 | A King, and no King |  |
Actus Quintus.
Enter Mardonius and Lygones.Mar.
Sir, the King has seen your Commission, and
believes it, and freely by this warrant gives
you power to visit Prince Tigranes, your Noble Master.
Lyg.
I thank his Grace and kiss his hand.
Mar.
But is the main of all your business ended in this?
Lyg.
I have another, but a worse, I am asham'd, it is
a business.
Mar.
You serve a worthy person, and a stranger I am sure
you are; you may imploy me if you please without your
purse, such Offices should ever be their own rewards.
Lyg.
I am bound to your Nobleness.
Mar.
I may have need of you, and then this courtesie,
If it be any, is not ill bestowed;
But may I civilly desire the rest?
I shall not be a hurter if no helper.
Lyg.
Sir you shall know I have lost a foolish Daughter,
And with her all my patience, pilfer'd away
By a mean Captain of your Kings.
Mar.
Stay there Sir:
If he have reacht the Noble worth of Captain,
He may well claim a worthy Gentlewoman,
Though she were yours, and Noble.
Lyg.
I grant all that too: but this wretched fellow
Reaches no further than the empty name
That serves to feed him; were he valiant,
Or had but in him any noble nature
That might hereafter promise him a good man,
My cares were so much lighter, and my grave
A span yet from me.
Mar.
I confess such fellows
Be in all Royal Camps, and have and must be,
To make the sin of Coward more detested
In the mean souldier that with such a foil
Sets off much valour. By description
I should now guess him to you, it was Bessus,
I dare almost with confidence pronounce it.
Lyg.
'Tis such a scurvie name as Bessus, and now I think 'tis he.
Mar.
Captain do you call him?
Believe me Sir, you have a misery
Too mighty for your age: A pox upon him,
For that must be the end of all his service:
Your Daughter was not mad Sir?
Lyg.
No, would she had been,
The fault had had more credit: I would do something.
Mar.
I would fain counsel you, but to what I know not,
he's so below a beating, that the Women find him not
worthy of their Distaves, and to hang him were to cast away
a Rope; he's such an Airie, thin unbodyed Coward,
that no revenge can catch him: I'le tell you Sir, and tell
you truth; this Rascal fears neither God nor man, he has
been so beaten: sufferance has made him Wainscot: he
has had since he was first a slave, at least three hundred
Daggers set in's head, as little boys do new Knives in hot
meat, there's not a Rib in's body o' my Conscience that
has not been thrice broken with dry beating: and now his
sides look like two Wicker Targets, every way bended;
Children will shortly take him for a Wall, and set their
Stone-bows in his forehead, he is of so base a sense, I cannot
in a week imagine what shall be done to him.
Lyg.
Sure I have committed some great sin
That this fellow should be made my Rod,
I would see him, but I shall have no patience.
Mar.
'Tis no great matter if you have not: if a Laming
of him, or such a toy may do you pleasure Sir, he has
it for you, and I'le help you to him: 'tis no news to him
to have a Leg broken, or Shoulder out, with being turn'd
o'th' stones like a Tansie: draw not your Sword if you love
it; for on my Conscience his head will break it: we use
him i'th' Wars-like a Ram to shake a wall withal. Here
comes the very person of him, do as you shall and your
temper, I must leave you: but if you do not break him like
a Bisket, you are much to blame Sir.
Enter Bessus and the Sword men.
Lyg.
Is your name Bessus?
Bes.
Men call me Captain Bessus.
Lyg.
Then Catain Bessus, you are a rank rascall, without
more exordiums, a durty frozen slave; and with the
2 Sword.
Pray use your pleasure Sir,
You seem to be a Gentleman.
Lyg.
Thus Captain Bessus, thus; thus twing your nose,
thus kick, thus tread you.
Bes.
I do beseech you yield your cause Sir quickly.
Lyg.
Indeed I should have told that first.
Bes.
I take it so.
1 Sword.
Captain, he should indeed, he is mistaken.
