Reg. You are none.

Pen. He lies that says so; by Heaven, he lies, lies basely,
Baser than I have done! Come, soldiers, seek me;
I have robb’d ye of your virtues! Justice seek me,
I have broke my fair obedience! lost! Shame take me,
Take me, and swallow me, make ballads of me,
Shame, endless shame! and pray do you forsake me!

Drus. What shall we do?

Pen. Good gentlemen, forsake me;
You were not wont to be commanded. Friends, pray do it,
And do not fear; for, as I am a coward,
I will not hurt myself (when that mind takes me,
I’ll call to you, and ask your help), I dare not.

[Throws himself upon the ground.

Enter Petillius.

Pet. Good-morrow, gentlemen! Where’s the tribune?

Reg. There.

Drus. Whence come you, good Petillius?

Pet. From the general.

Drus. With what, for Heaven’s sake?

Pet. With good counsel, Drusius,
And love, to comfort him.

Drus. Good Regulus,
Step to the soldier and allay his anger;
For he is wild as winter.

[Exeunt Drusius and Regulus.

Pet. Oh, are you there? have at you!—Sure he’s dead,

[Half aside.

It cannot be he dare out-live this fortune;
He must die, ’tis most necessary; men expect it,
And thought of life in him goes beyond coward.
Forsake the field so basely? Fy upon’t!
So poorly to betray his worth? So coldly
To cut all credit from the soldier? Sure
If this man mean to live (as I should think it
Beyond belief), he must retire where never
The name of Rome, the voice of arms, or honour,
Was known or heard of yet. He’s certain dead,
Or strongly means it; he’s no soldier else,
No Roman in him; all he has done but outside,
Fought either drunk or desperate. Now he rises.—
How does lord Penius?

Pen. As you see.

Pet. I am glad on’t;
Continue so still. The lord general,
The valiant general, great Suetonius—

Pen. No more of me is spoken; my name’s perished.

Pet. He that commanded fortune and the day,
By his own valour and discretion
(When, as some say, Penius refused to come,
But I believe ’em not), sent me to see you.

Pen. Ye are welcome; and pray see me, see me well;
You shall not see me long.