Page images
PDF
EPUB
[merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors]

Led hither by pure love: which of them both In argument of praise, or to the worth
Is dearest to me, I have no skill in sense

Of the great count himself, she is too mean
To make distinction. — Provide this messenger !- To have her name repeated; all her deserving
My heart is heavy, and mine age is weak;

Is a reserved honesty, and that
Grief would have tears, and sorrow bids me speak. I have not heard examin'd.

(Exeunt. Dia. Alas, poor lady!

'Tis a hard bondage, to become the wife
SCENEV.-Without the walls of Florence. Of a detesting lord.
A tucket afar off. Enter at old Widow of Florence, Wid. A right good creature: wheresoe'er she is,
Diana, VIOLENTA, MARIANA, and other Citizens. Her heart weighs sadly: this young maid might do her
Wid. Nay, come; for if they do approach the city, Ashrewd turn, if she pleas’d.
we shall lose all the sight.

Hel. How do you mean?
Dia. They say, the French count has done most ho- May be, the amorous count solicits her
nourable service.

In the unlawful purpose.
Wid. It is reported, that he has taken their greatest Wid. He does, indeed,
commander, and that with his own hand he slew the And brokes with all that can in such a suit
duke's brother. We have lost our labour; they are gone Corrupt the tender honour of a maid:
a contrary way: hark! you may know by their trumpets. But she is arm’d for him, and keeps her guard

Mar. Come, let's return again, and suffice ourselves In honestest defence.
with the report of it. Well, Diana , take heed of Enter with drum and colours, a party of the Floren-
this French earl: the honour of a maid is her name; tine army, BERTRAM, and PAROLLES.
and no legacy is so rich as honesty.

Mar. The gods forbid else!
Wid. I have told my neighbour, how you have been Wid. So, now they come :-
solicited by a gentleman, his companion.

That is Antonio, the duke's eldest son;
Mar. I know that knave; hang him! one Parolles: a That, Escalus.
filthy officer he is in those suggestions for the young Hel. Which is the Frenchman?
earl. - Beware of them, Diana! their promises, en- Dia. He;
ticements, oaths, tokens, and all these engines of lust, That with the plume: 'tis a most gallant fellow;
are not the things they go under; many a maid hath I would, helor'd his wife: if he were honester,
been seduced by them; and the misery is, example, that He were much goodlier. Is't not a handsome gen-
so terrible shows in the wreck of maidenhood, cannot tleman ?
for all that dissuade succession, but they are limed Hel. I like him well.
with the twigs that threaten them. I hope, I need not to Dia. 'Tis pity, he is not honest. —Yond's that same
advise you further; but, I hope, your own grace will knave,
keep you where you are, though there were no fur- That leads him to these places; were I his lady,
ther danger known, but the modesty, which is so lost. I'd poison that vile rascal.
Dia. You shall not need to fear me.

Hel. Which is he?
Enter Helena, in the dress of a pilgrim. Dia. That jack-an-apes with scarfs : why is he me-
Wid. I hopeso.-Look, here comes a pilgrim: I know lancholy?
she will lie at my house: thither they send one another: Hel. Perchance he's hurti'the battle.
I'll question her.

Par. Lose our drum! well.
God save you, pilgrim! Whither are you bound ? Mar. He's shrewdly vexed at something :
Hel. To Saint Jaques le grand.

Look, he has spied us.
Where do the palmers lodge, I do beseech you? Wid. Marry, hang you!
Wid. At the Saint Francis here, beside the port. Mar. And your courtesy, for a ring-carrier!
Hel. Is this the way?

(Exeunt Bertram, Parolles, Officers,and Soldiers.
Wid. Ay, marry, is it. - Hark yon ! [ A march afar off. Wid.The troop is past.Come, pilgrim, I will bring you
They come this way. If you will tarry, holy pilgrim, Where you shall host : ofenjoin'd penitents
But till the troops come by,

There's four or five, to great St Jaques bound,
I will conduct you where you shall be lodg'd; Already at my house.
The rather, for, I think, I know your hostess Hel. Í humbly thank you :
As ample as myself.

Please it this matron, and this gentle maid,
Hel. Is it yourself?

To eat with us to-night, the charge, and thanking,
Wid. If you shall please so, pilgrim.

