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