Part 8

_Petill._ Let this work: H'as something now to chew upon: he's gone, Come, shake no more.

_Her._ Well, Sir, you may command me, But not to do the like again for _Europe_; I would have given my life for a bent two-pence. If I e'r read to Lovers whilst I live again, Or come within their confines--

_Petill._ There's your payment, And keep this private.

_Her._ I am school'd for talking. [_Exit_ Herald.

_Enter_ Demetrius.

_Petill._ How now, _Demetrius_, are we drawn?

_Dem._ 'Tis doing: Your Company stands fair; but pray ye, where's _Junius_? Half his command are wanting, with some forty That _Decius_ leads.

_Petill._ Hunting for Victuals: Upon my life free-booting Rogues, their stomachs Are like a widows lust, ne'r satisfied.

_Dem._ I wonder how they dare stir, knowing the enemy Master of all the Countrey.

_Petill._ Resolute hungers Know neither fears nor faiths, they tread on ladders, Ropes, Gallows, and overdoe all dangers.

_Dem._ They may be hang'd though.

_Petill._ There's their joyful supper, And no doubt they are at it.

_Dem._ But for heavens sake, How does young _Junius_?

_Petill._ Drawing on, poor Gentleman.

_Dem._ What, to his end?

_Petill._ To th' end of all flesh: woman.

_Dem._ This Love has made him a stout Soldier.

_Petill._ O, a great one, Fit to command young Goslings: but what news?

_Dem._ I think the messengers come back from _Penyus_, By this time, let's go know.

_Petill._ 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.

_Petill._ He dare speak treason, Dare say, what no man dares believe, dares do--But that's a[l]l one: I'll lay you my black armor To twenty crowns, he comes not.

_Dem._ Done.

_Petill._ You'll pay.

_Dem._ I will.

_Petill._ Then keep thine old use _Penyus_, Be stubborn and vain glorious, and I thank thee. Come let's go pray for six hours: most of us I fear will trouble heaven no more: two good blows Struck home at two Commanders of the _Britains_, And my part's done.

_Dem._ I do not think of dying.

_Petill._ 'Tis possible we may live. But _Demetrius_, With what strange legs, and arms, and eyes, and noses, Let Carpenters and Copper-smiths consider. If I can keep my heart whole, and my wind-pipe, That I may drink yet like a Soldier--

_Dem._ Come, let's [have] better thoughts; mine's on your Armour.

_Petill._ Mine's in your purse, Sir; Let's go try the wager. [_Exeunt._

_Scæna Tertia._

_Enter_ Judas _and his four companions_ (halters about their necks) Bonduca, _her Daughters_, Nennius _following_.

_Bon._ Come, hang 'em presently.

_Nen._ What made your Rogueships Harrying for victuals here? Are we your friends; Or do you come for Spies? tell me directly, Would you not willingly be hang'd now? do not ye long for't?

_Jud._ What say ye? shall we hang in this vain? Hang we must And 'tis as good to dispatch it merrily, As pull an arse like dogs to't.

_1 Sold._ Any way, So it be handsome.

_3 Sold._ I had as lief 'twere toothsome too: but all agree, And I'll not out Boys.

_4 Sold._ Let's hang pleasantly.

_Jud._ Then pleasantly be it: Captain, the truth is, We had as lief hang with meat in our mouths, As ask your pardon empty.

_Bon._ These are brave hungers. What say you to a leg of Beef now, sirrah?

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

_Bon._ Torment 'em wenches: I must back; then hang 'em.

_Jud._ We humbly thank your Grace.

_1 Daugh._ The Rogues laugh at us.

_2 Daugh._ Sirrah, What think you of a wench now?

_Jud._ A wench, Lady? I do beseech your Ladyship, retire. I'll tell ye presently, ye see the time's short; One crash; even to the setling of my conscience.

_Nen._ Why, is't no more but up, boys?

_Jud._ Yes, ride too Captain Will you but see my seat?

_1 Daugh._ Ye shall be set, Sir, Upon a jade shall shake ye.

