A King, and No King Part 3

Some to await him forth, and see him safe, But let him freely send for whom he please, And none dare to disturb his conference, I will not have him know what bondage is,

[_Exit Tigranes_.

Till he be free from me. This Prince, _Mardonius_, Is full of wisdom, valour, all the graces Man can receive.

_Mar_.

And yet you conquer'd him.

_Arb_.

And yet I conquer'd him, and could have don't Hadst thou joyn'd with him, though thy name in Arms Be great; must all men that are vertuous Think suddenly to match themselves with me?

I conquered him and bravely, did I not?

_Bes_.

And please your Majesty, I was afraid at first.

_Mar_.

When wert thou other?

_Arb_.

Of what?

_Bes_.

That you would not have spy'd your best advantages, for your Majesty in my opinion lay too high, methinks, under favour, you should have lain thus.

_Mar_.

Like a Taylor at a wake.

_Bes_.

And then, if please your Majesty to remember, at one time, by my troth I wisht my self wi'you.

_Mar_.

By my troth thou wouldst ha' stunk 'em both out o'th' Lists.

_Arb_.

What to do?

_Bes_.

To put your Majesty in mind of an occasion; you lay thus, and _Tigranes_ falsified a blow at your Leg, which you by doing thus avoided; but if you had whip'd up your Leg thus, and reach'd him on the ear, you had made the Blood-Royal run down his head.

_Mar_.

What Country Fence-school learn'st thou at?

_Arb_.

Pish, did not I take him n.o.bly?

_Mar_.

Why you did, and you have talked enough on't.

_Arb_.

Talkt enough?

Will you confine my word? by heaven and earth, I were much better be a King of beasts Than such a people: if I had not patience Above a G.o.d, I should be call'd a Tyrant Throughout the world. They will offend to death Each minute: Let me hear thee speak again, And thou art earth again: why this is like _Tigranes_ speech that needs would say I brag'd.

_Bessus_, he said I brag'd.

_Bes_.

Ha, ha, ha.

_Arb_.

Why dost thou laugh?

By all the world, I'm grown ridiculous To my own Subjects: Tie me in a Chair And jest at me, but I shall make a start, And punish some that others may take heed How they are haughty; who will answer me?

He said I boasted, speak _Mardonius_, Did I? He will not answer, O my temper!

I give you thanks above, that taught my heart Patience, I can endure his silence; what will none Vouchsafe to give me answer? am I grown To such a poor respect, or do you mean To break my wind? Speak, speak, some one of you, Or else by heaven.

_1 Gent_.

So please your.

_Arb_.

Monstrous, I cannot be heard out, they cut me off, As if I were too saucy, I will live In woods, and talk to trees, they will allow me To end what I begin. The meanest Subject Can find a freedom to discharge his soul And not I, now it is a time to speak, I hearken.

_1 Gent_.

May it please.

_Arb_.

I mean not you, Did not I stop you once? but I am grown To balk, but I defie, let another speak.

_2 Gent_.

I hope your Majesty.