Lyg.
Sir, you shall have it quickly, and more beating,
you have stoln away a Lady, Captain coward, and such
an one.
beats him.
Bes.
Hold, I beseech you, hold Sir, I never yet stole any
living thing that had a tooth about it.
Lyg.
I know you dare lie.
Bes.
With none but Summer Whores upon my life Sir,
my means and manners never could attempt above a hedge
or hay cock.
Lyg.
Sirra, that quits not me, where is this Lady? do
that you do not use to do; tell truth, or by my hand, I'le
beat your Captains brains out, wash'em, and put 'em in
again, that will I.
Bes.
There was a Lady Sir, I must confess, once in my
charge: the Prince Tigranes gave her to my guard for her
safety, how I us'd her, she may her self report, she's with
the Prince now: I did but wait upon her like a groom,
which she will testife I am sure: if not, my brains are at
your service when you please Sir, and glad I have 'em
for you.
Lyg.
This is most likely, Sir, I ask you pardon, and am
sorry I was so intemperate.
Bes.
Well I can ask no more, you will think it strange
not to have me beat you at first sight.
Lyg.
Indeed I would, but I know your goodness can forget
twenty beatings, you must forgive me.
Bes.
Yes there's my hand, go where you will, I shall
think you a valiant fellow for all this.
Lyg.
My daughter is a Whore, I feel it now too sensible;
yet I will see her, discharge my self from being father to
her, and then back to my Country, and there die, farwell
Captain.
Bes.
Farwell Sir, farwell, commend me to the gentlewoman
I pray.
1 Sword.
How now Captain? bear up man.
Bes.
Gentlemen o'th'sword, your hands once more; I
have been kickt agen, but the foolish fellow is penitent, has
askt me Mercy, and my honour's safe.
2 Sword.
We knew that, or the foolish fellow had better
have kickt his grandsir.
Bes.
Confirm, confirm I pray.
1 Sword.
There be our hands agen, now let him come
and say he was not sorry, and he sleeps for it.
Bes.
Alas good ignorant old man, let him go, let him
go, these courses will undo him.
[Exeunt clear.
Enter Lygones and Bacurius.
Bac.
My Lord, your authority is good, and I am glad it is
so, for my consent would never hinder you from seeing your
own King, I am a Minister, but not a governor of this State,
yonder is your King, I'le leave you.
[Exit.
Enter Tigranes and Spaconia.
Lyg.
There he is indeed, and with him my disloyal child.
Tigr.
I do perceive my fault so much, that yet me thinks
thou shouldst not have forgiven me.
Lyg.
Health to your Majesty.
Tigr.
What? good Lygones welcome, what business
brought thee hither?
Lyg.
Several businesses. My publick businesses will appear
by this, I have a message to deliver, which if it please
you so to authorize, is an embassage from the Armenian
State, unto Arbaces for your liberty: the offer's there set
down, please you to read it.
Tigr.
There is no alteration happened since I came thence?
Lyg.
None Sir, all is as it was.
Tigr.
And all our friends are well?
Lyg.
All very well.
Spa.
Though I have done nothing but what was good, I
dare not see my Father, it was fault enough not to acquaint
him with that good.
Lyg.
Madam I should have seen you.
Spa.
O good Sir forgive me.
Lyg.
Forgive you, why? I am no kin to you, am I?
Spa.
Should it be measur'd by my mean deserts, indeed
you are not.
Lyg.
Thou couldest prate unhappily ere thou couldst go,
would thou couldst do as well, and how does your custome
hold out here?
Spa.
Sir?
Lyg.
Are you in private still, or how?
Spa.
What do you mean?
Lyg.
Do you take mony? are you come to sell sin yet
perhaps I can help you to liberal Clients: or has not the
King cast you off yet? O thou vile creature, whose best
commendation is, that thou art a young whore, I would
thy Mother had liv'd to see this, or rather that I had died
ere I had seen it; why didst not make me acquainted when
thou wert first resolv'd to be a whore, I would have seen thy
hot lust satisfied more privately: I would have kept a dancer
and a whole consort of musicians in my own house only to
fiddle thee.
