Mar. I did so; but methought thou winkedst every blow they strake. | Bes. Well, I believe there are better soldiers than I, | 20 | that never saw two princes fight in lists. Mar. By my troth, I think so too, Bessus,--many a thousand: but, certainly, all that are worse than thou have seen as much. | Bes. 'Twas bravely done of our King. | 25 | Mar. Yes, if he had not ended the wars. I'm glad thou darest talk of such dangerous businesses. Bes. To take a prince prisoner, in the heart of his own country, in single combat! Mar. See how thy blood cruddles at this! I think 30 thou couldst be contented to be beaten i' this passion. Bes. Shall I tell you truly? Mar. Ay. Bes. I could willingly venture for 't. | Mar. Hum; no venture neither, good Bessus. | 35 | Bes. Let me not live, if I do not think 'tis a braver piece of service than that I'm so famed for. Mar. Why, art thou famed for any valour? Bes. I famed! ay, I warrant you. | Mar. I'm e'en heartily glad on't: I have been with | 40 | thee ever since thou camest to the wars, and this is the first word that ever I heard on't. Prithee, who fames thee? Bes. The Christian world. | Mar. 'Tis heathenishly done of 'em; in my con- | 45 | science, thou deservest it not. Bes. Yes, I ha' done good service. Mar. I do not know how thou may'st wait of a man in's chamber, or thy agility in shifting a trencher; but | otherwise no service, good Bessus. | 50 | Bes. You saw me do the service yourself. Mar. Not so hasty, sweet Bessus: where was it? is the place vanish'd? Bes. At Bessus' Desperate Redemption. ____________________ | 18 | winkedst] Q7 F.: QQ1-6 "wink'st." | | 30 | cruddles] So QQ1, 2, 7, Web. Dyce.: other eds. "curdles." Cf. for the transportation of the r, Piers Plowman(B-text vi. 284), "cruddles." Cf. and cream," and The Custom of the Country, iii. 3, "frubbish" for "furbish." | | 39 | I famed] Q1, Theo. Weber: the rest omit "l." | | 41 | this is the first] Q1, F. and mod. eds.: the rest omit "is." | | 48 | wait of] i.e. on. | -252- |