Pet. Now mark the working! Pet. There's their joyful supper. Dem. But, for heaven's sake, How does young Junius? Pet. I knew I'd won. Pet. Drawing on, poor gentleman. Jun. Nor have I so much power Dem. What, to his end? To shun my fortune. Pet. To the end of all flesh, woman. Pet. I will hunt thy fortune Dem. This love has made him a stout soldier. With all the shapes imagination breeds, [Music. Pet. Oh, a great one, But I will fright thy devil. Stay, he sings now. Fit to command young goslings. But what news Song, by Junius, and Petillius after him, in Dem. I think the messenger's come back from mockage. Penius Jun. Must I be thus abused ? By this time; let's go know. Pet. Yes, marry must you. Pet. What will you say now Let's follow him close: Oh, there he is; now read If he deny to come, and take exceptions it. At some half syllable, or sound delivered Herald (reading]. “It is the general's com- With an ill accent, or some style left out? mand, that all sick persons, old and unable, re- Dem. I cannot think he dare. tire within the trenches; he, that fears, has li- Pet. He dare speak treason, berty to leave the field : Fools, boys, and cowards Dare say what no man dares believe, dares must not come near the regiments, for fear of dotheir infections; especially those cowards, they But that's all one : I'll lay you my black armour call lovers." To'twenty crowns, he comes not. Jun. Ha? Dem. Done. Pet. Read on. Pet. You'll pay? Herald [Reading). “ If any common soldier Dem. I will love an enemy, he's whipped and made a slave : Pet. Then kecp thine old use, Penius! If any captain, cast, with loss of honours, Aung Be stubborn and vainglorious, and I thank thec. out of the army, and made unable ever after to Come, let's go pray for six hours; most of us bear the name of a soldier." I fear will trouble heaven no more: Two good Jun. The pox consume ye all, rogues! (Exit. blows Pet. Let this work; Struck home at two commanders of the Britons, He has something now to chew upon. He's And my part's done. gone; Dem. I do not think of dying. Come, shake no more. Pet. 'Tis possible we may live; But, Demetrius, Herald. Well, sir, you may command me, With what strange legs, and arms, and eyes, and But not to do the like again for Europe; noses, I would have given my life for a bent two-pence. Let carpenters and copper-smiths consider. If I e'er read to lovers, whilst I live, again, If I can keep my heart whole, and my windpipe, Or come within their confines — That I may drink yet like a soldierPet. There's your payment, Dem. Come, let's have better thoughts; mine's And keep this private. Herald. I am schooled for talking. [Erit. Pet. Mine's in your purse, sir; let's go try the Wager ! [Ereunt. Enter DEMETRIUS. SCENE III. Enter Judas and his four companions (halters Your company stands fair. But pray you, where's about their necks), BONDUCA, her daughters, Junius? and Nennius following. Half his command are wanting, with some forty, Bond. Come, hang them presently. That Decius leads. Nen. What made your rogueships Pet. Ilunting for victuals. Harrying for victuals here! Are we your friends? Upon my life, free-booting rogues! their stomachs Or do you conie for spies? Tell me directly, Are, like a widow's, never satisfied. Would you not willingly be hanged now? Do Dem. I wonder how they dare stir, knowing not ye long for it? the enemy Judas. What say, ye? shall we hang in this Master of all the country. vein? Hang we must, Pet. Resolute hungers And 'tis as good to dispatch it merrily. Know neither fears nor faiths; they tread on lad- 1 Sold. Any way, ders, So it be handsome. Ropes, gallows, and overdo all dangers. 3 Sold. I had as lieve 'twere toothsome too : Dem. They may be hanged though. But all agree, and I'd not stick out, boys. on your armour. FLETCHER.) 141 4 Sold. Let us hang pleasantly. I am glad they are shifted any way; their Judas Then pleasantly be it: tongues else Captain, the truth is, we had as lieve hang Would still have murdered us. Enter Hengo. Who waits there? [Erit. Hengo. Who are these, uncle? Jadas. We humbly thank your Grace ! Car. They are Romans, boy. 1 Daugh. The rogues laugh at us. Hengo. Are these they, 2 Daugh. These are the merry Romans, the That vex my aunt so ? can these fight? they look brave madcaps : Like empty scabbards all, no mettle in thein; Tisten to one we'll cool your résolutions. Like men of clouts, set to keep crows from orBring out the whips. chards : Judas. 