Shall be for me; and, to requite you further,
Hel. I thank you, and will stay upon your leisare. I will bestow some precepts on this virgin,
Wid. You came, I think, from France?

Worthy the note.
Hel. I did so.

Both. We'll take your offer kindly. (Exeunt.
Wid. Here you shall see a countryman of yours,
That has done worthy service.

SCENE VI.-Camp before Florence.
Hel. His name, I pray you.

Enter BERTRAM, and ihe iwo French Lords.
Dia. The count Rousillon. Know you such a one? 1 Lord. Nay, good my lord, put him to't; let him have
Hel. But by the ear, that hears most nobly of him; his way!
His faceI know not.

2 Lord. If your lordship find him not a hilding, hold Dia, Whatsoe’er le is,

me no more in your respect.
He's bravely taken here. He stole from France, 1 Lord. On my life, my lord, a bubble.
As 'tis reported; for the king had married him Ber. Do you think, I am so far deceived in him?
Against his liking. Think you it is so?

1 Lord. Believe it, my lord, in mine own direct know-
Hel Ay, surely, mere the truth; I know his lady. ledge, without any malice, but to speak of him as my
Dia. There is a gentleman, that serves the count, kinsman, he's a most notable coward, an infinite and
Reports but coarsely of her.

endless liar, an hourly promise-breaker, the owner of Hel. What's his name?

no one good quality worthy your lordship's entertainDia. Monsieur Parolles. Hel. 0, I believe with him,

2 Lord. It were fit you knew him ; lest, reposing too

а

ment.

Instr That

a

[ocr errors]

To he
Toch

Hel. laa

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

:

IL

11 1

а

1 1

a

no b

far in his virtue, which he hath not, he might, at some 2 Lord. You do not know him, my lord, as we do:
great and trusty business, in a main danger, fail you. certain it is, that he will steal himself into a man's fa-
Ber. I would, I knew in what particular action to try vour,and, for a week, escape a great deal of discoveries;
him.

but when you find him out, you have him ever after.
2 Lord.None better than to let him fetch off his drum, Ber. Why, do you think, he will make no deed at all
which you hear him so confidently undertake to do. of this,that so seriously he does address himseliunto ?

1 Lord. I, with a troop of Florentines, will suddenly 1 Lord. None in the world, but return with an in-
surprise him ; such I will have, whom, I am sure, he vention, and clap upon you two or three probable lies :
knows not from the enemy: we will bind and hood, but we have almost embossed him, you shall see his
wink him so, that he shall suppose no other but that he fallto-night; for, indeed, he is not for your lordship’s
is carried into the leaguer of the adversaries, when we respect.
bring him to our tents. Be but your lordship presentat 2 Lord. We'll make you some sport with the fox, ere
his examination ; if he do not, for the promise of his we case him.He was first smoked by the old lord Lafeu;
life, and in the highest compulsion of base fear, offer when his disguise and he is parted,tell me what a sprat
to betray you, and deliver all the intelligence in his you shall find him ; which you shall see this very night.
power against you, and that with the divine forfeit of 1 Lord. I must go look my twigs; he shall be caught.
his soul upon oath, never trust my judgement in any Ber. Your brother, he shall go along with me.
thing!

1 Lord. As't please your lordship:I'll leave you.[Exit.
2 Lord. O, for the love of laughter, let him fetch his Ber. Now will I lead you to the house, and show you
drum; he says, he has a stratagem for’t: when your The lass I spoke of.
lordship sees the bottom of his success in't, and to what| 2 Lord. But, you say, she's honest.
metal this counterfeit lump ofore will be melted, if you Ber. That's all the fault. I spoke with her but once,
give him not John Drum's entertainment, your inclin- and found her wondrous cold; but I sent to her,
ing cannot be removed. Here he comes.

By this same coxcomb, that we have i'the wind,
Enter PAROLI.ES.

Tokens and letters, which she did re-send;
1 Lord. O, for the love of laughter, hinder not the And this is all I have done. She's a fair creature;
humour of his design ; let him fetch off his drum in any Will you go see her?
hand.

2 Lord. With all my heart, my lord. (Exeunt.
Ber. How now, monsieur ? this drum sticks sorely SCENE VII. Florence. A room in the Widow's
in your disposition.

house. 2 Lord. A pox on't, let it go; 'tis but a drum.

