Are these they Hengo. That vex mine aunt so ? can these fight? They look Like empty scabbards all, no mettle in 'em; Like men of clouts set to keep crows from orchards : 25 Why, I dare fight with these. Caratach. That's my good chicken! [He turns to the Romans.] And how do ye ? How do you feel your stomachs ? As shall appear when time calls. Wondrous apt, sir; The Guards bring in food and wine and set out a table. The Romans fling themselves on it and eat ravenously. Caratach. That's well; down with't, A little grace will serve your turns. Eat softly, 30 Judas [speaking with his mouth full]. Not yet, sir: We're even a little busy. Hengo. Do anything but eat? Can that fellow If his valour lie in 's teeth, he's the most valiant. Caratach. I am glad to hear ye talk, sir. Hengo. Good uncle, tell me, 35 What's the price of a couple of crammed Romans ? Caratach. Some twenty Britons, boy; these are good soldiers. Hengo. Do not the cowards eat hard too? No more, boy. Come, I'll sit with you, too. Sit down by me, boy. [Caratach and Hengo sit down. Judas [snatching more food]. Pray, bring your dish, then. Caratach [laughing]. Hearty knaves! More meat there. SCENE III. A ROMAN LEADER. Enter Suetonius, the Roman general, and his captains, Junius, Decius, Petilius, Demetrius, and Macer. Suetonius. Draw out apace; the enemy waits for us. Are ye all ready? Junius. All our troops attend, sir. Suetonius. To bid you fight is needless; ye are Romans, The name will fight itself: to tell ye who 5 You go to fight against, his power and nature, Decius and Demetrius. 'Tis done. Petilius. That man that loves not this day, And hugs not in his arms the noble danger, Suetonius. Sufficient. Up to your troops, and let your drums beat thunder; March close and sudden, like a tempest: all execu tions 25 Done without sparkling of the body; keep your phalanx Sure-lined and pieced together, your pikes forward, And so march like a moving fort. Ere this day run, We shall have ground to add to Rome, well won. SCENE IV. DEFEAT. Suetonius' orders are carefully executed, and Caratach plans to attack the Romans in van and rear. Meanwhile Bonduca in her haste and excitement charges their flank and is defeated. Enter Bonduca and her Daughters, with flying Britons. Bonduca. Shame! whither fly ye, ye unlucky Britons ? Leave me? leave your queen desolate ? Hark how the Romans ring our knells ! [Exeunt Bonduca, Daughters, and Soldiers. Hengo. Good uncle, Let me go too. No, boy; thy fortune's mine; 5 I must not leave thee. Get behind me [he takes Hengo Enter Petilius, Junius, and Decius. Come, brave Romans ; All is not lost yet. Strike home, home! have at you! [They fight. Poenius. His blows fall like huge sledges on an anvil. Decius. I am weary. So am I. [They cease fighting with him. Caratach. Send more swords to me. [Exit with Hengo. SCENE V. THE FUGITIVES. Enter Caratach and Hengo. Caratach. How does my boy ? I would do well; my heart's well; Hengo. I do not fear. Caratach. My good boy! Hengo. I know, uncle, We must all die; my little brother died, I saw him die, and he died smiling; sure There's no great pain in 't, uncle? But, pray, tell me, 5 Whither must we go when we are dead ? Caratach. Strange questions. [Aside. Why to the blessed'st place, boy! ever-sweetness And happiness dwells there. Hengo. Will you come to me? Caratach. Yes, my sweet boy. Mine aunt too, and my cousins ! Caratach. All, my good child. No Romans, uncle ? Caratach. No, boy. 10 Hengo. I should be loath to meet them there. No ill men, That live by violence and strong oppression, I always said my prayers. 15 Caratach. Thou shalt go, then, Indeed thou shalt. Hengo. When they please. Caratach. That's my good boy! Hengo. Weary, uncle ? Art thou not weary, Hengo ? I have heard you say you have marched all day in armour. Caratach. I have, boy. Hengo. Caratach. Am not I your kinsman ? Yes. 21 Hengo. And am not I as fully allied untò you In those brave things as blood ? Caratach. Thou art too tender. Hengo. To go upon my legs ? they were made to bear me. I can play twenty mile a day; I see no reason A Roman-hater, a scourge sent from heaven Softly, I say, they are here. Who dare charge ? Judas. Retire again, and watch then. How he stares ! 'Has eyes would kill a dragon. Mark the boy well; 35 Caratach. Do ye hunt us ? Hengo. Uncle, good uncle, see! the thin starved rascal, 40 The eating Roman, see where he thrids the thickets! Kill him, dear uncle, kill him! Stand, stand, ye rogues, ye squirrels. Hengo. [Exit, in pursuit. A loud cry is heard within. Now he pays 'em: 45 Oh, that I had a man's strength. Judas. Judas sneaks in. Here's the boy; Mine own, I thank my fortune. Uncle, uncle ! Famine is fallen upon me, uncle ! Hengo [standing on the defensive with the staff]. I defy 50 Thou mock-made man of mat! charge home, sirrah ! Judas. [Aside.] Upon my conscience, An The boy will beat me: how it looks, how bravely! To handle me thus. [Aloud.] Yield, or I cut thy Cor head off. 55 (Th Hengo. Thou dar'st not cut my finger; here 'tis, touch it. The The Judas [aside]. The boy speaks sword and buckler. Mus [Aloud.] Prithee, yield, boy; H Come, here 's an apple; yield. [He takes a step forward, pretending to have something in his hand. By Heaven, he fears me! [Aside.] Hengo. I'll give you sharper language: when, you coward, I ca To C He |