A King, and No King

3 Gent.

I will Sir, good morrow to you.

[Exit 3 Gent.

Bes.

Good morrow good Sir. Certainly my safest way were to print my self a coward, with a discovery how I came by my credit, and clap it upon every post; I have received above thirty challenges within this two hours, marry all but the first I put off with ingagement, and by good fortune, the first is no madder of fighting than I, so that that's referred, the place where it must be ended, is four days journey off, and our arbitratours are these: He has chosen a Gentleman in travel, and I have a special friend with a quartain ague, like to hold him this five years, for mine: and when his man comes home, we are to expect my friends health: If they would finde me challenges thus thick, as long as I liv'd, I would have no other living; I can make seven shillings a day o'th' paper to the Grocers: yet I learn nothing by all these but a little skill in comparing of stiles. I do finde evidently, that there is some one Scrivener in this Town, that has a great hand in writing of Challenges, for they are all of a cut, and six of 'em in a hand; and they all end, my reputation is dear to me, and I must require satisfaction: Who's there? more paper I hope, no, 'tis my Lord Bacurius, I fear all is not well betwixt us.

Enter Bacurius.

Bac.

Now Captain Bessus, I come about a frivolous matter, caus'd by as idle a report: you know you were a coward.

Bes.

Very right.

Bac.

And wronged me.

Bes.

True my Lord.

Bac.

But now people will call you valiant, desertlesly I think, yet for their satisfaction, I will have you fight with me.

Bes.

O my good Lord, my deep Engagements.

Bac.

Tell not me of your Engagements, Captain Bessus, it is not to be put off with an excuse: for my own part, I am none of the multitude that believe your conversion from Coward.

Bes.

My Lord, I seek not Quarrels, and this belongs not to me, I am not to maintain it.

Bac.

Who then pray?

Bes.

Bessus the Coward wrong'd you.

Bac.

Right.

Bes.

And shall Bessus the Valiant, maintain what Bessus the Coward did?

Bac.

I pray thee leave these cheating tricks, I swear thou shalt fight with me, or thou shall be beaten extreamly, and kick'd.

Bes.

Since you provoke me thus far, my Lord, I will fight with you, and by my Sword it shall cost me twenty pound, but I will have my Leg well a week sooner purposely.

Bac.

Your Leg? Why, what ailes your Leg? i'le do a cure on you, stand up.

Bes.

My Lord, this is not Noble in you.

Bac.

What dost thou with such a phrase in thy mouth? I will kick thee out of all good words before I leave thee.

Bes.

My Lord, I take this as a punishment for the offence I did when I was a Coward.

Bac.

When thou wert? Confess thy self a Coward still, or by this light, I'le beat thee into Spunge.

Bes.

Why I am one.

Bac.

Are you so Sir? And why do you wear a Sword then?

Come unbuckle.

Bes.

My Lord.

Bac.

Unbuckle I say, and give it me, or as I live, thy head will ake extreamly.

Bes.

It is a pretty Hilt, and if your Lordship take an affection to it, with all my heart I present it to you for a New-years-gift.

Bac.

I thank you very heartily, sweet Captain, farewel.

Bes.

One word more, I beseech your Lordship to render me my knife again.

Bac.

Marry by all means Captain; cherish your self with it, and eat hard, good Captain; we cannot tell whether we shall have any more such: Adue dear Captain.

[Exit Bac.

Bes.

I will make better use of this, than of my Sword: A base spirit has this vantage of a brave one, it keeps alwayes at a stay, nothing brings it down, not beating. I remember I promis'd the King in a great Audience, that I would make my back-biters eat my sword to a knife; how to get another sword I know not, nor know any means left for me to maintain my credit, but impudence: therefore I will out-swear him and all his followers, that this is all that's left uneaten of my sword.

[Exit Bessus.

Enter Mardonius.

Mar.

I'le move the King, he is most strangely alter'd; I guess the cause I fear too right, Heaven has some secret end in't, and 'tis a scourge no question justly laid upon him: he has followed me through twenty Rooms; and ever when I stay to wait his command, he blushes like a Girl, and looks upon me, as if modesty kept in his business: so turns away from me, but if I go on, he follows me again.

Enter Arbaces.

See, here he is. I do not use this, yet I know not how, I cannot chuse but weep to see him; his very Enemies I think, whose wounds have bred his fame, if they should see him now, would find tears i'their eyes.

