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

Act 5 Scene 5

Cannae, the Battlefield. Enter soldiers from both sides; Romans from left and Carthaginians from the right. (Romans number more). 

Enter Hannibal & a Captain and then Roman generals Lucius Aemilius Paullus, Gaius Terentius Varro and Scipio the Younger (from opposite ends). 

Hannibal: Have the cavalry and African infantry taken up position?

Captain: They have.

Hannibal: Captain, art thou ready to lay our plan to its fullest effect.

Captain: I’m and will send thy orders as swiftly as my messengers can run, to convey the right moment of attack. With thy noble brother holding firm, our men are prepared to die for Carthage.

Hannibal: Good, now stand we must our sure and firmset ground; signal the attack bells, and make them sound like the knells of death, deep and profound, for the bloodiest day hath come forth, for yonder lies the might of Rome. With their forces they us on this place do surround, whither we shallst pile dead bodies into a loathsome mound! Come let us into jaws of death proudly charge, for fate doth with the lure of victory do us urge!

Soldiers: All hail! Hannibal, till death!!

On the Roman side... 

Scipio the Younger: Time has come that we as Romans must redeem our lost pride and displace this vagrant locust from our bounteous lands once and for all! For Rome!!!

Roman Troops: Charge!!

The battle begins and fiercely rages on, Romans fend back Hannibal’s troops 

Lucius Aemilius Paullus: It doth seem our enemy has all its troops on the front line and they are failing miserably at their task.

Scipio the Younger: Mefeels a lot amiss hither, to think Hannibal as simple a foe as a mad and rutting elephant, blinded by rage, is sacrilege! A venomous adder to come forth on the brightest day some had said; let’s pray that day is not come!

Gaius Terentius Varro: For once Youngman thou seemeth wrong, for they are fighting bitterly to maintain position. Methinks they are at their wits end.

Scipio the Younger: Pray, that thou art correct.

Hustle and Bustle in the legions and the movement stops

Lucius Aemilius Paullus: Why didst our frontal assault stop? Hath thou any news on this regard?

Scipio the Younger: I have not, but, why indeed? Hither comes a distraught and haggard messenger.

Enter a messenger, looking exasperated.

Gaius Terentius Varro: Hark, good messenger, what news hast thou brought us?

Messenger: To the door hell hath broke ope’ to strike the very heart of our legions dearly, as cannot be fathomed by common men like me.

Lucius Aemilius Paullus: Prithee, good messenger, tallest us the exact cause, and do not dwell in absurd reveries of philosophy.

Messenger: To say sooth my lord, ah, it shallst pain thee even more, but here it is- No sooner had we compelled our enemy to retreat back, in our haste and futile happiness, we didst leave our flanks unguarded and exposed to a foe we didst greatly underestimate. Thus therein he did Hannibal strike, bringing down on us his feared African mercenaries.

Scipio the Younger: I had feared this would chance, but, this tactic is completely new. The times had been, when, he would wear us down and finish us off; but today lulled us he has into a false sense of victory only to deal decisive defeat to us at the very end.

Lucius Aemilius Paullus: Fear not yet son of Scipio, for regroup we must by retreating through our rear. How does our cavalry?

Messenger: Alas my lord, our rear is exposed to attack as our cavalry has been routed by the ferocious Numidian hordes. The enemy horses swarm our rear as we speak! O, what a fiend of a general this Hannibal is, for outfoxed us in every turn he has!

Gaius Terentius Varro: Then we must fight; we have numbers to break through.

Scipio the Younger: But not training I fear, nay we must each separate from the centre and reach the flanks and the rear, to inspire and lead our troops to fight through.

Lucius Aemilius Paullus: Well said, hie we must and away, ere to Hannibal belongs this day!

[Exeunt 

Battle of Cannae, another side of the battlefield. The rampaging onslaught of the cavalry continues.The sounds of war, horses neighing, men shouting and falling dead... 

Enter Maharbal and Hano, whilst killing Romans at will.

