Act 3 Scene 3

Carthage, the Council Hall. Meeting between the 30 Councillors.

Enter all councillors, lead by Hanno the great; guards, officials, and attendants.

Hanno the great: I did meet the son of Hamilcar, who keeps his merry state in the new land north of our beloved Carthage. To say sooth, he is much like his father, in looks and in actions he resembles his father to an extraordinary degree.

[Aside] That I did side with Rome to prevent his father’s victories ‘gainst them are true, but ay, I acted only in my interested, well that may have been to his detriment. But ay, that was to my gains so to Carthage’s; for it has everything to gain from trade rather than from war.

To talk about his achievements in Hispania, well they are outstanding, for he hath united them for Carthage’s cause. Having secured his place there he points out that aggressive moves ‘gainst Rome be made, for he believes that he with his sole mortal arms, can with a few troops snatch away the soul of Rome! Vociferous he was towards our policies of piece, and dismissed them as near treasonous acts deserving of no pity but would he have grown so had we not made piece?

A Councillor: Nay, noble Hanno, thou who art great, and ay thou art true too!

Hanno the great: Great or not for gods it is to decide. But I am indeed humbled by thee. Ay, and besides these he menacingly reported soon there shallst be war and that he would mobilize his forces and strike Rome in Italia itself! Such thoughts give me grim vision, of the fatal mistake this general commits, at this very tender age, makes me fear he may fall like Bellerophon, whilst climbing Olympus itself! Ay, yet I fear ‘tis difficult to stop such a rough and headstrong youth. When I did put forth the council’s views in front of him, sooner rather than later he did turn into a raging storm and proclaimed war. Diplomacy he liked not. Yet we must support the Barcid in war ‘gainst Rome.

A Senior Councillor: We all agree with thee Hanno and would do our best to resolve mortal conflict. But if damages sustained by Rome in Carthage be irreparable, then, abatement of war shallst not chance. I hear Roman envoys are here and they shallst convey the their decisions.
[Aside] ‘Tis most likely a war shall be sparked.

Hanno the great: Lets us hope for the best for we know not how to control him there.

Alarum. Enter Roman envoys Gaius Flaminius and Publius Scipio, followed by Roman guards

Publius Scipio: Hither we are to show ourselves and make our grievances known; and hearing them thou mayst become forlorn. But duties are duties which must perform, according to the given customs and norms. So, thus said in merry delight, for we may be in for a long drawn fight. War is inevitable, unless thou give up thy lands in Iberia.

Gaius Flaminius: What my noble colleague means is that yield lands of amounts what ever we demand; else face war.

Hanno the great: Gentlemen, I hear both thy points entirely, and forsee that yielding without a good cause is not worth the effort.

Publius Scipio: But when our protectorate is besieged it is nothing but war ‘gainst Rome.

Hanno the great: We canst not reign in our troops their, and not the general who is a Barcid!

Publius Scipio: What wantest thou: hither I hold the sides of my toga, tell shallst there be peace or war?

Hanno the great: Let Rome decide!

Publius Scipio: War!

Hanno the great: Then ‘tis settled the 2nd Punic War beckons and countrymen, we all must unite

Gaius Flaminius: So shallst Rome. Good morrow to all

[Exeunt the Romans

Hanno the great: That done and dusted communicate this decision to our troops in Hispania. [Aside] Ay, however Hannibal, if thou be victorious, then thou shallst achieve it entirely thy own!

[Exeunt