Arb.I cannot utter it, why should I keepA breast to harbour thoughts? I dare not speak.Darkness is in my bosom, and there lieA thousand thoughts that cannot brook the light:How wilt thou vex 'em when this deed is done,Conscience, that art afraid to let me name it?

Mar.

How do you Sir?

Arb.

Why very well Mardonius, how dost thou do?

Mar.

Better than you I fear.

Arb.I hope thou art; for to be plain with thee,Thou art in Hell else, secret scorching flamesThat far transcend earthly material firesAre crept into me, and there is no cure.Is it not strange Mardonius, there's no cure?Mar.Sir, either I mistake, or there is something hidThat you would utter to me.

Arb.

So there is, but yet I cannot do it.

Mar.

Out with it Sir, if it be dangerous, I will not shrink to do you service, I shall not esteem my life a weightier matter than indeed it is, I know it is subject to more chances than it has hours, and I were better lose it in my Kings cause, than with an ague, or a fall, or sleeping, to a Thief; as all these are probable enough: let me but know what I shall do for you.

Arb.It will not out: were you with Gobrias,And bad him give my Sister all contentThe place affords, and give her leave to sendAnd speak to whom she please?

Mar.

Yes Sir, I was.

Arb.

And did you to Bacurius say as much

About Tigranes?

Mar.

Yes.

Arb.

That's all my business.

Mar.O say not so,You had an answer of this before;Besides I think this business mightBe utter'd more carelesly.Arb.Come thou shalt have it out, I do beseech theeBy all the love thou hast profest to me,To see my Sister from me.

Mar.

Well, and what?

Arb.

That's all.

Mar.

That's strange, I shall say nothing to her?

Arb.Not a word;But if thou lovest me, find some subtil wayTo make her understand by signs.

Mar.

But what shall I make her understand?

Arb.

O Mardonius, for that I must be pardon'd.

Mar.

You may, but I can only see her then.

Arb.'Tis true;Bear her this Ring then, andOne more advice, thou shall speak to her:Tell her I do love My kindred all: wilt thou?

Mar.

Is there no more?

Arb.O yes and her the best;Better than any Brother loves his Sister: That's all.

Mar.

Methinks this need not have been delivered with such a caution; I'le do it.

Arb.

There is more yet,

Wilt thou be faith[f]ul to me?

Mar.

Sir, if I take upon me to deliver it, after I hear it, I'le pass through fire to do it.

Arb.I love her better than a Brother ought;Dost thou conceive me?

Mar.

I hope you do not Sir.

Arb.No, thou art dull, kneel down before her,And ne'r rise again, till she will love me.

Mar.

Why, I think she does.

Arb.But better than she does, another way;As wives love Husbands.Mar.Why, I think there are few Wives that love theirHusbands better than she does you.Arb.Thou wilt not understand me: is it fitThis should be uttered plainly? take it thenNaked as it is: I would desire her loveLasciviously, lewdly, incestuously,To do a sin that needs must damn us both,And thee too: dost thou understand me now?Mar.Yes, there's your Ring again; what have I doneDishonestly in my whole life, name it,That you should put so base a business to me?

Arb.

Didst thou not tell me thou wouldst do it?

Mar.Yes; if I undertook it, but if allMy hairs were lives, I would not be engag'dIn such a case to save my last life.Arb.O guilt! ha how poor and weak a thing art thou!This man that is my servant, whom my breathMight blow upon the world, might beat me hereHaving this cause, whil'st I prest down with sinCould not resist him: hear Mardonius,It was a motion mis-beseeming man,And I am sorry for it.

Mar.

Heaven grant you may be so: you must understand, nothing that you can utter, can remove my love and service from my Prince. But otherwise, I think I shall not love you more. For you are sinful, and if you do this crime, you ought to have no Laws. For after this, it will be great injustice in you to punish any offender for any crime. For my self I find my heart too big: I feel I have not patience to look on whilst you run these forbidden courses. Means I have none but your favour, and I am rather glad that I shall lose 'em both together, than keep 'em with such conditions; I shall find a dwelling amongst some people, where though our Garments perhaps be courser, we shall be richer far within, and harbour no such vices in 'em: the Gods preserve you, and mend.

