3 Gent.

  Sir, if you be truly ingag’d but to one, he shall stay a
  competent time.

Bes.

Upon my faith Sir, to two hundred and twelve, and I have a spent body, too much bruis’d in battel, so that I cannot fight, I must be plain, above three combats a day:  All the kindness I can shew him, is to set him resolvedly in my rowle, the two hundred and thirteenth man, which is something, for I tell you, I think there will be more after him, than before him, I think so; pray you commend me to him, and tell him this.

3 Gent.

  I will Sir, good morrow to you.

[Exit 3 Gent.

Bes.

Good morrow good Sir.  Certainly my safest way were to print my self a coward, with a discovery how I came by my credit, and clap it upon every post; I have received above thirty challenges within this two hours, marry all but the first I put off with ingagement, and by good fortune, the first is no madder of fighting than I, so that that’s referred, the place where it must be ended, is four days journey off, and our arbitratours are these:  He has chosen a Gentleman in travel, and I have a special friend with a quartain ague, like to hold him this five years, for mine:  and when his man comes home, we are to expect my friends health:  If they would finde me challenges thus thick, as long as I liv’d, I would have no other living; I can make seven shillings a day o’th’ paper to the Grocers:  yet I learn nothing by all these but a little skill in comparing of stiles.  I do finde evidently, that there is some one Scrivener in this Town, that has a great hand in writing of Challenges, for they are all of a cut, and six of ’em in a hand; and they all end, my reputation is dear to me, and I must require satisfaction:  Who’s there? more paper I hope, no, ’tis my Lord Bacurius, I fear all is not well betwixt us.

Enter Bacurius.

Bac.

  Now Captain Bessus, I come about a frivolous matter, caus’d by
  as idle a report:  you know you were a coward.

Bes.

  Very right.

Bac.

  And wronged me.

Bes.

  True my Lord.

Bac.

  But now people will call you valiant, desertlesly I think, yet
  for their satisfaction, I will have you fight with me.

Bes.

  O my good Lord, my deep Engagements.

Bac.

  Tell not me of your Engagements, Captain Bessus, it is not to
  be put off with an excuse:  for my own part, I am none of the
  multitude that believe your conversion from Coward.

Bes.

  My Lord, I seek not Quarrels, and this belongs not to me, I am
  not to maintain it.

Bac.

  Who then pray?

Bes.