_Jud._ Sheets, good Madam, Will do it ten times better.

_1 Daugh._ Whips, good Soldier. Which ye shall taste before ye hang, to mortifie ye; 'Tis pity ye should die thus desperate.

_2 Daugh._ These are the merry _Romans_ the brave madcaps. 'Tis ten to one we'll cool your resolutions. Bring out the whips.

_Jud._ Would your good Ladyships Would exercise 'em too.

_4 Sold._ Surely Ladies, We'll shew you a strange patience.

_Nen._ Hang 'em Rascals, They'll talk thus on the wheel. [_Enter_ Caratach.

_Car._ Now, what's the matter? What are these fellows? what's the crime committed, That they wear necklaces?

_Nen._ They are _Roman_ Rogues, Taken a Forraging.

_Car._ Is that all, _Nennius_?

_Jud._ 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?

_1 Sol._ My breech makes buttons.

_1 Daugh._ Are they not our tormentors?

_Car._ Tormentors? 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 honors, 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, A piece of greazie bacon, or a pudding? Do these deserve the gallows, they are hungry, Poor hungry knaves, no meat at home left, starv'd: Art thou not hungry?

_Jud._ Monstrous hungry.

_Car._ He looks like hungers self: get 'em some victuals, And Wine to cheer their hearts, quick: Hang up poor pilchers?

_2 Sold._ This is the bravest Captain--

_Nen. Caratach_, I'll leave you to your Will.

_Car._ I'll answer all, Sir.

_2 Daugh._ Let's up and view his entertainment of ['em]. I am glad they are shifted any way, their tongues else Would still have murdred us.

_1 Daugh._ Let's up and see it. [_Exeunt._

_Enter_ Hengo.

_Car._ Sit down poor knaves: why where's this Wine and Victuals? Who waits there?

_Swet. within._ Sir, 'tis coming.

_Hen._ Who are these Uncle?

_Car._ They are _R[o]mans_, boy.

_Hen._ 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 do ye? How do you feel your stomachs?

_Jud._ Wondrous apt, Sir, As shall appear when time calls.

_Car._ That's well, down wi'th't, A little grace will serve your turns: eat softly, You'll choak ye knaves else: give 'em Wine.

_Jud._ Not yet, Sir, We're even a little busie.

_Hen._ Can that fellow Do any thing but eat? thou fellow.

_Jud._ Away boy, Away, this is no boys play.

_Hen._ By ----, Uncle, If his valour lie in's teeth, he's the most valiant.

_Car._ I am glad to hear ye talk, Sir,

_Hen._ Good Uncle tell me, What's the price of a couple of cramm'd _Romans_?

_Car._ Some twenty _Britains_ boy; these are good Soldiers,

_Hen._ Do not the cowards eat hard too?

_Car._ No more, boy. Come, I'll sit with you too; sit down by me, boy.

_Jud._ Pray bring your dish then.

_Car._ Hearty knaves: More meat there.

_1 Sol._ That's a good hearing.

_Car._ Stay now and pledge me.

_Jud._ This little piece, Sir.

_Car._ By ---- square eaters, 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?

_Jud._ Believe it, Sir, like devils.

_Car._ Well said famine, Here's to thy General.

_Jud._ Most excellent Captain, I will now pledg thee.

_Car._ And to morrow night say to him, His Head is mine.

_Jud._ I can assure ye Captain, He will not give it for this washing.

_Car._ Well said. [_Daughters above._

_1 Daugh._ Here's a strange entertainment: how the thieves drink.

_2 Da[u]gh._ Danger is dry, they look'd for colder liquor.

_Car._ Fill 'em more wine, give 'em full bowls; which of you all now In recompence of this good, dare but give me A sound knock in the battel?

_Jud._ Delicate Captain, To do thee a sufficient recompence, I'll knock thy brains out.

_Car._ Do it.

_Hen._ Thou dar'st as well be damn'd: thou knock his brains out. Thou skin of man? Uncle, I will not hear this.