Arb.Mardonius, stay Mardonius, for thoughMy present state requires nothing but knavesTo be about me, such as are prepar'dFor every wicked act, yet who does knowBut that my loathed Fate may turn about,And I have use for honest men again?I hope I may, I prethee leave me not.

Enter Bessus.

Bes.

Where is the King?

Mar.

There.

Bes.

An't please your Majesty, there's the knife.

Arb.

What knife?

Bes.

The Sword is eaten.

Mar.Away you fool, the King is serious,And cannot now admit your vanities.

Bes.

Vanities! I'me no honest man, if my enemies have not brought it to this, what, do you think I lie?

Arb.

No, no, 'tis well Bessus, 'tis very well I'm glad on't.

Mar.

If your enemies brought it to this, your enemies are Cutlers, come leave the King.

Bes.

Why, may not valour approach him?

Mar.

Yes, but he has affairs, depart, or I shall be something unmannerly with you.

Arb.No, let him stay Mardonius, let him stay,I have occasion with him very weighty,And I can spare you now.

Mar.

Sir?

Arb.

Why I can spare you now.

Bes.

Mardonius give way to these State affairs.

Mar.

Indeed you are fitter for this present purpose.

[Exit Mar.

Arb.

Bessus, I should imploy thee, wilt thou do't?

Bes.

Do't for you? by this Air I will do any thing without exception, be it a good, bad, or indifferent thing.

Arb.

Do not swear.

Bes.

By this light but I will, any thing whatsoever.

Arb.But I shall name the thing,Thy Conscience will not suffer thee to do.

Bes.

I would fain hear that thing.

Arb.Why I would have thee get my Sister for me?Thou understandst me, in a wicked manner.Bes.O you would have a bout with her?I'le do't, I'le do't, I'faith.

Arb.

Wilt thou, do'st thou make no more on't?

Bes.

More? no, why is there any thing else? if there be, it shall be done too.

Arb.Hast thou no greater sense of such a sin?Thou art too wicked for my company,Though I have hell within me, thou may'st yetCorrupt me further: pray thee answer me,How do I shew to thee after this motion?

Bes.

Why your Majesty looks as well in my opinion, as ever you did since you were born.

Arb.But thou appear'st to me after thy grant,The ugliest, loathed detestable thingThat I ever met with. Thou hast eyesLike the flames of Sulphur, which me thinks do dartInfection on me, and thou hast a mouthEnough to take me in where there do standFour rows of Iron Teeth.

Bes.

I feel no such thing, but 'tis no matter how I look, Pie do my business as well as they that look better, and when this is dispatch'd, if you have a mind to your Mother, tell me, and you shall see I'le set it hard.

Arb.My Mother! Heaven forgive me to hear this,I am inspir'd with horrour: now I hate theeWorse than my sin, which if I could come byShould suffer death Eternal ne're to riseIn any breast again. Know I will dieLanguishing mad, as I resolve, I shall,E're I will deal by such an instrument:Thou art too sinful to imploy in this;Out of the World, away.

Bes.

What do you mean, Sir?

Arb.Hung round with Curses, take thy fearful flightInto the Desarts, where 'mongst all the MonstersIf thou find'st one so beastly as thy self,Thou shalt be held as innocent.

Bes.

Good Sir.

Arb.If there were no such instruments as thou,We Kings could never act such wicked deeds:Seek out a man that mocks Divinity,That breaks each precept both of God and man,And natures too, and does it without lust,Meerly because it is a law, and good,And live with him: for him thou canst not spoil.Away I say, I will not do this sin.

[Exit Bessus.

I'le press it here, till it do break my breast,It heaves to get out, but thou art a sin,And spight of torture I will keep thee in.

Actus Quartus

Enter Gobrias, Panthea, and Spaconia.

Gob.

Have you written Madam?

Pan.

Yes, good Gobrias.