Maharbal: Slaughter these Roman fools countrymen, slaughter them by the thousands!

Hano: Proclaim ultimate victory for Carthage; fight country fight!

[Exeunt fighting and slaying Romans

Battle of Cannae, at centre of the battlefield. The clinking and clanking of swords, the whoosh of arrows, the grunts of men and animals and absolute carnage continues...

Enter Hannibal and Mago and the rest of their troops fighting and killing of the remaining Romans. 

Hannibal: Countrymen, fight for all that you believe in; for victory is almost near at hand.

Mago: Finish them off in swift and decisive strokes.

Hannibal: Comrades victory is achieved!

Maharbal: Ay, the day of great turmoil and torment is finally at an end, for we have converted this day of our tactical triumph.

Mago: Comrades gather round hither to rejoice in and celebrate this great victory; for later shall we do away with the multitude of corpses.

Soldiers: Hurrah!! All hail Hannibal!!!

 

[Exeunt

 

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

Act 5 Scene 3

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

Act 5 Scene 2

Roman Senate.

Enter Lucius Aemilius Paullus, Gaius Terentius Varro, Scipio the younger and other senators.

1^st Senator: Hither this day we are gathered to review and assess the strategies to counter our elusive and dangerous foe, Hannibal.

2^nd Senator: I do hear that in Cannae he keeps his state, and has blocked off our supplies till south. Hie we must, and ere he may wrest control of our southern provinces we must stop him.

3^rd Senator: The need o’th’hour is swift and brutal action. Ought not we summon our best and brightest men, our best legions and amass the largest army ever, to bludgeon the enemy down? Or may we like feeble fools submit to his demands and supremacy? What sayst thou, noble countrymen?

Others: Aye!

4^th Senator: I have already given word of this to our most promising men- Lucius Aemilius Paullus and Gaius Terentius Varro; to lead the largest force ever, and they are hither present to lay bare their plans.

Lucius Aemilius Paullus: Countrymen and noble servants of Rome, the hour grows darker due to the gloomy thunder clouds which cover the sun yonder; but we have had time to ponder and reflect; and fear not fellow Romans, there shallst be sunshine yet. Hannibal shallst feel the might of Rome.

Gaius Terentius Varro: So at this darkest hour, let us solemnly vow, that we the Romans, protectors of the Republic, guarantors of the rule of law and guardians of freedom and justice; shallst march out to meet the enemy head on fearing none, in service of our motherland to ensure its unity in the face of relentless enemy onslaught.

A Senior Senator: All Hail Rome! Look, thy bravest sons have gathered to uphold thy cause. Thus I, by virtue of my post, do move a measure and urge the Senate to maketh thee Lucius Aemilius Paullus and Gaius Terentius Varro, the two new consuls of Rome, so that unopposed thou canst raise thy troops to wage war, and prove thy mettle; Son of Scipio, thy valour didst not go unnoticed by the Senate, so I propose to promote thee to the rank of officer, and thus at the forefront of war thou shallst remain. Does the Senate move these measures?

All Senators: Aye, we agree.

Lucius Aemilius Paullus & Gaius Terentius Varro: We humbly accept this duty.

Scipio the younger: I shallst do my duty like a true warrior.

The senate: Then ‘tis settled. All Hail Rome!

Others: Rome! Rome!

Shouts of Rome echo around the senate hall.

[Exeunt

Act 5 Scene 1

Apulia, Fabius’ tent in the Roman Camp, near the pass towards Campania.

Enter Fabius Maximus, and his generals.

Fabius: Hast thou heard any news of our foe, his movements or maneuvers?

1^st General: Nay my liege. ‘Tis however to be known that he didst make some peace with the some villagers, who to his demands, alleged didst comply, whilst to him giving ample resources to last the fall and winter. ‘Tis also heard that those villagers who didst oppose were dealt with stern hands, perhaps to draw us to open conflict. He mayst have his way ‘gainst those rustic folk, but our defences he canst not penetrate, for the requisite troops he has not.