_Jud._ Tie up your whelp.

_Hen._ Thou kill m[y] Uncle? Would I had but a sword for thy sake, thou dry'd dog.

_Car._ What a mettle This little vermin carries.

_Heng._ Kill mine Uncle?

_Car._ He shall not, child.

_Hen._ He cannot: he's a Rogue, An only eating Rogue: Kill my sweet Uncle? Oh that I were a man.

_Jud._ By this Wine, Which I will drink to Captain _Junius_, Who loves the Queens most excellent Majesties little daughter Most sweetly, and most fearfully I will do it.

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

_Car._ No more, Boy. I'll pledge thy Captain: To ye all good fellows.

_2 Daugh._ In love with me? that love shall cost your lives all: Come Sister, and advise me; I have here A way to make an easie conquest of 'em, If fortune favour me.

_Car._ Let's see ye sweat To morrow, blood and spirit, Boys, this Wine Turn'd to stern valour.

_1 Sold._ Hark ye _Judas_, If he should hang us after all this.

_Jud._ Let him: I'll hang like a Gentleman and a _Roman_.

_Car._ Take away there, They have enough.

_Jud._ Captain, we thank you heartily For your good cheer, and if we meet to morrow, One of us pays for't.

_Car._ Get 'em guides, their Wine Has over-master'd 'em.

_Enter second Daughter, and a Servant._

_2 Daugh._ That hungry fellow With the red beard there, give it him, and this, To see it well delivered.

_Car._ Farewel knaves; Speak nobly of us, keep your words to morrow.

_Enter a Guide._

And do something worthy your meat. Go, guide 'em, And see 'em fairly onward.

_Jud._ Meaning me, Sir?

_Serv._ The same. The youngest daughter to the Queen intreats ye To give this privately to Captain _Junius_, This for your pains.

_Jud._ I rest her humble servant, Commend me to thy Lady. Keep your Files, boys.

_Serv._ I must instruct ye farther.

_Jud._ Keep your Files there. Order, sweet friends: faces about now.

_Guide._ Here Sir, Here lies your way.

_Jud._ 'Bless the Founders, I say, Fairly, good soldiers, fairly march now: close, boys. [_Exeunt._

_Scæna Quarta._

_Enter_ Swetonius, Petillius, Demetris, 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.

_Pet._ What now think ye?

_Swet. Must come_, so hainous to him, so distasteful?

_Pet._ Give me my money.

_Dem._ I confess 'tis due, Sir, And presently I'll pay it.

_Swet._ His obedience. So blind at his years 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 _Phalanx_: when the angry _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 wisdom, that thou leftst thy General naked: Yet e'r 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 wis[h], 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 ill words: let his own shame first revile him. 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 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 o[r]der all: whose sword is sharpest, And valour equal 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 drunkennest slaves.

_Dec._ ---- Confound your Rogueships; I'll call the General, and have ye hang'd all.

_Jud._ Pray who will you command then?

_Dec._ For you, sirrah, 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 Sold._ The king of all good fellows.

_Dec._ Who's that?

_Jud. Caratach._ Shake now, and say, We have done something worthy, Mark me; with _Caratach_: By this ---- _Caratach_: Do you as much now and you dare: sweet _Caratach_. Ye talk of a good fellow, of true drinking; Well, go thy waies old _Caratach_: besides the drink Captain, The bravest running Banquet of black puddings, Pieces of glorious beef.

_Dec._ How scap'd ye hanging?

_Jud._ Hanging's a dog's death, we are Gentlemen, And I say still, old _Caratach_.

_Dec._ Belike then, You are turn'd Rebels all.

_Jud._ We are _Roman_ boys all, And boys of mettle: I must do that Captain, This day, this very day.

_Dec._ Away, ye Rascal.

_Jud._ Fair words, I say again.

_Dec._ What must you do, 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 than you'll pay.

_Jud._ 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 Countrey service?

_Jud._ I have brought that To Captain _Junius._

_Dec._ How?

