Page 857 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

BERTRAM

How now, monsieur! This drum sticks sorely in [40] your disposition.

SECOND LORD
A pox on’t! Let it go, ’tis but a drum.

PAROLLES
But a drum! Is’t but a drum? A drum so lost! There was excellent command:
to charge in with our horse upon our own wings and to rend our own [45]

soldiers!

SECOND LORD

That was not to be blamed in the command of the service; it was a disaster
of war that Caesar himself could not have prevented if he had been there to
command. [50]

BERTRAM
Well, we cannot greatly condemn our success; some dishonour we had in the
loss of that drum, but it is not to be recovered.

PAROLLES

It might have been recovered.

BERTRAM

It might, but it is not now. [55]

PAROLLES
It is to be recovered. But that the merit of service is seldom attributed to the
true and exact performer, I would have that drum or another, or hic jacet.

BERTRAM
Why, if you have a stomach, to’t, monsieur! If you think your mystery in

stratagem can bring this [60] instrument of honour again into his native
quarter, be magnanimious in the enterprise and go on. I will grace the
attempt for a worthy exploit. If you speed well in it the Duke shall both speak
of it and extend to you what further becomes his greatness, even to the
utmost [65] syllable of your worthiness.