University of Virginia Library

Scæna prima.

A noyse within, Trumpets, Drums, Pistols, Shot, Swords clash, &c.
Enter Marciano, Wounded, chaffing, &c.
—Lost—By heavens—all lost,
All our hopes blasted
By Jove, without hope of recovery.
O gods, commiserate our despicable estate.
A noise within as before.
Exit hastily.
Enters again.
Oh heavens! this day were we at push of pike
For our publike liberty—Now we are at our wits end
For our private safety.—


A noyse within cry,
they fly, they fly.

[Marciano]
Harke, what a hideous noyse—this fatal day
Hath cancell'd all our former victories,
Never to be remembred—in this hour.
Our ancient splendour suffers sad ecclipse.
—They fly—They fly—Oh what a dismal word!
How unaccustom'd—Siennois to fly;
True Siennois—such as had vowed their lives.
A victime for their publike liberty,
To fly, like dust before mechanick slaves;
Such as while now never knew other armes,
Then forks or shovels—Do the gods intend
To revel in our miseries!—and prove
Strange paradoxes to the credulous world!
That abject, base, unmannag'd Varlets thus
Should overcome the Cavalry of Siena:
A thing unheard of! O! accursed wretches,
Whose too politick pates first hatcht these warres;
You are least sharers here. My Prince and I
Must suffer this reproach—I slight my wounds;
—But O! my honour lost.—I'le bear it stoutly:
—Up then my spirits, be not you dejected;
There's something yet to care for—there's no time
Now to complain: heavens know what just designes
We undertook; though with unequal success.
Wee've done what lay in humane power—Pistoia
Bear witness, where so many insolent rebells
Have found this day their sepulchre: thy fields
Can testifie how dear some sold their lives.
And thou, the Ensigne of all noble souls
Holds up his sword.
Make affidavit of this dayes behaviour.
—Now to my generous Prince, whom cruel fates
Have levell'd with my self—Him will I search,
That if my fates require my quick departure
For Stygian lakes: as in my life I've been
Eminent in his service, I may now,
Dying couragiously in his presence, have
His royal Pass-port and Testificate,
To raise my honour, and condole my fate.
Exit.