Part 3 (2/2)

_Will._ [_To Host._] Nor I, for my master to be a fat-witted Duke, and I his chief serving-man.

_Ire._ Here we need counsel, and he raves of dreams And devils. Yet, 'tis true, he fights as if He were possess'd by them.

Come, Harrison!

Will you not hear how fortune dawns upon us?--

_Har._ Ay! indeed-- Excuse me, Ireton, I was something absent; I think my health of late is shatter'd much.

Sometimes I talk aloud. Did I not speak But now of Joab in the Bible, And how he did slay Abner?-- Thou know'st I read the Scripture very oft.

_A Trooper._ Ay! he goes to bed with it under his pillow, lest the evil one should prevail. Desborough told him of it.

_Har._ Heard you of Falkland's death?

_Ire._ At Newbury?-- I did. On either side, in this sad war The good and n.o.ble seem the ripest fruit, And so fall first.

_Har._ Thus let them perish, all That strive against the Lord.

Is Cromwell nigh?--

_Ire._ He will be here anon.

_Har._ [_To himself._] The mighty men Of Israel slew _all_. It was a sin To spare the child in the womb.

I am a fool To s.h.i.+ver thus to think that night must come.

The lion trembles at the sun's eclipse, But, not for murder of the innocent lamb.

Who walks across my grave?--

_Ire._ Come, let us go: I cannot pray or wrestle in the spirit; But let us talk of earthly fights and toils.

I love fat quarters in a Bishopric As well as any preacher of us all.

_Har._ Come, men, to quarters-- In four hours' time we march To join Lord Ess.e.x--see your girths are slack'd, Your pistols prim'd, your beasts fed, and your souls Watching for grace, the word is ”Kill and slay”-- 'Twere best all eat, for I will fast and pray.

[_Exeunt HARRISON and IRETON, R.S.E._]

_A Soldier._ [_To William._] I say, wilt thou discourse?

_2nd Sold._ Give him a text.

_3rd Sold._ He lacketh speech--He is a dumb Amalekite.

_1st Sold._ I will even awaken him with a p.r.i.c.k of my sword.

_Host._ Nay! he is strong in the word. [_To William._]

Preach something, if thou beest wise.

_Will._ What the devil!--

_3rd Sold._ Ay! uplift thy voice against Beelzebub.

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