Max. There is fire in this.
Nig. And to encourage thy laborious powers
To tug for Empire, dares thee to the field,
With this assurance, if thy Sword can win him,
Or force his Legions with thy barbed horse,
But to forsake their ground, that not alone
Wing'd Victory shall take stand on thy Tent,
But all the Provinces, and Kingdoms held
By the Roman Garrisons in this Eastern World,
Shall be deliver'd up, and he himself
Acknowledge thee his Sovereign. In return
Of this large offer, he asks only this,
That till the doubtful Die of War determine
Who has most power, and should command the other,
Thou wouldst entreat thy Prisoners like their Births,
And not their present Fortune; and to bring 'em,
Guarded, into thy Tent, with thy best strengths,
Thy ablest men of War, and thou thy self
Sworn to make good the place. And if he fail
(Maugre all opposition can be made)
In his own person to compel his way,
And fetch them safely off, the day is thine,
And he, like these, thy Prisoner.
Cos. Though I receive this
But as a Roman Brave, I do embrace it,
And love the sender. Tell him, I will bring
My Prisoners to the field, and without odds,
Against his single force, alone defend 'em;
Or else with equal numbers. Courage, noble Princes,
And let Posterity record, that we
This memorable day restor'd to Persia,
That Empire of the World, great Philip's Son,
Ravish'd from us, and Greece gave up to Rome.
This our strong comfort, that we cannot fall
Ingloriously, since we contend for all. [Exeunt.
[Flourish. Alarms.
SCENE V.
Enter Geta, Guard, Souldiers.
Get. I'll swear the Peace against 'em, I am hurt,
Run for a Surgeon, or I faint.
1 Guard. Bear up, man,
'Tis but a scratch.
Get. Scoring a man o'r the Coxcomb
Is but a scratch with you! —— o' your occupation,
Your scurvy scuffling trade; I was told before
My face was bad enough; but now I look
Like bloody Bone, and raw head, to fright Children;
I am for no use else.
2 Guard. Thou shalt fright men.
1 Guard. You look so terrible now; but see your face
In the Pummel of my Sword.