Act 6 Scene 2

The Roman senate, meeting of the senators.

Enter Gaius Terentius Varro, Scipio the younger and other senators

Gaius Terentius Varro: How goes the siege at Capua? 

Scipio the younger: It goes well, but 15000 infantry and 1000 cavalry are recalled to aid in Rome’s defences, for the air is thick with the rumour of Hannibal's march on us. 

Gaius Terentius Varro: Romans be not alarmed, for to take us they have the power not. Even so, we must be cautious for this could be a ruse to lure us out of our strongholds. 

Scipio the younger: We are prepared your liege.

Alarum, Enter excited porter.

A senator: What brings thee hither boy at this hour? From thy face I perceive the looks of one who hath stared at a ghost! Porter: Hannibal ante portas! Hannibal ante portas! Hannibal at the gates! Hannibal at the gates!
 

Senators exchange worried looks and thoughts

 

Senator: This is most incredible news boy! One finds it hard to fathom, and yet we must act for Rome canst fall to this barbarian. Yet I am most amused by his audacity – to think marching on us would make us yield. By now aware he must be that we are of a sterner mettle than most others!

Scipio the younger: Stupidity my lord, is what I wouldst like to call it for he soon shallst be surrounded by our troops that we have retained in our barracks outside and those returning from Capua. 

Gaius Terentius Varro: Methinks it would be wise to call off the siege at Capua, for methinks that is what unites those Republics of Rome who still aid our foe. What say you son of Scipio?

Scipio the younger: Aye, thought about it well yea hast; and thus we must embark on new strategies to counter Hannibal. 

Another Senator: So son of Scipio, how doth thou propose to carry it out? 

Scipio the Younger: We must at once strike him so as to pluck the very ground on which he doth lay camp. I propose an auction of that plot, this ought to unnerve him and his troops. Then I propose another radical measure, one that wouldst turn the war completely in our favour! We must immediately stop all our attacks upon the Roman republics sworn to Hannibal, for it wouldst unite them ‘gainst us. We shouldst rather, win them over to our camp through diplomatic missions.

Gaius Terentius Varro: Methinks ‘tis wise to heed the words of our valour tongued friend, for I shallst reach out to our brethren of Italia to unite ‘gainst the foreigner and not us. 

Another Senator: Aye, both thy arguments bear merit! What says the other senators? 

Other Senators: We agree and hereby by the will of all the Gods do declare Scipio the younger, commander of all of Roman legions.

Scipio the Younger: Then ‘tis settled. Senators I thank for this gift of responsibility and I shallst see to it that I do it justice! All: Rome!! Rome!! Invincible Rome!!

[Exeunt 

Rome, Hannibal's camp, night time just before dawn.Enter Hannibal & his generals.

Hannibal: How goes the mood in the camp? Ready are they to do as bid? 

1^st General: My Lord, they are tired and wouldst rather return than face the might of Rome with such feeble numbers. The scouts say that Rome has recalled 15,000 troops and 1000 horses to aid in its defence. ‘Twill be tough to fight on both ends. 

2^nd General: Aye, but not impossible, for troops of greater numbers we have beaten in the field.

 3^rd General: Aye, but the mood goes sour for most of them, victory has eluded them thus far and there has been many deserters. 

Hannibal: Morale should never be lost for that is the divine drug, the elixir of bravery that doth rejuvenate even the most mortified of souls; but aye; there be a great difference between courage and foolery! 

2^nd General: Worry not my lord, for I believe that they shallst find the internal reserves of courage, which thou hath taught us to bear and store when ‘tis time for a reckoning! 

1^st General: Aye, but will they beckon that on empty stomachs and aching hearts. 

3^rd General: ‘Ts hard to tell but we must wait for answers, hark- 

   

Enter a soldier with a letter.

Soldier: My lords, I have a letter for thee from Rome. Prithee read this and spare me for I am on watch.

 

[Exit soldier

3^rd General: Now that was a queer move. What shallst we make of this? 

Hannibal (opening and reading the letter intently): Whatever there is to be made of it, Whoa! This canst not be true at all!

The Generals: What is it, my lord? 

Hannibal: This very plot of land on which our army is camped has been bought by a Roman at an auction. Therefore it doth seem we have been as well. The Romans consider us but items to be bought and sold, objects of commercial value rather than objects of fear. Gentlemen, they have ignored our threat, or have never considered us a threat at all. ‘Tis at this time when yea doth lose thy fearsome reputation yea forego advantages in war. No elixir of courage can now save us from this enemy who fear us no longer. So I order a full retreat and revaluing of our positions.

 Generals: Aye, we must!

[Exeunt

Same time or just after, a deserted street in Rome. A soothsayer and a knave talk under a starry, cloudless sky.

Knave: I heard today that Rome didst face its greatest adversary outside our gates! Is that true, master? 

Soothsayer: Aye, ‘tis true but bother not little one, for much to learn you still have. Well, yes to quench thy thirst I must tell thee that Rome soon shallst end this war and emerge victorious, and Hannibal, its greatest adversary, shallst meet his greatest defeat. 

Knave: So now does Rome have nothing to fear from him? So will we see the days of peace that thou didst promise me the other night?

 Soothsayer: Aye, though loon listen up, the ways of the heavens canst be known for certain, but there are signs and they grow clearer by the day, that the gods no longer intend to teach Rome in the arts of war, for our own hero hath emerged. But at this late hour we must hie to our homes as good citizens and leave the matters to the silvery heads in the senate. 

Knave: Aye, we must!

[Exeunt