University of Virginia Library

Scen. 5.

Quermero, Perpurgerus.
Perp.
Why so, since time delivers otherwise to be.
Stretch forth thy arm, it's nought but exercise
Brings on the same.

Quer.
Oh hold then pray you there;
I'l stretch my hand, if fortune will give leave.
But shall not be to kill, but to maintain
Life by its help.

Per.
How strange to common sense!
Draw out thy sword I'l shew thy postures;
What if a man should challenge field with thee?

Quer.
Then I should dye.

Per.
Before the blow did come?

Quer.
I quickly sure, the sight's as good as blows
With me; but since your Treaty is to draw,
[He stands in a foolish posture.]
I stand hear guardian of my selfe.

Per.
See, see,
If't were possible, he would invite Heraclitus
To laugh: I dare swear Plato might read
A piece of Philosophy in his posture;
Stand up man with a full breast, surely
Mr. Quermero, your breech and feet are
[Quer. nods his head.
At difference—

Per.
Hold up your hand, and stiddy; how like you
It—What, no answer, but by conjecture
Postures; he shakes his head, 'tis well, hold up
I say—hold in I say this breech, oh
[Quer. makes a face.
Pretty face; but if you'l make no answer,
It is my means shall force you;
[Per. beats him, and he runs away and layes down his Sword.
What none—what none—what none.

Quer.
Gently good cousin, my bum is addle,
Have care you break no Eggs; for if you do,
The sent perfumes the room beside all
Myrrh or Spiknard.

Per.
Why answer you not?

Quer.
Let pitty force compassion. 'tis
My weak stomack and foolish condition,
The nakedness of sword lends such terrour
To my heart, reflects amazement to my
Eyes, that while supported by my hand, no
Word can utter the cause I it dismist.

Per.
Oh senseless pagan, take't up again;
[He takes his sword.
What, affraid, here take it, try thy valour,
Shake thy weapon, now I'l draw mine.

Quer.
Then I'l
Put up.

Per.
Hold, stay thy hand, and let us two inclose.

[They clatter their swords
Quer.
I wish Aberden had no greater foes.

Per.
Hey bravely done, this is all, well man'd.

Quer.
Hey-day, methinks I am a second George for
England, have at you then.

Per.
Stand further off.

Quer.
Stand further off.

Per.
Have care—

Q.
Stand further off.

Per.
You'l run in danger, hazzard the little life
You have put up, put up.

Q.
Stand further off.

(He cuts him.)
Per.
What now, draw blood, brave Champion,
My joyes still grow the greater, wind whistle
Forth thy fame, like sturdy Oak thou stand;
All other are but shrubs, my blood cryes blood
Again, stand Guardian still.

Quer.
Stand further off.

(He hollowes.)
Per.
Your dexterous art works opposition to
My term'd design, none can then curb your will,
But what must spring from Bizantia.

Quer.
What, kicks thou? stand further off.

Per.
The pumel of my sword is lost, thou art like
A Crocodile, pursuing flyes, flyes pursuing
Your hardy courage, rises more and more,
I hope to see the Land all in a gore;
My spleen now riseth, works in the concave,
A desperate motion, nothing shall thee save.

Quer.
I fear neither friend nor foe, stand further off.

Per.
I purpose now to put in motion some,
Beyond capacity, strange unheard act;
So then thou goes.

(He trips his heels up)
Quer.
Oh, oh; What, my back broken by a fall,

[Murther, murther.
Per,
Lie still,
When sense bereaves thee of thy will, conjeal'd
By a known accident, inforc'd by that
Works invisible, a coard yet staies
His friend, favouring by course what licence
Give it's aid, I fetch attendants to wait
On thee.
Exit Perpur.

Quer.
Attend thy selfe, see that thou dost;
Is he gone? Sword, where art thou? Hay, hay,
[He rises by degrees.
What, as lively as thy Master is, oh
How the flesh corrupts thy edge; stay, is
Perpurgerus gone? I'l lye close still, may
Be he stands perdue, but gone or no, I'l
Up, and see my wound; hay boyes, none, none, none.
[He leaps.
[He finds a hole in his Stocking.
Oh stay here; what's this? oh deadly thrust,
Fetch a Chyrurgion, I cannot go
But must because am forc't; Oh, oh, oh, oh.

[He halts from off the Stage: Exit.