BELINUS

Hail to Heavens privy Counsellors. The King. Desires your judgement of these troublesome times. Yes, if it please your Highness. First Cridous leads from the Albanian realm, Where Grampiu's ridge divides the smiling dales, Five thousand horse, and twenty thousand foot, Three thousand Chariots maned. The Brigants come Decked with blew-painted shields, twelve thousand strong. Under the conduct of Demetia's Prince, March twice three thousand, armed with Pelts and Glaues: Whom the Silures flank, eight thousand stout, Greedy of fight, born soldiers the first day, Whose gray-goose-winged shafts near flew in vain. Then Guerted mounted on a shag-hair steed, Full fifteen thousand brings, both horse and foot, Of desperate Ordovicians, whose use is To rush half naked on their foes, enraged With a rude noise of pipes. Your Province bounded with that boiling stream, Where Sabrine lovely Damsel lost her breath, And with curled-pated Humber, Neptune's heir: Affords eight thousand Cars, with hooks and sithes, And fifty thousand expert men of war: All brave Lhoegrians, armed with Pike and Spear: Each nation being distinguished into troops, With gawdy pennons flickering in the air. Beside these, Kenned is up in arms, to blunt The edge of their first furious shock. We forfeit fame, and smother victory By idle lingering: The Foe discomfited Must needs be much amazed: His Ships dismembered Do piecemeal float upon the waves: The Horse, Whose succour he expects, are beaten back By friendly winds: His Camp contracted is, A tithe of soldiers left, the rest all slain: His chief munition spent, or lost: provision, And Armies soul, but what we give, he wants. What then shall hinder to destroy their name? So none again shall venture, but our I'll Rounded with Nereus girdle may enjoy Eternal peace. Yes noble Nennius, scattered on the shore Thick lay the Latins, and the glutted stream Spews up her dead, whom death hath taught to swim, Though ignorant alive: Their flowing blood Made a new Read Sea. But those few we lost, Sweetly reposed upon their mother's breast, And wounded all before, kept in their face A warlike frown. Here is the fatal Blade. I rather judge, We should oppose his footing, Using the benefit of our natural mound. All places may be strengthened more, or less: As by last year, Discretion now may guess. The Cliffs themselves are Bulwarks strong: The Shelves And Flats refuse great ships, the coast so open, That every stormy blast may rend their cables, Put them from anchor: Suffering double war, Their men, pitched battle; and ships, naval fight. For charges, 'tis no season to dispute: Spend something, or lose all: Shall he maintain A fleet to enthral us, we detract small costs, When freedom, life, and kingdom lie at stake? For what serves Art and Engines, Mounts and Trenches, But to correct the nature of a plain? A few on firm land may keep out a million, Weakened by sea, false footing, billows rage, And ponderous rage. When as received within, He prospers by our spoil; We feed a Viper: And malcontents and rebels have a refuge. Nor were it safe, to venture all at once: When one fought field being lost, swift ruin runs And rushing throws down all. Your will commands, and mine obeys. Exeunt. Yet would our tributary Kings had succoured! We are decayed they much in number grown, And surely will make head again. Yes, when Britain's led, and Mandubrace insulting With naked sword calls on the lagging soldiers: When fierce Androgeus with revolted nations, Usher his army. No way half so quick To ruinate kingdoms, as by homebred strife. Thus while we single fight, we perish all. Nay, rather first lets parley for peace. No mediator is so fit as Comius: And here's the man. Here comes my Belgic friend, Landora's servant: What news, Rollano, that thy feet so strive To have precedence of each other? Speak, I read disturbed passion on thy brow. The King and army do expect as much: That powers divine perfumed with odours sweet, And feasted with the fat of Bulls and Rams; Be pleased to bless their plots. Renowned Cassibelane, might my counsel speak!