Cannae, Battlefield night before the battle, Hannibal’s camp.Enter Hannibal, in his tent, who after pacing nervously, sits in a
chair and looks at his miniature troops.
Hannibal: Open battle, a pitched open battle beckons which shallst be
fought on the morrow, over these fields, fullwell shallst determine who doth
hold the decisive edge in this war. Fabius is doomed, condemned to a life of
the loner, whilst the son of Scipio doth join the largest ensemble of troops to
bludgeon and obliterate us. Aye, but Rome being stubborn, shallst not learn
from the past, yet wouldst fall back on its tested strengths; and Arrogance and
Daring, with all their skill shallst steer mighty Rome into the chasms of
death. But why shouldst that bother me, for I must take their each mistake as a
blessing from the gods, which I shallst use to my vantage.
Alarum, Enter Mago, Maharbal, Hano , and other chiefs.
Hannibal: Ah, the much awaited battle of this campaign is upon us, and
let put our best foot forward. Ere the infantry tactics be discussed, let us be
assured of victory on horseback.
Maharbal: The fierce Numidians under my command shall tear open the
Roman opposition.
Hano: My heavier troops too shall carry the day ‘gainst the Roman
fools.
Hannibal: Very well, but in this battle thy duty shan’t be complete by
routing Roman horsemen alone; for thou must return to support our cause. I
intend on leading the infantry charge myself, wherein the Gaelic and Hispanic
troops shallst be present to face the Roman frontal assault.
Hannibal
motions towards his table where he has fielded an array of miniature troops,
depicting real ones and continues to explain the battle plan.
Thus the Romans shallst be lured and like a raging bull, charge at us
straight. Thither I shallst be at the helm, herding the allied troops to hold
their ground in the face o’th’onslaught. Pushed we shallst be back but ay never
shallst we break ranks; I’ll myself be in their midst, fighting as though I
were them, thus keeping them from trusting their heels. We shallst like the
eagles wings spread out; whilst drawing the naïve Romans with us into the trap.
Mago, dear brother, how dost the African reserves?
Mago: They are ready when commanded to come and assist thee, my liege.
Hannibal: Then hold them thou shallst just a bit longer till I send
thee the signal; then attack the Roman flanks. Bewildered they will stop, for
such ways of war are to them alien. Whilst menace we their flanks; me hopes
that by then Roman cavalry shallst have trusted their shoes. Maharbal and Hano,
on thy return after the Roman rout, cover the rear to make the encirclement
complete; thither I shallst slaughter Romans as cattle. What sayst thou?
Both: Thou hath our allegiances my liege.
Hannibal: Gentlemen, ‘tis getting late, go get thee to bed. For on the
morrow, we all shallst challenge fate!
Others: Hail! Hannibal, son of Hamilcar, he who shallst lead us to
victory!
[Exeunt all but Hannibal
Hannibal: On the morrow, the rising sun
signals the day, when we shallst make Rome dearly pay; the debts of villainy
the Romans shallst feel, for a thousand allies of her we shallst deftly steal.
Burn we shallst to cinders, their magnificent crown; and make their arrogance
forever drowned in the turgid depths of their river Tiber. Widows and mothers
will weep and cry, when the brave sons of Rome shallst waste and dry; for upon
those fields a lot of blood will flow, that for years to come no crops would
grow. I doth feel dreary at my own words, yet Rome for open war must be enticed
, ay, then the chance to slay them will my desire suffice, but hush, no rush,
for now is the time to rest the body and mind; wherein on the morrow, on the
battle’s forefront, the Romans shallst find! Amen.
[Exit
