A King, and No King Part 33

If he have beaten him, I grant the case; But how? we cannot be too subtil in this business, I say, but how?

_Bes_.

Even with his Royal hand.

_1_.

Was it a blow of love, or indignation?

_Bes_.

'Twas twenty blows of indignation, Gentlemen, Besides two blows o'th face.

_2_.

Those blows o'th' face have made a new cause on't, The rest were but an horrible rudeness.

_1_.

Two blows o'th' face, and given by a worse man, I must confess, as the Sword-men say, had turn'd the business: Mark me brother, by a worse man; but being by his Prince, had they been ten, and those ten drawn teeth, besides the hazard of his nose for ever; all this had been but favours: this is my flat opinion, which I'le die in.

_2_.

The King may do much Captain, believe it; for had he crackt your Scull through, like a bottle, or broke a Rib or two with tossing of you, yet you had lost no honour: This is strange you may imagine, but this is truth now Captain.

_Bes_.

I will be glad to embrace it Gentlemen; But how far may he strike me?

_1_.

There is another: a new cause rising from the time and distance, in which I will deliver my opinion: he may strike, beat, or cause to be beaten: for these are natural to man: your Prince, I say, may beat you, so far forth as his dominion reacheth, that's for the distance; the time, ten miles a day, I take it.

_2_.

Brother, you err, 'tis fifteen miles a day, His stage is ten, his beatings are fifteen.

_Bes_.

'Tis the longest, but we subjects must--

_1_.

Be subject to it; you are wise and vertuous.

_Bes_.

Obedience ever makes that n.o.ble use on't, To which I dedicate my beaten body; I must trouble you a little further, Gentlemen o'th' Sword.

_2_.

No trouble at all to us Sir, if we may Profit your understanding, we are bound By vertue of our calling to utter our opinions, Shortly, and discreetly.

_Bes_.

My sorest business is, I have been kick'd.

_2_.

How far Sir?

_Bes_.

Not to flatter my self in it, all over, my sword forc'd but not lost; for discreetly I rendred it to save that imputation.

_1_.

It shew'd discretion, the best part of valour.

_2_.

Brother, this is a pretty cause, pray ponder on't; Our friend here has been kick'd.

_1_.

He has so, brother.

_2_.

Sorely he saies: Now, had he set down here Upon the meer kick, 't had been Cowardly.

_1_.

I think it had been Cowardly indeed.

_2_.

But our friend has redeem'd it in delivering His sword without compulsion; and that man That took it of him, I p.r.o.nounce a weak one, And his kicks nullities.

He should have kick'd him after the delivering Which is the confirmation of a Coward.

_1_.

Brother, I take it, you mistake the question; For, say that I were kick'd.

_2_.

I must not say so; Nor I must not hear it spoke by the tongue of man.

You kick'd, dear brother! you're merry.