_Mess._ Alone, sir. 180

_Cler._ Attend him in. (_Exit Messenger._) Now comes this plot to tryall; I shall descerne (if it be true as rare) Some sparkes will flye from his dissembling eyes.

Ile sound his depth.

_Enter Maillard with the Messenger._

_Maillard._ Honour, and all things n.o.ble!

_Cler._ As much to you, good Captaine. What's th'affaire? 185

_Mail._ Sir, the poore honour we can adde to all Your studyed welcome to this martiall place, In presentation of what strength consists My lord your brothers government, is readie.

I have made all his troopes and companies 190 Advance and put themselves in battailia, That you may see both how well arm'd they are How strong is every troope and companie, How ready, and how well prepar'd for service.

_Cler._ And must they take mee?

_Mail._ Take you, sir! O heaven! 195

_Mess._ [_aside, to Clermont_]. Beleeve it, sir, his count'nance chang'd in turning.

_Mail._ What doe you meane, sir?

_Cler._ If you have charg'd them, You being charg'd your selfe, to apprehend mee, Turne not your face; throw not your lookes about so.

_Mail._ Pardon me, sir. You amaze me to conceive 200 From whence our wils to honour you should turne To such dishonour of my lord, your brother.

Dare I, without him, undertake your taking?

_Cler._ Why not? by your direct charge from the King.

_Mail._ By my charge from the King! would he so much 205 Disgrace my lord, his owne Lieutenant here, To give me his command without his forfaite?

_Cler._ Acts that are done by Kings, are not askt why.

Ile not dispute the case, but I will search you.

_Mail._ Search mee! for what?

_Cler._ For letters.

_Mail._ I beseech you, 210 Doe not admit one thought of such a shame To a commander.

_Cler._ Goe to! I must doo't.

Stand and be searcht; you know mee.

_Mail._ You forget What tis to be a captaine, and your selfe.

_Cler._ Stand, or I vow to heaven, Ile make you lie, 215 Never to rise more.

_Mail._ If a man be mad, Reason must beare him.

_Cler._ So coy to be searcht?

_Mail._ Sdeath, sir, use a captaine like a carrier!

_Cler._ Come, be not furious; when I have done, You shall make such a carrier of me, 220 If't be your pleasure: you're my friend, I know, And so am bold with you.

_Mail._ You'll nothing finde Where nothing is.

_Cler._ Sweare you have nothing.

_Mail._ Nothing you seeke, I sweare. I beseech you, Know I desir'd this out of great affection, 225 To th'end my lord may know out of your witnesse His forces are not in so bad estate As hee esteem'd them lately in your hearing; For which he would not trust me with the confines, But went himselfe to witnesse their estate. 230

_Cler._ I heard him make that reason, and am sorie I had no thought of it before I made Thus bold with you, since tis such ruberb to you.

Ile therefore search no more. If you are charg'd (By letters from the King, or otherwise) 235 To apprehend me, never spice it more With forc'd tearmes of your love, but say: I yeeld; Holde, take my sword, here; I forgive thee freely; Take; doe thine office.

_Mail._ Sfoote! you make m'a hang-man; By all my faith to you, there's no such thing. 240

_Cler._ Your faith to mee!

_Mail._ My faith to G.o.d; all's one: Who hath no faith to men, to G.o.d hath none.

_Cler._ In that sense I accept your othe, and thanke you.

I gave my word to goe, and I will goe. _Exit Cler[mont]._

_Mail._ Ile watch you whither. _Exit Mail[lard]._

_Mess._ If hee goes, hee proves 245 How vaine are mens fore knowledges of things, When heaven strikes blinde their powers of note and use, And makes their way to ruine seeme more right Then that which safetie opens to their sight.

Ca.s.sandra's prophecie had no more profit 250 With Troyes blinde citizens, when shee foretolde Troyes ruine; which, succeeding, made her use This sacred inclamation: "G.o.d" (said shee) "Would have me utter things uncredited; For which now they approve what I presag'd; 255 They count me wise, that said before, I rag'd." [_Exit._]

LINENOTES:

12 _Rulers_. Shepherd, Phelps; Q, Rubers.

74 _your_. Ed.; Q, you.

149 _in_. Added by ed.

155 _Arden_. Q, Acden.

162 _Char._ Q, Cler.

[SCaeNA TERTIA.

_A Camp near Cambrai._]

_Enter Challon with two Souldiers._

_Chalon._ Come, souldiers: you are downewards fit for lackies; Give me your pieces, and take you these coates, To make you compleate foot men, in whose formes You must be compleate souldiers: you two onely Stand for our armie.