Act 3 Scene 5

Ticinus, Roman military camp under Publius Cornelius Scipio, in Po valley. Enter Publius Scipio, his son, Scipio the younger.

Publius Scipio: How do our scouting legions report on Hannibal’s progress?

Scipio the younger: My liege Hannibal seems to have done the impossible. When our scouts did reach his alleged camp, they did report that in front of them lay desolate ruins. Quickly from they tracked his traces and to their and our combined astonishment found that Hannibal, has with his entire force crossed over the Alps. ‘Tis known he had elephants.

Publius Scipio: What sayst thou son? [Aside] First he evades us by marching onto Italia, this time round, we find him right at our doorstep! Hush, hush, no more surprises can he ever pull off, for if here we do face his exhausted army, we shallst lay them to their rest.

Meanest thou that his troops mayst be on us at any instant? Aye from thy face I conjure that ‘tis true! Troops must at this hour be hastened to meet this hostile enemy.

Enter Flavius, a messenger

Scipio the younger: Ay, good Flavius, tellest us the newest state o’th’war.

Flavius: General Scipio and thou his right noble son; slay me not for hearing this, but this is sooth. Yond there in the horizon dark clouds of dust amass, as Hannibal’s men charge upon our humble camp craving for Roman blood.

Publius Scipio: Thou fantasisest thou boy, their army is fatigued with travel and are in no way in fighting condition.

Scipio the younger: Noble father, if that be sooth then why does he charge us? Nay, me fears he senses our lack of numbers hither and wishes to gain a swift and telling victory.

Publius Scipio: Yet if that be the case, even then we must go forth to ward him of. Flavius, go tell thou the drummers to produce their rhythmic chant, whilst we arm ourselves to defend this humble camp.

Flavius: As per thy orders; My Lord!

Scipio the younger: Away we all to the theatre of war.

[Exeunt

The scene is now shifted to a battlefield where some troops lay dead. Sounds of war from within.

Re- Enter Publius Scipio fighting with Hano on horseback, and then Scipio falls, and the Carthaginians leave him whilst chasing away other Roman troops.

Publius Scipio: Flee, flee thou cowards who wishest not to fight. Watch as thy valiant commander falls like a true champion.

Soldiers rush by and some try to kill him. Publius Scipio tries his best and remains alive. Sound of approaching hooves from within.

Publius Scipio: Is that the sound of friend or foe! Alas only time shallst let me know!

Re-Enter Scipio the younger, on horse back with troops who manage to kill off the Carthaginians.

Scipio the younger: Here liest thou valiant father, and still drawing breath? Ay, fortune hath favoured us and our lives are saved, but shame to those bastards who run in the face of adversity and calamity. Come; on my horse thou shallst keep thy state whilst I ride back from whence I came to rescue thee after slaying the Carthaginians thither. But regretful this day is; for we are beaten and these few honorable troops shallst for their and Rome’s dignity shallst save us whilst we flee to our stronger allies.

Publius Scipio: Son by this act thou hast not only showed the duty of a noble son, but ay of a noble and able Roman soldier. Camaraderie, self sacrifice are the virtues that maketh a true Roman and these I have taught thee well, as seemeth by thy bold action on this day. So on and away!

[Exeunt Publius Scipio and Scipio the younger on horse back

Rest of the troops die.

Enter Hannibal, Mago, Maharbal and Hano.

Maharbal: The cavalry has achieved as thou hath planned.

Hano: Ay, I agree.

Mago: All is sound; yet the need for more troops grows ever profound.

Hannibal: Fear not, gentlemen, as thou hast seen the power of strategy over brute strength. As for new soldiers to bolster our beleaguered ranks come let us make our mission known to the tribals who oppose Rome. I shallst send missives to them and in times due course we shallst get their much valued support. At this instant let us feast for this is the 1st of many more victories.

[Exeunt