Within. Come near, and take this oracle.
Lan. Behold, an oracle flies out from her shrine;
Which both the king and state shall see, before
We dare unfold it. [Exeunt.
SCENE VII.
Brennus's Ghost, Nennius in night-robes.
Bren. Follow me.
Nen. Follow! what means that word? who art? thy will?
Bren. Follow me, Nennius.
Nen. He names me: sure, it is some friend which speaks.
I'll follow thee, though't be through Stygian lakes.
Bren. 'Tis ancient Brennus calls, whose victories
Europe and Asia felt, and still record.
Dear Nennius, now's the time to steel thy courage;
Canst thou behold thy mother captive, then
Look back upon thy ancestors, enroll'd
Among the worthies who spread wide her fame?
First let thy eyeballs pour out poison'd beams,
And kill them with disdain, who dare but lift
Their hand against her. No: no consul must
Boast of her thraldom, and outbrave our walls.
I wonder that such impudent owls should gaze
Against the splendour of our Briton cliffs:
Play thou a second Brennus: let thy lance,
Like an Herculean club, two monsters tame,
Rome's avarice and pride so come life or death,
Let honour have the incense of thy breath. [Exit.
Nen. Farewell, heroic soul; thou shalt not blush
At Nennius' deeds. The smallest drop of fame
Is cheap, if death and dangers may it buy.
Yet give thy words new vigour to my spirits,
And spur the Pegasus of my mounting thoughts.
I'll follow thee o'er piles of slaughter'd foes,
And knock at Pluto's gate. I come. Come life or death,
Honour, to thee I consecrate my breath. [Exit.