_Fausta._ Iphigena, she sayeth naught but truth; Fates must be follow'd in their just decrees; And therefore, setting all delays aside, Come, let us wend unto Amazone, And gather up our forces out of hand.
_Iphi._ Since Fausta wills and fates do so command, Iphigena will never it withstand. [_Exeunt._
_Venus._ Thus have you seen how Amurack himself, Fausta his wife, and every other king Which hold their sceptres at the Turk his hands, Are now in arms, intending to destroy, And bring to naught, the Prince of Arragon. Charms have been us'd by wise Medea's art, To know before what afterward shall hap; And King Belinus, with high Claramont, Join'd to Arcastus, which with princely pomp Doth rule and govern all the warlike Moors, Are sent as legates to God Mahomet, To know his counsel in these high affairs. Mahound, provok'd by Amurack's discourse, Which, as you heard, he in his dream did use, Denies to play the prophet any more; But, by the long entreaty of his priests, He prophesies in such a crafty sort As that the hearers needs must laugh for sport. Yet poor Belinus, with his fellow kings, Did give such credence to that forgèd tale As that they lost their dearest lives thereby, And Amurack became a prisoner Unto Alphonsus, as straight shall appear. [_Exit._
_Let there be a Brazen Head set in the middle of the place behind the stage, out of the which cast flames of fire; drums rumble within. Enter two_ Priests.
_First Pr._ My fellow priest of Mahound's holy house, What can you judge of these strange miracles Which daily happen in this sacred seat? [_Drums rumble within._ Hark, what a rumbling rattleth in our ears! [_Flames of fire are cast forth of the Brazen Head._ See flakes of fire proceeding from the mouth Of Mahomet, that god of peerless power! Nor can I tell, with all the wit I have, What Mahomet, by these his signs, doth crave.
_Sec. Pr._ Thrice ten times Phœbus with his golden beams Hath compassèd the circle of the sky, Thrice ten times Ceres hath her workmen hir'd, And fill'd her barns with fruitful crops of corn, Since first in priesthood I did lead my life; Yet in this time I never heard before Such fearful sounds, nor saw such wondrous sights; Nor can I tell, with all the wit I have, What Mahomet, by these his signs, doth crave.