[_Exeunt_.
_Enter Bessus alone_.
_Bes_.
They talk of fame, I have gotten it in the wars; and will afford
any man a reasonable penny-worth: some will say, they could be
content to have it, but that it is to be atchiev'd with danger;
but my opinion is otherwise: for if I might stand still in
Cannon-proof, and have fame fall upon me, I would refuse it: my
reputation came principally by thinking to run away, which no
body knows but _Mardonius_, and I think he conceals it to anger
me. Before I went to the warrs, I came to the Town a young
fellow, without means or parts to deserve friends; and my empty
guts perswaded me to lie, and abuse people for my meat, which I
did, and they beat me: then would I fast two days, till my
hunger cri'd out on me, rail still, then me-thought I had a
monstrous stomach to abuse 'em again, and did it. I, this state I
continu'd till they hung me up by th' heels, and beat me wi'
hasle sticks, as if they would have baked me, and have cousen'd
some body wi'me for Venison: After this I rail'd, and eat
quietly: for the whole Kingdom took notice of me for a baffl'd
whipt fellow, and what I said was remembred in mirth but never in
anger, of which I was glad; I would it were at that pass again.
After this, heaven calls an Aunt of mine, that left two hundred
pound in a cousins hand for me, who taking me to be a gallant
young spirit, raised a company for me with the money and sent me
into _Armenia_ with 'em: Away I would have run from them, but
that I could get no company, and alone I durst not run. I was
never at battail but once, and there I was running, but
_Mardonius_ cudgel'd me; yet I got loose at last, but was so
fraid, that I saw no more than my shoulders doe, but fled with my
whole company amongst my Enemies, and overthrew 'em: Now the
report of my valour is come over before me, and they say I was a
raw young fellow, but now I am improv'd, a Plague on their
eloquence, 't will cost me many a beating; And _Mardonius_ might
help this too, if he would; for now they think to get honour on
me, and all the men I have abus'd call me freshly worthily, as
they call it by the way of challenge.
_Enter a Gent_.
_3 Gent_.
Good morrow, Captain _Bessus_.
_Bes_.
Good morrow Sir.
_3 Gent_.