The Laws of Candy | Page 4

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 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