A King, and No King by Francis Beaumont & John Fletcher (ebook smartphone .txt) 📕

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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 keep A breast to harbour thoughts? I dare not speak. Darkness is in my bosom, and there lie A 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 flames That far transcend earthly material fires Are 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 hid That 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 content The place affords, and give her leave to send And 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 might Be utter'd more carelesly.

Arb.

Come thou shalt have it out, I do beseech thee By 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 way To 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, and One 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 their Husbands better than she does you.

Arb.

Thou wilt not understand me: is it fit This should be uttered plainly? take it then Naked as it is: I would desire her love Lasciviously, 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 done Dishonestly 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 all My hairs were lives, I would not be engag'd In 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 breath Might blow upon the world, might beat me here Having this cause, whil'st I prest down with sin Could 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 though My present state requires nothing but knaves To be about me, such as are prepar'd For every wicked act, yet who does know But 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.