Scipio monologue (Act 3) — Numantia

Your words are jest and mirth and mockery; None but a fool would think of such a deed! Employ the means of meek and humble plea, If ye are eager that your necks be freed, Nor feel the rigour of the Roman knife, And from our powerful grip escape with life. If that brute beast, shut up within its cage, For savage wildness and ferocious will, Can there be tamed by dint of cunning sage, Through lapse of time, and means of crafty skill, The man who lets him free to vent his rage Will show himself a madman wilder still. Wild beasts are ye, as such we hold ye fast, And right or wrong, we'll tame ye at the last! In spite of you Numantia shall be mine, Nor cost me at the worst a single man; So let the boldest-minded of your line Break through the ditch and trenches if he can; And if my valour shows some little sign Of cowardice in working out this plan, Let now the gusty wind bear off the shame, And when I conquer, bear it back--as fame.