Cassilanes

Way for the Senate.

Enter Porphycio, Possenne, (three Senators) Gonzalo, Gaspero, Souldiers

My good Lords I know not
What tax of arrogance I may incurr,
Should I presume, though courted by your Favours,
To take a place amongst you; I had rather
Give proof of my unfeign'd humility
By force, though mean, yet more becoming place,
Than run the hazard of a doubtful censure.

Possenne

My Lord, your wisdom is both known and try'd;
We cannot rank you in a nobler Friendship
Than your great service to the State deserves.

Porphycio

Will't please you, Sir?

Gonzalo

What's here, my Lord Porphycio?
It must not be.

Porphycio

My Lord, you are too modest.

Gonzalo

It is no season to be troublesome,
Else--but I have done: your Lordships are observ'd.

Gaspero

Is the demandant ready?

Arcanes

He is ready.

Gaspero

Produce him then.

Arcanes

Before this sacred presence,
I, by a general consent, am made
The Souldiers voice, and to your gracious Wisedoms,
Present as chief in Arms, his Countries Champion,
Cassilanes.

Decius

Most reverend Lords, you hear the lesser number
Of those who have been Guardians to this Country,
Approve this Champion; I, in all their names,
Who fought for Candy, here present before you
The mightiest man in Arms, Antinous.
Speak fellow Souldiers.

Souldiers

Antinous, Antinous.

Gaspero

Stand by all, save the two Competitors.

Possenne

My Lords, how much your Countrey owes you both,
The due reward of your desertful glories
Must to Posterity remain: but yet
Since, by our Law, one only can make claim
To the proposed honours which you both
(It seems) have truly merited, take leave
Freely to plead your rights; we shall attend ye.

Porphycio

Wherein priority of voice is granted,
Lord Cassilanes to you; for that your rare
And long experience in the Course of War,
As well doth challenge it as the best priviledge
Of Order and Civility, for that
You are your brave Opponents worthy Father.
Say, Country-men, are you content?

Souldiers

I, I.

Cassilanes

Right grave, right gracious Fathers; how unfit
It is for me, that all my life time have
Been practis'd in the School of Bloud, and Slaughter
To bandy words now in my lifes last farewel,
Your Wisedomes will consider; were there pitcht
Another, and another field, like that
Which, not yet three days since, this Arm hath scatter'd,
Defeated, and made nothing, then the man
That had a heart to think he could but follow
(For equal me he should not) through the lanes
Of danger and amazement, might in that
That only of but following me, be happy,
Reputed worthy to be made my Rival;
For 'tis not, Lords, unknown to those about me,
(My fellow Souldiers) first, with what a confidence
I led them on to fight, went on still, and
As if I could have been a second Nature,
As well in heartening them by my example,
As by my exhortation, I gave life
To quicken courage, to inflame revenge,
To heighten resolution; in a word,
To out-doe action: It boots not to discover,
How that young man, who was not fledg'd nor skill'd
In Martial play, was even as ignorant
As childish: But I list not to disparage
His non-ability: The signal given
Of Battel, when our enemies came on,
(Directed more by fury, than by warrant
Of Policy and Stratagem) I met them,
I in the fore-front of the Armies met them;
And as if this old weather-beaten body
Had been compos'd of cannon-proof, I stood
The volleys of their shot. I, I my self
Was he that first dis-rankt their woods of Pikes:
But when we came to handy-stroaks, as often
As I lent blows, so often I gave wounds,
And every wound a death. I may be bold
To justifie a truth, this very sword
Of mine slew more than any twain besides:
And, which is not the least of all my glorie,
When he, this young man, hand to hand in fight,
Was by the General of the Venetians,
And such as were his retinue, unhors'd,
I stept between, and rescu'd him my self,
Or horses hoofs had trampled him to dirt;
And whilst he was re-mounting, I maintain'd
The combate with the gallant General,
Till having taken breath, he throng'd before me,
Renew'd the fight, and with a fatal blow,'
Stole both that honour from me, and his life
From him, whom I before my self alone,
Had more than full three quarters kill'd: a man
Well worthy only by this hand to have dy'd,
Not by a Boys weak push: I talk too much,
But 'tis a fault of age: If to bring home
Long peace, long victorie, even to your Capitol;
If to secure your Kingdom, wives, and children,
Your lives and liberties; if to renown
Your honours through the world, to fix your names,
Like Blazing stars admir'd, and fear'd by all
That have but heard of Candy, or a Cretan,
Be to deserve the approvement of my man-hood,
Then thus much have I done: what more, examine
The annals of my life; and then consider
What I have been, and am. Lords I have said.

Gonzalo

With reverence to the Senate, is it lawfull,
Without your Customes breach, to say a word?

Possenne

Say on my Lord Gonzalo.

Gonzalo

I have heard,
And with no little wonder, such high deeds
Of Chivalrie discours'd, that I confess,
I do not think the Worthies while they liv'd
All nine, deserv'd as much applause, or memorie,
As this one: But who can do ought to gain
The crown of honour from him, must be somewhat
More than a man; you tread a dangerous path,
Yet I shall hear you gladly: for believe me,
Thus much let me profess, in honours cause,
I would not to my Father, nor my King,
(My Countries Father) yield: if you transcend
What we have heard, I can but only say,
That Miracles are yet in use. I fear
I have offended.

Porphycio

You have spoken nobly.
Antinous use your priviledge.

Antinous

Princely Fathers,
E're I begin, one suit I have to make,
'Tis just, and honourable.

Porphycio Possenne

Speak, and have it.

Antinous

That you would please the souldiers might all stand
Together by their General.

Possenne

'Tis granted.
All fall to yonder side: Go on, Antinous.

Antinous

I shall be brief and plain: all what my Father
(This