ASTOLPH.
It lies with you
To break the threatened treaty. You have owned
Power over Pepin?
CARLOMAN.
Yes; tho’ tardily,
He followed all my counsels.
ASTOLPH.
Ride, and stop
This treaty. If you ride you will forestall
The Pontiff’s slower march; and I meantime
Will press the siege of Rome ... you must not mind
The ache of stiffened muscles.
CARLOMAN.
Hills and plains
And trees—the olives, cypresses and vines;
Then France with nuts and poplars! But you keep me
In one great palpitation.
ASTOLPH.
Zacharias,
Besetting me from north and southward, crushes
My strongest forces. What a splendid thing
For the old man to travel in the heat
So far to work my ruin!