Spa.
Sir, I was never whore.
Lyg.
If thou couldst not say so much for thy self, thou
shouldst be carted.
Tigr.
Lygones, I have read it, and I like it, you shall
deliver it.
Lyg.
Well Sir, I will: but I have private business with
you.
Tigr.
Speak, what is't?
Lyg.
How has my age deserv'd so ill of you, that you can
pick no strumpets i'th' land, but out of my breed?
Tigr.
Strumpets, good Lygones?
Lyg.
Yes, and I wish to have you know, I scorn to get a
whore for any prince alive, and yet scorn will not help methinks:
my Daughter might have been spar'd, there were
enow besides.
Tigr.
May I not prosper but she's innocent as morning
light for me, and I dare swear for all the world.
Lyg.
Why is she with you then? can she wait on you
better than your man, has she a gift in plucking off your
stockings, can she make Cawdles well or cut your cornes?
Why do you keep her with you? For a Queen I know you
do contemn her, so should I, and every subject else think
much at it.
Tigr.
Let 'em think much, but 'tis more firm than earth:
thou see'st thy Queen there.
Lyg.
Then have I made a fair hand, I call'd her Whore.
If I shall speak now as her Father, I cannot chuse but greatly
rejoyce that she shall be a Queen: but if I shall speak to
you as a States-man, she were more fit to be your whore.
Tigr.
Get you about your business to Arbaces, now you
talk idlely.
Lyg.
Yes Sir, I will go, and shall she be a Queen? she
had more wit than her old Father, when she ran away: shall
she be Queen? now by my troth 'tis fine, I'le dance out of
all measure at her wedding: shall I not Sir?
Tigr.
Yes marry shalt thou.
Lyg.
I'le make these withered kexes bear my body two
hours together above ground.
Tigr.
Nay go, my business requires hast.
Lyg.
Good-Heaven preserve you, you are an excellent
King.
Spa.
Farwell good Father.
Lyg.
Farwell sweet vertuous Daughter, I never was so
joyfull in all my life, that I remember: shall she be a Queen?
Now I perceive a man may weep for joy, I had thought they
had lyed that said so.
Tigr.
Come my dear love.
Spa.
But you may see another may alter that again.
Tigr.
Urge it no more, I have made up a new strong constancy,
not to be shook with eyes: I know I have the passions
of a man, but if I meet with any subject that should hold my
away from it: let that suffice.
Exeunt all.
Enter Bacurius and his Servant.
Bac.
Three Gentlemen without to speak with me?
Ser.
Yes Sir.
Bac.
Let them come in.
Enter Bessus with the two Sword men.
Ser.
They are entred Sir already.
Bac.
Now fellows your business? are these the Gentlemen?
Bes.
My Lord, I have made bold to bring these Gentlemen,
my friends o'th' Sword along with me.
Bac.
I am afraid you'l fight then.
Bes.
My good Lord, I will not, your Lordship is much
mistaken, fear not Lord.
Bac.
Sir, I am sorry for't.
Bes.
I ask no more in honour, Gentlemen you hear my
Lord is sorry.
Bac.
Not that I have beaten you, but beaten one that
will be beaten: one whose dull body will require a laming,
as Surfeits do the diet, spring and fall; now to your Swordmen;
what come they for, good Captain Stock-fish?
Bes.
It seems your Lordship has forgot my name.
Bac.
No, nor your nature neither, though they are
things fitter I must confess for any thing, than my remembrance,
or any honest mans: what shall these Billets do;
be pil'd up in my wood-yard?
Bes.
Your Lordship holds your mirth still, Heaven continue
it: but for these Gentlemen, they come—
Bac.
To swear you are a Coward, spare your book, I
do believe it.
Bes.
Your Lordship still draws wide, they come to vouch
under their valiant hands I am no Coward.
