Act 5 Scene 4

Roman Camp, Day of Battle.

Enter Lucius Aemilius Paullus, Gaius Terentius Varro, Scipio the Younger and other consuls, two high ranking commanders and other officers in the tent of Scipio the Younger.

Lucius Aemilius Paullus: Gentlemen, our countrymen and citizens have bled profusely, and ay, no amount of surprise moves, tricky manoeuvres have outwitted or tripped our fiercely formidable foe. Hark, for time beckons us hither, to lay on our enemy like avenging angels; we must be the hammer, whilst this battle ground the anvil, where we shallst pulverize them. Troops aplenty we doth possess, to give due cognizance of our quest.

Gaius Terentius Varro: And they are all upbeat, prepared to mow down Hannibal’s troops before any surprise can be by him surmounted.

Scipio the Younger: Aye, and with these numbers he can never find the opportune moment to use his nefarious moves. [Aside] Hannibal, thou canst not run nor hide; for hither we shallst end thy joyous ride.

Lucius Aemilius Paullus: Now commanders to the task at hand, thou knowest fullwell that we shallst go forth in the normal course, for I find their demeanour slackened by the dark hand of fatigue, and a blow at the heart shallst tear them apart. See that ‘tis done.

1^st Commander: I shallst my lord!

Gaius Terentius Varro: Our war machine shallst mow down their weakened troops like broken toys.

2^nd commander: We are ready to do the bidding of Rome my lord!

Scipio the Younger: All hail Rome, most indomitable, indestructible and eternal Rome!

Others: Rome! Rome! The ultimate victor!

[Exeunt

On the Carthaginian Camp, Hannibal’s tent.

Enter Hannibal, in full battle armour.

Hannibal: On this day hither the largest army ensemble in recorded time shallst descend, and we shallst meet and greet to decisively beat our chief antagonist, Rome. The plan is maid and the decisions laid. Judgements and tactics have been done, and battle preparations duly begun, come ho and witness this battle scene wither the Roman moths shallst in my fire burn and scream. I shallst be the lure to lull these unsuspecting fools into the trap, and start the process of wiping Rome from the map!

Enter Mago, Maharbal, Hano and others officers.

Are the men prepared gentlemen?

Maharbal: The cavalry are eager to commence battle.

Hano: The equestrians can smell victory!

Mago: The men are ready as thou didst ask. Thy allies feel that thy presence in the rank and file shallst inspire confidence to carry out this most audacious plan.

Hannibal: Very well, we have no more time at hand, march we  must to the battle field and face our foe. Away at once.

Others: So, march we all!

[Exeunt