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 sury, than by warrant
Of Policy and Stratagem) I met them,
I in the sore 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 hoo••s 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 sight, 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 six 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.
Gonz.
With reverence to the Senate, is it lawfull,
Without your Customes breach, to say a word?
Pos.
Say on my Lord Gonzalo.
Gonz.
I have heard,
And with no little wonder, such high deeds
Of Chival••ie 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.
Porp.
You have spoken nobly.
Antinous use your priviledge.
Ant.
Princely Fathers,
E're I begin, one suit I have to make,
'Tis just, and honourable.
Porp. Poss.
Speak, and have it.
Ant.
That you would please the souldiers might all stand
Together by their General.
Poss.
'Tis granted.
All fall to yonder side: Go on, Antinous.
Ant.
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?
Ant.
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?
Ant.
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 tell the end:
Fellows in Arms is't true, or no?
Ant.
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 sight I did: my self without
The help of any arm, save the arm of Heaven.
Speak Souldiers, is it true, or no?
Sold.
Antinous, Antinous.
Ant.
Behold my prisoner, Fathers.
Fern.
This one man
Ruin'd our Army, and hath glorifi'd
Crete in her robes of mightiness and conquest.
Pos.
We need not use long circumstance of words,
Antinous thou art conquerer: the Senate,
The souldiers, and thy valour have pronounc'd it.
Cas.
Please ye (my Lords) give leave
That I may part.
Pos.
No Cassilane, the Court
Should therein be dishonour'd, do not imagin
We prize your presence at so slight a rate.
Demand, Antinous.
Ant.
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.
Por. Pos.
It is granted. What more?
Gonz.
Thou art immortal,
Both for thy Son-like pietie, and beauties
Of an unconquer'd minde.
Ant.
My Prisoner, Lords,
To your more sacred wisedoms I surrender: