Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 06 of 10Fletcher, John
General
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 06 of 10
Fletcher, John
English drama
_Car._ Very likely,
He shews no less than General: see how bravely
The Body moves, and in the head how proudly
The Captains stick like plumes: he comes apace on;
Good _Nennius_ go, and bid my stout Lieutenant
Bring on the first square Body to oppose 'em,
And as he charges, open to inclose 'em:
The Queen move next with hers, and wheel about,
To gain their backs, in which I'll lead the Vantguard.
We shall have bloody crowns this day, I see by't;
Hast thee good _Nennius_, I'll follow instantly. [_Exit Nennius._
How close they march, as if they grew together! [_March._
No place but lin'd alike: sure from oppression;
They will not change this figure: we must charge 'em,
And charge 'em home at both ends, Van and Rere,
[_Drums in another place afar off._
They never totter else. I hear our Musick,
And must attend it: Hold good sword, but this day,
And bite hard where I hound thee, and hereafter
I'll make a relique of thee, for young Souldiers
To come like Pilgrimes to, and kiss for Conquests. [_Exit._
_Scæna Quarta._
_Enter_ Junius, Curius, _and_ Decius.
_Jun._ Now is the time, the fellow stays.
_Dec._ What think ye?
_Cur._ I think 'tis true.
_Jun._ Alas, if 'twere a question,
If any doubt or hazzard fell into't,
Do ye think mine own discretion so self-blind,
My care of you so naked, to run headlong?
_Dec._ Let's take _Petillius_ with us.
_Jun._ By no means:
He's never wise but to himself, nor courteous,
But where the end'[s] his own: we are strong enough,
If not to[o] many. Behind yonder hill
The fellow tells me she attends, weak guarded,
Her Mother and her Sister.
_Car._ I would venture.
_Jun._ We shall not strike five blows for't, weigh the good,
The general good may come.
_Dec._ Away, I'll with ye,
But with what doubt?
_Jun._ Fear not, my soul for all. [_Exeunt._
[_Alarms, Drums and Trumpets in several_
[_places afar off, as at a main Battell._
_Scæna Quinta._
_Enter_ Drusus _and_ Penyus _above_.
_Dru._ Here ye may see 'em all, Sir; from this hill
The Country shews off levell.
_Pen._ Gods defend me,
What multitudes they are, what infinites!
The _Roman_ power shews like a little Star
Hedg'd with a double hollo. Now the knell rings, [_Loud shouts._
Heark how they shout to th' battel; how the air
Totters and reels, and rends apieces, _Drusus_,
With the huge vollied clamours.
_Dru._ Now they charge.
Oh gods, of all sides, fearfully.
_Pen._ Little _Rome_,
Stand but this growing _Hydra_ one short hour,
And thou hast out-done _Hercules_.
_Dru._ The dust hides 'em,
We cannot see what follows.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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