Act 4 Scene 5

Roman province of Apulia, Italia.Enter three Roman villagers.

1^st villager: This our republic, for which, we toil day and night, to feed both of civil and military rank, thus to see them to our aid whence the marauder’s come. Yet, from various reports, I gather that those who pillage our fields are in their acts stronger than republic's men, who have fallen to the buffet of the enemy.

If these be true then we must lament for the demise of Rome.

2^nd villager: Methinks the republic hath diseases and do not defend us when ‘tis most needed. Why else would they send forth a sickly army to our aid only to be blown away by the enemy? Then state that it desires to not to engage feigning strategy whilst ‘tis lackluster cowardice.

3^rd villager: I agree with thee good brethren, for mefears the death of Rome and rise of this grand enemy of ours; his name we hear is Hannibal. ‘Tis said that his name summons him to that place where ‘tis pronounced.

1^st villager: Prithee, be it not so, for he may lash upon our untouched fields, as if they were his.

2^nd villager: Nay ‘twere better then to listen to what he says. He may be honourable in his demands.

Alarum, Enter Hannibal with his army.

Hannibal: Villagers of Apulia, I come in good humour, not to gore thee in blood, but to speak to thee as a worthy ally. I come not hither to ravage these fields, but to tell the tale of Roman treachery, which like treason, ruins both the trickster and the tricked. Prithee, listen.

2^nd villager: Prithee sir, make it known to us.

Hannibal: I come from Hispania, to fight the cruel oppressive tyranny of Rome, for by beloved Carthage. As thou with thine own to eyes have seen, that in times of good, taxes from thee are exacted by the Romans; but when times of turbulence arrive, these double-dealing fiends turn back on the false promises, and stay securely shut in their premier fortresses; leaving the hapless souls as thee to fend for themselves. Speak, am I not true?

Villagers: Aye, thou art.

Hannibal: And dare I go further and state, that these people who claim to be thy protectors and the guardians of law, justice and peace, do not let other civilizations in harmony. The taxes that the rulers of Rome exact from its citizens, like thee, are used ‘gainst various o’th’other nations and us. Waging war is their passion, and yet it seemeth a bitter irony that, when ‘tis for punishment we visit their doors, they are quick to hide their useless selves as does a rat in the sewers, whilst using their hapless subjects as bait.

3^rd villager: Ha, so true indeed, such tyranny we shallst not live under forever.

Hannibal: Then ‘tis for thine and our own good, that we unite as one ‘gainst this feeble oppressor, who shallst with little effort be overthrown. I shallst not remain thy enemy or tormentor forever, so let us at this our join up. Thou taketh note, that I come not hither to fight the Italians, but to fight Rome at their behest. So art thou with us to see the fall of Rome, or art thee so blind to embrace death along with thy republic?

1^st villager: Thee we shallst not disregard, nor fear, we’re with thee.

[Aside] To protect ourselves, what choice to we have than to back the mightier.

Other villagers: So shall we!

Hannibal: Thy news greets us withal. Thou mayst leave to take up thy duties. Men, we camp hither tonight, on the morrow we march, when we awaken at first light.

[Exeunt