Enter HELENA and Widow.
Par. But a drum! Is't but a drum? A drum so lost ! - Hel. If you misdoubt me that I am not she,
There was an excellent command ! to charge in with I know not, how I shall assure you further,
our horse upon our own wings, and to rend our own But I shall lose the grounds I work upon.
soldiers.

Wid. Though my estate be fallen, I was well born,
2 Lord. That was not to be blamed in the command Nothing acquainted with these businesses,
of the service; it was a disaster of war that Caesar him- And would not put my reputation now
self could not have prevented, if he had been there to In any staining act.
command.

Hel. Nor would I wish you.
Ber. Well, we cannot greatly condemn our success: First, give me trust, the count heis my husband;
some dishonour we had in the loss of that drum; butit And, what to your sworn counsel I have spoken,
is not to be recovered.

Is so, from word to word; and then you canuot,
Par. It might have been recovered.

By the good aid that I of you shall borrow,
Ber. It might, but it is not now.

Err in bestowing it.
Par. It is to be recovered: but that the merit of ser- Wid. I should believe you ;
vice is seldom attributed to thetrueand exact perform- For you have show'd me that, which well approves,
er, I would have that drum or another, or hic jacet. You are great in fortune.

Ber. Why, if you have a stomach to't, monsieur, if| Hel. Take this purse of gold,
you think your mystery in stratagem can bring this in- And let me buy your friendly help thus far,
strument of honour again into his native quarter, be Which I will over-pay, and pay again,
magnanimous in the enterprize, and go on ; I will grace When I have found it. The count he wooes your
the attempt for a worthy exploit : if you speed well in daughter,
it, the duke shall both speak of it, and extend to you Lays down his wanton siege before her beauty,
what further becomes his greatness, even to the utmost Resolves to carry her; let her, in fine, consent,
syllable of your worthiness.

As we'll direct her, how'tis best to bear it,
Par. By the hand of a soldier, I will undertake it, Now his important blood will nought deny,
Ber. But you must not now slumber in it.

That she'll demand. A ring the county wears,
Par. I'll about it this evening: and I will presently That downward hath succeeded in his house,
pen down my dilemmas, encourage myself in my cer- From son to son, some four or five descents,
tainty, put myself into my mortal preparation, and, by Since the first father wore it: this ring he holds
midnight, look to hear further from me.

In most rich choice; yet, in his idle fire,
Ber. May I be bold to acquaint his grace, you are gone To buy his will, it would not seem too dear,
about it?

Howe'er repented after.
Par.I know not what the success will be, my lord; but Wid. Now I see
the attempt I vow.

The bottom of your purpose.
Ber. I know, thou art valiant ; and, to the possibility Hel. You see it lawful then. Itis no more,
of thy soldiership, will subscribe for thee. Farewell. But that your daughter, ere she seems as won,
Par. I love not many words.

[Exit. Desires this ring; appoints him an encounter;
1 Lord. No more than a fish loves water. - Is not this in fine, delivers me to fill the time,
a strange fellow, my lord? that so confidently seems to Herself most chastely absent: after this,
undertake this business, which he knows is not to be To marry her, I'll add three thousand crowns
done; damns himself to do, and dares better be dam - To what is past already.
ned than to do't?

Wid. I have yielded.

[merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[merged small][ocr errors]
[merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

Instruct my daughter, how she shall perséver, Par. Though I swore, I leaped from the window of
That time and place, with this deceit so lawful, the citadel
May prove coherent. Every night he comes

1 Lord. How deep?
With musics of all sorts, and songs compos'd

(Aside.

Pur. Thirty fathom.
To her unworthiness. It nothing steads us

1 Lord. Three great oaths would scarce make that be To chide him from our eaves; for he persists,

believed.

[-Aside. As if his life lay on't.

Par. I would, I had any drum of the enemy's; I would Hel. Why then, to-night

swear, I had recovered it. Let us assay our plot; which, ifit speed,

1 Lord. You shall hear one anon.

[ Aside. Is wicked meaning in a lawful deed,

Par. A drum now of the enemy's! [Alarum within. And lawful meaning in a lawful act;

1 Lord. Throca movousus, cargo, cargo, cargo. Where both not sin, and yet a sinful fact !

All. Cargo, cargo, villianda, par corbo, cargo. But let's about it.

