in Fuimus Troes (The True Trojans) — Fisher, Jasper
Metadata
Play
Fuimus Troes (The True Trojans)
Author
Fisher, Jasper
Year (catalogued)
1633
First performance
1625
Decade
1630s
Genre
History
Play type
University
Theater
at University;
Speech prefix(es)
Volus. | Vol.
Words
476
Characters
2682
Typicality
0.28 (cosine to cluster centroid)
TCP id
A00760
BritDrama no.
1890
Cluster
Cluster 21 — Old fathers & plain counsel
Important excerpts
Passages from this character's speech that contain the most distinguishing words for Cluster 21 (gar, shillings, alii, yongrave, ogenes, nat…). Matches are highlighted.
speaks the rest. Since Romulus raze by will of Jove, Have stretched their Empire wide: From Danowes banks by Tygris swift, Unto mount Atlas side: And Provinces and Nations strong. With homage endue obey. We wish that you hid in the Sea, Do likewise tribute pay. Submitting all unto our wills, For rashly aiding Gaul: And noble Lads
oar: whose Seas are paved with pearl: The Meadows richly spread with Flora's tapestry: The fields even wonder at their harvest loads. In Crystal streams the scaly nations play, Fringed all along with trembling poplar trees: The Sun in Summer loath to leave their sighed, Forgets to sleep, and glancing makes no Night. Then for
Full speech
My care and quickness shall deserve this kindness. Mean time unite, and range your scattered troops. Embark your Legions at the Iccian shore, And teach Erynnis swim, which crawled before. By me great Caesar greets the Britain state: This letter speaks the rest. Since Romulus raze by will of Jove, Have stretched their Empire wide: From Danowes banks by Tygris swift, Unto mount Atlas side: And Provinces and Nations strong. With homage endue obey. We wish that you hid in the Sea, Do likewise tribute pay. Submitting all unto our wills, For rashly aiding Gaul: And noble Lads for hostages Make ready at our call. These granted may our Friendship gain: Denied shall work your woe: Now take your choice, whither you'de find Room, as a Friend, or Foe. We saw a Paradise, whose bosom teems With silver oar: whose Seas are paved with pearl: The Meadows richly spread with Flora's tapestry: The fields even wonder at their harvest loads. In Crystal streams the scaly nations play, Fringed all along with trembling poplar trees: The Sun in Summer loath to leave their sighed, Forgets to sleep, and glancing makes no Night. Then for the men, Their statures tall and big, With blue-stained skins, and long black dangling hair Promise a barbarous fierceness. They scarce know, And much less fear our Empires might; but thus Returned defiance: Seeing your Empire's great. why should it not suffice? To covet more and more, is Tyrants usual guise. To lose what Jove you gave, you'de think it but unjust: You have your answer then: Defend this I'll we must; Which from the world cut of, and free from her first day, Hath Iron more for swords, than Gold for tributes pay. If amity, and Like fear, succour to Gaul imparts: Pardon: For this small brook could not divide our hearts. We hope the gods will help, and fortune back our Cause, Who take Arms, but to keep our lives, our Wives, and Laws. As you from Troy, so we; Our pedigree do claim: Why should the branches fight, when as the root's the same? Despise us not, because the Sea and North us close Who can no further go, must turn upon their foes. Thus rudely we conclude: Wage war, or change your will: We hope to use a lance, far better than a quill. The Ilanders consult, and sure intend Some sudden stratagem. And now the scales Poize equal day and night, when rougher Seas, And stormy Pleyads may our passage stop. Many strong Ships are built, five Legions armed Ready to launch. You'll repent anon, Your stoical apathy will relent I know. This Priest I caught within a shady grove, Devoutly kneeling at a broad Oaks foot. Now He awaits your Doom. I scorn to take advantage, Rise and Fight. Then die, as thou destrest. thrusts at him.
Plot summary
Plot — Fuimus Troes (The True Trojans)
The Romans have invaded Gaul. Caesar reaches the northern shore and thinks himself at the edge of the world, until he sees the white cliffs across the Channel: a new land to conquer. To justify a war, he sends Volusenus to make an offer of peace, expecting the Britons to refuse; Volusenus will also spy out the country in preparation for the Roman assault. News of the Roman invasion plans reaches King Cassibelan, who mobilizes his troops and allies. When Volusenus presents the terms, which require the Britons to pay tribute and send hostages, Cassibelan is advised to reject them, and does. Commius the Gaul makes a last effort to encourage him to come to terms, but is imprisoned for his pains. Caesar invades Britain, but sustains heavy casualties trying to get his troops ashore. Duke Nennius defeats Caesar in the battle, but is killed by Caesar’s poisoned sword. The celebration of the British victory is offset by Nennius’ state funeral. Cassibelan came to power by murdering a previous king and depriving his son Mandubrace of his throne. Seeking revenge, Mandubrace allies himself with Caesar, who agrees to launch a second attack on Britain. Against advice, Cassibelan decides to allow the Romans to land and face them in an inland battle. A storm wrecks forty of Caesar’s ships, and initially the Briton army has the upper hand. The tide turns after many of the British petty kingdoms switch their allegiance to Mandubrace, and Cassibelan realizes that the island will be conquered. The Romans capture a druid, who warns Caesar to concentrate on foreign wars, avoid the Senate House, and beware of Brutus, who will avenge his treatment of the British descendants of Trojan Brute. Using Commius as an intermediary, Cassibelan sues for peace. Caesar dictates terms: Mandubrace is to be restored to his birthright, Cassibelan to pay tribute to Rome, and a tower to be built in Troynovant as a monument to the conquest. With Britain part of the Roman empire, a time of universal peace comes to the world. In the sub-plot, Eulinus loves Landora, who in turn loves his kinsman Hirildas and invites him into her bed. Hirildas bribes her servant Rollano to admit Eulinus instead. At Nennius’ funeral, the two friends fall out during a bout of sword-play and Eulinus kills Hirildas. This leaves him with a problem: he will not now be able to go to bed with Landora posing as Hirildas. Stricken with grief at Hirildas’s death, Landora poisons herself, and when he hears of this Eulinus too…