Fabius: Ay, general, thou sayst sooth what ever thou sayst, for by spies thy news is confirmed. ‘Tis also more known, that to find comfortable quarters for the winter he and his men shallst attempt to cross this pass. Thus to fight him forth in any place else this is utterly futile. Order the legions to set up defenses so that hither either Rome gets the prisoner they want, or to my blade Hannibal falls.

All generals: Ay, it shallst be done as is thy command.

[Exeunt

Apulia, Hannibal’s tent in his camp, near the pass, close to the Roman camp.

Enter Hannibal and Mago.

Mago: Harsh winter is upon us, escaping through the pass shallst involve us hoodwinking the Romans. Dear brother, from thy fertile brain, hatchest thou the most marvelous form of trickery so that without a drop of blood we shallst completely shatter their morale, for they have blocked only way to our comfort, by a large gathering of men. Thinkest thou of any such schemes?

Hannibal: Ay, dear brother I have, and thou get to play a grand role in that. The pass, sits around a forest, so do my scouts report. Informants in the villages near gather the Roman mood; they wouldst love the prospect our capture and trial. Thus they wouldst feel that if I do turn my back from the pass through the forest, then they shallst have the element of surprise, and be able to take us prisoner. What I do plan, is to trick them into thinking, that we shallst retreat through the pass. Thus, lured by the prospect of an easy victory, the Romans; like mice to cheese and common flies to fire; rush like an enormous herd, thus gushing as a stream into the woods, whilst leaving the pass unguarded. Then the army and us shallst take up our positions and march without conflict to comfortable homes. Listenest with utmost care thy role.

Mago: Prithee proceed.

Hannibal: Thou shallst ride my horse, and take my flag, and take some light cavalry with thee. The forest is not thick, and the horses shallst have a free run at times. Advance as close as to the first sentry post, then whence they do notice and raise the alarm, retreat around the forest to join us at the base of our pass. Take thou the leanest and fittest o’th’horses, for thou shallst need to outrun the Roman cavalry. Whence joined, we shall commence our journey.

Mago: Thinkest thou that the Romans, thus deceived, shall not with maddening rage attack our forces? They could still fullwell stop us short for they doth outnumber us.

Hannibal: Ah, but therein lies the greatest stratagem of military ways. If I know Fabius well, then this staunch, astute strategist shallst use the standard military tactics, which dissuades him strictly from taking any action ‘gainst us. Thus once tricked he shallst stay in the forest, for confrontation on our terms he means to avoid, whatever the costs. Still, if some fools do try to storm our positions, they shallst fall prey to our ambush, for in this shrubs these bulky Romans cannot fight. But methinks this shallst not take place, and we wouldst get an easy victory in bypassing his lines. This shallst to his authority a deathblow give, how he shallst ever recover, my mortal brains do not conceive.

Mago: Thou art a genius, thy plan from this moment shallst be afoot.

[Exeunt

The forest near the pass, where the sentry post stands.

Enter Fabius, his generals, and his legions.

1^st General: ‘Tis hither Sir, where the enemy tried to give us the slip, as goes the sentry’s report who did see Hannibal’s flag, and heard some movements of the troops.

2^nd General: Yonder I see some motion, and these tracks prate their whereabouts, methinks we shouldst storm them and take them prisoner.

Fabius: I see it so, indeed, how cowardly these rabble seem when threatened by a real army. Gather all our troops and march into the forest.

Fabius and his men scour the forest and are about to encounter its end, when a wounded messenger on a horse comes.

Enter messenger.

Fabius: What now messenger, why doth thou bear signs of battle, tellest me what hath chanced in the pass.

Messenger: Noble Dictator, no sooner didst the legions leave the pass unguarded than we didst notice the enemy gathering near it, soon they shallst commence their march through it and be safely away. We the few sentry’s didst try to stop them but were mowed down and we feel back. I was told that the major force had strode in to the woods to pursue the fleeing enemy, and thus realized ‘twas a trap! These pass is surrounded by the one called Hannibal, and as soon as this decoy run is done, they shallst swiftly give us the slip. O the horrors of trickery! I faint…

Fabius: Messenger!

