Part 11

_Sold._ 'Tis the Body Of the great Captain _Penyus_, by himself Made cold and spiritless.

_Car._ O stay, ye _Romans_, By the Religion which you owe those gods That lead ye on to Victories, by those glories Which made even pride a virtue in ye.

_Dru._ Stay: What's thy Will, _Caratach_?

_Car._ Set down the body, The body of the noblest of all _Romans_, As ye expect an offering at your Graves From your friends sorrows, set it down awhile. That with your griefs an enemy may mingle; A noble enemy that loves a Soldier; And lend a tear to virtue, even your foes, Your wild foes, as you call'd us, are yet stor'd With fair affections, our hearts fresh, our spirits, Though sometime stubborn, yet when virtue dies, Soft and relenting as a Virgins prayers, Oh set it down.

_Dru._ Set down the body, so[l]diers.

_Car._ Thou hallowed relique, thou rich Diamond Cut with thine own dust; thou for whose wide fame The world appears too narrow, mans all thoughts, Had they all tongues, too silent; thus I bow To thy most honour'd ashes: though an enemy, Yet friend to all thy worths: sleep peaceably; Happiness crown thy soul, and in thy earth Some Lawrel fix his seat, there grow, and flourish, And make thy grave an everlasting triumph. Farewell all glorious Wars, now thou art gone, And honest Arms adieu: all noble battels Maintain'd in thirst of honour, not of bloud, Farewell for ever.

_Heng._ Was this _Roman_, Uncle, So good a man?

_Car._ Thou never knew'st thy Father.

_Heng._ He dy'd before I was born.

_Car._ This worthy _Roman_ Was such another piece of endless honor, Such a brave soul dwelt in him: their proportions And faces were not much unlik, boy, excellent nature, See how it works into his eyes, mine own boy.

_Heng._ The multitudes of these men, and their fortunes, Could never make me fear yet: one mans goodness--

_Car._ O now thou pleasest me: weep still, my child, As if thou saw'st me dead; with such a flux Or flood of sorrow: still thou pleasest me. And worthy soldiers, pray receive these pledges, These hatchments of our griefs, and grace us so much To place 'em on his Hearse. Now if ye please, Bear off the noble burden; raise his pile High as _Olympus_, make heaven to wonder To see a star upon earth out-shining theirs. And ever loved, ever living be Thy honoured and most sacred memory.

_Dru._ Thou hast done honestly, good _Caratach_, And when thou diest, a thousand virtuous _Romans_ Shall sing thy soul to heaven. Now march on, soldiers.

[_Exeunt. A dead march._

_Car._ Now dry thine eyes, my boy.

_Heng._ Are they all gone? I could have wept this hour yet.

_Car._ Come, take cheer, And raise thy spirit, child: if but this day Thou canst bear out thy faintness, the night coming I'll fashion our escape.

_Heng._ Pray fear not me; Indeed I am very hearty.

_Car._ Be so still; His mischiefs lessen, that controuls his ill. [_Exeunt._

_Scæna Secunda._

_Enter_ Petillius.

_Pet._ What do I ail, i'th' name of heaven I did but see her, And see her die: she stinks by this time strongly, Abominably stinks: she was a woman, A thing I never car'd for: but to die so, So confidently, bravely, strongly; Oh the devil, I have the bots, by ---- she scorn'd us strangely, All we could do, or durst do; threatned us With such a noble anger, and so governed With such a fiery spirit ----; the plain bots; A ---- upon the bots, the love-bots: hang me, Hang me even out o'th' way, directly hang me. Oh penny pipers, and most painful penners Of bountiful new Ballads, what a subject, What a sweet subject for your silver sounds, Is crept upon ye!

_Enter_ Junius.

_Jun._ Here he is; have at him. [_Sings._

_She set the sword unto her Breast,_ _great pity it was to see,_ _That three drops of her Life-warm bloud,_ _run trickling down her knee._

Art thou there, bonny boy? and i'faith how dost thou?

