Act 2 Scene 7

Saguntum, the battle field. Enter Hannibal, Hasdrubal, Mago, Carthaginian captains and troops

Senior Captain: Our scouts report of huge defences along the erect and robust city walls.

Hannibal: These Saguntines are determined for a long siege. But we are determined more to break and wear them down.

Hasdrubal: Saguntines shallst feel the cost of withholding the Roman cause. We shall, with our forces storm their city and meet force with force and then brutal arm’d, force them onto surrender.

Mago: Our battalions we must spread out; to strike both left and right; front and rear. Rest we shallst give them not.

Hannibal: Worry not dear Mago, wear them down we will; and give no respite to the hapless Saguntines. Rome, as arrogant as it is, didst not furbish arms nor men to its new ally. Overconfidence lulls them to a false sense of security, which we must break. To sustain the Saguntines cause, ay, they have failed. So do my spies report. Grossly do they underestimate the powers of our troops. They show no aggressive intent in protecting their newly formed Protectorate. Thus we will now to the world and to Rome reveal; what hideous powers we do conceal. Soldiers, march we fearlessly on to the lion’s den, wherein we shall slaughter the foes like a falcon would a wren.

Hasdrubal: Vigilance is the need o’th’hour; soon on enemy soil we will set foot, and valour arm’d, sever of their heads.

Mago: And thence countrymen and thence, like brave martyrs we call upon thee to avenge our fallen braves; and answer back Rome in its same coin to end their fiendish ways.

Hannibal: So now men, with firm and unbending resolve, let us and our siege battery strike this city; and dig deep for long haul. Hence ho and we march, Forward!

Soldiers and others: We will follow you and die for you. All Hail!! Noble Hannibal, all Hail!! He shallst lead us to the glory of freedom and nectar of victory!! All Hail!

[Exeunt