(Exeunt. Par. 0! ransom, ransom! Do not hide mine

eyes! (They seize him and blindfold him.

1 Sold. Boskos thromuldo boskos.
ACT IV.

Par. I know you are the Muskos’regiment,
SCENE I. -Without the Florentine camp, And I shall lose my life for want of language:
Enter first Lord, with five or six soldiers in ambush. If there be here German, or Dane, low Dutch,

1 Lord. He can come no other way but by this hedge- Italian, or French, let him speak to me,
corner: when you sally upon him, speak what terrible I will discover that, which shall undo
language you will; thongh you understand it not your-| 1 Sold. Boskos vauvado: -

The Florentine.
selves, no matter : for we must not seem to understand I understand thee, and can speak thy tongue:
him ; unless some one among us, whom we must pro-
duce for an interpreter.

Kerelybonto:— Sir,

Betake thee to thy faith, for seventeen poniards 1 Sold. Good captain, let me be the interpreter!

Are at thy bosom. 1 Lord. Art not acquainted with him ? knows he not

Par. Oh! thy voice?

1 Sold. 0, pray, pray, pray. — :
1 Sold. No, sir, I warrant you.

Manka revania dulche.
Lord. But what linsy-woolsy hast thou to speak to

1 Lord. Oscorbi dulchos volivorca.
as again?

1 Sold. The general is content to spare thee yet,
1 Sold. Even such as you speak to me.
1 Lord. Hemust think us some band of strangers i'the And, hood-wink'd as thou art, will lead thee on
adversary's entertainment. Now he hath a smack of all To gather from thee; haply, thou may'st inform
neighbouring languages; therefore we must every one

Something to save thy life.
be a man of his own fancy, not to know what we speak and all the secrets ofour camp

Par. O, let me live,

I'll show, one to another; so we seem to know, is to know

Their force, their purposes : nay, I'll speak that, straight our purpose: chough's language, gabble

Which

you will wonder at. enough, and good enough. As for you, interpreter,

1 Sold. But wilt thou faithfully? you must seem very politic. But, couch, ho! here he

Par. If I do not, damn me! comes; to beguile two hours in a sleep, and then to

1 Sold. Acordo linta. -
return and swear the lies he forges.

Come on, thou art granted space.
Enter PAROLLES.

[Exit, with Parolles guarded.
Par. Ten o'clock: within these three hours 'twill be 1 Lord. Go, tell the count Rousillon, and my brother,
time enough to go home. What shall I say I have done? We have caught the woodcock, and will keep him
It must be a very plausive invention that carries it. muffled,
They begin to smoke me; and disgraces have oflate Till we do hear from them.
knocked too often at my door. I find, my tongue is too 2 Sold. Captain, I will.
foolhardy; but my heart hath the fear of Mars before 1 Lord. He will betray us all unto ourselves; –
it, and of his creatures, not daring the reports of my Inform'em that.
tongue.

2 Sold. So I will, sir. 1 Lord. This is the first truth that e'er thine own 1 Lord. Till then, I'll keep him dark, and safely tongue was guilty of. [ Aside. lock'd.

(Exeunt. Par. What the devil should move me to undertake the recovery of this drum; being not ignorant of the SCENE II. Florence. A room in the Widow's house. impossibility, and knowing I had no such purpose? I

Enter Bertran and Diana.
must give myself some hurts, and say, I got them in Ber. They told me, that your name was Fontibell.
exploit. Yet slight ones will not rarryit. They will Dia. No, my good lord, Diana.
say, Came you off with so little? and great ones I dare Ber. Titled goddess ;
not give. Wherefore? what's the instance ? Tongue, And worth it, with addition! But, fair soul,
Imust put you into a butter-woman's mouth, and buy In your fine frame hath love no quality ?
another of Bajazet's mule, if you prattle me into these If the quick fire of youth light not your mind,
perils.

You are no maiden, but a monument:
1 Lord. Is it possible, he should know, what he is, and when you are dead, you should be such a one
be what he is ?

