You took it from some other, who was
then Chief in repute, as you are now, and has been Perhaps as many
years deserving that Which you gain'd in a day, as I have mine.
Cassilanes:
But he was not my Father then, Antinous; Thou leav'st out that.
Antinous:
Sir, had he been your Father, He had been then immortal; for a Father
Heightens his reputation where his Son Inherits it, as when you give us
life, Your life is not diminish'd but renew'd In us when you are dead,
and we are still Your living Images.
Cassilanes:
So be thou curs'd In thy posterity, as I in thee, Dishonourable Boy; O
shall that Sun, Which not a year yet since beheld me mounted Upon a
fiery Steed, waving my Sword, And teaching this young Man to
manage Arms, That was a raw, fresh Novice in the feats Of Chivalrie,
shall that same Sun be witness Against this Brat of his Ingratitude?
Who, to eclipse the light of my renown, Can no way hope to get a
noble Name, But by the treading on his Father's Greatness; Thou wilt
not yield?
[Enter Arcanes]
Antinous:
My life, but not the prize My Sword hath purchas'd. 243]
Arcanes:
The Senate, My Lord, are here at hand, and all the Souldiers Begin to
throng about them.
Cassilanes:
Now, Arcanes, the--
Arcanes:
What, Sir?
Cassilanes:
Trifles will affront us; that Fine fighting Stripling.
Arcanes:
Let him have the shame on't; 'Please you withdraw on this side.
Cassilanes:
My great heart Was never quail'd before.
Decius:
My Lord, be confident, Let not your Father daunt you.
Arcanes:
Decius, whither Must I withdraw?
Decius:
On this side.--See, the Souldiers Attend your pleasure--courage, Sir; the
Senate.
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?
[Enter Fernando with Souldiers.]
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? 244]
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 245] 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
![](qr/6028/3.png)
Continue reading on your phone by scaning this QR Code
Tip: The current page has been bookmarked automatically. If you wish to continue reading later, just open the
Dertz Homepage, and click on the 'continue reading' link at the bottom of the page.