SCENE X.
Enter Parolles.
1 Lord.
O, for the love of laughter, hinder not the
humour of his design, let him fetch off his drum in
any hand.
Ber.
How now, Monsieur? this drum sticks sorely
in your disposition.
2 Lord.
A pox on't, let it go, 'tis but a drum.
Par.
But a drum! is't but a drum? a drum so lost!
there was an excellent command! to charge in with
our horse upon our own wings, and to rend our own
soldiers.
-- 351 --
2 Lord.
That was not to be blamed in the command
of the service; it was a disaster of war that Cæsar
himself could not have prevented, if he had been there
to command.
Ber.
Well, we cannot greatly condemn our success:
some dishonour we had in the loss of that drum, but
it is not to be recover'd.
Par.
It might have been recover'd.
Ber.
It might, but it is not now.
Par.
It is to be recover'd; but that the merit of
service is seldom attributed to the true and exact performer,
I would have that drum or another, or hic
jacet—
Ber.
Why, if you have a stomack to't, Monsieur;
if you think your mystery in stratagem can bring this
instrument of honour again into his native quarter, be
magnanimous in the enterprize and go on; I will grace
the attempt for a worthy exploit: if you speed well in
it, the Duke shall both speak of it, and extend to you
what further becomes his greatness, even to the utmost
syllable of your worthiness.
Par.
By the hand of a soldier, I will undertake it.
Ber.
But you must not now slumber in it.
Par.
I'll about it this evening; and 9 noteI will presently
pen down my dilemma's, encourage myself in my certainty,
put myself into my mortal preparation; and,
by midnight, look to hear further from me.
Ber.
May I be bold to acquaint his Grace, you are
gone about it?
Par.
I know not what the success will be, my Lord;
but the attempt I vow.
Ber.
I know, th'art valiant; and to the 1 notepossibility
-- 352 --
of thy soldiership, will subscribe for thee; farewel.
Par.
I love not many words.
[Exit.
Samuel Johnson [1765], The plays of William Shakespeare, in eight volumes, with the corrections and illustrations of Various Commentators; To which are added notes by Sam. Johnson (Printed for J. and R. Tonson [and] C. Corbet [etc.], London) [word count] [S11001].