_Petil._ Well, gramercie, how dost thou? h'as found me, Sented me out: the shame the devil ow'd me. H'as kept his day with. And what news, _Junius_?

Jun. _It was an old tale ten thousand times told,_ _Of a young Lady was turned into mold,_ _Her life it was lovely, her death it was bold._

_Pet._ A cruel rogue, now h'as [drawn pursue on] me, He hunts me like a devil. No more singing; Thou hast got a cold: come, let's go drink some Sack, boy.

_Jun._ Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.

_Pet._ Why dost thou laugh? What Mares nest hast thou found?

_Jun._ Ha, ha, ha. I cannot laugh alone: _Decius_, _Demetrius_, _Curius_, oh my sides, Ha, ha, ha, The strangest jest.

_Petil._ Prethee no more.

_Jun._ The admirablest fooling.

_Pet._ Thou art the prettiest fellow.

_Jun._ Sirs.

_Pet._ Why _Junius_; Prethee away, sweet _Junius_.

_Jun._ Let me sing then.

_Pet._ Whoa, here's a stir now: sing a song o' six pence, By ---- (if) prethee; ---- on't: _Junius_.

_Jun._ I must either sing; or laugh.

_Pet._ And what's your reason?

_Jun._ What's that to you?

_Pet._ And I must whistle.

_Jun._ Do so. Oh, I hear 'em coming.

_Pet._ I have a little business.

_Jun._ Thou shall not go, believe it: what a Gentleman Of thy sweet conversation?

_Pet._ Captain _Junius_, Sweet Captain, let me go with all celerity; Things are not always one: and do not question, Nor jeer, nor gybe: none of your doleful Ditties, Nor your sweet conversation, you will find then I may be anger'd.

_Jun._ By no means, _Petillius_; Anger a man that never knew passion? 'Tis most impossible: a noble Captain, A wise [and] generous Gentleman?

_Pet. Tom Puppie._ Leave this way to abuse me: I have found ye, But for your mothers sake I will forgive ye. Your subtil understanding may discover (As you think) some trim toy to make you merry; Some straw to tickle ye; but do not trust to't; Y' are a young man, and may do well: be sober: Carry your self discreetly.

_Enter_ Decius, Demetrius, Curius.

_Jun._ Yes forsooth.

_Dem._ How does the brave _Petillius_?

_Jun._ Monstrous merry: We two were talking what a kind of thing I was when I was in love; what a strange monster For little Boys and Girls to wonder at; How like a fool I lookt.

_Dec._ So they do all, Like great dull slavering fools.

_Jun. Petillius_ saw too.

_Pet._ No more of this, 'tis scurvie, peace.

_Jun._ How nastily, Indeed, how beastly all I did became me! How I forgot to blow my nose! there he stands, An honest and a wise man; if himself (I dare avouch it boldly, for I know it) Should find himself in love--

_Petill._ I am angry.

_Jun._ Surely his wise self would hang his beastly self, His understanding-self so mawl his ass-self--

_Dec._ He's bound to do it; for he knows the follies, The poverties, and baseness that belongs to't, H'as read upon the reformations long.

_Petill._ He has so.

_Jun._ 'Tis true, and he must do't: Nor is it fit indeed any such coward--

_Petill._ You'll leave prating.

_Jun._ Should dare come near the Regiments, especially Those curious puppies (for believe there are such) That only love behaviours: those are dog-whelps, Dwindle away, because a Woman dies well; Commit with passions only: fornicate With the free spirit merely: you, _Petillius_, For you have long observ'd the World.

_Petill._ Dost thou hear? I'll beat thee damnably within these three hours: Go pray; may be I'll kill thee. Farewel Jack-daws. [_Exit._

_Dec._ What a strange thing he's grown!

_Jun._ I am glad he is so; And stranger he shall be before I leave him.

_Cur._ Is't possible her mere death--

_Jun._ I observ'd him, And found him taken, infinitely taken With her bravery, I have follow'd him, And seen him kiss his sword since, court his scabbard, Call dying, dainty deer; her brave mind, Mistriss; Casting a thousand ways, to give those forms, That he might lie with 'em, and get old Armors: He had got me o' th' hip once: it shall go hard, friends, But he shall find his own coin.