Bac.
That would be a show indeed worth seeing: sirra
be wise, and take Mony for this motion, travel with it,
and where the name of Bessus has been known or a good
Coward stirring, 'twill yield more than a tilting. This will
prove more beneficial to you, if you be thifty, than your
Captainship, and more natural: men of most valiant hands
is this true?
2 Sword.
It is so, most renowned.
Bac.
'Tis somewhat strange.
1 Sword.
Lord, it is strange, yet true; we have examined
from your Lordships foot there, to this mans head, the
nature of the beatings; and we do find his honour is come
off clean and sufficient: this as our swords shall help us.
Bac.
You are much bound to your Bil-bow-men, I am
glad you are straight again Captain; 'twere good you
would think on some way to gratifie them, they have undergone
a labour for you, Bessus, would have puzl'd Hercules
with all his valour.
2 Sword.
Your Lordship must understand we are no men
o'th' Law, that take pay for our opinions: it is sufficient we
have clear'd our friend.
Bac.
Yet there is something due, which I as toucht in
Conscience will discharge Captain; I'le pay this Rent for you.
Bes.
Spare your self my good Lord; my brave friends
aim at nothing but the vertue.
Bac.
That's but a cold discharge Sir for the pains.
2 Sword.
O Lord, my good Lord.
Bac.
Be not so modest, I will give you something.
Bes.
They shall dine with your Lordship, that's sufficient.
Bac.
Something in hand the while, you Rogues, you
Apple-squires: do you come hither with your botled valour,
your windy froth, to limit out my beatings?
1 Sword.
I do beseech your Lordship.
2 Sword.
O good Lord.
Bac.
S'foot what a beavy of beaten slaves are here? get
me a Cudgel sirra, and a tough one.
2 Sword.
More of your foot, I do beseech your Lordship.
Bac.
You shall, you shall dog, and your fellow-beagle.
1 Sword.
O'this side good my Lord.
Bac.
Off with your swords, for if you hurt my foot, I'le
have you flead you Rascals.
1 Sword.
Mine's off my Lord.
2 Sword.
I beseech your Lordship stay a little, my strap's
tied to my Cod piece-point: now when you please.
Bac.
Captain these are your valiant friends, you long
for a little too?
Bes.
I am very well, I humbly thank your Lordship.
Bac.
What's that in your pocket, hurts my Toe you
Mungril? Thy Buttocks cannot be so hard, out with it
quickly.
2 Sword.
Here 'tis Sir, a small piece of Artillery, that a
Gentleman a dear friend of your Lordships sent me with,
to get it mended Sir, for if you mark, the nose is somewhat
loose.
Bac.
A friend of mine you Rascal? I was never wearier
of doing any thing, than kicking these two Foot-balls.
Enter Servant.
Serv.
Here is a good Cudgel Sir.
Bac.
It comes too late I'me weary, pray thee do thou
beat them.
2 Sword.
My Lord, this is foul play i'faith, to put a
fresh man upon us, men are but men Sir.
Bac.
That jest shall save your bones; Captain, Rally up
your rotten Regiment and be gone: I had rather thrash
than be bound to kick these Rascals, till they cry'd ho;
Bessus you may put your hand to them now, and then you
are quit. Farewel, as you like this, pray visit me again,
'twill keep me in good health.
2 Sword.
H'as a devilish hard foot, I never felt the like.
1 Sword.
Nor I, and yet I am sure I have felt a hundred.
2 Sword.
If he kick thus i'th' Dog-daies, he will be dry
foundred: what cure now Captain besides Oyl of Baies?
Bes.
Why well enough I warrant you, you can go.
2 Sword.
Yes, heaven be thanked; but I feel a shrowd
ach, sure h'as sprang my huckle-bone.
1 Sword.
I ha' lost a hanch.
Bes.
A little butter, friend a little butter, butter and
parseley and a soveraign matter: probatum est.
2 Sword.
Captain we must request your hand now to our
honours.
