The Laws of Candy | Page 4

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 246] 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 247] 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 Countries Patron) hath discours'd, is true. Fellows in Arms: speak you, is't true?
Souldiers:
True, true.
Antinous:
It follows, that the blaze of my performance Took light from what I saw him do: and thus A City (though the flame be much more dreadfull) May from a little spark be set on fire; Of all what I have done, I shall give instance Only in three main proofs of my desert. First I sought out (but through how many dangers My Lords judge ye) the chief, the great Commander, The head of that huge body, whose proud weight Our Land shrunk under, him I found and fought with, Fought with, and slew. Fellows in Arms, speak you, Is't true or not?
Souldiers:
True, true.
Antinous:
When he was faln, The hearts of all our adversaries Began to quail, till young Fernando, son To the last Duke of Venice gather'd head, And soon renew'd the field, by whose example The bold Venetians doubling strength and courage Had got the better of the day; our men Supposing that their adversaries grew Like Hydra's head, recoyle, and 'gan to flye: I follow'd them; and what I said, they know; The summe on't is; I call'd them back, new rankt them; Led on, they follow'd, shrunk not t[i]ll the end: Fellows in Arms is't true, or no?
Souldiers:
True, true.
Antinous:
Lastly, to finish all, there was but one, The only great exploit; which was to take Fernando prisoner, and that hand to hand In single fight I did: my self without The help of any arm, save the arm of Heaven. Speak Souldiers, is it true, or no? 248]
Souldiers:
Antinous, Antinous.
Antinous:
Behold my prisoner, Fathers.
Fernando:
This one man Ruin'd our Army, and hath glorifi'd Crete in her robes of mightiness and conquest.
Possenne:
We need not use long circumstance of words, Antinous thou art conquerer: the Senate, The souldiers, and thy valour have pronounc'd it.
All:
Antinous, Antinous.
Porphycio:
Make thy demand.
Cassilanes:
Please ye (my Lords) give leave That I may part.
Possenne:
No Cassilane, the Court Should therein be dishonour'd, do not imagin We prize your presence at so slight a rate. Demand, Antinous.
Antinous:
Thus (my Lords) to witness How far I am from arrogance, or thinking I am more valiant, though more favour'd Than my most matchless father, my demand is, That for a lasting memorie of his name, His deeds, his real, nay his royal worth, You set up in your Capitol in Brass My Fathers Statue, there to stand for ever A Monument and Trophy of his victories, With this Inscription to succeeding ages, Great Cassilanes, Patron of Candy's Peace, Perpetual Triumpher.
Porphycio Possenne:
It is granted. What more?
Antinous:
No more.
Cassilanes:
How Boy?
Gonzalo:
Thou art immortal, Both for thy