A King, and No King | Page 6

done, where they can never reach;?But why should you go to Iberia?
Tigr.
Alas, that thou wilt ask me, ask the man?That rages in a Fever why he lies?Distempered there, when all the other youths?Are coursing o're the Meadows with their Loves??Can I resist it? am I not a slave?To him that conquer'd me?
Spa.
That conquer'd thee Tigranes! he has won?But half of thee, thy body, but thy mind?May be as free as his, his will did never?Combate thine, and take it prisoner.
Tigr.
But if he by force convey my body hence,?What helps it me or thee to be unwilling?
Spa.
O Tigranes, I know you are to see a Lady there,?To see, and like I fear: perhaps the hope?Of her make[s] you forget me, ere we part,?Be happier than you know to wish; farewel.
Tigr.
Spaconia, stay and hear me what I say:?In short, destruction meet me that I may?See it, and not avoid it, when I leave?To be thy faithful lover: part with me?Thou shalt not, there are none that know our love,?And I have given gold unto a Captain?That goes unto Iberia from the King,?That he will place a Lady of our Land?With the Kings Sister that is offered me;?Thither shall you, and being once got in?Perswade her by what subtil means you can?To be as backward in her love as I.
Spa.
Can you imagine that a longing maid?When she beholds you, can be pull'd away?With words from loving you?
Tigr.
Dispraise my health, my honesty, and tell her I am jealous.
Spa.
Why, I had rather lose you: can my heart?Consent to let my tongue throw out such words,?And I that ever yet spoke what I thought,?Shall find it such a thing at first to lie?
Tigr.
Yet do thy best.
Enter Bessus.
Bes.
What, is your Majesty ready?
Tigr.
There is the Lady, Captain.
Bes.
Sweet Lady, by your leave, I co[u]ld wish my self more full of Courtship for your fair sake.
Spa.
Sir I shall feel no want of that.
Bes.
Lady, you must hast, I have received new letters from the King that require more hast than I expected, he will follow me suddenly himself, and begins to call for your Majesty already.
Tigr.
He shall not do so long.
Bes.
Sweet Lady, shall I call you my Charge hereafter?
Spa.
I will not take upon me to govern your tongue Sir, you shall call me what you please.
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 should be urg'd know I know you speak not what you think.
Pan.
I would my heart were Stone, before my softness?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,