_Enter_ Macer.

_Dec._ How now _Macer_? Is Judas yet come in? [_Enter_ Judas.

_Mac._ Yes, and has lost Most of his men too. Here he is.

_Car._ What news?

_Jud._ I have lodg'd him; rouze him he that dares.

_Dem._ Where, _Judas_?

_Jud._ On a steep rock i'th' woods, the boy too with him, And there he swears he will keep his _Christmas_ Gentlemen, But he will come away with full conditions, Bravely, and like a _Britain_: he paid part of us. Yet I think we fought bravely: for mine own part, I was four several times at half sword with him, Twice stood his partizan: but the plain truth is, He's a meer devil, and no man; i'th' end he swing'd us, And swing'd us soundly too, he fights by Witchcraft: Yet for all that I see him lodg'd.

_Jun._ Take more men, And scout him round. _Macer_, march you along. What victuals has he?

_Jud._ Not a piece of Bisket, Not so much as will stop a tooth; nor Water, More than they make themselves: they lie Just like a brace of Bear-whelps, close, and crafty, Sucking their fingers for their food.

_Dec._ Cut off then All hope of that way: take sufficie[n]t forces.

_Jun._ But use no foul play, on your lives: that man That does him mischief by deceit, I'll kill him.

_Macer._ He shall have fair play, he deserves it.

_Jud._ Hark ye. What should I do there then? you are brave Captains, Most valiant men; go up your selves; use virtue, See what will come on't: pray the Gentleman To come down, and be taken. Ye all know him, I think ye have felt him too: there ye shall find him, His sword by his side, plums of a pound weight by him Will make your chops ake: you'll find it a more labour To win him living, than climbing of a Crows-nest.

_Dec._ Away, and compass him; we shall come up I am sure within these two hours. Watch him close.

_Macer._ He shall flee thorow the air, if he escape us.

[_A sad noise within._

_Jun._ What's this loud lamentation?

_Mac._ The dead body Of the great _Penyus_ is new come to the Camp, Sir.

_Dem._ Dead!

_Macer._ By himself, they say.

_Jun._ I fear'd that fortune.

_Cur._ Peace guide him up to heaven.

_Jun._ Away good _Macer_. [_Exeunt_ Macer _and_ Judas.

_Enter_ Swetonius, Drusus, Regulus, Petillius.

_Swet._ If thou be'st guilty, Some sullen plague thou hat'st most light upon thee: The Regiment return on _Junius_, He well deserves it.

_Petill._ So.

_Swet._ Draw out three Companies, Yours _Decius_, _Junius_, and thou _Petillius_, And make up instantly to _Caratach_, He's in the Wood before ye; we shall follow After due ceremony done to the dead, The noble dead: Come: let's go burn the Body.

[_Exeunt_ all but _Petillius_.

_Petill._ The Regiment given from me; disgrac'd openly; In love too with a trifle to abuse me? A merry world, a fine world: serv'd seven years To be an ass o' both sides, sweet _Petillius_, You have brought your hogs to a fine market; you are wise, Sir, Your honourable brain-pan full of crotchets, An understanding Gentleman; your projects Cast with assurance ever: wouldst not thou now Be bang'd about the pate, _Petillius_ Answer to that sweet soldier; surely, surely, I think ye would; pull'd by the nose, kick'd; hang thee, Thou art the arrant'st Rascal: trust thy wisdom With any thing of weight; the wind with feathers. Out ye blind puppie; you command? you govern? Dig for a groat a day, or serve a Swine-herd; Too noble for thy nature too. I must up; But what I shall do there, let time discover. [_Exit._

_Scæna Tertia._

_Enter_ Macer _and_ Judas, _with meat and a bottle_.

_Mac._ Hang it o'th' side o'th' rock, as though the _Britains_ Stole hither to relieve him; who first ventures To fetch it off, is ours. I cannot see him.