Bes.
Yes marry shall ye, and then let all the world come,
we are valiant to our selves, and there's an end.
1 Sword.
Nay then we must be valiant; O my ribs.
2 Sword.
O my small guts, a plague upon these sharptoed
shooes, they are murtherers.
[Exeunt clear.
Enter Arbaces with his sword drawn.
Arb.
It is resolv'd, I bare it whilst I could, I can no
more, I must begin with murther of my friends, and so go
on to that inceltuous ravishing, and end my life and sins
with a forbidden blow, upon my self.
Enter Mardonius.
Mar.
What Tragedy is near? That hand was never
wont to draw a sword, but it cry'd dead to something.
Arb.
Mardonius, have you bid Gobrias come?
Mar.
How do you Sir?
Arb.
Well, is he coming?
Mar.
Why Sir, are you thus? why do your hands proclaim
a lawless War against your self?
Arb.
Thou answerest me one question with an other, is
Gobrias coming?
Mar.
Sir he is.
Arb.
'Tis well, I can forbear your questions then, be gone.
Mar.
Sir, I have mark't.
Arb.
Mark less, it troubles you and me.
Mar.
You are more variable than you were.
Arb.
It may be so.
Mar.
To day no Hermit could be humbler than you were
to us all.
Arb.
And what of this?
Mar.
And now you take new rage into your eyes, as you
would look us all out of the Land.
I do confess it, will that satisfie? I prethee get thee
gone.
Mar.
Sir, I will speak.
Arb.
Will ye?
Mar.
It is my duty. I fear you will kill your self: I am
a subject, and you shall do me wrong in't: 'tis my cause, and
I may speak.
Arb.
Thou art not train'd in sin, it seems Mardonius: kill
my self! by Heaven I will not do it yet; and when I will,
I'le tell thee then; I shall be such a creature, that thou wilt
give me leave without a word. There is a method in mans
wickedness, it grows up by degrees: I am not come so high
as killing of my self, there are a hundred thousand sins
'twixt me and it, which I must doe, and I shall come to't at
last; but take my oath not now, be satisfied, and get thee
hence.
Mar.
I am sorry 'tis so ill.
Arb.
Be sorry then, true sorrow is alone, grieve by thy
self.
Mar.
I pray you let me see your Sword put up before I
go: I'le leave you then.
Arb.
Why so? what folly is this in thee, is it not as apt
to mischief as it was before? can I not reach it thinkst
thou? these are toyes for Children to be pleas'd with, and
not men, now I am safe you think: I would the book of fate
were here, my Sword is not so sure but I would get it out
and mangle that, that all the destinies should quite forget
their fixt decrees, and hast to make us new, for other fortunes,
mine could not be worse, wilt thou now leave me?
Mar.
Heaven put into your bosome temperate thoughts,
I'le leave you though I fear.
Arb.
Go, thou art honest, why should the hasty error of
my youth be so unpardonable to draw a sin helpless upon
me?
Enter Gobrias.
Gob.
There is the King, now it is ripe.
Arb.
Draw near thou guilty man, that art the authour of
the loathedst crime five ages have brought forth, and hear
me speak; curses more incurable, and all the evils mans
body or his Spirit can receive be with thee.
Gob.
Why Sir do you curse me thus?
Arb.
Why do I curse thee? if there be a man subtil in
curses, that exceeds the rest, his worst wish on thee, thou
hast broke my heart.
Gob.
How Sir, have I preserv'd you from a child, from
all the arrows, malice, or ambition could shoot at you, and
have I this for my pay?
Arb.
'Tis true, thou didst preserve me, and in that wert
crueller than hardned murtherers of infants and their
Mothers? thou didst save me only till thou hadst studied
out a way how to destroy me cunningly thy self: this was a
curious way of torturing.
Gob.
What do you mean?
Arb.