'Would your good ladyships Why, I dare fight with these. Woald exercise them too! Car. That's my good chicken !4 Sold. Surely, ladies, And how d'ye? how d'ye feel your stomachs ? We'll shew you a strange patience. Judas. Wondrous apt, sir; Nen. Hang them, rascals! As shall appear, when time calls. They'll talk this on the wheel. Car. That's well; down with it. A little grace well serve your turns. Eat softly! You'll choke, ye knares, else. Give them wine! Judus. Not yet, sir; What are these fellows? what's the crine com- We're even a little busv. mitted, Hengo. Can that fellow That they wear necklaces? Do any thing but eat? Thou fellow! Ner. They are Roman rogues, Judas. Away, boy; Taken a-foraging, Away; this is no boy's play. Car. Is that all, Nennius? 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, Car. I am glad to hear you talk, sir. The kill-cow Caratach. Hengo. Good uncle, tell Car. And you would hang them? What's the price of a couple of crainmed Nen. Are they not enemies? Roinans? 1 Daugh. Are they not our tormentots? Car. Some twenty Britons, boy; these are Car. Tormentors?' flea-traps ! good soldiers. Pluck off your halters, fellows. Hengo. Do not the cowards eat hard too? Ner. Take heed, Caratach; Car. No more, boy. Taint not your wisdom. Come, I'll sit with you too. Sit down by me, boy. Judas. Pray bring your dish then. 1 Sold. That's a good hearing. Car. By heaven, square eaters ! terribly Judas. Monstrous hungry. They charge upon their victuals ! Dare ye fight Car. He looks thus ? Like hunger's self. Get them some victuals, Judas. Believe it, sir, like devils. And wine to cheer their hearts; quick ! Fang Car. Well said, Fainine ! up poor pilchers ? Here's to thy general. 2 Sold. This is the bravest captain Judus. Most excellent captain, Sen. Caratach, I will now pledge thee. Ti leive you to your will. Car. And tomorrow-night, say to him, Car. I'll answer all, sir. His head is mine. 2 Daugh. Let's up and view his entertainment Judas. I can assure you, captain, of them! He will not give it for this washing. Car. Well said. Enter a Guide. And do something worthy your meat. Go, guide 2 Daugh. Danger is dry; they looked for them, colder liquor. And see them fairly onward. [Exit. Car. Fill them more wine; give them full Judas. Meaning me, sir ? bowls. Which of you all now, Sery. The same. In recompense of this good, dare but give me The youngest daughter to the queen entreats you A sound knock in the battle? To give this privately to captain Jupius; Judas. Delicate captain, This for your pains. To do thee a sufficient recompense, Judas. "I rest her humble servant; I'll knock thy brains out. Cominend me to thy lady. Keep your files, boys. Car. Do it. Serv. I must instruct you further. Hengo. Thou darest as well Judus. Keep your files there! Be damned! thou knock his brains out? thou Order, sweet friends, faces about now. skin of man? Guide. Here, sir; Uncle, I will not hear this. Here lies your way. Judas. Tie up your whelp: Judas. Bless the founders, I say! Hengo. Thou kill my uncle? 'Would I had but Fairly, good soldiers, fairly! march now; close, a sword boys! (Exeunt. For thy sake, thou dried dog ! Car. What a mettle SCENE IV. Enter SUETONIUS, Petillirs, DEMETRIUS, Decius, and Macer. Suet. Bid me be wise, and keep me where I An only cating rogue ! kill my sweet uncle? am, Oh, that I were a man! And so be safe? not come, because commanded ? Judas. By this wine, which I Was it not thus ? Will drink to captain Junius, who loves Macer. It was, sir. The queen's most excellent majesty's little daugh- Pet. What now think you? ter Suet. Must come so heinous to him, so disMost sweetly, and most fearfully, I'll do it. tasteful? Hengo. Uncle, I'll kill him with a great pin. Pet. Give me my money. Car. No more, boy! Dem. I confess 'tis due, sir, P'll pledge thy