Volume Xiv Part 53 (1/2)

AND. Now we do see an end of all our mischiefs; The prince hath gone from court, and the king Hath sent for us. Doth not the name Strike terror to thy curdling blood?

LIB. No, by my troth, not at all.

As far as I see, you're better than you were.

I'll lay my life the old man would turn gamester.

Take my counsel, play deep, or not at all: Not an ace under a kingdom. Your grace, I hope, will remember your poor friends.

AND. If I do find any such thing, Let me alone to melt his ice.

Go, get me mourning with all haste.

[_Exit_ LIBACER.

Let froward Fortune do her worst; I shall Create my greatness, or attempting fall: And when I fall, I will deserve my ruin.

[_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.