Page 876 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

Enter Parolles guarded, with the First Soldier as his interpreter.

BERTRAM
A plague upon him! Muffled! He can say nothing of me.

FIRST LORD
(aside to Bertram) Hush, hush! Hoodman [115] comes. (Aloud)
Portotartarossa.

FIRST SOLDIER
He calls for the tortures. What will you say without ’em?

PAROLLES
I will confess what I know without constraint. If ye pinch me like a pasty I can

say no more. [120]

FIRST SOLDIER
Bosko chimurcho.

FIRST LORD
Boblibindo chicurmurco.

FIRST SOLDIER
You are a merciful general. Our General bids you answer to what I shall ask
you out of a note.

PAROLLES
And truly, as I hope to live. [125]

FIRST SOLDIER

(reading) ‘First demand of him how many horse the Duke is strong’. What say
you to that?

PAROLLES
Five or six thousand, but very weak and unserviceable. The troops are all
scattered and the commanders very poor rogues, upon my reputation and
credit, [130] and as I hope to live.