[300] Dunwallo Molmutius. See note to act iii. sc. 5. There was an old historical play called "Mulmutius Dunwallo," which in Henslowe's MS. has the date of September 1598 affixed to it; but it must have been written much earlier, as William Rankins, the author of it, had long before repented of his "lewd life," and in 1587 published his "Mirror of Monsters," a puritanical attack on the stage and plays in general.—Collier.
ACT III., SCENE I.
Noise of ships landing, and the battle within.
Cæsar, Volusenus, Laberius, Atrius. Ensign, drums, flags.
Cæs. Our landing cost us dearly, many lives
Between the ships and shore being sacrific'd:
Our men, with heavy armour clogg'd, and ignorant
Of all the flats and shallows, were compell'd
To wade and fight, like Tritons, half above,
Half under water. Now we surer tread,
Though much diminish'd by so many lost.
Come on, come on. [They march and go out.
Cassibelanus, Cridous, Britael, Guerthed, the four Kings of Kent, Nennius, Androgeus, Tenantius, Eulinus, Hirildas, Belinus, Rollano. Ensigns, drum. A march.
Cas. So, let them land. No matter which they choose,
Fishes or crows, to be executors.
They'll find the land as dangerous as the sea.
The nature of our soil won't bear a Roman,
As Irish earth doth poison poisonous beasts.[301]
On then! charge close, before they gather head.
Nen. Brother, advance. On this side I'll lead up
The new-come succours of the Scots and Picts.