_Jud._ 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?

_Jud._ Promise: Take heed of promise, Captain.

_Dec._ Away, and rank then.

_Jud._ But harke ye Captain, there is Wine distributing, I would fain know what share I have.

_Dec._ Be gone, Ye have too much.

_Jud._ 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 do well.

_Jud._ Do excellent.

_Dec._ Ye shall have Wine, or any thing: go file; I'll see ye have your share: drag out your dormise, And stow 'em somewhere, where they may sleep handsomly, They'l hear a hunt's up shortly.

_Jud._ 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.

_Jud._ 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 have much to do boys. [_Exeunt._

_Actus Tertius. Scæna Prima._

_Enter a_ Messenger.

_Mess._ Prepare there for the sacrifice, the Queen comes. [_Musick._

_Enter in solemnity the_ Druids _singing, the second Daughter_ _strewing Flowers: then_ Bonduca, Nennius, _and others_.

_Bond._ Ye powerful gods of _Britain_, hear our prayers; Hear us you great Revengers, and this day Take pity from our swords, doubt from our valours, Double the sad remembrance of our wrongs In every brest; the vengeance due to those Make infinite and endless: on our pikes This day pale terror sit, horrors and ruines Upon our executions; claps of thunder Hang on our armed carts, and 'fore our Troops Despair and death; shame beyond these attend 'em. Rise from the dust, ye relicks of the dead, Whose noble deeds our holy _Druids_ sing, Oh rise, ye valiant bones, let not base earth Oppress your honors, whilst the pride of _Rome_ Treads on your Stocks, and wipes out all your stories.

_Nen._ Thou great _Tiranes_, whom our sacred Priests, Armed with dreadful thunder, plac'd on high Above the rest of the immortal gods, Send thy consuming fires, and deadly bolts, And shoot 'em home, stick in each _Roman_ heart A fear fit for confusion; blast their spirits, Dwell in 'em to destruction; thorow their _Phalanx_ Strike, as thou [str]ik'st a proud tree; shake their Bodies, Make their strengths totter, and their topless fortunes Unroot and reel to ruine.

_1 Daugh._ O thou god, Thou feared god, if ever to thy justice Insulting wrongs, and ravishments of Women, Women deriv'd from thee, their shames, the sufferings Of those that daily fill'd thy Sacrifice With Virgin incense, have access, now hear me, Now snatch thy thunder up, now on these _Romans_, Despisers of thy power, of us defacers, Revenge thy self, take to thy killing anger, To make thy great work full, thy justice spoken, An utter rooting from this blessed Isle Of what _Rom[e]_ is or has been.

_Bon._ Give more incense, The gods are deaf and drowsie; no happy flame Rises to raise our thoughts: Pour on.

_2 Daugh._ See heaven, And all you pow'rs that guide us, see, and shame We kneel so long for pity over your Altars; Since 'tis no light oblation that you look for, No incense offering, will I hang mine eyes; And as I wear these stones with hourly weeping, So will I melt your pow'rs into compassion. This tear for _Prosutagus_ my brave Father, Ye gods, now think on _Rome_; this for my Mother, And all her miseries; yet see, and save us; But now ye must be open-ey'd. See; heaven, Oh see thy show'rs stoln from thee; our dishonours,

[_A smoak from the Altar._

Oh Sister, our dishonors: can ye be gods, And these sins smother'd?

_Bon._ The fire takes.

_Car._ It does so, But no flame rises. Cease your fearful prayers, Your whinings, and your tame petitions; The gods love courage arm'd with confidence, And prayers fit to pull them down: weak tears And troubled hearts, the dull twins of cold spirits, They sit and smile at. Hear how I salute 'em: Divine _Andate_, thou who hold'st the reins Of furious Battels, and disordred War, And proudly roll'st thy swarty chariot wheels Over the heaps of wounds and carcasses, Sailing through seas of blood; thou sure-steel'd sternness, Give us this day good hearts, good enemies, Good blowes o' both sides, wounds that fear or flight Can claim no share in; steel us both with angers, And warlike executions fit thy viewing; Let _Rome_ put on her best strength, and thy _Britain_, Thy little _Britain_, but as great in fortune, Meet her as strong as she, as proud, as daring; And then look on, thou red ey'd god: who does best, Reward with honor; who despair makes flie, Unarm for ever, and brand with infamy: Grant this, divine _Andate_, 'tis but justice; And my first blow thus on thy holy Altar [_A flame arises._ I sacrifice unto thee.