_Jud._ He lies close in a hole above, I know it, Gnawing upon his anger: ha? no, 'tis not he.

_Macer._ 'Tis but the shaking of the boughs.

_Jud._ ---- Shake 'em, I am sure they shake me soundly. There.

_Macer._ 'Tis nothing.

_Jud._ Make no noise if he stir, a deadly tempest Of huge stones fall upon us: 'tis done: away close. [_Exit._

_Enter_ Caratach.

_Car._ Sleep still, sleep sweetly child, 'tis all thou feedst on. No gentle _Britain_ near; no valiant charity To bring thee food? poor knave, thou art sick extreme sick, Almost grown wild for meat; and yet thy goodness Will not confess, nor shew it. All the woods Are double lin'd with soldiers; no way left us To make a noble scape: I'll sit down by thee, And when thou wak'st, either get meat to save thee, Or lose my life i'th' purchase, Good gods comfort thee.

_Enter_ Junius, Decius, Petillius, Guide.

_Guide._ Ye are not far off now, Sir.

_Jun._ Draw the Companies The closest way thorow the woods; we'll keep on this way.

_Guide._ I will Sir: half a furlong more you'll come Within the sight o'th' Rock; keep on the left side, You'll be discover'd else: I'll lodge your Companies In the wild Vines beyond ye.

_Dec._ Do ye mark him?

_Jun._ Yes, and am sorry for him.

_Petill. Junius_, Pray let me speak two words with you.

_Jun._ Walk afore, I'll overtake ye straight.

_Dec._ I will. [_Exit._

_Jun._ Now, Captain.

_Petill._ You have oft told me, you have lov'd me, _Junius_.

_Jun._ Most sure I told you truth then.

_Petill._ And that love Should not deny me any honest thing.

_Jun._ It shall not.

_Petill._ Dare ye swear it? I have forgot all passages between us That have been ill, forgiven too, forgot you.

_Jun._ What would this man have? By ---- I do, Sir, So it be fit to grant ye.

_Pet[i]ll._ 'Tis most honest.

_Jun._ Why, then I'll do it.

_Petill._ Kill me.

_Jun._ How?

_Petill._ Pray kill me.

_Jun._ Kill ye?

_Pet._ I, kill me quickly, suddenly, Now kill me.

_Jun._ On what reason? ye amaze me.

_Pet._ If ye do love me, kill me, ask me not why: I would be killed, and by you.

_Jun._ Mercy on me, What ails this man? _Petillius._

_Petill._ Pray ye dispatch me, Ye are not safe whilst I live: I am dangerous, Troubled extreamly, even to mischief, _Junius_, An enemy to all good men: fear not, 'tis justice; I shall kill you else.

_Jun._ Tell me but the cause, And I will do it.

_Petill._ I am disgrac'd, my service Slighted, and unrewarded by the General, My hopes left wild and naked; besides these, I am grown ridiculous, an ass, a folly I dare not trust my self with: prethee kill me.

_Jun._ All these may be redeem'd as easily As you would heal your finger.

_Petill._ Nay--

_Jun._ Stay, I'll do it, You shall not need your anger: But first, _Petillius_, You shall unarm your self; I dare not trust A man so bent to mischief.

_Petill._ There's my sword; And do it handsomely.

_Jun._ Yes, I will kill ye, Believe that certain: but first I'll lay before ye The most extreme fool ye have plaid in this, The honor purpos'd for ye, the great honor The General intended ye.

_Petill._ How?

_Jun._ And then I'll kill ye, Because ye shall die miserable. Know Sir, The Regiment was given me, but till time Call'd ye to do some worthy deed, might stop The peoples ill thoughts of ye, for Lord _Penyus_, I mean his death. How soon this time's come to ye, And hasted by _Swetonius_? Go, says he, _Junius_ and _Decius_, and go thou _Petillius_; Distinctly, thou _Petillius_, and draw up, To take stout _Caratach_; there's the deed purpos'd, A deed to take off all faults, of all natures: And thou _Petillius_; Mark it, there's the honor, And that done, all made even.