The messenger drops, dead.

2^nd General: Canst we still not persecute them, the forest is near its end..

1^st General: That wouldst mean conflict in their terms; two armies already have fallen to such ambushes.

Fabius: Ay, general thou sayst sooth. We have been properly tricked. To go forth and assault is not the standard practice, also now it shallst be wrong, for that is strictly forbidden in present era military doctrine, and rightly so for no general in his sound state of health shouldst attack the enemy when they hold vantage. Our job hither is done, to Rome we must march, and let the senate decide our fate.

2^nd General: Thou hath failed us Noble Dictator, under thy command we shallst no longer fight, for our services from this point on are to those that confront the enemy in the open fields.

Fabius: I forgive thee; mayst thou with thy might end his reign of terror. May the republic stands tall despite all faults.

[Exeunt

Act 4 Scene 5

Roman province of Apulia, Italia.Enter three Roman villagers.

1^st villager: This our republic, for which, we toil day and night, to feed both of civil and military rank, thus to see them to our aid whence the marauder’s come. Yet, from various reports, I gather that those who pillage our fields are in their acts stronger than republic's men, who have fallen to the buffet of the enemy.

If these be true then we must lament for the demise of Rome.

2^nd villager: Methinks the republic hath diseases and do not defend us when ‘tis most needed. Why else would they send forth a sickly army to our aid only to be blown away by the enemy? Then state that it desires to not to engage feigning strategy whilst ‘tis lackluster cowardice.

3^rd villager: I agree with thee good brethren, for mefears the death of Rome and rise of this grand enemy of ours; his name we hear is Hannibal. ‘Tis said that his name summons him to that place where ‘tis pronounced.

1^st villager: Prithee, be it not so, for he may lash upon our untouched fields, as if they were his.

2^nd villager: Nay ‘twere better then to listen to what he says. He may be honourable in his demands.

Alarum, Enter Hannibal with his army.

Hannibal: Villagers of Apulia, I come in good humour, not to gore thee in blood, but to speak to thee as a worthy ally. I come not hither to ravage these fields, but to tell the tale of Roman treachery, which like treason, ruins both the trickster and the tricked. Prithee, listen.

2^nd villager: Prithee sir, make it known to us.

Hannibal: I come from Hispania, to fight the cruel oppressive tyranny of Rome, for by beloved Carthage. As thou with thine own to eyes have seen, that in times of good, taxes from thee are exacted by the Romans; but when times of turbulence arrive, these double-dealing fiends turn back on the false promises, and stay securely shut in their premier fortresses; leaving the hapless souls as thee to fend for themselves. Speak, am I not true?

Villagers: Aye, thou art.

Hannibal: And dare I go further and state, that these people who claim to be thy protectors and the guardians of law, justice and peace, do not let other civilizations in harmony. The taxes that the rulers of Rome exact from its citizens, like thee, are used ‘gainst various o’th’other nations and us. Waging war is their passion, and yet it seemeth a bitter irony that, when ‘tis for punishment we visit their doors, they are quick to hide their useless selves as does a rat in the sewers, whilst using their hapless subjects as bait.

3^rd villager: Ha, so true indeed, such tyranny we shallst not live under forever.

Hannibal: Then ‘tis for thine and our own good, that we unite as one ‘gainst this feeble oppressor, who shallst with little effort be overthrown. I shallst not remain thy enemy or tormentor forever, so let us at this our join up. Thou taketh note, that I come not hither to fight the Italians, but to fight Rome at their behest. So art thou with us to see the fall of Rome, or art thee so blind to embrace death along with thy republic?

1^st villager: Thee we shallst not disregard, nor fear, we’re with thee.

[Aside] To protect ourselves, what choice to we have than to back the mightier.

