University of Virginia Library

ACT II.

The Tent of Penius.
Enter Penius, Regulus, and Macer.
Penius.
I must come?

Macer.
So the general commands, Sir.

Pen.
But did he say, I must come?

Macer.
So deliver'd.

Pen.
How long is't, Regulus, since I commanded
In Britain here?

Reg.
About five years, great Penius.

Pen.
The general some five months. Are all my actions
So poor and lost, my services so barren,
That I'm remember'd in no nobler language
But must come up?

Macer.
I do beseech you, Sir,
Weigh but the time's estate.

Pen.
Yes, good lieutenant,
I do, and his that sways it. Must come up?
Am I turn'd bare centurion? I must, my language?

Enter Curius.
Cur.
Penius, where lies the host?

Pen.
Where Fate may find 'em.

Cur.
Are they ingirt?

Pen.
The battle's lost.

Cur.
So soon?

Pen.
No; but 'tis lost, because it must be won,
The Britons must be victors. Tell the great general,
My companies are no faggots to fill breaches;
Myself no man that must, or shall, can carry.

[Exit.
Cur.
Pray gods this breed no mischief!

Reg.
He's a brave fellow;
And but a little hide his haughtiness,
(Which is but sometimes neither, on some causes)
He shews the worthiest Roman this day living.
You may, good Curius, to the general
Make all things seem the best.

Cur.
I shall endeavour.
Pray for our fortunes, gentlemen; if we fall,
This one farewell serves for a funeral.
The gods make sharp our swords, and steel our hearts!

Reg.
We dare, alas, but cannot fight our parts.

[Exeunt.
In the Roman camp.
Petillius and Demetrius meeting.
Pet.
How now, Demetrius? are we drawn?

Dem.
'Tis doing;
Your company stands fair. But pray you, where's Junius?
Half his command are wanting, with some forty
That Decius leads.

Pet.
Hunting for victuals;
Upon my life, free-booting rogues! their stomachs
Are like a miser's purse, ne'er satisfied.

Dem.
I wonder how they dare stir, knowing the enemy
Master of all the country.

Pet.
Resolute hungers
Know neither fears nor faiths.

Dem.
They may be hang'd tho'.

Pet.
There's their joyful supper;
And no doubt they are at it.

Dem.
But, for Heaven's sake,
How does young Junius?

Pet.
Drawing on, poor gentleman.

Dem.
What, to his end?

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
If he deny to come, and take exceptions
At some half syllable, or sound deliver'd
With an ill accent, or some stile left out?

Dem.
I cannot think he dare.

Pet.
He dare speak treason;
But that's all one: I'll lay you my black armour
To twenty crowns, he comes not.

Dem.
Done.

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 Heav'n 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.
British camp.
Enter Judas and his four companions (halters about their necks), and Nennius following.
Nen.
Come, hang 'em presently. What made your rogueships
Prowling for victuals here? are we your friends?
Or do you come for spies? Tell me directly,
Would you not willingly be hang'd now? Don't ye long for't?

Judas.
What say ye? shall we hang in this vein? Hang we must,
And 'tis as good to dispatch it merrily;
Then pleasantly be't:
Captain, the truth is, we had as lieve hang
With meat in our mouths, as ask your pardon empty.

Nen.
These are brave hungers.
What say you to a leg of beef now, sirrah?

Judas.
Bring me acquainted with it, and I'll tell ye.

Enter Caratach.
Car.
Now, what's the matter?
What are these fellows? what's the crime committed,
That they wear necklaces?

Nen.
They're Roman rogues,
Taken a-foraging.

Car.
Is that all, Nennius?

Judas.
'Would I were fairly hang'd! This is the devil,
The kill-cow Caratach.

Car.
And you would hang 'em?

Nen.
Are they not enemies?

Car.
Enemies? 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,
And give a glorious day into our hands,
If we dispatch our foes thus? What's their offence?
Stealing a loaf or two to keep out hunger?
Do these deserve the gallows? They are hungry,
Poor hungry knaves, no meat at home left, starv'd:
Art thou not hungry?

Judas.
Monstrous hungry.

Car.
He looks
Like Hunger's self. Get 'em some victuals
And wine, to cheer their hearts; quick!—Hang up poor pilchers?

Nen.
Caratach,
I'll leave you to your will.

Car.
I'll answer all, Sir.
Enter Hengo.
Sit down, poor knaves!—Why, where's this wine and victuals?
Who waits there?

Hengo.
Who are these, uncle?

Car.
They are Romans, boy.

Hengo.
Are these they
That vex mine aunt so? can these fight? they look
Like empty scabbards all, no mettle in 'em;
Like men of clouts, set to keep crows from orchards:
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.

[Victuals brought in.
Car.
That's well; down with't!
A little grace will serve your turns. Eat softly!
You'll choke, ye knaves, else. Give 'em 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,
If valour lie i'th' teeth, he's the most valiant.

Car.
I am glad to hear you talk, Sir.

Hengo.
Good uncle, tell me,
What's the price of a couple of cramm'd Romans?

