Roman Senate, urgent meeting of the senators is called.Enter Gaius Terentius Varro, Scipio the younger, Fabius Maximus and senators.
Gaius Terentius
Varro: We are gathered hither at this most pernicious hour to discuss the
course of battle. Our foe has dealt us a blow from where he doth feel victory
within his grasp. But, ay, he doth think so unwise for Romans gathered hither
wouldst agree that ‘tis not sooth. We the Republic must now endure a winter
longer than the season’s natural course through austerity and steadfastness.
This hour is of grief-many sons of Rome have been martyred for her cause, but
not inaction lest our enemy the marauder be at our gates-hence noble Fabius thy
presence in this morose moment is most welcome.
Fabius: Senators, countrymen and Romans – it maketh me feel grateful and thankful to yea all to have vested thy trust in me despite my several failures in battle, almost flattered I am by such an honour, and yet I doth not feel how helpful I mayst be at this time of great sorrow?
Scipio the Younger: Tried we have all and yet vanquished we have been, but thy tactics of attrition, which at that time didst seem futile soon shallst bear fruit, but now going by our scouts’ report, which I present before thee with sure and certain tone, his troops lack supplies and numbers to besiege us, and are wary of war, and our spies report of lack of Carthaginian unity, thus leaving Hannibal less than he didst hope. Thereby good and noble Flavius by thy decree we shall in small numbers prize out landholdings in his grasp and tire his battle-weary soldiers.
A Senator: What he besiege us still and prize out our Republics himself? Surely they shallst not render themselves to us just for the glory of Rome!
Gaius Terentius Varro: There old father we have crafted a policy of unity and ‘tis to put in motion have we joined this meeting. This Republic must endure these dark times with desperate steps. To them we will send word to maintain support and allegiance to Rome. To all condemned criminals, convicted of petty thefts to murder to high treason, I propose an amnesty for all those willing to be enlisted to fight in the legions and replenish our depleted troops. To able-bodied slaves we give propose to give them the laurel wreath of freedom, if they wish to join the ranks. To all citizens of the Republic, I ask them, being worthy of Romans, we must appeal to their reasons, that do they wish to fall to the ravings of this bloodthirsty lunatic, who speaks of imagined slights ‘gainst his father, to us, the Roman Senate, who we promise to give rule of law and protection of citizenry, and rights to courts. So Senators this is the first course of our actions to bolster our home-defences, then the young Scipio, with his natural youthful verve and vigour shall chart a path for Roman victories.
Scipio the younger: Thy praise is too lavish for accomplished nothing I have. Aye, but a path towards Roman victory I can see. Wait we will for the opportune moment and then like the wolf, take out his sheep. He has no navies and thus leaves his estates in Europe unguarded; by Neptune’s will I shallst conquer those lands and bring them to our dominion and thus the Republic shallst have more lands to raise taxes. At home and away his forces shallst dwindle with time. Fabius Maximus: Bravo! Bravo! Now it indeed is clear what we must do. Gaius Varro and young Scipio, thou shallst move to thy tasks with immediate approval of the Senate, and I believe the approval wouldst be forth coming, to start our revival-
Fabius: Senators, countrymen and Romans – it maketh me feel grateful and thankful to yea all to have vested thy trust in me despite my several failures in battle, almost flattered I am by such an honour, and yet I doth not feel how helpful I mayst be at this time of great sorrow?
Scipio the Younger: Tried we have all and yet vanquished we have been, but thy tactics of attrition, which at that time didst seem futile soon shallst bear fruit, but now going by our scouts’ report, which I present before thee with sure and certain tone, his troops lack supplies and numbers to besiege us, and are wary of war, and our spies report of lack of Carthaginian unity, thus leaving Hannibal less than he didst hope. Thereby good and noble Flavius by thy decree we shall in small numbers prize out landholdings in his grasp and tire his battle-weary soldiers.
A Senator: What he besiege us still and prize out our Republics himself? Surely they shallst not render themselves to us just for the glory of Rome!
Gaius Terentius Varro: There old father we have crafted a policy of unity and ‘tis to put in motion have we joined this meeting. This Republic must endure these dark times with desperate steps. To them we will send word to maintain support and allegiance to Rome. To all condemned criminals, convicted of petty thefts to murder to high treason, I propose an amnesty for all those willing to be enlisted to fight in the legions and replenish our depleted troops. To able-bodied slaves we give propose to give them the laurel wreath of freedom, if they wish to join the ranks. To all citizens of the Republic, I ask them, being worthy of Romans, we must appeal to their reasons, that do they wish to fall to the ravings of this bloodthirsty lunatic, who speaks of imagined slights ‘gainst his father, to us, the Roman Senate, who we promise to give rule of law and protection of citizenry, and rights to courts. So Senators this is the first course of our actions to bolster our home-defences, then the young Scipio, with his natural youthful verve and vigour shall chart a path for Roman victories.
Scipio the younger: Thy praise is too lavish for accomplished nothing I have. Aye, but a path towards Roman victory I can see. Wait we will for the opportune moment and then like the wolf, take out his sheep. He has no navies and thus leaves his estates in Europe unguarded; by Neptune’s will I shallst conquer those lands and bring them to our dominion and thus the Republic shallst have more lands to raise taxes. At home and away his forces shallst dwindle with time. Fabius Maximus: Bravo! Bravo! Now it indeed is clear what we must do. Gaius Varro and young Scipio, thou shallst move to thy tasks with immediate approval of the Senate, and I believe the approval wouldst be forth coming, to start our revival-
Alarum, Enter a Porter
Porter: Prithee
hear me revered Senators, for Hannibal the barbarian has sent an envoy at our
gates and says he brings terms of peace.
A senior Senator:
How durst he do this; well try as he may, we know to take Rome enough men he
has not. Send word to the envoy that he can run to this master now or have his
head on a pike decorate Roman gates.
Porter: As yea
say me lord!
[Exit Porter
Fabius: So
gentlemen methinks we must immediately put our plans to effect. Let us Romans
present hither take this pledge that every moment now from this day on is our
finest hour, and let all say in unison Rome, Glorius Indomitable Rome!!
All: Rome! Rome!
Indefatigable, Invincible Rome!!!!!
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