captain. To ye all, good fellows! And presently I'll pay it. 2 Daugh. In love with me? that love shall Suet. His obedience cost your lives all. So blind at bis years and experience, Macer. Sir, The captains at all points steeled up; their pre parations Turned to stern valour. Full of resolve and confidence; youth and fire, 1 Sold. Hark you, Judas; Like the fair breaking of a glorious day, If he should hang us after all this? Gilded their phalanx; when the angry Penius Judas. Let him : Stept, like a stormy cloud, betwixt them and hopes. I'll hang like a gentleman, and a Roman. Suet. And stopped their resolutions? Car. Take away there; Macer. True; his reason They have enough. To them was odds, and odds so infinite, Discretion durst not look upon. I cannot think thee coward yet; and treacherous I dare not think; thou hast lopt a limb off from Has over-mastered them. me; And let it be thy glory, thou was stubborn, Enter second Daughter and a Servant. Thy wisdom, that thou left'st thy general naked! 2 Daugh. That hungry fellow Yet, ere the sun set, I shall make thee see With the red beard there, give it him, and this, All valour dwells not in thec, all command To see it well delivered. In one experience. Thou wilt too late repent this, Car. Farewell, knaves! And wish. I must come up' had been thy blessing. Speak nobly of us; keep your words to-morrow, Pet. Let's force him. 1 men; Suet. No, by no means; he's a torrent Judas. Hanging's a dog's death, we are gentleWe cannot easily stem. Pet. I think, a traitor. And I say still, old Caratach ! Suct. No ill words! let his own shame first re- Dec. Belike, then, vile iniin. You are turned rebels all. That wine I have, see it, Demetrius, Judas. We are Roman boys all, Distributed amongst the soldiers, And boys of mettle. I must do that, captain, To make them high and lusty; when that's done, This day, this very day, Petillius, give the word through, that the eagles Dec. Away, ye rascal ! May presently advance; no man discover, Judas. Fair words, I say again! l'pon his life, the enemies' full strength, Dec. What must you do, sir? But make it of no value. Decius, Judas. I must do that my heart-strings yearn to Are your starved people yet come home? do; Dec. I hope so. But word's past. Suet. Keep them in more obedience: This is Dec. What is it? no time Judas. Why, kill Caratach. To chide, I could be angry else, and say more to That's all he asked us for our entertainment. you; Dec. More than you'll pay. For such another Caratach- Have you done your country service? Dec. How! Judas. I think will do all; Dec. Pox confound your rogueships ! I cannot tell; I think so. r'll call the general, and have ye hanged all. Dec. How! to Junius? Judas. Pray who will you command, then? I'll more enquire of this. You'll fight now! Judas. Promise, Judas. But, hark you, captain; there is wine Judas. A wench, sweet captain. distributing; Dec. Sweet Judas, even the forks, I would fain know what share I have. Where you shall have two lictors, with two whips, Dec. Be gone; Hammer your hide. You have too much. Judes. Captain, good words, fair words, Judas. Captain, no wine, no fighting : Sweet words, good captain; if you like not us, There's one called Caratach, that has wine. Farewell! we have employment. Dec. Well, sir, Dec. Where hast thou been? If you'll be ruled now, and do wellJudas. There, where you dare not be, with all Judas. Do excellent. your valour, Dec. You shall have wine, or any thing. Go Dec. Where's that? Judas. With the best good fellow living. I'll see you have your share. Drag out your dor1 Sold. The king of all good fellows. mice, Dec. Who's that? And stow them somewhere, where they may sleep Judas. Caratach. handsomely; Shake now, and say, we have done something They'll hear a hunts-up shortly. worthy! Judas. Now I love thee : Mark me, with Caratach; by this Heaven, Cara- But no more forks nor whips ! tach! Dec. Deserve them not then. Do you as much now, an you dare. Sweet Ca- Up with your men; I'll meet you presently; ratach! And get them sober quickly. You talk of a good fellow, of true drinking; Judas. Arm, arın, bullies ! Well, go thy ways, old