_Petill._ Stay.

_Jun._ No, I'll kill ye. He knew thee absolute, and full in soldier, Daring beyond all dangers, found thee out According to the boldness of thy spirit, A Subject, such a Subject.

_Petill._ Harke ye _Junius_, I will live now.

_Jun._ By no means. Wooed thy worth, Held thee by the chin up, as thou sunk'st, and shew'd thee How Honor held her arms out: Come, make ready, Since ye will die an ass.

_Petill._ Thou wilt not kill me?

_Jun._ By ---- but I will, Sir: I'll have no man dangerous Live to destroy me afterward. Besides, you have gotten Honor enough, let young men rise now. Nay, I do perceive too by the General, (which is One main cause ye shall die) howe'r he carry it, Such a strong doting on ye, that I fear, You shall command in chief: how are we paid then? Come, if you will pray, dispatch it.

_Petill._ Is there no way?

_Jun._ Not any way to live.

_Petill._ I will do any thing, Redeem my self at any price: good _Junius_, Let me but die upon the Rock, but offer My life up like a Soldier.

_Jun._ You will seek then To out-doe every man.

_Petill._ Believe it _Junius_, You shall goe stroke by stroke with me.

_Jun._ You'll leave off too, As you are noble, and a soldier, For ever these mad fancies.

_Petill._ Dare ye trust me? By all that's good and honest.

_Jun._ There's your sword then, And now come on a new man: Virtue guide thee. [_Exeunt._

_Enter_ Caratach, _and_ Hengo _on the Rock_.

_Car._ Courage my Boy, I have found meat: look _Hengo_, Look where some blessed _Britain_, to preserve thee, Has hung a little food and drink: cheer up Boy, Do not forsake me now.

_Hengo._ O Uncle. Uncle, I feel I cannot stay long: yet I'll fetch it, To keep your noble life: Uncle, I am heart-whole, And would live.

_Car._ Thou shalt, long I hope.

_Hen._ But my head, Uncle: Methinks the Rock goes round.

_Enter_ Macer _and_ Judas.

_Ma._ Mark 'em well, _Judas_.

_Jud._ Peace, as you love your life.

_Hen._ Do not you hear The noise of Bels?

_Car._ Of Bels Boy? 'tis thy fancie, Alas, thy bodies full of wind.

_Hen._ Methinks, Sir, They ring a strange sad knell, a preparation To some near funeral of State: nay, weep not, Mine own sweet Uncle, you will kill me sooner.

_Car._ Oh my poor chicken.

_Hen._ Fie, faint-hearted Uncle: Come, tie me in your Belt, and let me down.

_Car._ I'll go my self Boy.

_Hengo._ No, as ye love me, Uncle; I will not eat it, if I do not fetch it; The danger only I desire: pray tie me.

_Car._ I will, and all my care hang o'r thee: come child, My valiant child.

_Hen._ Let me down apace, Uncle, And ye shall see how like a Daw I'll whip it From all their policies: for 'tis most certain A _Roman_ train: and ye must hold me sure too, You'll spoil all else. When I have brought it Uncle, We'll be as merry--

_Car._ Go i'th' name of heaven, Boy.

_Hen._ Quick, quick, Uncle, I have it. Oh.

[Judas _shoots_ Hengo.

_Car._ What ail'st thou?

_Hen._ O my best Uncle, I am slain.

_Car._ I see ye, and heaven direct my hand: destruction

[Caratach _kills_ Judas _with a stone from the rock_.

Go with thy coward soul. How dost thou Boy? Oh villain, pocky villain.

_Hen._ Oh Uncle, Uncle, Oh how it pricks me: am I preserv'd for this? Extremely pricks me.

_Car._ Coward, rascal Coward, Dogs eat thy flesh.

_Hen._ Oh I bleed hard: I faint too, out upon't, How sick I am! the lean Rogue, Uncle.

_Car._ Look Boy, I have laid him sure enough.

_Hen._ Have ye knockt his brains out?

_Car._ I warrant thee for stirring more: cheer up, child.

