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