Third Soldier I don’t want to hear a word.

Second Soldier If that’s your attitude.

Third Soldier Marcus Clavius. I do not want to hear, one night out drinking, back home, years from now, on a lovely evening, surrounded by admirers, sons. I do not want to hear – of me not getting it up a British arseful of piles. Right?

Second Soldier Right.

Third Soldier I know how rumours start.

Second Soldier Right.

Third Soldier I mean. (A half laugh.) Pride. And it’s been a fuck of a summer.

Second Soldier Go and have a swim. (They look at each other) Wash yourself off.

Third Soldier I will. (He backs away.) Right.

He runs into a handstand. He jack-knifes out of it. He turns and looks at the Second Soldier.

Good.

He goes to the riverbank and dives in, out of sight. The Second Soldier runs his hand over Marban’s back again, under his shoulder, scrutinizing his finger’s path, over the temple and into Marban’s hair.

Brac is now still and silent.

Second Soldier Soft bone, where I hit you.

My uncle, a slave, he was a slave, was hit there.

He spits. He rubs saliva into Marban’s hair.

When he was a man of some years. Thirty. And he couldn’t speak. Couldn’t –

A gesture at his mouth. He puts his finger back into Marban’s hair and runs it round to his mouth.

My uncle was treated kindly, by his master, he began to get words back. Gave him his freedom, out of kindness. Now he’s with the priests of a cult, oracle, holy oracle. You’ve got a lump of phlegm in your mouth.

He turns Marban’s head on its side.

Halfway up your nose, here – bloody too, if you’re bleeding into the back of your nose you’ll choke on that – here.

He pulls out the mucus and wipes his hand on the ground.

There. Choke on that. I saved your life, nig nog. A legionary saved your life, nig nog. Nephew of a slave. Now, a citizen, upon my discharge.

(Running his finger round Marban’s mouth.) If I don’t get gangrene, eh? And get off this fucking island, eh? My discharge, upon a little bit of bronze – ‘Citizen’.

He breathes out and looks up.

Come on come on.

He leans over Marban and kisses him.

Get you over. Come on.

He turns Marban over with difficulty. Marban comes to.

Marban Sacerdos sum. Exsecrationem scio. Te miles romane, caedet. Foede!

Second Soldier A nig nog? Talking Latin?

Marban gags. The First and Third Soldiers come out of the river, wet. The Second Soldier straddles Marban, knees beside his head.

This nig nog talks Latin!

Third Soldier What do you think you’re doing? (He laughs.)

Second Soldier He talks Latin!

Third Soldier Watch it. He may bite off more than you want him to chew. (He laughs.)

Second Soldier Fucking Latin talking nig nog! Suck me off!

First Soldier (looking at his stomach) Those spots. They’ve gone violet.