And, which is not the least of all my glorie,
      When he, this young man, hand to hand in fight,
      Was by the General of the Venetians,
      And such as were his retinue, unhors’d,
      I stept between, and rescu’d him my self,
      Or horses hoofs had trampled him to dirt;
      And whilst he was re-mounting, I maintain’d
      The combate with the gallant General,
      Till having taken breath, he throng’d before me,
      Renew’d the fight, and with a fatal blow,’
      Stole both that honour from me, and his life
246] From him, whom I before my self alone,
      Had more than full three quarters kill’d:  a man
      Well worthy only by this hand to have dy’d,
      Not by a Boys weak push:  I talk too much,
      But ’tis a fault of age:  If to bring home
      Long peace, long victorie, even to your Capitol;
      If to secure your Kingdom, wives, and children,
      Your lives and liberties; if to renown
      Your honours through the world, to fix your names,
      Like Blazing stars admir’d, and fear’d by all
      That have but heard of Candy, or a Cretan,
      Be to deserve the approvement of my man-hood,
      Then thus much have I done:  what more, examine
      The annals of my life; and then consider
      What I have been, and am.  Lords I have said.

Gonzalo: 

      With reverence to the Senate, is it lawfull,
      Without your Customes breach, to say a word?

Possenne: 

      Say on my Lord Gonzalo.

Gonzalo: 

      I have heard,
      And with no little wonder, such high deeds
      Of Chivalrie discours’d, that I confess,
      I do not think the Worthies while they liv’d
      All nine, deserv’d as much applause, or memorie,
      As this one:  But who can do ought to gain
      The crown of honour from him, must be somewhat
      More than a man; you tread a dangerous path,
      Yet I shall hear you gladly:  for believe me,
      Thus much let me profess, in honours cause,
      I would not to my Father, nor my King,
      (My Countries Father) yield:  if you transcend
      What we have heard, I can but only say,
      That Miracles are yet in use.  I fear
      I have offended.

Porphycio: 

      You have spoken nobly.
      Antinous use your priviledge.

Antinous: 

      Princely Fathers,
      E’re I begin, one suit I have to make,
      ’Tis just, and honourable.

Porphycio Possenne: 

      Speak, and have it.

Antinous: 

That you would please the souldiers might all stand 247] Together by their General.

Possenne: 

      ’Tis granted. 
      All fall to yonder side:  Go on, Antinous.

Antinous: