Flo. Place here the lists; fix every joint as strong,
As 'twere a wall; for on this foot of earth
This day shall stand two famous monuments;
The one a throne of glory bright as gold,
Burnish'd with angels' lustre, and with stars
Pluck'd from the crown of conquest, in which shall sit
Men made half-gods through famous victory:
The other a rich tomb of memorable fame,
Built by the curious thoughts of noble minds,
In which shall sleep these valiant souls in peace,
Whom fortune's hand shall only overthrow.
Heaven, in thy palm this day the balance hings,[150]
Which makes kings gods, or men more great than kings.
Cae. So, now let the heralds give the champions sign
Of ready preparations. [Exeunt Heralds.
The cornets sound; and enter at one end of the stage a Herald, two Pages, one with pole-axes, the other with hand-axes, the Duke OF Epire and Alphonso, like combatants; the Queen and Mariana; Prate, Lollia, Collaquintida, and Precedent aloft.
Flo. What are you that appear, and what devoir
Draws you within these lists?
Epire. I am the Duke of Epire, and the mine,[151]
Which doth attract my spirit to run this marshal[152] course
Is the fair guard of a distressed queen, would wed
To hate and inequality, and brutish force;
Which to withstand I boldly enter thus,
And will defail,[153] or else prove recreant.
Flo. And what are you, or your intendiments?
Alph. I am Alphonso, marshal of this realm,
Who of like-temper'd thoughts and like desires
Have grounded this my sanctimonious zeal,
And will approve the duke's assertions,
Or in this field lie slain and recreant.
Flo. Enter and prosper, as your cause deserves.
The cornets sound; and enter at the other end of the stage a Herald, two Pages with [hand-]axes and pole-axes; then the King OF Cyprus and Philocles, like combatants, and their array.[154]
Cae. What are you that appear, and what devoir
Draws you within these lists?