[ Aside. As you are now, for you are cold and stern;
Par. I would the cutting of my garments would serve And now you should be as your mother was,
the torn, or the breaking of my Spanish sword. When your sweet self was got.
1 Lord. We cannot afford you so.

[Aside. Dia. She then was honest.
Par. Or the baring of my beard; and to say, it was in

Ber. So should you be. stratagem.

Dia. No:
1 Lord. 'Twould not do.

[Aside. My mother did but duty; such, my lord,
Par. Or to drown my clothes, and say, I was stripped. As you owe to your wife.
1 Lord. Hardly serve.

(Aside. Ber. No more of that!

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small]

I pr’ythee, do not strive against my vows :

SCENE III. – The Florentine camp. I was compell’d to her; but I love thee

Enter the two French Lords, and two ur three By love's own sweet constraint, and will for ever

Soldiers, Do thee all rights of service.

1 Tord. You have not given him his mother's letter? Dia. Ay, so you serve us,

2 Lord. I have delivered it an hour since: there is
Till we serve you : but when you have our roses, something in't, that stings his nature; for, on the read-
You barely leave our thorns to prick ourselves, ing it, he changed almost into another man.
And mock as with our bareness.

i Lord. He has much worthy blame laid upon him, Rer. How have I sworn?

for shaking off so good a wife, and so sweet a lady. Dia. 'Tis not the many oaths, that make the truth; 2 Lord. Especially he hath incurred the everlasting But the plain single vow, that is vow'd true.

displeasure of the king, who had even tuned his What is not holy, that we swear not by,

bounty to sing happiness to him. I will tell you a thing,
But take the Highest to witness. Then, pray you, but you shall let it dwell darkly with you.
tell me,

1 Lord. When you have spoken it, 'tis dead, and I am
If I should swear by Jove's great attributes, the grave ofit.
Ilov'd you dearly, would you believe my oaths, 2 Lord. He hath perverted a young gentlewoman
When I did love you ill? this has no holding, here in Florence, of a most chaste renown: and this
To swear by him, whom I protest to love,

night he fleshes his will in the spoil of her honour: he
That I will work against him. Therefore, your oaths hath given her his monumental ring, and thinks him-
Are words, and poor conditions; but unseal'd; self made in the unchaste composition.
At least, in my opinion.

1 Lord. Now, God delay our rebellion : as we are Ber. Change it, change it!

ourselves, what things are we! Be not so holy-eruel! love is holy;

2 Lord. Merely our own traitors, And as, in the comAnd my integrity ne'er knew the crafts,

mon course of all treasons, we still see them reveal That you do charge men with. Stand no more off, themselves, till they attain to their abhorred ends; so But give thyself unto my sick desires,

he, that in this action contrives against his own nobiWho then recover: say, thou art mine, and ever lity, in his proper stream o'erflows himself. My love, as it begins, shall so perséver.

i Lord. Is it not meant damnable in us, to be trumDia. I see, that men make hopes, in such asfairs, peters of our unlawful intents? We shall not then That we'll forsake ourselves. Give me that ring! have his company to-night?

Ber. I'll lend it thee, my dear, but have no power 2 Lord. Not till after midnight; for he is dieted to
To give it from me.

his hour. Dia, Will you not, my lord ?

1 Lord. That approaches apace: I would gladly have Ber. It is an honour ʼlonging to our house, him see his company anatomized; that he might take Bequeathed down from many ancestors;

a measure of his own judgements, wherein so curiously Which were the greatest obloquy i'the world he had set this counterfeit. In me to lose.

2 Lord. We will not meddle with him, till he come; Dia. Mine honour's such a ring :

for his presenee must be the whip of the other. My chastity's the jewel of our house,'

1 Lord. In the mean time, what hear you of these Bequeathed down from many ancestors;

wars? Which were the greatest obloquy in the world 2 Lord. I hear, there is an overture of peace. In me to lose. Thus your own proper wisdom

I Lord. Nay, I assure you, a peace concluded. Brings in the ehampion honour on my part,

2 Lord. What will count Rousillon do then? will he Against your vain assault.

travel higher, or return again into France? Ber. Here, take my ring!

