Serv. I must instruct you further.

Judas. Keep your files there!
Order, sweet friends; faces about now.

Guide. Here, sir;
Here lies your way.

Judas. Bless the founders, I say!
Fairly, good soldiers, fairly march now; close, boys!

[Exeunt.

SCENE IV.—The Roman Camp.

Enter Suetonius, Petillius, Demetrius, Decius, and Macer.

Suet. Bid me be wise, and keep me where I am,
And so be safe? not come, because commanded?
Was it not thus?

Macer. It was, sir.

Pet. What now think you?
Suet. Must come so heinous to him, so distasteful?

Pet. Give me my money.

Dem. I confess ’tis due, sir,
And presently I’ll pay it.

Suet. His obedience
So blind at his years and experience,
It cannot find where to be tender’d?

Macer. Sir,
The regiment was willing, and advanced too,
The captains at all points steel’d up; their preparations
Full of resolve and confidence; youth and fire,
Like the fair breaking of a glorious day,
Gilded their phalanx; when the angry Penius
Stept like a stormy cloud ’twixt them and hopes.

Suet. And stopt their resolutions?

Macer. True; his reason
To them was odds, and odds so infinite,
Discretion durst not look upon.

Suet. Well, Penius,
I cannot think thee coward yet; and treacherous
I dare not think; thou hast lopt a limb off from me;
And let it be thy glory, thou wast stubborn,
Thy wisdom, that thou left’st thy general naked!
Yet, ere the sun set, I shall make thee see
All valour dwells not in thee, all command
In one experience. Thou wilt too late repent this,
And wish “I must come up” had been thy blessing.

Pet. Let’s force him.

Suet. No, by no means; he’s a torrent
We cannot easily stem.

Pet. I think, a traitor.

Suet. No ill words! let his own shame first revile him.—
That wine I have, see it, Demetrius,
Distributed amongst the soldiers,
To make ’em high and lusty; when that’s done,
Petillius, give the word through, that the eagles
May presently advance; no man discover
Upon his life, the enemies’ full strength,
But make it of no value. Decius,
Are your starved people yet come home?

Dec. I hope so.

Suet. Keep ’em in more obedience: This is no time
To chide, I could be angry else, and say more to you;
But come, let’s order all. Whose sword is sharpest,
And valour equal to his sword this day,
Shall be my saint.