 | A King, and no King |  |
Actus Secundus.
Enter Gobrias, Bacurius, Arane, Panthe, and Mandane, Waiting-women with Attendants.Gob.
My Lord Bacurius, you must have regard unto the
Queen, she is your prisoner, 'tis at your peril if
she make escape.
Bac.
My Lord, I know't, she is my prisoner from you
committed; yet she is a woman, and so I keep her safe,
you will not urge me to keep her close, I shall not shame to
say I sorrow for her.
Gob.
So do I my Lord; I sorrow for her, that so little
grace doth govern her: that she should stretch her arm against
her King, so little womanhood and natural goodness,
as to think the death of her own Son.
Ara.
Thou knowst the reason why, dissembling as thou
art, and wilt not speak.
Gob.
There is a Lady takes not after you,
Her Father is within her, that good man
Whose tears weigh'd down his sins, mark how she weeps;
How well it does become her, and if you
Can find no disposition in your self
To sorrow, yet by gracefulness in her
Find out the way, and by your reason weep:
All this she does for you, and more she needs
When for your self you will not lose a tear,
Think how this want of grief discredits you,
And you will weep, because you cannot weep.
Ara.
You talk to me as having got a time fit for your
purpose; but you know I know you speak not what you
think.
Pan.
I would my heart were Stone, before my softness should be urg'd
Against my mother, a more troubled thought
No Virgin bears about; should I excuse
My Mothers fault, I should set light a life
In losing which, a brother and a King
Were taken from me, if I seek to save
That life so lov'd, I lose another life
That gave me being, I shall lose a Mother,
A word of such a sound in a childs ears
That it strikes reverence through it; may the will
Of heaven be done, and if one needs must fall,
Take a poor Virgins life to answer all.
Ara.
But Gobrias let us talk, you know this fault
Is not in me as in another Mother.
Gob.
I know it is not.
Ara.
Yet you make it so.
Gob.
Why, is not all that's past beyond your help?
Ara.
I know it is.
Gob.
Nay should you publish it before the world,
Think you 'twould be believ'd?
Ara.
I know it would not.
Gob.
Nay should I joyn with you, should we not both be
torn and yet both die uncredited?
Ara.
I think we should.
Gob.
Why then take you such violent courses? As for
me I do but right in saving of the King from all your plots
Ara.
The King?
Gob.
I bad you rest with patience, and a time
Would come for me to reconcile all to
Away my power, and what was done unknown,
Was not by me but you: your urging being done
I must preserve my own, but time may bring
All this to light, and happily for all.
Ara.
Accursed be this over curious brain
That gave that plot a birth, accurst this womb
That after did conceive to my disgrace.
Bac.
My Lord Protector, they say there are divers Letters
come from Armenia, that Bessus has done good service, and
brought again a day, by his particular valour, receiv'd you
any to that effect?
Gob.
Yes, 'tis most certain.
Bac.
I'm sorry for't, not that the day was won,
But that 'twas won by him: we held him here
A Coward, he did me wrong once, at which I laugh'd,
And so did all the world, for nor I,
Nor any other held him worth my sword.
Enter Bessus and Spaconia.
Bes.
Health to my Protector; from the King
These Letters; and to your grace Madam, these.
Gob.
How does his Majesty?
Bes.
As well as conquest by his own means and his valiant
Cammanders can make him; your letters will tell you all.
Pan.
I will not open mine till I do know
My Brothers health: good Captain is he well?
Bes.
As the rest of us that fought are.
Pan.
But how's that? is he hurt?
Bes.
He's a strange souldier that gets not a knock.
Pan.
I do not ask how strange that souldier is
That gets no hurt, but whether he have one.
Bes.
He had divers.
Pan.
And is he well again?
Bes.
Well again, an't please your Grace: why I was run
twice through the body, and shot i'th' head with a cross-arrow,
and yet am well again.
Pan.
I do not care how thou do'st, is he well?
Bes.
Not care how I do? Let a man out of the mightiness
of his spirit, fructifie Foreign Countries with his blood for
the good of his own, and thus he shall be answered: Why
I may live to relieve with spear and shield, such a Lady
as you distressed.
