A King, and No King. Beaumont Francis

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, and a time

      Would come for me to reconcile all to

      Your own content, but by this way you take

      Away my power, and what was done unknown,

      Was not by me but you: your urging being done

      I must preserve my own, but time may bring

      All this to light, and happily for all.

      Ara.

      Accursed be this over curious brain

      That gave that plot a birth, accurst this womb

      That after did conceive to my disgrace.

      Bac.

      My Lord Protector, they say there are divers Letters come from Armenia, that Bessus has done good service, and brought again a day, by his particular valour, receiv'd you any to that effect?

      Gob.

      Yes, 'tis most certain.

      Bac.

      I'm sorry for't, not that the day was won,

      But that 'twas won by him: we held him here

      A Coward, he did me wrong once, at which I laugh'd,

      And so did all the world, for nor I,

      Nor any other held him worth my sword.

      Enter Bessus and Spaconia.

      Bes.

      Health to my Protector; from the King

      These Letters; and to your grace Madam, these.

      Gob.

      How does his Majesty?

      Bes.

      As well as conquest by his own means and his valiant

      C[o]mmanders can make him; your letters will tell you all.

      Pan.

      I will not open mine till I do know

      My Brothers health: good Captain is he well?

      Bes.

      As the rest of us that fought are.

      Pan.

      But how's that? is he hurt?

      Bes.

      He's a strange souldier that gets not a knock.

      Pan.

      I do not ask how strange that souldier is

      That gets no hurt, but whether he have one.

      Bes.

      He had divers.

      Pan.

      And is he well again?

      Bes.

      Well again, an't please your Grace: why I was run twice through the body, and shot i'th' head with a cross-arrow, and yet am well again.

      Pan.

      I do not care how thou do'st, is he well?

      Bes.

      Not care how I do? Let a man out of the mightiness of his spirit, fructifie Foreign Countries with his blood for the good of his own, and thus he shall be answered: Why I may live to relieve with spear and shield, such a Lady as you distressed.

      Pan.

      Why, I will care, I'me glad that thou art well, I 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