Pet. Now mark the working! Pet. There's their joyful supper. The devil and the spirit tug for it: Twenty pound And no doubt they are at it. Upon the devil's head! Herald [Reading]. "If any common soldier love an enemy, he's whipped and made a slave : If any captain, cast, with loss of honours, flung out of the army, and made unable ever after to bear the name of a soldier." Jun. The pox consume ye all, rogues! [Exit. Pet. Let this work; He has something now to chew upon. gone; Come, shake no more. Herald. Well, sir, you may command me, But not to do the like again for Europe; He's I would have given my life for a bent two-pence. Pet. There's your payment, And keep this private. Herald. I am schooled for talking. Enter DEMETRIUS. [Exit. Dem. But, for heaven's sake, Pet. Drawing on, poor gentleman. Pet. To the end of all flesh, woman. Dem. This love has made him a stout soldier. Pet. Oh, a great one, Fit to command young goslings. But what news? Dem. I think the messenger's come back from Penius By this time; let's go know. Pet. What will you say now Dare say what no man dares bélieve, darės do But that's all one: I'll lay you my black armour Pet. You'll pay? Dem. I will. Pet. Then keep thine old use, Penius! Be stubborn and vainglorious, and I thank thee. Come, let's go pray for six hours; most of us I fear will trouble heaven no more: Two good blows Struck home at two commanders of the Britons, And my part's done. Dem. I do not think of dying. Pet. 'Tis possible we may live; But, Demetrius, With what strange legs, and arms, and eyes, and noses, Let carpenters and copper-smiths consider. Dem. Come, let's have better thoughts; mine's on your armour. Pet. Mine's in your purse, sir; let's go try the wager! [Exeunt. SCENE III. Judas. We humbly thank your Grace! 1 Daugh. The rogues laugh at us. [Exit. 2 Daugh. These are the merry Romans, the That vex my aunt so? can these fight? they look brave madcaps : 'Tis ten to one we'll cool your resolutions. Bring out the whips. Judas. 'Would your good ladyships Would exercise them too! 4 Sold. Surely, ladies, We'll shew you a strange patience. They'll talk thus on the wheel. Enter CARATACH. Car. Now, what's the matter? What are these fellows? what's the crime com mitted, That they wear necklaces? Nen. They are Roman rogues, Taken a-foraging. Car. Is that all, Nennius? Like empty scabbards all, no mettle in them; Like men of clouts, set to keep crows from or chards: Why, I dare fight with these. Car. That's my good chicken !— And how d'ye? how d'ye feel your stomachs? As shall appear, when time calls. Car. That's well; down with it. A little grace well serve your turns. Eat softly! You'll choke, ye knaves, else. Give them wine! Judas. Not yet, sir; We're even a little busy. Hengo. Can that fellow Do any thing but eat? Thou fellow! Judas. Away, boy; Away; this is no boy's play. Hengo. By heaven, uncle, Judas. 'Would I were fairly hanged! This is If his valour lie in his teeth, he is the most valiant. the devil, The kill-cow Caratach. Car. And you would hang them? Nen. Are they not enemies? 1 Daugh. Are they not our tormentors? Car. Tormentors? flea-traps! Pluck off your halters, fellows. Nen. Take heed, Caratach; Taint not your wisdom. Car. Wisdom, Nennius? Why, who shall fight against us, make our honours, Judas. Monstrous hungry. Car. He looks Car. Some twenty Britons, boy; these are good soldiers. Hengo. Do not the cowards eat hard too? Come, I'll sit with you too. Sit down by me, boy. Car. Hearty knaves! more meat there. 1 Sold. That's a good hearing. Car. Stay now, and pledge me. Judas. This little piece, sir. Car. By heaven, square eaters! More meat, I say! Upon my conscience, The poor rogues have not eat this month! how terribly They charge upon their victuals! Dare ye fight thus? Judas. Believe it, sir, like devils. Here's to thy general. Judas. Most excellent captain, I will now pledge thee. Car. And tomorrow-night, say to him, His head is mine. Judas. I can assure you, captain, He will not give it for this washing. Hengo. Thou darest as well The youngest daughter to the queen entreats you Judas. I rest her humble servant; Commend me to thy lady. Keep your files, boys. Serv. I must instruct you further. Judas. Keep your files there! Be damned! thou knock his brains out? thou Order, sweet friends; faces about now. skin of man? Uncle, I will not hear this. Judas. Tie up your whelp. a sword Guide. Here, sir; Here lies your way. Judas. Bless the founders, I say! Hengo. Thou kill my uncle? 