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? CYP. I am the King of Cyprus who, led on By the divine instinct of heavenly love, Come with my sword to beg that royal maid, And to approve by gift of heaven and fate She is alone to me appropriate: Which to maintain, I challenge entrance here, Where I will live a king or recreant. CAE. And what are you or your intendiments?