebrancus.
We have.
Dumnorix.
What said she?
45
She approv'd thy counsel
Dumnorix.
You told her then my purpose to retreat
Through yonder forest.
Ebrancus.
To herself alone
We told it.
Dumnorix.
I commend you. You have sav'd us
A conference, both needless and unpleasing.
Ebrancus.
She further bade us note, how all th'Icenians
Were then in arms, and ready to advance.
Dumnorix.
Return, and tell her, (let thy phrase, Ebrancus,
Be soft and humble) e're two hours be wasted,
We must begin our march. Do you explore
[To the other Trinobantians.
The secret passage, and with winged haste
Bring back your tidings. Thou, Tenantius, wait.
| Boadicia | |