_Sec. Pr._ Muse not, brave kings, at Mahomet's discourse, For mark what he forth of that mouth doth say, Assure yourselves it needs must happen so. Therefore make haste, go mount you on your steeds, And set upon Alphonsus presently: So shall you reap great honour for your pain, And 'scape the scourge which else the fates ordain. [_All rise up._
_Beli._ Then, proud Alphonsus, look thou to thy crown: Belinus comes, in glittering armour clad, All ready prest[47] for to revenge the wrong Which, not long since, you offer'd unto him; And since we have God Mahound on our side, The victory must needs to us betide.
_Cla._ Worthy Belinus, set such threats away, And let us haste as fast as horse can trot To set upon presumptuous Arragon.-- You, Fabius, haste, as Mahound did command, To Amurack with all the speed you may.
_Fabi._ With willing mind I hasten on my way. [_Exit._
_Beli._ And thinking long till that we be in fight, Belinus hastes to quail Alphonsus' might. [_Exeunt._
_Cari._ No sooner had God Phœbus' brightsome beams Begun to dive within the western seas, And darksome Nox had spread about the earth Her blackish mantle, but a drowsy sleep Did take possession of Carinus' sense, And Morpheus show'd me strange disguisèd shapes. Methought I saw Alphonsus, my dear son, Plac'd in a throne all glittering clear with gold, Bedeck'd with diamonds, pearls, and precious stones, Which shin'd so clear, and glitter'd all so bright, Hyperion's coach that well be term'd it might. Above his head a canopy was set, Not deck'd with plumes, as other princes use, But all beset with heads of conquer'd kings, Enstall'd with crowns, which made a gallant show, And struck a terror to the viewers' hearts. Under his feet lay grovelling on the ground Thousands of princes, which he in his wars By martial might did conquer and bring low: Some lay as dead as either stock or stone, Some other tumbled, wounded to the death; But most of them, as to their sovereign king, Did offer duly homage unto him. As thus I stood beholding of this pomp, Methought Alphonsus did espy me out, And, at a trice, he leaving throne alone, Came to embrace me in his blessèd arms. Then noise of drums and sound of trumpets shrill Did wake Carinus from this pleasant dream. Something, I know, is now foreshown by this: The gods forfend that aught should hap amiss! [CARINUS _walks up and down._