Gob.And with a kindness, and such winning wordsAs may provoke him, at one instant feelHis double fault, your wrong, and his own rashness?Pan.I have sent words enough, if words may win himFrom his displeasure; and such words I hope,As shall gain much upon his goodness, Gobrias.Yet fearing they are many, and a womans,A poor belief may follow, I have wovenAs many truths within 'em to speak for me,That if he be but gracious, and receive 'em—Gob.Good Lady be not fearful, though he should notGive you your present end in this, believe it,You shall feel, if your vertue can induce youTo labour on't, this tempest which I know,Is but a poor proof 'gainst your patience:All those contents, your spirit will arrive at,Newer and sweeter to you; your Royal brother,When he shall once collect himself, and seeHow far he has been asunder from himself;What a meer stranger to his golden temper:Must from those roots of vertue, never dying,Though somewhat stopt with humour, shoot againInto a thousand glories, bearing his fair branchesHigh as our hopes can look at, straight as justice,Loaden with ripe contents; he loves you dearly,I know it, and I hope I need not fartherWin you to understand it.Pan.I believe it.But howsoever, I am sure I love him dearly:So dearly, that if any thing I writeFor my enlarging should beget his anger,Heaven be a witness with me and my faith,I had rather live intomb'd here.Gob.You shall not feel a worse stroke than your grief,I am sorry 'tis so sharp, I kiss your hand,And this night will deliver this true story,With this hand to your Brother.

Pan.

Peace go with you, you are a good man.

[Exit Gob.

My Spaconia, why are you ever sad thus?

Spa.

O dear Lady.

Pan.Prethee discover not a way to sadness,Nearer than I have in me, our two sorrowsWork like two eager Hawks, who shall get highest;How shall I lessen thine? for mine I fearIs easier known than cur'd.Spa.Heaven comfort both,And give you happy ends, however IFall in my stubborn fortunes.Pan.This but teachesHow to be more familiar with our sorrows,That are too much our masters: good SpaconiaHow shall I do you service?Spa.Noblest Lady,You make me more a slave still to your goodness,And only live to purchase thanks to pay you,For that is all the business of my life: nowI will be bold, since you will have it so,To ask a noble favour of you.Pan.Speak it, 'tis yours, for from so sweet a vertue,No ill demand has issue.Spa.Then ever vertuous, let me beg your willIn helping me to see the Prince Tigranes,With whom I am equal prisoner, if not more.Pan.Reserve me to a greater end Spaconia;Bacurius cannot want so much good mannersAs to deny your gentle visitation,Though you came only with your own command.Spa.I know they will deny me gracious Madam,Being a stranger, and so little fam'd,So utter empty of those excellenciesThat tame Authority; but in you sweet Lady,All these are natural; beside, a powerDeriv'd immediate from your Royal brother,Whose least word in you may command the Kingdom.Pan.More than my word Spaconia, you shall carry,For fear it fail you.Spa.Dare you trust a Token?Madam I fear I am grown too bold a begger.Pan.You are a pretty one, and trust me LadyIt joyes me, I shall do a good to you,Though to my self I never shall be happy:Here, take this Ring, and from me as a TokenDeliver it; I think they will not stay you:So all your own desires go with you Lady.

Spa.

And sweet peace to your Grace.

Pan.

Pray Heaven I find it.

[Exeunt.

Enter Tigranes, in prison.

Tigr.Fool that I am, I have undone my self,And with my own hand turn'd my fortune round,That was a fair one: I have childishlyPlaid with my hope so long, till I have broke it,And now too late I mourn for't; O Spaconia!Thou hast found an even way to thy revenge now,Why didst thou follow me like a faint shadow,To wither my desires? But wretched fool,Why did I plant thee 'twixt the Sun and me,To make me freeze thus? Why did I prefer herTo the fair Princess? O thou fool, thou fool,Thou family of fools, live like a slave still,And in thee bear thine own hell and thy torment,Thou hast deserv'd: Couldst thou find no LadyBut she that has thy hopes to put her to,And hazard all thy peace? None to abuse,But she that lov'd thee ever? poor Spaconia,And so much lov'd thee, that in honestyAnd honour thou art bound to meet her vertues:She that forgot the greatness of her griefAnd miseries, that must follow such mad passions,Endless and wild as women; she that for theeAnd with thee left her liberty, her name,And Country, you have paid me equal, Heavens,And sent my own rod to correct me with;A woman: for inconstancy I'le suffer,Lay it on justice, till my soul melt in meFor my unmanly, beastly, sudden dotingUpon a new face: after all my oathsMany and strange ones,I feel my old fire flame again and burnSo strong and violent, that should I see herAgain, the grief and that would kill me.

Enter Bacurius And Spaconia.

Bac.Lady, your token I acknowledge, you may pass;There is the King.