Pan.
Why, I will care, I'me glad that thou art well,
I prethee is he so?
Gob.
The King is well and will be here to morrow.
Pan.
My prayer is heard, now will I open mine.
Gob.
Bacurius, I must ease you of your charge:
Madam, the wonted mercy of the King,
That overtakes your faults, has met with this,
And struck it out, he has forgiven you freely,
Your own will is your law, be where you please.
Ara.
I thank him.
Gob.
You will be ready to wait upon his Majesty to morrow?
Ara.
I will.
[Exit Arane.
Bac.
Madam be wise hereafter; I am glad I have lost
this Office.
Gob.
Good Captain Bessus, tell us the discourse betwixt
Tigranes and our King, and how we got the victory.
Pan.
I prethee do, and if my Brother were
In any danger, let not thy tale make
Him abide there long before thou bring him off,
For all that while my heart will beat.
Bes.
Madam let what will beat, I must tell the truth,
and thus it was; they fought single in lists, but one to one;
as for my own part, I was dangerously hurt but three days
before, else, perhaps, we had been two to two, I cannot
tell, some thought we had, and the occasion of my hurt
was this, the enemy had made Trenches.
Gob.
Captain, without the manner of your hurt be much
material to this business, we'l hear't some other time.
Pan.
I prethee leave it, and go on with my Brother.
Bes.
I will, but 'twould be worth your hearing: To the
Lists they came, and single-sword and gantlet was their fight.
Pan.
Alas!
Bes.
Without the Lists there stood some dozen Captains
of either side mingled, all which were sworn, and one of
those was I: and 'twas my chance to stand next a Captain
o'th' enemies side, called Tiribasus; Valiant they said he
was; whilst these two Kings were streaching themselves,
this Tiribasus cast something a scornful look on me, and ask't
me who I thought would overcome: I smil'd and told him
if he would fight with me, he should perceive by the event
of that whose King would win: something he answered,
and a scuffle was like to grow, when one Zipetus offered
to help him, I—
Pan.
All this is of thy self, I pray thee Bessus tell something
of my Brother, did he nothing?
Bes.
Why yes, I'le tell your Grace, they were not to
fight till the word given, which for my own part, by my
troth I confess I was not to give.
Pan.
See for his own part.
Bac.
I fear yet this fellow's abus'd with a good report.
Bes.
But I—
Pan.
Still of himself.
Bes.
Cri'd give the word, when as some of them say, Tigranes
was stooping, but the word was not given then, yet
one Cosroes of the enemies part, held up his finger to me,
which is as much with us Martialists, as I will sight with
you: I said not a word, nor made sign during the combate,
but that once done.
Pan.
He slips o're all the fight.
Bes.
I call'd him to me, Cosroes said I.
Pan.
I will hear no more.
Bes.
No, no, I lie.
Bac.
I dare be sworn thou dost.
Bes.
Captain said I, so it was.
Pan.
I tell thee, I will hear no further.
Bes.
No? Your Grace will wish you had.
Pan.
I will not wish it, what is this the Lady
My brother writes to me to take?
Bes.
And please your Grace this is she: Charge, will you
come near the Princess?
Pan.
You'r welcome from your Country, and this land
shall shew unto you all the kindness that I can make it;
what's your name?
Spa.
Thalectris.
Pan.
Y'are very welcome, you have got a letter to put
you to me, that has power enough to place mine enemy
here; then much more you that are so far from being so to
me that you ne're saw me.
Bes.
Madam, I dare pass my word for her truth.
Spa.
My truth?
Pan.
Why Captain, do you think I am afraid she'l steal?
Bes.
I cannot tell, servants are slippery, but I dare give
my word for her, and for honesty, she came along with me,
and many favours she did me by the way, but by this light
none but what she might do with modesty, to a man of my
rank.
Pan.
Why Captain, here's no body thinks otherwise.
Bes.
