GOV. Speak, Antonio, your counsel.
ANT. Nothing.
GOV. How?
ANT. So; And could my wish obtain a sudden grant From yon tribunal, I would crave my senses Might be all steeped in Lethe, to forget What Machiavel has spoken.
MACH. Ha! it takes unto my wish.
[_Aside._
Why, Antonio?
ANT. Because you speak Not like a man, that were possess'd with a Mere soldier's heart, much less a soul guarded With subtle sinews. O madness! can there be In nature such a prodigy, so senseless, So much to be wondered at, As can applaud or lend a willing ear To that my blushes do betray? I've been Tardy to hear your childish policy.
GOV. Antonio, you're too bold; this usurp'd liberty To abuse a man of so much merit is not Seemly in you: nay, I'll term it sauciness.
ANT. Nay, then, my lord, I claim the privilege Of a councillor, and will object.
This my prophetic fear whisper'd my heart: When from a watchtow'r I beheld the French Erect their spears which, like a mighty grove, Denied my eyes any other object: The tops show'd by a stolen reflection from The sun like diamonds, or as the glorious Gilder of the day should deign a lower visit.
Then my warm blood, that used to play like Summer, felt a change; grey-bearded winter Froze my very soul, till I became, Like the Pyrenian hills, wrapp'd in a robe of ice: My arctic[18] fears froze me into a statue.
ALER. Cowardly Antonio!
FUL. I have lost my faith, And can behold him now without a wonder.
GOV. Antonio, y' are too long, and rack our patience; Your counsel?
ANT. I fear'd--but what? not our proud enemies: No, did they burthen all our Spanish world, And I, poor I, only surviv'd to threat defiance In the mounseers'[19] teeth, and stand defendant For my country's cause, naked, unarm'd, I'd through their bragging host, and pay my life A sacrifice to death for my loved country's safety.
ALER. Fulgentio, thou hast not lost Thy faith?
[_Aside._]
FUL. No, I'm reform'd; he's valiant.
[_Aside._]
GOV. Antonio, your counsel?
MACH. Ay, your counsel?
ANT. Our foes increase to an unreckon'd number; We less than nothing, since we have no hope To arrive a number, that may cope with Half their army.
'Tis my counsel we strike a league: 'Tis wisdom to sue peace, where powerful fate Threatens a ruin: lest [we] repent too late.
FUL. 'Tis god-like counsel.
[_Aside._
ALER. And becomes the tongue of young Antonio.
[_Aside._
GOV. Antonio, let me tell you, you have lost Your valiant heart; I can with safety now Term you a coward.
ANT. Ha!
GOV. Nay, more, Since by your oratory you strive To rob your country of a glorious conquest, That may to after-times beget a fear, Even with the thought should awe the trembling World, you are a traitor.
ANT. Ha! my lord! coward and traitor! 'tis a damned lie, And in the heart of him dares say't again I'll write his error.
MACH. 'Tis as I would have't.
[_Aside._
FUL. Noble Antonio!
[_Aside._
ALER. Brave-spirited lord!
[_Aside._
FUL. The mirror of a soldier!
[_Aside._
GOV. O, are you mov'd, sir? has the deserved name Of traitor prick'd you?
ANT. Deserv'd?
GOV. Yes.
MACH. Yes.
ANT. Machiavel, thou liest; hadst thou a heart Of harden'd steel, my powerful arm Should pierce it.
[_They fight all in a confused manner_: ANTONIO _kills the_ GOVERNOR, MACHIAVEL _falls_.
ALER. The governor Slain by Antonio's hand?
FUL. No, by the hand of justice; fly, fly, my lord!
ALER. Send for a chirurgeon to dress Count Machiavel: He must be now our governor; the king Signed it in the dead governor's commission.
[_Exeunt._
ANT. Now I repent too late my rash contempt: The horror of a murtherer will still Follow my guilty thoughts, fly where I will.