1 Lord. I perceive, by this demand, you are not alMy house, mine honour, yea, my life be thine, together of his council. And I'll be bid by thee,

2 Lord. Let it beforbid, sir! so should I be a great Dia. When midnight comes, knock at my chamber deal of his aet. window;

1 Lord. Sir, his wife, some two months since, fled I'll order take, my mother shall not hear.

from his house; her pretence is a pilgrimage to Saint Now will I charge you in the band of truth,

Jaques le grand; which holy undertaking, with most When you haveconquer'd my yet maiden bed, austere sanctimony, she accomplished: and, there reRemain there but an hour, nor speak to me:

siding, the tenderness of her nature became as a prey My reasons are most strong, and you shall know them, to her grief; in fine, made a groan of her last breath, When back again this ring shall be deliver'd:

and now she sings in heaven. And on your finger, in the night, I'll put

2 Lord. How is this justified ? Another ring; that, what in time proceeds,

1 Lord. The stronger part of it by her own letters ; May token to the future our past deeds.

which makes her story true, even to the point of her Adieu, till then; then, fail not! You have won death: her death itself, which could not be her olice A wife of me, though there my hope be done.

to say, is come, was faithfully confirmed by the rector Ber. A heaven on earth I have won by wooing thee. of the place.

[Exit. 2 Lord. Hath the count all this intelligence ? Dia. For which live long to thank both heaven and 1 Lord. Ay, and the particular confirmations, point me

from point, to the full arming of the verity. You may so in the end.

2 Lord, I am heartily sorry, that he'll be glad of this. My mother told me just, how he would wop,

1 Lord. How mightily, sometimes, we make us comAsif she sat in his heart; she says, all men

forts of our losses ! Have the like oaths: he had sworn to marry me, 2 Lord. And how mightily, some other times, we When his wife's dead ; therefore I'll lie with him, drown our gain in tears: The great dignity, that his When I am buried. Since Frenchmen are so braid, valour hath here acquired for him, shall at home be Marry that will, I'll live and die a maid:

encountered with a shame as ample. Only, in this disguise, I think't no sin

1 Lord. The web of our life is of a mingled yarn, good To cozen him, that would unjustly win. [Exit. and ill together: our virtues would be proud, ifour

[merged small][merged small][ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors]

faults whipped them not; and our crimes would de-knot of his scarf, and the practice in the chape of his
spair, if they were not cherished by our virtues. dagger.
Enter a Servant.

2 Lord. I will ncver trust a man again, for keeping his How now? where's your master?

sword clean ; nor believe, he can have every thing in Serv. He met the duke in the street, sir, of whom he him, by wearing his apparel neatly. hath taken a solemy leave;his lordship will next morn

I Soli. Well, that's set down. ing for France. The duke hath offered him letters of Pur. Five or six thousand horse, I said, I will say commendations to the king.

true,-or thereabouts, set down,--for I'll speak truth. 2 Lord. They shall be no more than needfulthere, if i Lord. Ile's very near the truth in this. they were more than they can commend.

Ber. But Icon hiin no thanks for't, in the nature he

delivers it. Enter BERTRAN.

Par. Poor rognes, I pray you, say. 1 Lord. They cannot be too sweet for the king's tart

1 Sold. Well, that's set down.
ness. Here's his lordship now.—How now, my lord, is't| Par. I humbly thank you, sir: a truth's a truth, the
not after midnight?
Ber. I have to-night despatched sixteen businesses, 1 sold. Demand of him, of what strength they are

rogues are marvellous poor.
a month's length a-piece, by an abstract of success: I
have conged with the duke, done my adieu with his «-foot. What say you to that?

Par. By my troth, sir, if I were to live this present
nearest ; buried a wife, mourned for her; writ to my hour, I will tell true. Let me see: Spurio a hundred
lady mother, I am returning; entertained my convoy; and fifty, Sebastian so many, Corambus so many, Ja-
and, between these main parcels of despatch, effected
many vicer needs; the last was the greatest, but that gues, so many; Guiltian, Cosmo, Ludowick, and Gratii,

two hundred and fifty each: mine own company, ChiI have not ended yet. 2 Lord. If the business be of any difficulty, and this topher, Vaumond, Bentii

, two hundred and listy each:

so that the muster-file, rotten and sound, upon my life, morning your departure hence, it requires haste of amounts not to fifteen thousand poll; half of which yourlordship.

