Act 5 Scene 6

Battlefield of Cannae, corpses strewn across it.

Enter Hannibal, collecting rings from the fingers of slain Roman nobles. 

Hannibal: One, two, and three...then another and another, and another, the count of rings seem endless as does the count of corpses strewn across the battlefield, which now is very gloomy. Wailing cries, ghastly groans, mysterious moans fill the air and make it highly noxious. Yet, here I stand  amidst this great carnage and gaze, in sheer awe and utter stupefaction upon these thousands of fallen troops, who did, to protect the Republic, fall to valiant and glorious slaughter. This is bloodbath and devastation, like never in recorded times. In nations unborn, whither culture or language is yet to find its birth; shallst someday find this massacre; if thou mayst call it so; worth noting, and shallst with great pains study the art of battles from me, the orchestrator. Again and again, as the rings that I do collect, they shallst look back to this day, ay, but only if Rome were to fall. Ere that none, not even beloved Carthage wouldst budge to give me its beloved sons; but now, seeing what I hath wrought-a comprehensive and decisive victory, secured through guile, I wish those implacable fools will see the time fit to press for an attack. When they see scores of such precious ornaments at their feet, reinforcements they must send to me through my brother, Mago after seeing the proof of my military prowess. Besieging Rome is not advisable, for the want of siege weapons and manpower, which I must gather from the whimsical oligarchs in Carthage and alas, the worst may still chance. Hence, my dependence on my allies should be minimal and if Rome stubbornly rejects our peace proposal and support abdicate us, our best hope would be another Cannae, only if the Romans could be lured. Hush, silly mind for it doth brood over things which have not yet come to pass. The sack must be filled to make them fat and belief in the rule of Carthage to deliver must not waver, not yet, not till they have us dismissed.

Enter Mago 

Mago: Brother I didst hear of thy wish to send me as envoy to Carthage and seek reinforcements by proving Roman weakness in battle and our superiority in it; highlighted by those rings thou hast in thy sack. I shallst see to it that it gets done, and by the will of the gods, they shallst grant us men.

Hannibal: I hope it too; (giving the sack) now it gets late, hither take thou this sack and on the first light on the morrow may thou fly to Carthage whilst I deliver the summons of truce to Rome.

Mago: (taking it) I shall do as thou doth wish.

[Exeunt in opposite directions