Caratach! Besides the All's right again and straight; and, which is more, drink, captain, More wine, more wine. Awake, ye men of The bravest running banquet of black puddings, Memphis! Pieces of glorious beef Be sober and discreet; we've much to do, boys. Dec. How escaped ye hanging? (Ereunt. file; ACT III. SCENE I. 2 Daugh. See, Heaven, And all you powers that guido us, see and shame, Enter a Messenger. We kneel so long for pity! O'er your altars, Mess. Prepare there for the sacrifice! the Since 'tis no light oblation, that you look for, queen comes. No incense-offering, will I hang mine eyes; Music. Enter in solemnity the Druids singing, So will I melt your powers into compassion. And as I wear these stones with hourly weeping, the second daughter strewing flowers ; then This tear for Prosutagus, my brave father ; BONDUCA, Caratach, NENNIUS, and others. (Ye gods, now think on Rome !) this for my moBond. Ye powerful gods of Britain, hear our ther, prayers ! And all her miseries; yet see, and save us ! Hear us, ye great revengers! and this day But now ye must be open-eyed. See, heaven, Take pity from ouş swords, doubt from our va- Oh, see thy showers stolen from thee; our dislours, honours, Double the sad remembrance of our wrongs (A smoke from the altar. In every breast ! the vengeance due to those Oh, sister, our dishonours! Can ye be gods, Make infinite and endless ! On our pikes And these sins smothered. This day pale terror sit, horrors and ruins Bond. The fire takes. Upon our executions; claps of thunder Car. It does so, Hang on our armed carts; and before our troops But no flame rises. Cease your fretful prayers, Despair and death; shame beyond these attend Your whinings, and your tame petitions ! them! The gods love courage armed with confidence, Rise from the dust, ye relicks of the dead, And prayers fit to pull them down : Weak tears Whose noble deeds our holy Druids sing? And troubled hearts, the dull twins of cold spirits Oh, rise, ye valiant bones ! let not base earth They sit and smile at. Hear how I salute them : Oppress your honours, whilst the pride of Rome Divine Andate! thou, who holdst the reins Treads on your stocks, and wipes out all your Of furious battles, and disordered war, stories ! And proudly roll'st thy swarty chariot-wheels Nen. Thou great Tiranes, whom our sacred Over the heaps of wounds and carcasses, priests, Sailing through seas of blood; thou sure-steeled Armed with dreadful thunder, place on high sternness, Above the rest of the immortal gods, Give us this day good hearts, good enemies, Send thy consuming fires and deadly bolts, Good blows of both sides, wounds, that fear or And shoot them home; stick in each Roman flight heart Can claim no share in; steel us both with angers A fear fit for confusion; blast their spirits, And warlike executions, fit thy viewing; Dwell in them to destruction; through their Let Rome put on her best strength, and thy Briphalanx tain, Strike as thou strikest a proud tree; shake their Thy little Britain, but as great in fortune, bodies, Meet her as strong as she, as proud, as daring! Make their strengths totter, and their topless for. And then look on, thou red-eyed god! who does best, Unroot, and reel to ruin ! Reward with honour; who despair makes fly, 1 Daugh. Oh, thou god, Unarm for ever, and brand with infamy! Thou feared god, if ever to thy justice Grant this, divine Andate ! 'tis but justice; Insulting wrongs, and ravishments of women, And my first blou, thus, on thy holy altar (Women derived from thee) their shames, the I sacrifice unto thee. [A flame rises : sufferings Bond. It flames out. Music Of those that daily filled thy sacrifice Çar. Now sing, ye Druids. [Song With virgin incense, have access, now hear me! Bond. It is out again. Now snatch thy thunder up, now on these Ro- Car. He has given us leave to fight yet ; inans, ask no more; Car. Ilis hidden meaning dwells in our enden, Of what Rome is, or has been! vours, Bond. Give more incense ! Our valours are our best gods. Chear the solThe gods are deaf and drowsy, no happy fame dier, Rises to raise our thoughts. Pour on. And let him eat. tunes |