Thou knowst the evils thou hast done to me; dost
thou remember all those witching letters thou sent'st unto
me to Armenia, fill'd with the praise of my beloved Sister,
where thou extol'st her beauty, what had I to do with that?
what could her beauty be to me? and thou didst write how
well she lov'd me, dost thou remember this? so that I
doted something before I saw her.
Gob.
This is true.
Arb.
Is it? and when I was return'd thou knowst thou
didst pursue it, till thou woundst me into such a strange and
unbeliev'd affection, as good men cannot think on.
Gob.
This I grant, I think I was the cause.
Arb.
Wert thou? Nay more, I think thou meant'st it.
Gob.
Sir, I hate to lie, as I love Heaven and honesty, I
did, it was my meaning.
Arb.
Be thine own sad judge, a further condemnation will
not need, prepare thy self to dy.
Gob.
Why Sir to dy?
Arb.
Why shouldst thou live? was ever yet offender so
impudent, that had a thought of Mercy after confession of
a crime like this? get out I cannot where thou hurl'st me
in, but I can take revenge, that's all the sweetness left for me.
Gob.
Now is the time, hear me but speak.
Arb.
No, yet I will be far more mercifull than thou
wert to me; thou didst steal into me and never gav'st me
warning: so much time as I give thee now, had prevented
thee for ever. Notwithstanding all thy sins, if thou hast
hope, that there is yet a prayer to save thee, turn and speak
it to thy self.
Gob.
Sir, you shall know your sins before you do 'em, if
you kill me.
Arb.
I will not stay then.
Gob.
Know you kill your Father.
Arb.
How?
Gob.
You kill your Father.
Arb.
My Father? though I know't for a lie, made out
of fear to save thy stained life; the very reverence of the
word comes cross me, and ties mine arm down.
Gob.
I will tell you that shall heighten you again, I am
thy Father, I charge thee hear me.
Arb.
If it should be so, as 'tis most false, and that I
should be found a Bastard issue, the despised fruit of lawless
lust, I should no more admire all my wild passions: but another
truth shall be wrung from thee: if I could come by the
Spirit of pain, it should be poured on thee, till thou allow'st
thy self more full of lies than he that teaches thee.
Enter Arane.
Ara.
Turn thee about, I come to speak to thee thou
wicked man, hear me thou tyrant.
Arb.
I will turn to thee, hear me thou Strumpet; I have
blotted out the name of Mother, as thou hast thy shame.
Ara.
My shame! thou hast less shame than anything;
why dost thou keep my Daughter in a prison? why dost
thou call her Sister, and do this?
Arb.
Cease thy strange impudence, and answer quickly
if thou contemnest me, this will ask an answer, and have
it.
Ara.
Help me Gentle Gobrias.
Arb.
Guilt dare not help guilt though they grow together
in doing ill, yet at the punishment they sever, and each
flies the noise of other, think not of help, answer.
Ara.
I will, to what?
Arb.
To such a thing, as if it be a truth think what a
creature thou hast made thy self, that didst not shame to do,
what I must blush only to ask thee: tell me who I am,
whose son I am without all circumstance, be thou as hasty as
my Sword will be if thou refusest.
Ara.
Why, you are his son.
Arb.
His Son? swear, swear, thou worse than woman
damn'd.
Ara.
By all that's good you are.
Arb.
Then art thou all that ever was known bad, now is
the cause of all my strange mis-fortunes come to light: what
reverence expectest thou from a child, to bring forth which
thou hast offended heaven, thy husband, and the Land?
adulterous witch, I know now why thou wouldst have poyson'd
me, I was thy lust which thou wouldst have forgot:
then wicked Mother of my sins, and me, show me the way
to the inheritance I have by thee: which is a spacious world
of impious acts, that I may soon possess it: plagues rot thee,
as thou liv'st, and such diseases, as use to pay lust, recompence
thy deed.
Gob.
You do not know why you curse thus.
Arb.
Too well; you are a pair of Vipers; and behold
the Serpent you have got; there is no beast but if he knew
it, has a pedigree as brave as mine, for they have more
descents, and I am every way as beastly got, as far without
the compass of Law as they.
