Arno, Hannibal’s camp, near the swamps. Hannibal’s tent. Enter Hannibal.
Hannibal: Mosquitoes hum their somber songs, near the weary traveller’s ears; and then take each drop of precious blood flowing in his veins, thus leaving him in dark despair. Rains fall, on this land, again and again, like a million arrows fired in tandem, from the sulky and swollen sky, ay, which in turn looks on, ominously upon the slimy earth. This place seemeth alive and awake; teeming which hideous monstrosities hidden to the mortal eye. Ague, malady and disease hither are rampant, and carrion birds circle above, as the stench of the dead and the dying defile the very air that we breathe. These harbingers of chaos hither do enjoy a perpetual gory feast. This place canst not be charred nor drenched, nor beaten nor broken; but only admired for its archaic ferocity. We have dealt with all that’s to us thrown; and yet have not fully known, the extent o’th’ anarchy of this land, which hath swallowed much of my forlorn force.
[Sighs] But why do I fill my mind with such despondent thoughts, perhaps as my best efforts to lure Rome into open war seemeth not worthy to do so. Yet the time beckons when some telling moves must be produced, and unheard-of strategies deduced, to lay my hands upon the Romans, who seem unmoved by the devastation that we have brought upon those beautiful and bounteous Roman fields, and tried to incite a general rebellion ‘gainst their power and authority. Well, certainly powerful but utterly foolish, they are to think to be able to stop me by placing armies in the proper routes, and not calculating my undying tenacity for conquest. But ah, this filthy land on where we have taken refuge has indeed lead to half my minds decay, which shallst be to no advantage of Rome’s! Nay, neither Cnaeus Servilius nor Gaius Flaminius shallst stop me nor prevent the destruction of the very land that is for them to protect. Ay, so I shallst wait, for my troops return and unveil the cunning plan to them, which for the time to come shall remain etched forever in the minds of my men.
Sound of horses and the chatter of men, off stage.
Ay, thither they come; I must be ready.
Enter Mago, Maharbal and Hano.
Mago: Good brother, the devastations of the lands near are complete, where to now!
Maharbal: The men shall be glad to leave this hell.
Hano: And so would the beasts.
Hannibal: Yes, gentlemen, look yonder the map is laid out. Thither as I point observe as to the next movement of our troops. By this motion, as I have foreseen, we shallst be able to cut him off from Rome by covering his entire left flank Thus he no longer shallst be able to ignore us, partly for fear of popular reproach, ay, but mostly upon his own irritation shallst without much thought hastily take to our heels. ‘Tis then to him shall we deliver this most fatal blow that shallst destroy the largest field force to prevent our passage to Rome, by an ambush in the swamps near lake Trasimene. So have faith my men, as Flaminius shallst surely fall, to the extreme malice of our gall.
Mago: I see a marvel of a stratagem that is laid before us, which shallst indeed be put to use from the dawn that shallst come after this deathly night is over. Ye hath done it again noble brother, and this hath invigorated our downcast sprites. Yes this excitement maketh me rather restless but we must save us the plights and wish, kindly tell to all, the most kind good night.
Maharbal& Hano: Ay we too sayst this which fills our mind with vigour and charm; that to Rome we shallst nonchalantly bring harm! But ay ‘tis too late; time to be abed. Good night to all.
Hannibal: Ayes, gentlemen I see thy pains and wish thee a sound nights rest and also to the troops who are our most valuable assets. Good night.
[Exeunt all but Hannibal
Hannibal: So the night hums its breathtaking lore; which shallst heal the greatest sore that may scorch a man’s heart. But ay, things have fallen into place that which is most likely to bring the greatest disgrace upon Rome.