Other villagers: So shall we!

Hannibal: Thy news greets us withal. Thou mayst leave to take up thy duties. Men, we camp hither tonight, on the morrow we march, when we awaken at first light.

[Exeunt

Act 4 Scene 4

Rome, the Capitol, meeting of all Senators.

Enter Lucius Aemilius Paullus, Cnaeus Servilius, Fabius Maximus, Gaius Terentius Varro, Scipio the Younger and others members of the Senate.

Cnaeus Servilius: Two crushing defeats have befallen us; the strategies must be rethought.

Fabius Maximus: Noble Consuls and honourable senators, might I, humble Fabius, put forth mine thoughts in front of the house?

Senators: Thou mayst do so, Noble Fabius.

Fabius Maximus: We have seen the consequences of two open wars; and it seemeth that our foe butchers us, each time we venture forth to pursue and persecute them. These tactics, have thus far lead to the two heaviest defeats of our times, which hath ravaged Rome of many of its noblest and bravest souls. Thus to slow him down, we must not confront him, for direct conflict is Hannibal’s desire. Therein he shallst be by us damned, for ‘tis certain that he doth not possess the resources to besiege Rome itself. Roman cities and the defensive posts he canst not remove by directly assaulting these places. He therefore doth try an incite a general revolt, by slaughtering innocent men to show Roman apathy towards their own subjects. Noble Romans, we shalt not fall to this hideous trap that seem to lure us as does the light the bug…this shan’t be! We must put up our defensive posts to prevent his advance and thereby his progress, which shall mean that he shalt be consumed by ague and malady and his tired troops shall revolt ‘gainst him, then at the opportune moment, an attack shalt seize him hostage, thereby ending this grueling war.

Lucius Aemilius Paullus: Ay, but Hannibal, me fears is too shrewd to be taken in by such a stance. Slowly, slyly but surely, he shallst muster up men from our fellow republics, by laying waste to their newly harvested crops. This way before we mayst convince our fellow states, they shallst already side with him, to plot our downfall. This may bolster him to barge in to our defenses and take Rome itself.

Fabius Maximus: Well thoughtest thou, many o’th’other Italians mayst feel Rome is inept in its duties but, we shalt not allow Hannibal to pillage our prime fields, by proper positioning of troops to cut him off. This way slowly, we shalt debar him from supplies and then once surely surrounded, Hannibal shalt be mercilessly pounded. So now that my attritional ways are told, let us see what our fate holds.

Cnaeus Servilius: I see both thy views and the senate too feels the need to change yet, these attritional ways suite us Romans not, for mine own part, ‘tis cowardice to sit around and see even an acre of land go waste, then farmer’s sorrow, which shalt know no bounds.

Scipio the younger: I have faced him, and now feel that ‘tis not wise to on an open battle with the legions we now possess, wait we must till we can assemble a large enough army to crush him completely, which mayst take a lot o’th’time, before which we shallst catch him by following the ways of noble Fabius.

Cnaeus Servilius: Then most agree to follow the path of Fabius even though it be similar to cowardice?

Scipio the younger: It isn’t cowardice; it is an interim measure to curb the upheavals caused by Hannibal.

Senators: Then ‘tis settled, to prevent catastrophic defeats we shallst have to take measures which are in the states' best interests. Noble Fabius, on thee we henceforth vest the powers of a dictator, who at this military emergency shallst have the sway over all the legions of Rome. Actest from this hour, thou, as the supreme commander of all forces and try thy best to stop Hannibal.

Alarum, Fabius Maximus is presented a laurel wreath as he is formally proclaimed dictator.

Fabius Maximus: These powers I shallst use true to my knowledge and to the best of my abilities as general. I vow to purge Rome of all its myriad ailments. All hail Rome!

Others: All hail!

[Exeunt

Act 4 Scene 3

Roman camp, near lake Trasimene. There Gaius Flaminius’ camp. Enter Gaius Flaminius.

