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! Jun. I must be wretched! Pet. I knew I'd won. Jun. Nor have I so much power To shun my fortune. Pet. I will hunt thy fortune With all the shapes imagination breeds, [Music. Jun. Must I be thus abused? Let's follow him close: Oh, there he is; now read it. Herald [reading]. "It is the general's command, that all sick persons, old and unable, retire within the trenches; he, that fears, has liberty to leave the field: Fools, boys, and cowards must not come near the regiments, for fear of their infections; especially those cowards, they call lovers." Jun. Ha? Pet. Read on. 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. command me, Herald. Well, sir, you may 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. [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. Fit to command young goslings. But what news? go know. Pet. What will you say now If he deny to come, and take exceptions Dare say what no man dares believe, dares 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. If I can keep my heart whole, and my windpipe, That I may drink yet like a soldier Dem. Come, let's have better thoughts; mine's on your armour. Enter JUDAS and his four companions (halters about their necks), BONDUCA, her daughters, and NENNIUS following. Bond. Come, hang them presently. Nen. What made your rogueships Harrying for victuals here? Are we your friends? Or do you come for spies? Tell me directly, Would you not willingly be hanged now? Do not ye long for it? Judas. What say ye? shall we hang in this vein? Hang we must, And 'tis as good to dispatch it merrily. 1 Sold. Any way, So it be handsome. 3 Sold. I had as lieve 'twere toothsome too: But all agree, and I'll not stick out, boys. Judas. We humbly thank your Grace! 1 Daugh. The rogues laugh at us. [Exit. Who waits there? Serv. [within.] Sir, 'tis coming. Hengo. Who are these, uncle? 2 Daugh. These are the merry Romans, the That vex my aunt so? can these fight? they look bravé madcaps : Tis ten to one we'll cool your résolutions. Bring out the whips. Judas. 'Would your good ladyships Would exercise them too! 4 Sold. Surely, ladies, We'll shew you a strange patience. Enter CARATACH. Car. Now, what's the matter? 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? Judas. Wondrous apt, sir; 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! What are these fellows? what's the crime com- We're even a little busy. mitted, That they wear necklaces? Nen. They are Roman rogues, Car. Is that all, Nennius? the devil, Taken a-foraging. 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 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. Cur. Wisdom, Nennius? Why, who shall fight against us, make our honours, If we dispatch our foes thus? What's their offence? Judas. Monstrous hungry. Car. He looks Car. I am glad to hear you talk, sir. What's the price of a couple of crammed Car. Some twenty Britons, boy; these are 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 skin of man? 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. Uncle, I will not hear this. Judas. Tie up your whelp. a sword Hengo. Thou kill my uncle? Would I had but Fairly, good soldiers, fairly! march now; close, For thy sake, thou dried dog! Car. What a mettle This little vermin carries! Hengo. Kill mine uncle? Car. 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? I'll hang like a gentleman, and a Roman. They have enough. Judas. Captain, we think you heartily For your good cheer; and if we meet tomorrow, One of us pays for it. Car. Get them guides; their wine Has over-mastered them. Enter second Daughter and a Servant. 2 Daugh. That hungry fellow With the red beard there, give it him, and this, To see it well delivered. Car. Farewell, knaves! Speak nobly of us; keep your words to-morrow, boys! SCENE IV. [Exeunt. Suet. No, by no means; he's a torrent We cannot easily stem. Pet. I think, a traitor. Suct. No ill words! let his own shame first re vile him. That wine I have, sce it, Demetrius, Distributed amongst the soldiers, 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. And stow them somewhere, where they may sleep handsomely; They'll hear a hunts-up shortly. Dec. Deserve them not then. Up with your men; I'll meet you presently; Judas. Arm, arm, bullies! All's right again and straight; and, which is more, More wine, more wine. Awake, ye men of Memphis! Be sober and discreet; we've much to do, boys. [Exeunt. 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! Hear us, ye great revengers! and this day Take pity from our swords, doubt from our lours, No incense-offering, will I hang mine eyes; And all her miseries; yet see, and save us! Double the sad remembrance of our wrongs Rise from the dust, ye relicks of the dead, Nen. Thou great Tiranes, whom our sacred Armed with dreadful thunder, place on high And shoot them home; stick in each Roman A fear fit for confusion; blast their spirits, Strike as thou strikest a proud tree; shake their Make their strengths totter, and their topless for Bond. The fire takes. But no flame rises. Cease your fretful prayers, dier, |