'Would I had but Fairly, good soldiers, fairly! march now; close, For thy sake, thou dried dog! Cur. What a mettle This little vermin carries! Hengo. Kill mine uncle? Cur. He shall not, child. Hengo. He cannot; he is a rogue, An only eating rogue! kill my sweet uncle? Judas. By this wine, which I Will drink to captain Junius, who loves The queen's most excellent majesty's little daugh ter Most sweetly, and most fearfully, I'll do it. Hengo. Uncle, I'll kill him with a great pin. Car. No more, boy! I'll pledge thy captain. To ye all, good fellows! 2 Daugh. In love with me? that love shall cost your lives all. Come, sister, and advise me; I have here Car. Let's see you sweat, 1 Sold. Hark you, Judas; If he should hang us after all this? Judas. Let him: boys! SCENE IV. [Exeunt. Full of resolve and confidence; youth and fire, To them was odds, and odds so infinite, Suet. Well, Penius, I cannot think thee coward yet; and treacherous I dare not think; thou hast lopt a limb off from me; And let it be thy glory, thou was stubborn, Suet. No, by no means; he's a torrent We cannot easily stem. Pet. I think, a traitor. Suet. No ill words! let his own shame first revile him. That wine I have, sce it, Demetrius, To make them high and lusty; when that's done, Are your starved people yet come home? Suet. Keep them in more obedience: This is no time To chide, I could be angry else, and say more to you; But come, let's order all. Whose sword is sharpest, Pet. We shall be holy all, then. [Exeunt. Manet DECIUS. Enter JUDAS and his company. Judas. Captain, captain, I've brought them off again; The drunkennest slaves! Dec. Pox confound your rogueships! That are the ringleader to these devices, SCENE I. Enter a Messenger. ACT III. 2 Daugh. See, Heaven, And all you powers. that guide us, see and shame, Mess. Prepare there for the sacrifice! the Since 'tis no light oblation, that you look for, queen comes. Music. Enter in solemnity the Druids singing, the second daughter strewing flowers; then BONDUCA, CARATACH, NENNIUS, and others. Bond. Ye powerful gods of Britain, hear our prayers! No incense-offering, will I hang mine eyes; So will I melt your powers And as I wear these stones with hourly weeping, into compassion. This tear for Prosutagus, my brave father; (Ye gods, now think on Rome!) this for my mother, And all her miseries; yet see, and save us! But now ye must be open-eyed. See, heaven, Take pity from our swords, doubt from our va- Oh, see thy showers stolen from thee; our dis Hear us, ye great revengers! and this day lours, Double the sad remembrance of our wrongs Rise from the dust, ye relicks of the dead, Nen. Thou great Tiranes, whom our sacred priests, Armed with dreadful thunder, place on high A fear fit for confusion; blast their spirits, Dwell in them to destruction; through their phalanx Strike as thou strikest a proud tree; shake their bodies, Make their strengths totter, and their topless for honours, [A smoke from the altar. Oh, sister, our dishonours! Can ye be gods, And these sins smothered? Bond. The fire takes. Car. It does so, But no flame rises. Cease your fretful prayers, sternness, Give us this day good hearts, good enemies, Good blows of both sides, wounds, that fear or flight Can claim no share in; steel us both with angers Thy little Britain, but as great in fortune, Reward with honour; who despair makes fly, Bond. It flames out. A flame rises. [Music. [Song. Car. He has given us leave to fight yet; we ask no more; The rest hangs on our resolutions: Bond. I would know further, cousin. vours, Our valours are our best gods. Chear the sol dier, And let him eat. |
