Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 06 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 06 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_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.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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