A King, and No King | Page 5

you; or for honesty to enterchange my bosom with, it should be you; or
wisdom to give me counsel, I would pick out you; or valour to defend
my reputation, still I should find you out; for you are fit to fight for all
the world, if it could come in question: Now I have spoke, consider to
your self, find out a use; if so, then what shall fall to me is not material.
Arb.
Is not material? more than ten such lives, as mine, Mardonius: it was
nobly said, thou hast spoke truth, and boldly such a truth as might
offend another. I have been too passionate and idle, thou shalt see a
swift amendment, but I want those parts you praise me for: I fight for

all the world? Give me a sword, and thou wilt go as far beyond me, as
thou art beyond in years, I know thou dar'st and wilt; it troubles me that
I should use so rough a phrase to thee, impute it to my folly, what thou
wilt, so thou wilt par[d]on me: that thou and I should differ thus!
Mar.
Why 'tis no matter Sir.
Arb.
Faith but it is, but thou dost ever take all things I do, thus patiently, for
which I never can requite thee, but with love, and that thou shalt be
sure of. Thou and I have not been merry lately: pray thee tell me where
hadst thou that same jewel in thine ear?
Mar.
Why at the taking of a Town.
Arb.
A wench upon my life, a wench Mardonius gave thee that jewel.
Mar.
Wench! they respect not me, I'm old and rough, and every limb about
me, but that which should, grows stiffer, I'those
businesses I may
swear I am truly honest: for I pay justly for what I take, and would be
glad to be at a certainty.
Arb.
Why, do the wenches encroach upon thee?
Mar.
I by this light do they.

Arb.
Didst thou sit at an old rent with 'em?
Mar.
Yes faith.
Arb.
And do they improve themselves?
Mar.
I ten shillings to me, every new young fellow they come
acquainted
with.
Arb.
How canst live on't?
Mar.
Why I think I must petition to you.
Arb.
Thou shalt take them up at my price.
Enter two Gentlemen and Bessus.
Mar.
Your price?
Arb.
I at the Kings price.

Mar.
That may be more than I'me worth.
2 Gent.
Is he not merry now?
1 Gent.
I think not.
Bes.
He is, he is: we'l shew our selves.
Arb.
Bessus, I thought you had been in Iberia by this, I bad you hast;
Gobrias will want entertainment for me.
Bes.
And please your Majesty I have a sute.
Arb.
Is't not lousie Bessus, what is't?
Bes.
I am to carry a Lady with me.
Arb.
Then thou hast two sutes.
Bes.
And if I can prefer her to the Lady Pentha your Majesties Sister, to

learn fashions, as her friends term it, it will be worth something to me.
Arb.
So many nights lodgings as 'tis thither, wilt not?
Bes.
I know not that Sir, but gold I shall be sure of.
Arb.
Why thou shalt bid her entertain her from me, so thou wilt resolve me
one thing.
Bes.
If I can.
Arb.
Faith 'tis a very disputable question, and yet I think thou canst decide it.
Bes.
Your Majesty has a good opinion of my understanding.
Arb.
I have so good an opinion of it: 'tis whether thou be valiant.
Bes.
Some body has traduced me to you: do you see this sword Sir?
Arb.
Yes.
Bes.

If I do not make my back-biters eat it to a knife within this week, say I
am not valiant.
Enter a Messenger.
Mes.
Health to your Majesty.
Arb.
From Gobrias?
Mes.
Yes Sir.
Arb.
How does he, is he well?
Mes.
In perfect health.
Arb.
Take that for thy good news. A trustier servant to his Prince there lives
not, than is good Gobrias.
1 Gent.
The King starts back.
Mar.
His blood goes back as fast.
2 Gent. And now it comes again.

Mar.
He alters strangely.
Arb.
The hand of Heaven is on me, be it far from me to struggle, if my secret
sins have pull'd this curse upon me, lend me tears now to wash me
white, that I may feel a child-like innocence within my breast; which
once perform'd, O give me leave to stand as fix'd as constancy her self,
my eyes set here unmov'd, regardless of the world though thousand
miseries incompass me.
Mar.
This is strange, Sir, how do you?
Arb.
Mardonius, my mother.
Mar.
Is she dead?
Arb.
Alas she's not so happy, thou dost know how she hath laboured since
my Father died to take