Ara.
You spend your rage and words in vain, and rail
upon a guess; hear us a little.
Arb.
No, I will never hear, but talk away my breath,
Gob.
Why, but you are no Bastard.
Arb.
How's that?
Ara.
Nor child of mine.
Arb.
Still you go on in wonders to me.
Gob.
Pray you be more patient, I may bring comfort to you.
Arb.
I will kneel, and hear with the obedience of a
child; good Father speak, I do acknowledge you, so you
bring comfort.
Gob.
First know, our last King, your supposed Father
was old and feeble when he married her, and almost all
the Land thought she was past hope of issue from him.
Arb.
Therefore she took leave to play the whore, because
the King was old: is this the comfort?
Ara.
What will you find out to give me satisfaction,
when you find how you have injur'd me? let fire consume
one, if ever I were a whore.
Gob.
For-bear these starts, or I will leave you wedded to
despair, as you are now: if you can find a temper, my
breath shall be a pleasant western wind that cools and
blasts not.
Arb.
Bring it out good Father. I'le lie, and listen here
as reverently as to an Angel: if I breath too loud, tell me;
for I would be as still as night.
Gob.
Our King I say, was old, and this our Queen desir'd
to bring an heir, but yet her husband she thought was past
it, and to be dishonest I think she would not: if she would
have been, the truth is, she was watcht so narrowly, and had
so slender opportunities, she hardly could have been: but yet
her cunning found out this way; she feign'd her self with
child, and posts were sent in hast throughout the Land, and
humble thanks was given in every Church, and prayers were
made for her safe going and delivery: she feign'd now to
grow bigger, and perceiv'd this hope of issue made her
fear'd, and brought a far more large respect from every
man, and saw her power increase, and was resolv'd, since she
believ'd, she could not hav't indeed, at least she would be
thought to have a child.
Arb.
Do I not hear it well? nay I will make no noise at
fall; but pray you to the point, quickly as you can.
Gob.
Now when the time was full, she should be brought
to bed, I had a Son born, which was you, this the Queen
hearing of mov'd me to let her have you; and such reasons
she shewed me, as she knew would tie my secrecie, she swore
you should be King, and to be short, I did deliver you unto
her, and pretended you were dead, and in mine own house
kept a funeral, and had an empty coffin put in Earth, that
night this Queen feign'd hastily to labour and by a pair of
women of her own, which she had charm'd, she made the
world believe she was delivered of you. You grew up as
the Kings Son, till you were six years old; then did the King
dye, and did leave to me Protection of the Realm; and
contrary to his own expectation, left this Queen truely with
child indeed, of the fair Princess Panthea: then she could
have torn her hair and did alone to me, yet durst not speak
in publick, for she knew she should be found a traytor: and
her tale would have been thought madness, or any thing rather
than truth. This was the only cause why she did seek
to poyson you, and I to keep you safe; and this the reason,
why I fought to kindle some sparks of love in you to fair
Panthea, that she might get part of her right again.
Arb.
And have you made an end now? is this all? if
not, I will be still till I be aged, till all my hairs be Silver.
Gob.
This is all.
Arb.
And is it true say you too Madam?
Ara.
Yes heaven knows it is most true.
Arb.
Panthea then is not my Sister?
Gob.
No.
Arb.
But can you prove this?
Gob.
If you will give consent, else who dares go about it?
Arb.
Give consent? why I will have 'em all that know it
rackt, to get this from 'em, all that wait without come in,
what ere you be; come in and be partakers of my joy, O
you are welcome.
Enter Bessus, Gentlemen, Mardonius, and other attendants.
Arb.
The best news, nay draw no nearer, they all shall
hear it, I am found no King.
Mar.
Is that so good news?
Arb.
Yes the happiest news that ere was heard.
Mar.
Indeed 'twere well for you if you might be a
little less obey'd.
Arb.
One call the Queen.
Mar.
Why she is there.
