MACH. It takes; revenge, I hug thee; young lord, thou art lost. [_Aside._ GOV. Speak, Antonio, your counsel. ANT. Nothing. GOV. How? ANT. So; And could my wish obtain a sudden grant From yon tribunal, I would crave my senses Might be all steeped in Lethe, to forget What Machiavel has spoken. MACH. Ha! it takes unto my wish. [_Aside._ Why, Antonio? ANT. Because you speak Not like a man, that were possess'd with a Mere soldier's heart, much less a soul guarded With subtle sinews. O madness! can there be In nature such a prodigy, so senseless, So much to be wondered at, As can applaud or lend a willing ear To that my blushes do betray? I've been Tardy to hear your childish policy. GOV. Antonio, you're too bold; this usurp'd liberty To abuse a man of so much merit is not Seemly in you: nay, I'll term it sauciness. ANT. Nay, then, my lord, I claim the privilege Of a councillor, and will object. This my prophetic fear whisper'd my heart: When from a watchtow'r I beheld the French Erect their spears which, like a mighty grove, Denied my eyes any other object: The tops show'd by a stolen reflection from The sun like diamonds, or as the glorious Gilder of the day should deign a lower visit. Then my warm blood, that used to play like Summer, felt a change; grey-bearded winter Froze my very soul, till I became, Like the Pyrenian hills, wrapp'd in a robe of ice: My arctic[18] fears froze me into a statue. ALER. Cowardly Antonio! FUL. I have lost my faith, And can behold him now without a wonder. GOV. Antonio, y' are too long, and rack our patience; Your counsel? ANT. I fear'd--but what? not our proud enemies: No, did they burthen all our Spanish world, And I, poor I, only surviv'd to threat defiance In the mounseers'[19] teeth, and stand defendant For my country's cause, naked, unarm'd, I'd through their bragging host, and pay my life A sacrifice to death for my loved country's safety. ALER. Fulgentio, thou hast not lost Thy faith? [_Aside._] FUL. No, I'm reform'd; he's valiant. [_Aside._] GOV. Antonio, your counsel? MACH. Ay, your counsel? ANT. Our foes increase to an unreckon'd number; We less than nothing, since we have no hope To arrive a number, that may cope with Half their army. 'Tis my counsel we strike a league: 'Tis wisdom to sue peace, where powerful fate Threatens a ruin: lest [we] repent too late. FUL. 'Tis god-like counsel. [_Aside._ ALER. And becomes the tongue of young Antonio. [_Aside._ GOV. Antonio, let me tell you, you have lost Your valiant heart; I can with safety now Term you a coward. ANT. Ha! GOV. Nay, more, Since by your oratory you strive To rob your country of a glorious conquest, That may to after-times beget a fear, Even with the thought should awe the trembling World, you are a traitor. ANT. Ha! my lord! coward and traitor! 'tis a damned lie, And in the heart of him dares say't again I'll write his error. MACH. 'Tis as I would have't. [_Aside._ FUL. Noble Antonio!