Nay, if you should, your Grace may think your pleasure;
but I am sure I brought her from Armenia, and in all
that way, if ever I touch'd any bare of her above her knee, I
pray God I may sink where I stand.
Spa.
Above my knee?
Bes.
No, you know I did not, and if any man will say, I did,
this sword shall answer; Nay, I'le defend the reputation of
my charge whilst I live, your Grace shall understand I am
secret in these businesses, and know how to defend a Ladies
honour.
Spa.
I hope your Grace knows him so well already, I
shall not need to tell you he's vain and foolish.
Bes.
I you may call me what you please, but I'le defend
your good name against the world; and so I take my leave
of your Grace, and of you my Lord Protector; I am like
wise glad to see your Lordship well.
Bac.
O Captain Bessus, I thank you, I would speak with
you anon.
Bes.
When you please, I will attend your Lordship.
Bac.
Madam, I'le take my leave too.
Pan.
Good Bacurius.
[Exeunt Bes. and Bac.
Gob.
Madam what writes his Maiesty to you?
O my Lord, the kindest words, I'le keep 'em whilst
I live, here in my bosom, there's no art in 'em, they lie
disordered in this paper, just as hearty nature speaks 'em.
Gob.
And to me he writes what tears of joy he shed to
hear how you were grown in every vertues way, and yields
all thanks to me, for that dear care which I was bound to
have in training you, there is no Princess living that enjoys
a brother of that worth.
Pan.
My Lord, no maid longs more for any thing,
And feels more heat and cold within her breast,
Than I do now, in hopes to see him.
Gob.
Yet I wonder much
At this he writes, be brings along with him
A husband for you, that same Captive Prince,
And if he loves you as he makes a shew,
He will allow you freedom in your choice.
Pan.
And so he will my Lord, I warrant you, he will
but offer and give me the power to take or leave.
Gob.
Trust me, were I a Lady, I could not like that man
were bargain'd with before I choose him.
Pan.
But I am not built on such wild humours, if I find
him worthy, he is not less because he's offer'd.
Spa.
'Tis true, he is not, would he would seem less.
Gob.
I think there's no Lady can affect
Another Prince, your brother standing by;
He doth Eclipse mens vertues so with his.
Spa.
I know a Lady may, and more I fear
Another Lady will.
Pan.
Would I might see him.
Gob.
Why so you shall, my businesses are great,
I will attend you when it is his pleasure to see you.
Pan.
I thank you good my Lord.
Gob.
You will be ready Madam.
[Exit Gob.
Pan.
Yes.
Spa.
I do beseech you Madam, send away
Your other women, and receive from me
A few sad words, which set against your joyes
May make 'em shine the more.
Pan.
Sirs, leave me all.
[Exeunt Women.
Spa.
I kneel a stranger here to beg a thing
Unfit for me to ask, and you to grant,
'Tis such another strange ill-laid-request,
As if a begger should intreat a King
To leave his Scepter, and his Throne to him
And take his rags to wander o're the world
Hungry and cold.
Pan.
That were a strange request.
Spa.
As ill is mine.
Pan.
Then do not utter it.
Spa.
Alas 'tis of that nature, that it must
Be utter'd, I, and granted, or I die:
I am asham'd to speak it; but where life
Lies at the stake, I cannot think her woman
That will not take something unreasonably to hazard saving
of it: I shall seem a strange Petitioner, that wish all ill
to them I beg of, e're they give me ought; yet so I must:
I would you were not fair, nor wise, for in your ill consists
my good: if you were foolish, you would hear my prayer,
if foul, you had not power to hinder me: he would not
love you.
Pan.
What's the meaning of it.
Spa.
Nay, my request is more without the bounds
Of reason yet: for 'tis not in the power
Of you to do, what I would have you grant.
Pan.
Why then 'tis idle, pray thee speak it out.
Spa.
Your brother brings a Prince into this land,
Of such a noble shape, so sweet a grace,
So full of worth withal, that every maid
That looks upon him, gives away her self
To him for ever; and for you to have
He brings him: and so mad is my demand
That I desire you not to have this man,
This excellent man, for whom you needs must die,
If you should miss him. I do now expect
You should laugh at me.