Spa.

I thank your Lordship for it.

[Exit Bac.

Tigr.She comes, she comes, shame hide me ever from her,Would I were buried, or so far remov'dLight might not find me out, I dare not see her.Spa.Nay never hide your self; or were you hidWhere earth hides all her riches, near her Center;My wrongs without more day would light me to you:I must speak e're I die; were all your greatnessDoubled upon you, y'are a perjur'd man,And only mighty in your wickednessOf wronging women. Thou art false, false Prince;I live to see it, poor Spaconia livesTo tell thee thou art false; and then no more;She lives to tell thee thou art more unconstant,Than all ill women ever were together.Thy faith is firm as raging over-flowes,That no bank can command; as lastingAs boyes gay bubbles, blown i'th' Air and broken:The wind is fixt to thee: and sooner shallThe beaten Mariner with his shrill whistleCalm the loud murmur of the troubled main,And strike it smooth again; than thy soul fallTo have peace in love with any: Thou art allThat all good men must hate; and if thy storyShall tell succeeding ages what thou wert,O let it spare me in it, lest true loversIn pity of my wrong, burn thy black Legend,And with their curses, shake thy sleeping ashes.

Tigr.

Oh! oh!

Spa.The destinies, I hope, have pointed outOur ends, that thou maist die for love,Though not for me; for this assure thy self,The Princess hates thee deadly, and will soonerBe won to marry with a Bull, and saferThan such a beast as thou art: I have struck,I fear, too deep; beshrow me for't; Sir,This sorrow works me like a cunning friendship,Into the same piece with it; 'tis asham'd,Alas, I have been too rugged: Dear my Lord,I am sorry I have spoken any thing,Indeed I am, that may add more restraintTo that too much you have: good Sir, be pleas'dTo think it was a fault of love, not malice;And do as I will do, forgive it Prince.I do, and can forgive the greatest sinsTo me you can repent of; pray believe.

Tigr.

O my Spaconia! O thou vertuous woman!

Spa.

Nay, more, the King Sir.

Enter Arbaces, Bacurius, Mardonius.

Arb.Have you been carefull of our noble Prisoner,That he want nothing fitting for his greatness?

Bac.

I hope his grace will quit me for my care Sir.

Arb.

'Tis well, royal Tigranes, health.

Tigr.More than the strictness of this place can give Sir,I offer back again to great Arbaces.Arb.We thank you worthy Prince, and pray excuse us,We have not seen you since your being here,I hope your noble usage has been equallWith your own person: your imprisonment,If it be any, I dare say is easie,And shall not last t[w]o dayes.Tigr.I thank you;My usage here has been the same it was,Worthy a royal Conqueror. For my restraint,It came unkindly, because much unlook'd for;But I must bear it.

Arb.

What Lady's that? Bacurius?

Bac.

One of the Princess women, Sir.

Arb.

I fear'd it, why comes she hither?

Bac.

To speak with the Prince Tigranes.

Arb.

From whom, Bacurius?

Bac.

From the Princess, Sir.

Arb.

I knew I had seen her.

Mar.His fit begins to take him now again,'Tis a strange Feaver, and 'twill shake us all anon, I fear,Would he were well cur'd of this raging folly:Give me the warrs, where men are mad, and may talk what theylist, and held the bravest fellows; This pelting prating peace isgood for nothing: drinking's a vertue to't.Arb.I see there's truth in no man, nor obedience,But for his own ends, why did you let her in?Bac.It was your own command to barr none from him,Besides, the Princess sent her ring Sir, for my warrant.Arb.A token to Tigranes, did she not?Sir tell truth.Bac.I do not use to lie Sir,'Tis no way I eat or live by, and I think,This is no token Sir.

Mar.

This combat has undone him: if he had been well beaten, he had been temperate; I shall never see him handsome again, till he have a Horse-mans staffe yok'd thorow his shoulders, or an arm broken with a bullet.

Arb.

I am trifled with.

Bac.

Sir?

Arb.

I know it, as I know thee to be false.

Mar.

Now the clap comes.

Bac.You never knew me so, Sir I dare speak it,And durst a worse man tell me, though my better—

Mar.

'Tis well said, by my soul.

Arb.

Sirra, you answer as you had no life.

Bac.

That I fear Sir to lose nobly.