A King, and No King | Page 3

much?In peace, as I in war, she'l conquer too,?You shall see if you have the power to stand?The force of her swift looks, if you dislike,?I'le send you home with love, and name your ransom?Some other way, but if she be your choice,?She frees you: To Iberia you must.
Tigr.
Sir, I have learn'd a prisoners sufferance,?And will obey, but give me leave to talk?In private with some friends before I go.
Arb.
Some to await him forth, and see him safe,?But let him freely send for whom he please,?And none dare to disturb his conference,?I will not have him know what bondage is,
[Exit Tigranes.
Till he be free from me. This Prince, Mardonius,?Is full of wisdom, valour, all the graces?Man can receive.
Mar.
And yet you conquer'd him.
Arb.
And yet I conquer'd him, and could have don't?Hadst thou joyn'd with him, though thy name in Arms?Be great; must all men that are vertuous?Think suddenly to match themselves with me??I conquered him and bravely, did I not?
Bes.
And please your Majesty, I was afraid at first.
Mar.
When wert thou other?
Arb.
Of what?
Bes.
That you would not have spy'd your best advantages, for your Majesty in my opinion lay too high, methinks, under favour, you should have lain thus.
Mar.
Like a Taylor at a wake.
Bes.
And then, if please your Majesty to remember, at one time, by my troth I wisht my self wi'you.
Mar.
By my troth thou wouldst ha' stunk 'em both out o'th' Lists.
Arb.
What to do?
Bes.
To put your Majesty in mind of an occasion; you lay thus, and Tigranes falsified a blow at your Leg, which you by doing thus avoided; but if you had whip'd up your Leg thus, and reach'd him on the ear, you had made the Blood-Royal run down his head.
Mar.
What Country Fence-school learn'st thou at?
Arb.
Pish, did not I take him nobly?
Mar.
Why you did, and you have talked enough on't.
Arb.
Talkt enough??Will you confine my word? by heaven and earth,?I were much better be a King of beasts?Than such a people: if I had not patience?Above a God, I should be call'd a Tyrant?Throughout the world. They will offend to death?Each minute: Let me hear thee speak again,?And thou art earth again: why this is like?Tigranes speech that needs would say I brag'd.?Bessus, he said I brag'd.
Bes.
Ha, ha, ha.
Arb.
Why dost thou laugh??By all the world, I'm grown ridiculous?To my own Subjects: Tie me in a Chair?And jest at me, but I shall make a start,?And punish some that others may take heed?How they are haughty; who will answer me??He said I boasted, speak Mardonius,?Did I? He will not answer, O my temper!?I give you thanks above, that taught my heart?Patience, I can endure his silence; what will none?Vouchsafe to give me answer? am I grown?To such a poor respect, or do you mean?To break my wind? Speak, speak, some one of you,?Or else by heaven.
1 Gent.
So please your.
Arb.
Monstrous,?I cannot be heard out, they cut me off,?As if I were too saucy, I will live?In woods, and talk to trees, they will allow me?To end what I begin. The meanest Subject?Can find a freedom to discharge his soul?And not I, now it is a time to speak,?I hearken.
1 Gent.
May it please.
Arb.
I mean not you,?Did not I stop you once? but I am grown?To balk, but I defie, let another speak.
2 Gent.
I hope your Majesty.
Arb.
Thou drawest thy words,?That I must wait an hour, where other men?Can hear in instants; throw your words away,?Quick, and to purpose, I have told you this.
Bes.
And please your Majesty.
Arb.
Wilt thou devour me? this is such a rudeness?As you never shew'd me, and I want?Power to command too, else Mardonius?Would speak at my request; were you my King,?I would have answered at your word Mardonius,?I pray you speak, and truely, did I boast?
Mar.
Truth will offend you.
Arb.
You take all great care what will offend me,?When you dare to utter such things as these.
Mar.
You told Tigranes, you had won his Land,?With that sole arm propt by Divinity:?Was not that bragging, and a wrong to us,?That daily ventured lives?
Arb.
O that thy name?Were as great, as mine, would I had paid my wealth,?It were as great, as I might combate thee,?I would through all the Regions habitable?Search thee, and having found thee, wi'my Sword?Drive thee about the world, till I had met?Some place that yet mans curiosity?Hath mist of; there, there would I strike thee dead:?Forgotten of mankind, such Funeral rites?As beasts would give thee, thou shouldst have.
Bes.
The King rages extreamly, shall we slink away? He'l strike us.
2 Gent.
Content.
Arb.
There I would make you know 'twas this sole arm.?I grant you were my instruments, and did?As I commanded you, but 'twas this arm?Mov'd you like wheels, it mov'd you as it pleas'd.?Whither slip you now? what are you too good?To wait on me (puffe,) I had need have temper?That rule such people; I have nothing left?At my own choice, I would I might be