Dagw. Mayhap you may: look upon Edward's face,
No one can say he fears. But when he turns 17
His back, then I will say it to his face,
He is afraid: he makes us all afraid.
I cannot bear the enemy at my back.
Now here we are at Cressy; where to-morrow, 21
To-morrow we shall know. I say, Lord Audley,
That Edward runs away from Philip.
Aud. Perhaps you think the Prince too is afraid?
Dagw. No; God forbid! I'm sure he is not. 25
He is a young lion. O I have seen him fight
And give command, and lightning has flashed
From his eyes across the field: I have seen him
Shake hands with death, and strike a bargain for 29
The enemy; he has danc'd in the field
Of battle, like the youth at morrice play.
I'm sure he's not afraid, nor Warwick, nor none,
None of us but me, and I am very much afraid. 33
Aud. Are you afraid too. Sir Thomas?
I believe that as much as I believe
The King's afraid: but what are you afraid of?
Dagw. Of having my back laid open; we turn 37
Our backs to the fire, till we shall burn our skirts.
And. And this, Sir Thomas, you call fear? Your fear
Is of a different kind then from the King's;
He fears to turn his face, and you to turn your back. 41
I do not think, Sir Thomas, you know what fear is.
Enter Sir John Chandos.
Chand. Good morrow. Generals; I give you joy:
Welcome to the fields of Cressy. Here we stop,
And wait for Philip. 45
Dagw. I hope so.
Aud. There, Sir Thomas, do you call that fear?
Dagw. I don't know; perhaps he takes it by fits.
Why, noble Chandos, look you here, 49
One rotten sheep spoils the whole flock;
And if the bell-weather is tainted, I wish
The Prince may not catch the distemper too.
Chand. Distemper, Sir Thomas! what distemper? 53
I have not heard.
Dagw. Why, Chandos, you are a wise man,
I know you understand me; a distemper
The King caught here in France of running away. 57
Aud. Sir Thomas, you say you have caught it too.
Dagw. And so will the whole army; 'tis very catching,
For, when the coward runs, the brave man totters.
Perhaps the air of the country is the cause. 61
I feel it coming upon me, so I strive against it;