dare not shake the snow from off their cassocks, lest Ber. I mean the business is not enderl, as fearing to

they shake themselves to pieces. hear of it hereafter. But shall we have this dialogue Ber. What shall be done to him? between the fool and the soldier?—Comc, bring forth

I Lord. Nothing, but let him have thanks. Demand this counterfeit module! He has deceived me, like a of himn my conditions, and what credit I have with the double-meaning prophecier.

duke. 2 Lord. Bring him forth! [E.xeunt Soldiers.] He has

1 Sold. Well, that's set down. You shall demand sat in the stocks all night, poor gallant kvave. of him, whether one captain Dumain bei'the camp, it

Ber. No matter; his heels have deserved it, in usurp- Frenchman: what his reputation is with the duke, ing his spurs so long. How does he carry himself?

what his valour, honesty', und expertness in wars; or i Lord. I have told your lordship already, the stocks whether he thinks, it were not possible, with wellcarry him. But, to answer you as yon would be understood, he weeps, like a wench that had shed her milk: weighing sums of gold, to corrupt him to a revolt. he hath confessed himself to Morgan, whom he sup

What say you to this? what do you know ofit? poses to be a friar, from the time of his remembrance, of the intergatories. Demand them singly!

Par. I beseech you, let me answer to the particular to this very instant disaster of his setting i’the stocks :

1 Sold. Do you know this captain Dumain? and what think yon he hath confess'd ?

Pur. I know him: he was a botcher's 'prentice in Ber. Nothing of me, has he? 2 Lord. His confession is taken, and it shall be read sherill's fool with child; a dumb innoceut, that could

Paris, from whence he was whipped for getting the to his face: if your lordship be in't, as, I believe, you not say him nay. [liumuin liftsup his hand in anger. are, you must have the patience to hear it.

Ber. Nay, by your leave, hold your hands; thongh Re-enter Soldiers, with PAROLLES.

I know, his brains are forfeit to the next tile that falls. Ber. A plague upon him! muffled! he can say nothing i Sold. Well, is this captain in the duke of Florence's of me; hush! hush!

camp? 2 Lord. Iloodman comes ! - Porto tartarossa. Pur. Upon my knowledge heis, and lousy. 1 Sold. Ile calls for the tortures; what will you say i Lord. Nay, look not so upon me; we shall hear of without'cm?

your lordship anon. Pur. I will confess whatl know, without constraint; 1 Sold. What is his reputation with the duke? if ye pinch me, like a pasty, I can say no more.

Par. The duke knows him for no other but a poor 1 Sold. Bosko chimurcho.

officer of mine; and writto me this other day, to turn 2 Lord. Boblibindo chicurmurco.

him out o'the band. I think, I have his letter in my 1 Sold. You are a merciful general. – Our general pocket. bids

yon answer to what I shall ask you out of a note. 1 Sold. Marry, we'll search. Par. And truly, as I hope to live.

Par. In good sadness, I do not know ; either it is 1 Sold. First demand of him, how many horse the there, or it is upon a file, with the duke's other letters, duke is strong. What say you to that?

in my tent. Par. Five or six thousand; but very weak and unser- I Sold. Here 'tis; here's a paper. Shall I read it viceable: the troops are all scattered, and the com- to you? manders

very pour rogues, upon my reputation and Par. I do not know, ifitbeit, or no. credit, and as I hope to live.

Ber. Our interpreter docs it well.. 1 Sold. Shall I set down your answer so ?

1 Lord. Excellently. Par. Do; I'll take the sacrament on’t, how and which i Sold. Dian. The count's a fool, and full of gold, way you will.

Par. That is not the duke's letter, sir; that is an Ber. All's one to him. What a past-saving slave advertisement to a proper maid in Florence, one

Diana , to take heed of the allurement of one count 1 Lord. You are deceived, my lord; this is monsieur Rousillon, a foolish idle boy, but, for all that, very Parolles, the gallant militarist, (that was his own ruttish : I pray you, sir, patitup again! phrase,) that had the whole theoric of war in thel i Sold. Nay, I'll read it first, by your favour,

[ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small]
[ocr errors]
[merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small]

at his

is this!

ne be

good

iloni

« PreviousContinue »