Pan.
Trust me I could weep rather, for I have found
In all thy words a strange disjoynted sorrow.
Spa.
'Tis by me his own desire so, that you would not love him.
Pan.
His own desire! why credit me Thalestris,
I am no common wooer: if he shall wooe me, his worth may
be such, that I dare not swear I will not love him; but if he
will stay to have me wooe him, I will promise thee, he may
keep all his graces to himself, and fear no ravishing from me.
Spa.
'Tis yet his own desire, but when he sees your face,
I fear it will not be; therefore I charge you as you have pity,
stop these tender ears from his enchanting voice, close up
those eyes, that you may neither catch a dart from him,
nor he from you; I charge you as you hope to live in quiet;
for when I am dead, for certain I will walk to visit him if he
break promise with me: for as fast as Oaths without a formal
Ceremony can make me, I am to him.
Pan.
Then be fearless;
For if he were a thing 'twixt God and man,
I could gaze on him; if I knew it sin
To love him without passion: Dry your eyes,
I swear you shall enjoy him still for me,
I will not hinder you; but I perceive
You are not what you seem, rise, rise Thalestris,
If your right name be so.
Spa.
Indeed it is not, Spaconia is my name; but I desire
not to be known to other.
Pan.
Why, by me you shall not, I will never do you
wrong, what good I can, I will, think not my birth or education
such, that I should injure a stranger Virgin; you are
welcome hither, in company you wish to be commanded,
but when we are alone, I shall be ready to be your servant.
[Exeunt.
Enter three Men and a Woman.
1
Come, come, run, run, run.
2
We shall out-go her.
3
One were better be hang'd than carry out women
fidling to these shews.
Wom.
Is the King hard by?
1
You heard he with the Bottles said, he thought we
should come too late: What abundance of people here is?
Wom.
But what had he in those Bottles?
3
I know not.
2
Why, Ink goodman fool.
3
Ink, what to do?
1
Why the King look you, will many times call for
these Bottles, and break his mind to his friends.
Wom.
Let's take our places, we shall have no room else.
2
The man told us he would walk o' foot through the
people.
3
I marry did he.
1
Our shops are well look't to now.
2
'Slife, yonder's my Master, I think.
1
No 'tis not he.
Enter a man with two Citizens-wives.
1 Cit.
Lord how fine the fields be, what sweet living 'tis
in the Country!
2 Cit.
I poor souls, God help 'em; they live as contentedly
as one of us.
1 Cit.
My husbands Cousin would have had me gone into
the Country last year, wert thou ever there?
2 Cit.
I, poor souls, I was amongst 'em once.
1 Cit.
And what kind of creatures are they, for love of God?
2 Cit.
Very good people, God help 'em.
1 Cit.
Wilt thou go down with me this Summer when I
am brought to bed?
2 Cit.
Alas, it is no place for us.
1 Cit.
Why, pray thee?
2 Cit.
Why you can have nothing there, there's no body
cryes brooms.
1 Cit.
No?
2 Cit.
No truly, nor milk.
1 Cit.
Nor milk, how do they?
2 Cit.
They are fain to milk themselves i'th' Country.
1 Cit.
Good Lord! but the people there, I think, will
be very dutiful to one of us.
2 Cit.
I God knows will they, and yet they do not greatly
1 Cit.
Do they not? Alas! I'good faith I cannot blame
them: for we do not greatly care for them our selves. Philip,
I pray choose us a place:
Phil.
There's the best forsooth.
1 Cit.
By your leave good people a little.
3
What's the matter?
Phil.
I pray you my friend, do not thrust my Mistress so,
she's with Child.
2
Let her look to her self then, has she not had showing
though yet? if she stay shouldring here, she may haps go
home with a cake in her belly.
3
How now, goodman squitter-breech, why do you lean
on me?
Phi.
Because I will.
3
Will you Sir sawce-box?
1 Cit.
Look if one ha'not struck Philip, come hither
Philip, why did he strike thee?
Phil.
For leaning on him.