Gaius Flaminius: All around me I see, wreckage of burnt mutilation, stretching as far as the horizon. Carnage of the lands, brought about by Carthage, of which I was the sole protector, irritates my living soul, which seeks vengeance. The venom that has defiled the lands seemeth spread like contagion into the minds of my men. This disease must be stopped lest it gathers the strength of an epidemic. We by some clever trickery and deceit have been cutoff from Rome by Hannibal’s men, who continue to ravage these agrarian fields. The strategists mind speaks not to pursue; but diplomacy demands this pursuit for him I must subdue.
Time to stop him is imminent.

Enter a Roman Commander

Commander: Our scouts have reported seeing massive charred lands in Etruria and say that his army are dragging themselves through this land.

Gaius Flaminius: There we shallst follow him and catching them unawares, shallst gleefully put them to the sword. No time to lose; no moment to waste; for haste we make must. Commander givest thou the orders to strike.

Commander: As per thy wish noble Flaminius.

[Exeunt

Lake Trasimene, Hannibal’s camp overlooking the defile.

Enter Hannibal, Mago, Maharbal and Hano.

Hannibal: Maharbal, what do thy scouts report?

Maharbal: Pursuing us they we as thou sayst they would. They shallst soon be here.

Mago: Then let the battle begin; soldiers take thou up thy positions in ambush and await the Romans, as the wolf pack awaits a flock of sheep.

Hano: So we all shallst.

[Exeunt

Desolate defile. Enter the Roman army under the command of Gaius Flaminius.

Gaius Flaminius: This place near the lake is a defile; ay, and ‘tis aptly named. Hannibal thy genius is praiseworthy for thou hast chosen the battleground well, but worry not Carthaginian, seek thee out I shallst. But this place, silence hither rules like a tyrannical lord, who is strong enough to unnerve the bravest of men; but not us, Romans.

Sound of soldiers rushing from all directions.

Enter Carthaginian troops who begin the slaughter.

What noise is that, hark! Ahh; me believes not me eyes, for I see we art caught up in ambush. Dastardly one at that; fight countrymen fight to stop this rabble.

The soldiers begin to fight and full-fledged battle ensues, where the Carthaginians quickly gain the upper hand.

Amidst the carnage; Enter Hannibal

Hannibal: Look, Flaminius, look how these mighty Roman troops, on swollen and unsure land seem astounded and bewildered to face the Carthaginian onslaught.

Gaius Flaminius: So we finally meet; and ay whilst ye hath the vantage, Romans, who are born warriors, shallst be the victors in the long run. Now, face me thou shallst, for let us see who the better champion is in mortal combat.

The two men fight vigorously, and then Flaminius falls to the blade of Hannibal. The battle rages on furiously with both sides locked in mortal combat. Hannibal soon moves on to fight others. Sounds of war, off stage.

Enter Mago.

Mago: Keep fighting men victory is almost reached.

The Romans drop dead one by one till all are killed, generating a heap of bodies in the defile.

Hannibal: The battle is ours.

Mago: Another battle-another victory, we must move on towards Rome.

Hannibal: Ay, brother, we must bury these fallen men hither; and march on the morrow to full fill our destiny.

Soldiers: All hail! Hannibal, all hail!!

[Exeunt

Act 4 Scene 2

Arno, Hannibal’s camp, near the swamps. Hannibal’s tent. Enter Hannibal.