_Hen._ Hold my sides hard, stop, stop, oh wretched fortune, Must we part thus? Still I grow sicker, Uncle.

_Car._ Heaven look upon this noble child.

_Hen._ I once hop'd I should have liv'd to have met these bloody _Romans_ At my swords point, to have reveng'd my Father, To have beaten 'em: oh hold me hard. But Uncle--

_Car._ Thou shalt live still I hope Boy. Shall I draw it?

_Hen._ Ye draw away my soul then, I would live A little longer; spare me heavens, but only To thank you for your tender love. Good Uncle, Good noble Uncle weep not.

_Car._ Oh my chicken, My dear Boy, what shall I lose?

_Hen._ Why, a child, That must have died however: had this scap'd me, Feaver or famine--I was born to die, Sir.

_Car._ But thus unblown, my boy?

_Hen._ I go the straighter My journey to the gods: Sure I shall know ye When ye come, Uncle.

_Car._ Yes, Boy.

_Hen._ And I hope We shall enjoy together that great blessedness You told me of.

_Car._ Most certain, child.

_Hen._ I grow cold, Mine eyes are going.

_Car._ Lift 'em up.

_Hen._ Pray for me; And noble Uncle, when my bones are ashes, Think of your little Nephew. Mercy.

_Car._ Mercy. You blessed Angels take him.

_Hen._ Kiss me: so. Farewel, farewel. [_Dies._

_Car._ Farewel the hopes of _Britain_, Thou Royal graft, Farewel for ever. Time and Death, Ye have done your worst. Fortune now see, now proudly Pluck off thy vail, and view thy triumph: Look Look what thou hast brought this Land to. Oh fair flower, How lovely yet thy ruines show, how sweetly Even death embraces thee! The peace of heaven, The fellowship of all great souls be with thee.

_Enter_ Petillius _and_ Junius _on the rock_.

Hah? dare ye _Romans_? ye shall win me bravely. Thou art mine. [_Fight._

_Jun._ Not yet, Sir.

_Car._ Breath ye, ye poor _Romans_, And come up all, with all your antient valors, Like a rough wind I'll shake your souls, and send 'em--

_Enter_ Swetonius, _and all the_ Roman _Captains_.

_Swet._ Yield thee bold _Caratach_; by all ---- As I am Soldier, as I envie thee, I'll use thee like thy self, the valiant _Britain_.

_Pet._ Brave soldier yield; thou stock of Arms and Honor, Thou filler of the World with Fame and Glory.

_Jun._ Most worthy man, we'll wooe thee, be thy prisoners.

_Swet._ Excellent _Britain_, do me but that Honor, That more to me than Conquests, that true happiness, To be my friend.

_Car._ Oh _Romans_, see what here is: Had this Boy liv'd--

_Swet._ For Fames sake, for thy Swords sake, As thou desirest to build thy virtues greater: By all that's excellent in man, and honest--

_Car._ I do believe: Ye have had me a brave foe; Make me a noble friend, and from your goodness, Give this Boy honourable earth to lie in.

_Swet._ He shall have fitting Funeral.

_Car._ I yield then. Not to your blows, but your brave courtesies.

_Petill._ Thus we conduct then to the arms of Peace The wonder of the World.

_Swet._ Thus I embrace thee, [_Flourish._ And let it be no flattery that I tell thee, Thou art the only Soldier.

_Car._ How to thank ye, I must hereafter find upon your usage. I am for _Rome_.

_Swet._ Ye must.

_Car._ Then _Rome_ shall know The man that makes her spring of glory grow.

_Swet. Petillius_, you have shown much worth this day, redeem'd much error, Ye have my love again, preserve it, _Junius_, With you I make him equal in the Regiment.

_Jun._ The elder and the nobler: I'll give place, Sir.

_Swet._ Ye shew a friends soul.

* * * * *

March on, and through the Camp in every tongue, The Virtues of great _Caratach_ be sung. [_Exeunt._

The Knight of the Burning Pestle.

_To the Readers of this COMEDY._