Dagw. Here on the fields of Cressy we are settled
'Till Philip springs the tim'rous covey again.
The Wolf is hunted down by causeless fear; 113
The Lion flees, and fear usurps his heart,
Startled, astonish'd at the clam'rous Cock;
The Eagle, that doth gaze upon the sun,
Fears the small fire that plays about the fen. 117
If, at this moment of their idle fear,
The Dog doth seize the Wolf, the Forester the Lion,
The Negro in the crevice of the rock
Doth seize the soaring Eagle; undone by flight, 121
They tame submit: such the effect flight has
On noble souls. Now hear its opposite.
The tim'rous Stag starts from the thicket wild.
The fearful Crane springs from the splashy fen, 125
The shining Snake glides o'er the bending grass,
The Stag turns head and bays the crying Hounds,
The Crane o'ertaken fighteth with the Hawk,
The Snake doth turn, and bite the padding foot. 129
And if your Majesty's afraid of Philip,
You are more like a Lion than a Crane:
Therefore I beg I may return to England.
King. Sir Thomas, now I understand your mirth, 133
Which often plays with Wisdom for its pastime,
And brings good counsel from the breast of laughter.
I hope you'll stay, and see us fight this battle,
And reap rich harvest in the fields of Cressy; 137
Then go to England, tell them how we fight,
And set all hearts on fire to be with us.
Philip is plum'd, and thinks we flee from him,
Else he would never dare to attack us. Now, 141
Now the quarry's set! and Death doth sport
In the bright sunshine of this fatal day.
Dagw. Now my heart dances, and I am as light
As the young bridegroom going to be married. 145
Now must I to my soldiers, get them ready,
Furbish our armours bright, new plume our helms.
And we will sing like the young housewives busied
In the dairy: my feet are wing'd, but not 149
For flight, an please your grace.
King. If all my soldiers are as pleas'd as you,
'Twill be a gallant thing to fight or die;
Then I can never be afraid of Philip. 153
Dagw. A raw-bon'd fellow t'other day pass'd by me;
I told him to put off his hungry looks —
He answer'd me, 'I hunger for another battle.'
I saw a little Welchman with a fiery face; 157
I told him he look'd like a candle half
Burn'd out; he answer'd, he was 'pig enough
To light another pattle.' Last night, beneath
