University of Virginia Library

Scene XVII.

—A group of palm-trees in a sandy plain between Zama and Adrumetum. Underneath them is a tent, in front of which sits an aged Hermit.
Enter Hannibal, Adherbal, and a small body of horsemen.
Han.
Take heart, my faithful friends! We will rest here
A moment in the shade. [Dismounting.]
Old man, I greet thee.

Her.
Mine eyes are somewhat dim—what men be you?

Han.
The brightness of our arms is veiled in dust,
Or doubtless, friend, you would have guessed us soldiers.
You have a well, and we are very thirsty,
For we have ridden far. Have you food here?

Her.
No, not a morsel, I'm very old,
And shall not want it long.

Han.
Dismount, dear friends.
Adherbal, thou wilt live for me and Carthage?

Adh.
For whom but thee, then, have I lived so long?

Her.
Methinks I have been dreaming many a day.
Did not a mighty army pass by once?
Methought I saw their spears shine in the distance,
And heard the brazen rattle of their arms.

Han.
We are that army.

A Sold.
Hast thou ever heard,
Old father, of a certain Hannibal?

Her.
If I have heard the name, I have forgotten.

Han.
Alack! 'tis not the time now to remind him.
How far is't, pray thee, friend, to Adrumetum?

Her.
A long day's journey.

Adh.
[Starting up from the ground.]
Bid the trumpets blow!

Han.
The sun has smit his brain. His day is over.
[They surround him and support him as he falls again.]
Know'st thou me, friend?

An Off.
Alas, not even thee!—
He speaks again—can you hear what he says?

Adh.
The battle is not lost!—It is not true
That Hannibal is slain!—Oh, where's Maharbal?

Han.
Soon shalt thou join him, martial spirit!

Adh.
Come!
We march to Rome.

[Dies.]
Han.
'Tis over.

A Sold.
Yet one more
Left by the wayside!

Another.
We would weep for him,
But Zama sears our hearts.

Another.
We need not weep—
We still have thee.

Han.
Now fare thee well, my friend!
I shall have time to mourn thee. Make for him
A soldier's grave. We cannot dig so deep
But 'twill be shallow to that deeper grave
Our long regret shall hollow in our hearts.
[They bury the corpse.]
Now mount again, my friends, and let's be going.

[All mount and exeunt.