Arb.
The Queen Mardonius, Panthea is the Queen and
I am plain Arbaces; go some one, she is in Gobrias house,
since I saw you there are a thousand things delivered to me,
you little dream of.
[Exit a Gent.
Mar.
So it should seem my Lord, what fury's this?
Gob.
Believe me 'tis no fury, all that he saies is truth.
Mar.
'Tis very strange.
Arb.
Why do you keep your hats off Gentlemen? is
it to me? I swear it must not be; nay, trust me, in good
faith it must not be; I cannot now command you, but I
pray you for the respect you bare me, when you took me for
your King, each man clap on his hat at my desire.
Mar.
We will, you are not found so mean a man, but
that you may be cover'd as well as we, may you not?
Arb.
O not here, you may, but not I, for here is my
Father in presence.
Mar.
Where?
Arb.
Why there: O the whole story would be a wilderness
to lose thy self for ever: O pardon me dear Father for
all the idle and unreverent words that I have spoke in idle
moods to you: I am Arbaces, we all fellow-subjects,
nor is the Queen Panthea now my Sister.
Bes.
Why if you remember fellow-subject Arbaces; I
told you once she was not your Sister: I, and she lookt nothing
like you.
Arb.
I think you did, good Captain Bessus.
Bes.
Here will arise another question now amongst the
Sword-men, whether I be to call him to account for beating
me, now he is proved no King.
Enter Lygones.
Mar.
Sir here's Lygones, the agent for the Armenian
State.
Arb.
Where is he? I know your business good
Lygones.
Lyg.
We must have our King again, and will.
Arb.
I knew that was your business: you shall have your
King again, and have him so again as never King was had,
go one of you and bid Bacurius bring Tigranes hither;
and bring the Lady with him, that Panthea, the Queen
Panthea sent me word this morning, was brave Tigranes
mistress.
[Ex. two Gent.
Lyg.
'Tis Spaconia.
Arb.
I, I, Spaconia.
Lyg.
She is my Daughter.
Arb.
She is so: I could now tell any thing I never heard:
your King shall go so home, as never man went.
Mar.
Shall he go on's head?
Arb.
He shall have chariots easier than air that I will
have invented; and ne're think one shall pay any ransome,
and thy self that art the messenger, shalt ride before him
on a horse cut out of an intire Diamond, that shall be made
to go with golden wheeles, I know not how yet.
Lyg.
Why I shall be made for ever? they beli'd this King
with us, and said he was unkind.
Arb.
And then thy Daughter, she shall have some strange
thing, wee'l have the Kingdom sold utterly, and put into a
toy which she shall wear about her carelesly some where or
other. See the vertuous Queen; behold the humblest subject
that you have kneel here before you.
Pan.
Why kneel you to me that am your Vassal?
Arb.
Grant me one request.
Pan.
Alas what can I grant you? what I can, I will.
Arb.
That you will please to marry me if I can prove it
lawfull.
Pan.
Is that all? more willingly than I would draw this
air.
Arb.
I'le kiss this hand in earnest.
2 Gent.
Sir, Tigranes is coming though he made it
strange at first, to see the Princess any more.
Enter Tigranes and Spaconia.
Arb.
The Queen thou meanest, O my Tigranes. Pardon
me, tread on my neck, I freely offer it, and if thou beest so
given take revenge, for I have injur'd thee.
Tigr.
No, I forgive, and rejoyce more that you have
found repentance, than I my liberty.
Arb.
Mayest thou be happy in thy fair choice, for thou
art temperate. You owe no ransom to the state, know that
I have a thousand joyes to tell you of, which yet I dare not
utter till I pay my thanks to Heaven for 'em: Will you go
with me and help me? pray you do.
Tigr.
I will.
Arb.
Take then your fair one with you; and you Queen
of goodness and of us, O give me leave to take your
arm in mine: come every one that takes delight in
goodness, help to sing loud thanks for me, that I am prov'd
no King.
| A King, and no King | |