Hannibal: Mosquitoes hum their somber songs, near the weary traveller’s ears; and then take each drop of precious blood flowing in his veins, thus leaving him in dark despair. Rains fall, on this land, again and again, like a million arrows fired in tandem, from the sulky and swollen sky, ay, which in turn looks on, ominously upon the slimy earth. This place seemeth alive and awake; teeming which hideous monstrosities hidden to the mortal eye. Ague, malady and disease hither are rampant, and carrion birds circle above, as the stench of the dead and the dying defile the very air that we breathe. These harbingers of chaos hither do enjoy a perpetual gory feast. This place canst not be charred nor drenched, nor beaten nor broken; but only admired for its archaic ferocity. We have dealt with all that’s to us thrown; and yet have not fully known, the extent o’th’ anarchy of this land, which hath swallowed much of my forlorn force.
[Sighs] But why do I fill my mind with such despondent thoughts, perhaps as my best efforts to lure Rome into open war seemeth not worthy to do so. Yet the time beckons when some telling moves must be produced, and unheard-of strategies deduced, to lay my hands upon the Romans, who seem unmoved by the devastation that we have brought upon those beautiful and bounteous Roman fields, and tried to incite a general rebellion ‘gainst their power and authority. Well, certainly powerful but utterly foolish, they are to think to be able to stop me by placing armies in the proper routes, and not calculating my undying tenacity for conquest. But ah, this filthy land on where we have taken refuge has indeed lead to half my minds decay, which shallst be to no advantage of Rome’s! Nay, neither Cnaeus Servilius nor Gaius Flaminius shallst stop me nor prevent the destruction of the very land that is for them to protect. Ay, so I shallst wait, for my troops return and unveil the cunning plan to them, which for the time to come shall remain etched forever in the minds of my men.

Sound of horses and the chatter of men, off stage.

Ay, thither they come; I must be ready.

Enter Mago, Maharbal and Hano.

Mago: Good brother, the devastations of the lands near are complete, where to now!

Maharbal: The men shall be glad to leave this hell.

Hano: And so would the beasts.

Hannibal: Yes, gentlemen, look yonder the map is laid out. Thither as I point observe as to the next movement of our troops. By this motion, as I have foreseen, we shallst be able to cut him off from Rome by covering his entire left flank Thus he no longer shallst be able to ignore us, partly for fear of popular reproach, ay, but mostly upon his own irritation shallst without much thought hastily take to our heels. ‘Tis then to him shall we deliver this most fatal blow that shallst destroy the largest field force to prevent our passage to Rome, by an ambush in the swamps near lake Trasimene. So have faith my men, as Flaminius shallst surely fall, to the extreme malice of our gall.

Mago: I see a marvel of a stratagem that is laid before us, which shallst indeed be put to use from the dawn that shallst come after this deathly night is over. Ye hath done it again noble brother, and this hath invigorated our downcast sprites. Yes this excitement maketh me rather restless but we must save us the plights and wish, kindly tell to all, the most kind good night.

Maharbal& Hano: Ay we too sayst this which fills our mind with vigour and charm; that to Rome we shallst nonchalantly bring harm! But ay ‘tis too late; time to be abed. Good night to all.

Hannibal: Ayes, gentlemen I see thy pains and wish thee a sound nights rest and also to the troops who are our most valuable assets. Good night.

[Exeunt all but Hannibal

Hannibal: So the night hums its breathtaking lore; which shallst heal the greatest sore that may scorch a man’s heart. But ay, things have fallen into place that which is most likely to bring the greatest disgrace upon Rome.

[Exit

Act 4 Scene 1

Battlefield, near river Trebia.

Alarum. Enter Hannibal, Maharbal and Hano.

Hannibal: Trebia is near, wherein, we have to fight the combined forces of Sempronius Longus and Publius Scipio. Ay, we were watchful, and yet ‘tis true that he did slip our ranks when we were pilling our stocks with plentiful and much needed supplies. So we must face a larger foe but hold, ague not thy hearts gentlemen for strategy alone shallst triumph over sheer numerical advantage.

Maharbal: ‘Tis well said that strategy makes an army win more often, yet I see not how with these few troops thou shallst defeat Roman infantry? Shouldn’t thou take thy brother’s help? Whither is he gone? I see not his flag fluttering anywhere hither!

Hannibal: Peace, get thou not so agitated. ‘Tis all a part of my plan. First, vouch thou to me; and thee to Hano, that our cavalry shallst not face defeat.