1 Cit.
Why didst thou lean on him?
Phil.
I did not think he would have struck me.
1 Cit.
As God save me la thou'rt as wild as a Buck, there's
no quarel but thou'rt at one end or other on't.
3
It's at the first end then, for he'l ne'r stay the last.
1 Cit.
Well slip-string, I shall meet with you.
3
When you will.
1 Cit.
I'le give a crown to meet with you.
3
At a Bawdy-house.
1 Cit.
I you're full of your Roguery; but if I do meet you
it shall cost me a fall.
Flourish. Enter one running.
4
The King, the King, the King. Now, now, now, now.
Flourish. Enter Arb. Tigr. the two Kings and Mardonius.
All.
God preserve your Majesty.
Arb.
I thank you all, now are my joyes at full, when I
behold you safe, my loving Subjects; by you I grow, 'tis
your united love that lifts me to this height: all the account
that I can render you for all the love you have bestowed on
me, all your expences to maintain my war, is but a little
word, you will imagine 'tis slender paiment, yet 'tis such
a word, as is not to be bought but with your bloods, 'tis
Peace.
All.
God preserve your Majesty.
Arb.
Now you may live securely i'your Towns,
Your Children round about you; may sit
Under your Vines, and make the miseries
Of other Kingdoms a discourse for you,
And lend them sorrows; for your selves, you may
Safely forget there are such things as tears,
And you may all whose good thoughts I have gain'd,
Hold me unworthy, where I think my life
A sacrifice too great to keep you thus
In such a calm estate.
All.
God bless your Majesty.
Arb.
See all good people, I have brought the man whose
very name you fear'd, a captive home; behold him, 'tis
Tigranes; in your heart sing songs of gladness, and deliverance.
1 Cit.
Out upon him.
2 Cit.
How he looks.
3 Wom.
Hang him, hang him.
Mar.
These are sweet people.
Tigr.
Sir, you do me wrong, to render me a scorned
spectacle to common people.
Arb.
It was so far from me to mean it so: if I have ought
deserv'd, my loving Subjects, let me beg of you, not to revile
this Prince, in whom there dwells all worth of which
the name of a man is capable, valour beyond compare, the
terrour of his name has stretcht it self where ever there is
sun; and yet for you I fought with him single, and won him
too; I made his valour stoop, and brought that name
soar'd to so unbeliev'd a height, to fall beneath mine: this
inspir'd with all your loves, I did perform, and will for
your content, be ever ready for a greater work.
All.
The Lord bless your Majesty.
Tigr.
So he has made me amends now with a speech in
commendation of himself: I would not be so vain-glorious.
Arb.
If there be any thing in which I may
Do good to any creature, here speak out;
For I must leave you: and it troubles me,
That my occasions for the good of you,
Are such as call me from you: else, my joy
Would be to spend my days among you all.
You shew your loves in these large multitudes
That come to meet me, I will pray for you,
Heaven prosper you, that you may know old years,
And live to see your childrens children sit
At your boards with plenty: when there is
A want of any thing, let it be known
To me, and I will be a Father to you:
God keep you all.
Flourish.
Exeunt Kings and their Train.
All.
God bless your Majesty, God bless your Majesty.
1
Come, shall we go? all's done.
Wom.
I for God sake, I have not made a fire yet.
2
Away, away, all's done.
3
Content, farewel Philip.
1 Cit.
Away you halter-sack you.
2
Philip will not fight, he's afraid on's face.
Phil.
I marry am I afraid of my face.
3
Thou wouldst be Philip if thou sawst it in a glass; it
looks so like a Visour.
[Exeunt 2, 3, and Woman.
1 Cit.
you'l be hang'd sirra: Come Philip walk before us
homewards; did not his Majesty say he had brought us
home Pease for all our money?
2 Cit.
Yes marry did he.
1 Cit.
They're the first I heard of this year by my troth, I
longed for some of 'em: did he not say we should have some?
2 Cit.
Yes, and so we shall anon I warrant you have every
one a peck brought home to our houses.
| A King, and no King | |