Part 53 (1/2)

[_Exit._

ACT II., SCENE 1.

_Enter_ PLANGUS, NICETES, ARAMNES.

NIC. What, sir, and are you melancholy, when fate Hath shower'd a happiness so unexpected on us?

This ugly, sneaking peace is the soldier's rock He splits his fortunes on. Bawdry's a virtue to't.

Pox o' these beaver hats, they make one's headache Worse than a cap of steel: and bear not off a knock The tenth part so well.

PLAN. You're mad for fighting, gentlemen, And we shall have enough of it.

The Argives, fifty thousand strong, Have like a whirlwind borne down all before 'em; And I, with thirteen thousand, that remain Undisbanded of the last expedition, Have command to fight that mult.i.tude Of old tough soldiers: while ours, In a month or two, won't have pick'd up that valour That in this idle time hath slipp'd from them.

They have forgot what noise a musket makes; And start if they but hear a drum.

Are these fellows either enow, or fit, On whom a kingdom's safety should be built?

Indeed, were they to encounter some mistress, Or storm a brothel-house, perhaps they'd venture; But for my part I yield; nor would I oppose my father: If he sees good we perish, I am already Sacrific'd; yet our enemies shall dearly purchase Their victory. Pray look to your charge, Nicetes, And you, Aramnes, with all care and speed; and when You come into the field, then let me see This countenance, that frowning smile, and I Shall like it: I love a man runs laughing Upon death. But we lose time in talk.

[_Exeunt_ NICETES _and_ ARAMNES.

SCENE II.

_Enter_ INOPHILUS.

INO. Your servant, captains. Sir, pray a word with you.

PLAN. Prythee, be short, Inophilus; thou know'st My business.

INO. Sir, I am mad to see your tameness: A man bound up by magic is not so still as you; Nothing was ever precipitated thus, And yet refus'd to see its ruin.

PLAN. Thou art tedious, I shall not tarry.

INO. You are made general.

PLAN. I know it.

INO. Against the Argives.

PLAN. So.

INO. With thirteen thousand men, no more, sir.

PLAN. I am glad on't, the honour is the greater.

INO. The danger is the greater; you will be kill'd, sir, And lose your army.

PLAN. Is this all? I care not.

INO. But so do I, and so do all your friends.

I smell a rat, sir; there's juggling in this business; I am as confident of it as I am alive.

The king might within this twenty-four hours Have made a peace on fair conditions.

PLAN. But dishonourable.