Theogenes monologue (Act 2) — Numantia

Ye valiant men, it seems to me this day That every adverse fate and direful sign Conspire to crush us with their baleful sway, And cause our force and fury to decline. The Romans shut us in, do what we may, With cruel craft our strength to undermine. No vengeance comes to us by death in fight, Nor, save with wings, can we escape by flight, Not these alone would crush us to the ground, Who oft have suffered at our hands defeat; For Spaniards too, with them in paction bound, Would cut our throats with treachery complete. May Heaven such knavish villany confound! May lightning flashes wound their nimble feet, Who rush to give their friends a deadly blow, And lend their succour to our wily foe! See if ye cannot now devise some plan To mend our fortunes, and our city save; For this laborious siege, of lengthened span, Prepares for us a sure and certain grave. Across that fearful ditch no single man May seek the fortune that awaits the brave; Though valiant arms, at times, in close array Will sweep a thousand obstacles away.