Maharbal: I give thee my solemn word, that my cavalry are hell bent on pouncing upon their Roman counterparts to hack them to pieces.

Hano: Thou canst trust us home to trample over the Roman equestrians as angry elephants would the fallen branches. But sayst thou that how shallst thee beat the strong Roman front lines that appear in the distance.

Hannibal: Brother Mago made conspicuous by his absence has surprised thee; this shallst work for Rome too! I shallst lure their infantry in to my vantage point to cut them to pieces later by an ambush. Mago stays with his men, ready to launch at my verbal command. To the naïve Roman infantry, this would be too much and all shallst fall like broken toys. So hence men we must take on our respected posts and prepare to dance to tune and rhythm of war.

[Exeunt

Battlefield, another part, The Roman Camp.

Enter Sempronius Longus, Publius Scipio, and Scipio the younger along with troops.

Sempronius Longus: Time has come to end this Carthaginian upstart once and for all; Noble Scipio lead thou the charge.

Publius Scipio: Ay, for with my valiant son and thy unfailing assistance, Rome shallst prevail; the drummers now shallst play a different tune; which shallst make our armies immune; to all the tricks he has to play, and thus our troops will carry the day! Hence ho to the fields.

Scipio the younger: Hence, countrymen hence! For I see a shaken demeanour amongst their weakened ranks which must be exploited. Soon, victory we shall achieve.

Sempronius Longus: So, Forward!

[Exeunt

The Battle begins, with troops of both sides fighting tooth and nail to maintain position. 

Sounds of men falling in bitter agony, swords string against sword, horses neighing from within.

Another part of the battlefield, Enter Hannibal and an officer.

Hannibal: Officer I now sense the moment to summon Mago; tell him to get ready for the impending attack that he shallst unleash, for Publius Scipio’s troops lay near him, as vulnerable as a deer is to the tiger.

Officer: Ay, I shallst deliver him this order.

[Exeunt

Another part of the battlefield. Enter Publius Scipio and his troops chasing a group of fleeing Carthaginians.

Publius Scipio: Look how these mercenaries run; Ha! Ay, for these fight only for money and not for a cause as we proud Romans do!

Officer: Sir, thy noble son has made his way too; yet I hear he is wounded but that ain’t much as he still intends to fight..

Publius Scipio: He has done his duty rather well; gods ye look after him; for he is as valiant as the Argus; even so, the day is won for Sempronius too has made considerable inroads, as I hear.

Officer: Ay, he has so we must now look to a time of peace and rejoice at our triumph.

Alarum. Enter Mago

Mago: Surrender or fall to my blade!

Publius Scipio: What? We shallst see which warrior bites the dust!

Enter Mago’s contingent of Carthaginian troops.

Whoa? We art surrounded!.

Officer: ’Tis an ambush! We are doomed.

Publius Scipio: Brave Romans fight! Fight ‘gainst this villainy that hides itself like cowardice!

The Romans fight valiantly till every man falls reeling under the pressure of ambush, including Publius Scipio, to the blade of Mago and his men.

Mago: This done, towards Hannibal and the rest we now make our march! Hence Ho!

[Exeunt

Another part of the battlefield where Sempronius Longus is still holding sway but at a huge cost. Enter Sempronius Longus fighting along with his troops

Sempronius Longus: These nimble footed Carthaginians catch us off guard at every turn we make, and slaughter us. I hear that the senior Scipio fell to an ambush whilst the junior didst only escape with his life. We have been worn down by an adversary so unpredictable that victory over him shallst be a matter of honour and glory!

Alarum Enter Hannibal, Mago and their troops.

Hannibal: Surrounded thou art, so yield or fall.

Sempronius Longus: I choose to fall but never to yield.

They fight and Sempronius Longus falls to the blade of Hannibal, whilst Romans flee from the relentless onslaught of the Carthaginians.

Hannibal: Victory is ours; so on to our camps to make merry and celebrate this first major triumph!

Mago: Ay, so do us all! Hurrah!

[Exeunt