University of Virginia Library

Scæna quarta.

Enter Swetonius, Petillius, Demetrius, Decius, Macer.
Swet.
Bid me be wise, and keep me where I am,
and so be safe: not come, because commanded;
Was it not thus?

Ma.
It was, Sir.

Petill.
What now think ye?

Swet.
Must come, so hainous to him, so distastefull?

Petill.
Give me my money.

Dem.
I confesse 'tis due Sir,
and presently I'll pay it.

Swet.
His obedience
so blind at his yeers and experience,
it cannot find where to be tendred?

Ma.
Sir,
the Regiment was willing, and advanc'd too,
the Captains at all points steel'd up; their preparations
full of resolve, and confidence; Youth and fire,
like the fair breaking of a glorious day,
guilded their Falanx: when the angrie Penyus
stept like a stormy cloud 'twixt them and hopes.

Swet.
And stopt their resolutions?

Ma.
True: his reason
to them was ods, and ods so infinite,
discretion durst not look upon.

Swet.
Well Penyus,
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 wast stubborn,
thy wisdome, that thou leftst thy Generall naked:
Yet ere the Sun set, I shall make thee see,
all valour dwels not in thee; all command
in one experience. Thou wilt too late repent this,
and wish, I must come up, had been thy blessing.

Petill.
Let's force him.

Swet.
No, by no means; he's a torrent
we cannot easily stemme.

Petill.
I think, a Traitor.

Swet.
No il words: let his own shame first revile him.
That wine I have, see it (Demetrius)
distributed amongst the souldiers,
to make 'em high and lustie: when that's done,
Petillius, give the word through, that the Eagles
may presently advance: no man discover,
upon his life, the enemies full strength,
but make it of no value: Decius,
are your starv'd people yet come home?

Dec.
I hope so.

Swet.
Keep 'em in more obedience: This is no time
to chide, I could be angry else, and say more to ye:
But come, let's order all: whose sword is sharpest,
and valour equall to his sword this day,
shall be my saint.

Petill.
We shall be holy all then.

Exeunt.
Enter Judas and his company.
Jud.
Captain, Captain, I have brought 'em off again;
the drunkenest slaves.

Dec.
—confound your Rogueships;
I'll call the Generall, and have ye hang'd all.

Jud.
Pray who will you command then?

Dec.
For you, sirha,
that are the ring-leader to these devises,
whose maw is never cramm'd, I'll have an engine.

Jud.
A wench, sweet Captain.

Dec.
Sweet Judas, even the Forks.
where ye shall have two Lictors with two whips
hammer your hide.

Jud.
Captain, good words, fair words,
sweet words, good Captain; if you like not us,
farewell, we have imployment.

Dec.
Where hast thou been?

Jud.
There where you dare not be with all your valour.

Dec.
Where's that?

Jud.
With the best good-fellow living.

1 Soul.
The king of all good-fellows.

Dec.
Who's that?

Jud.
Caratach.
Shake now, and say, wee have done something worthie,
mark me; with Caratach: By this—Caratach:
Do you asmuch now and you dare: sweet Caratach.
Yet talk of a good fellow, of true drinking;
wel, go thy waies, old Caratach: besides the drink Captain,
the bravest running banquet of black puddings,
peeces of glorious beef.

Dec.
How scapt ye hanging?

Jud.
Hanging's a dogs death: we are Gentlemen,
and I say still, Old Caratach.

Dec.
Belike then,
you are turn'd Rebels all.

Jud.
We are Roman boyes all,
and boyes of mettle: I must doe that Captain,
this day, this very day.

Dec.
Away, ye Rascal.

Jud.
Fair words, I say again.

Dec.
What must you doe, Sir?

Jud.
I must do that my heart-strings yern to do:
but my word's past.

Dec.
What is it?

Jud.
Why, kill Caratach.
that's all he ask'd us for our entertainment.

Dec.
More then you'll pay.

Iud.
Would I had sold my self
unto the skin, I had not promis'd it:
for such another Caratach.

Dec.
Come Fool,
have ye done your Country service?

Iud.
I have brought that
to Captain Iunius.

Dec.
How?

Iud.
I think will doe all:
I cannot tell, I think so.

Deo.
How? to Iunius?
I'll more enquire of this: You'll fight now?

Iud.
Promise:
take heed of promise, Captain.

Dec.
Away, and rank then.

Iud.
But heark ye Captain, there is wine distributing,
I would fain know what share I have.

Dec.
Be gone,
ye have too much.

Iud.
Captain, no wine, no fighting,
there's one call'd Caratach, that has wine.

Dec.
Well Sir,
if you'll be rul'd now, and doe well.

Iud.
Doe excellent.

Dec.
Ye shall have wine, or any thing: goe file;
I'll see ye have your share: drag out your dormise,
and stow 'em somwhere, where they may sleep handsomly,
they'l hear a hunt's up shortly.

Iud.
Now I love thee:
but no more Forks nor Whips.

Dec.
Deserve 'em not then:
up with your men, I'll meet ye presently;
and get 'em sober quickly.

Iud.
Arm, arm, Bullyes;
all's right again and straight; and which is more,
more wine, more wine: Awake ye men of Memphis,
be sober and discreet, we have much to do boyes.

Exeunt.