_Albi._ Not so, Belinus, I am constant still; My mind is like to the asbeston-stone, Which, if it once be heat in flames of fire, Denieth to becomen cold again: Even so am I, and shall be till I die. And though I should see Atropos appear, With knife in hand, to slit my thread in twain, Yet ne'er Albinius should persuaded be But that Belinus he should vanquish'd see. _Beli._ Nay, then, Albinius, since that words are vain For to persuade you from this heresy, This sword shall sure put you out of doubt. [BELINUS _offers to strike off_ ALBINIUS' _head: alarum; enter_ ALPHONSUS _and his_ Men; BELINUS _and_ FABIUS _fly, followed by_ ALPHONSUS _and_ ALBINIUS. SCENE II.--_Another Part of the Field._ _Enter_ LÆLIUS, MILES, _and_ Servants. _Læli._ My noble lords of Arragon, I know You wonder much what might the occasion be That Lælius, which erst did fly the field, Doth egg you forwards now unto the wars; But when you hear my reason, out of doubt You'll be content with this my rash attempt. When first our king, Flaminius I do mean, Did set upon the Neapolitans, The worst of you did know and plainly see How far they were unable to withstand The mighty forces of our royal camp, Until such time as froward fates we thought,-- Although the fates ordain'd it for our gain,-- Did send a stranger stout, whose sturdy blows And force alone did cause our overthrow. But to our purpose: this same martial knight Did hap to hit upon Flaminius, And lent our king then such a friendly blow As that his gasping ghost to Limbo went. Which when I saw, and seeking to revenge, My noble lords, did hap on such a prize As never king nor keisar got the like. _Miles._ Lælius, of force we must confess to thee, We wonder'd all whenas you did persuade Us to return unto the wars again; But since our marvel is increasèd much By these your words, which sound of happiness: Therefore, good Lælius, make no tarrying, But soon unfold thy happy chance to us. _Læli._ Then, friends and fellow soldiers, hark to me; When Lælius thought for to revenge his king On that same knight, instead of mortal foe, I found him for to be our chiefest friend. _Miles._ Our chiefest friend! I hardly can believe That he, which made such bloody massacres Of stout Italians, can in any point Bear friendship to the country or the king.