_Bon._ It flames out. [_Musick._

_Car._ Now sing ye _Druides_. [_Song._

_Bon._ 'Tis out again.

_Car._ H'as given us leave to fight yet; we ask no more, The rest hangs in our resolutions: Tempt her no more.

_Bon._ I would know farther Cosen.

_Car._ Her hidden meaning dwels in our endeavors; Our valors are our best gods. Cheer the Soldier, And let him eat.

_Mes._ He's at it, Sir.

_Car._ Away then; When he has done, let's march. Come, fear not Lady, This day the _Roman_ gains no more ground here, But what his body lies in.

_Bond._ Now I am confident. [_Exeunt Recorders._

_Scæna Secunda._

_Enter_ Junius, Curius, Decius.

_Dec._ We dare not hazard it: beside our lives, It forfeits all our understandings.

_Jun._ Gentlemen, Can ye forsake me in so just a service, A service for the Common-wealth, for honor? Read but the Letter; you may love too.

_Dec._ Read it: If there be any safety in the circumstance, Or likelihood 'tis love, we will not fail ye. Read it good _Curius_.

_Cur._ Willingly.

_Jun._ Now mark it.

_Cur. reads._ Health to thy heart, my honoured _Junius_, And all thy love requited: I am thine, Thine everlastingly, thy love has won me, And let it breed no doubt; our new acquaintance Compels this, 'tis the gods decree to bless us. The times are dangerous to meet; yet fail not, By all the love thou bear'st me I conjure thee, Without distrust of danger, to come to me, For I have purpos'd a delivery Both of my self and fortune this blest day Into thy hands, if thou thinkst good: to shew thee How infinite my Love is, even my Mother Shall be thy prisoner, the day yours without hazard; For I beheld your danger like a Lover, A just affecter of thy faith: Thy goodness, I know, will use us nobly, and our Marriage If not redeem, yet lessen _Romes_ Ambition. I'm weary of these miseries: Use my Mother, (if you intend to take her) with all honour, And let this disobedience to my parents Be laid on love, not me. Bring with thee, _Junius_, Spirits resolv'd to fetch me off, the noblest, Forty will serve the turn; just at the joyning Of both the battels, we will be weakly guarded; And for a guide, within this hour shall reach thee A faithful friend of mine: the gods, my _Junius_, Keep thee, and me to serve thee: young _Bonvica_.

_Cur._ This letter carries much belief, and most objections Answer'd, we must have doubted.

_Dec._ Is that fellow Come to ye for a guide yet?

_Jun._ Yes.

_Dec._ And examin'd?

_Jun._ Far more then that; he has felt tortures, yet He vows he knows no more than this truth.

_Dec._ Strange.

_Cur._ If she mean what she writes, as't may be probable, 'Twill be the happiest vantage we can lean to.

_Jun._ I'll pawn my soul she means truth.

_Dec._ Think an hour more, Then if your confidence grow stronger on ye, We'll set in with ye.

_Jun._ Nobly done; I thank ye; Ye know the time.

_Cur._ We will be either ready To give ye present counsell, or joyn with ye.

_Enter_ Swetonius, Petillius, _and_ Demetrius, Macer.

_Jun._ No more as ye are Gentlemen. The general.

_Swet._ Draw out apace, the enemy waits for us; Are ye all ready?

_Jun._ All our Troops attend, Sir.

_Swet._ I am glad to hear you say so, _Junius_. I hope ye are dispossest.

_Jun._ I hope so too, Sir.