A King, and No King | Page 8

Francis and John Fletcher Beaumont
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
fight 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
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