Car.
Some twenty Britons, boy; these are good soldiers.

Hengo.
Do not the cowards eat hard too?

Car.
No more, boy.—
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.

Car.
Well said, Famine!
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.

Car.
Well said.
Fill 'em more wine; give 'em full bowls.—Which of you all now,
[All drink.
In recompense of this good, dare but give me
A sound knock in the battle?

Judas.
Delicate captain,
To do thee a sufficient recompense,
I'll knock thy brains out.

Car.
Do it.

Hengo.
Thou dar'st as well be hang'd, thou skin of man!
An only eating rogue! kill my sweet uncle?
Oh, that I were a man!

Judas.
By this wine, which I
Will drink to captain Junius, who loves
The queen's most excellent majesty's little daughter
Most sweetly, and most fearfully, I'll do it.

Hengo.
Uncle, I'll kill him with a great pin.

Car.
No more, boy! He shall not.
I'll pledge thy captain. To ye all, good fellows!
Let's see you swear
Tomorrow blood and spirit, boys; this wine
Turn'd to stern valour.

Judas
[rising].
Captain, we thank you heartily
For your good cheer; and if we meet tomorrow,
One of us pays for't.

Car.
Get 'em guides; their wine
Has over-master'd 'em.
Enter a Servant.
Go, guide 'em, and see 'em fairly onward.

Judas.
Meaning me, Sir?

Serv.
The same.
The youngest daughter to the queen entreats you
To give this privately to captain Junius;
This for your pains!

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!
Order, sweet friends; faces about now.

Serv.
Here, Sir;
Here lies your way.

Judas.
Bless the founders, I say!
Fairly, good soldiers, fairly march now; close, boys!

[Exeunt.
Roman Camp.
Enter Suetonius, Petillius, Demetrius, Decius, and Macer.
Suet.
Bid me be wise, and keep me where I am,
And so be safe? not come, because commanded?
Was it not thus?

Macer.
It was, Sir.

Suet.
Must come so heinous to him, so distasteful?

Macer.
Sir,
The regiment was willing, and advanc'd too,
The captains at all points steel'd up; when Penius
Stept like a stormy cloud 'twixt them and hopes.

Suet.
And stopt their resolutions?

Macer.
True.

Suet.
Well, Penius,
I cannot think thee coward yet; and treacherous
I dare not think; th'hast lopt a limb off from me;
Yet, ere the sun set, thou'lt too late repent this.
That wine I have, see it, Demetrius,
Distributed amongst the soldiers;
To make 'em high and lusty; when that's done,
Petillius, give the word thro', 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.

Suet.
Keep 'em 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,
And valour equal to his sword this day,
Shall be my saint.

Pet.
We shall be holy all then.
Give me my money.

[To Demetrius.
Dem.
I confess 'tis due, Sir,
And presently I'll pay it.

[Exeunt.
Manet Decius. Enter Judas and his company.
Judas.
Captain! captain! I've brought 'em off again;
The drunkennest slaves!

Dec.
Plague confound your rogueships!
I'll call the general, and have ye hang'd all.
For you, sirrah, that are the ringleader
To these devices, whose maw is never cramm'd,
I'll have an engine—

Judas.
Captain, good words, fair words,
Sweet words, good captain: If you like not us,
Farewell! we have employment.

Dec.
Where hast thou been?

Judas.
There where you dare not be, with all your valour.

Dec.
Where's that?

Judas.
With the best good fellow living;
The king of all good fellows.

Dec.
Who's that?

Judas.
Caratach.
Do you as much now, an you dare. Sweet Caratach!
You talk of a good fellow, of true drinking;
Well, go thy ways, old Caratach! Besides the drink, captain,
The bravest running banquet of black puddings,
Pieces of glorious beef—

Dec.
How scap'd ye hanging?

Judas.
Hanging's a dog's death, we are gentlemen;
And I say still, old Caratach!

Dec.
Belike then,
You are turn'd rebels all.

Judas.
We're Roman boys all,
And boys of mettle. I must do that, captain,
This day, this very day—

Dec.
What must you do, Sir?

Judas.
I must do that my heart-strings yern to do;
But my word's past.

Dec.
What is it?

Judas.
Why, kill Caratach.
That's all he ask'd us for our entertainment.

Dec.
More than you'll pay.

Judas.
'Would I had sold myself
Unto the skin I had not promis'd it!
For such another Caratach—

Dec.
Come, fool,
Have you done your country service?

Judas.
I've brought that
To captain Junius—

Dec.
How!

Judas.
I think will do all;
I cannot tell; I think so.

Dec.
How! to Junius?
I'll more enquire of this. You'll fight now?

Judas.
But, hark you, captain! there is wine distributing;
I would fain know what share I have.

Dec.
Be gone;
You have too much.

Judas.
Captain, no wine, no fighting:
There's one call'd Caratach that has wine.

Dec.
You shall have wine, or any thing. Go file;
Up with your men; I'll meet you presently;
And get 'em sober quickly.

[Exit.
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.