A King, and No King Part 4

_Arb_.

Thou drawest thy words, That I must wait an hour, where other men Can hear in instants; throw your words away, Quick, and to purpose, I have told you this.

_Bes_.

And please your Majesty.

_Arb_.

Wilt thou devour me? this is such a rudeness As you never shew'd me, and I want Power to command too, else _Mardonius_ Would speak at my request; were you my King, I would have answered at your word _Mardonius_, I pray you speak, and truely, did I boast?

_Mar_.

Truth will offend you.

_Arb_.

You take all great care what will offend me, When you dare to utter such things as these.

_Mar_.

You told _Tigranes_, you had won his Land, With that sole arm propt by Divinity: Was not that bragging, and a wrong to us, That daily ventured lives?

_Arb_.

O that thy name Were as great, as mine, would I had paid my wealth, It were as great, as I might combate thee, I would through all the Regions habitable Search thee, and having found thee, wi'my Sword Drive thee about the world, till I had met Some place that yet mans curiosity Hath mist of; there, there would I strike thee dead: Forgotten of mankind, such Funeral rites As beasts would give thee, thou shouldst have.

_Bes_.

The King rages extreamly, shall we slink away? He'l strike us.

_2 Gent_.

Content.

_Arb_.

There I would make you know 'twas this sole arm.

I grant you were my instruments, and did As I commanded you, but 'twas this arm Mov'd you like wheels, it mov'd you as it pleas'd.

Whither slip you now? what are you too good To wait on me (_puffe_,) I had need have temper That rule such people; I have nothing left At my own choice, I would I might be private: Mean men enjoy themselves, but 'tis our curse, To have a tumult that out of their loves Will wait on us, whether we will or no; Go get you gone: Why here they stand like death, My words move nothing.

_1 Gent_.

Must we go?

_Bes_. I know not.

_Arb_.

I pray you leave me Sirs, I'me proud of this, That you will be intreated from my sight: Why now the[y] leave me all: _Mardonius_.

[_Exeunt all but_ Arb. _and_ Mar.

_Mar_.

Sir.

_Arb_.

Will you leave me quite alone? me thinks Civility should teach you more than this, If I were but your friend: Stay here and wait.

_Mar_.

Sir shall I speak?

_Arb_.

Why, you would now think much To be denied, but I can scar[c]e intreat What I would have: do, speak.

_Mar_.

But will you hear me out?

_Arb_.

With me you Article to talk thus: well, I will hear you out.

_Mar_.

Sir, that I have ever lov'd you, my sword hath spoken for me; that I do, if it be doubted, I dare call an oath, a great one to my witness; and were you not my King, from amongst men, I should have chose you out to love above the rest: nor can this challenge thanks, for my own sake I should have done it, because I would have lov'd the most deserving man, for so you are.

_Arb_.

Alas _Mardonius_, rise you shall not kneel, We all are souldiers, and all venture lives: And where there is no difference in mens worths, t.i.tles are jests, who can outvalue thee?

_Mardonius_ thou hast lov'd me, and hast wrong, Thy love is not rewarded, but believe It shall be better, more than friend in arms, My Father, and my Tutor, good _Mardonius_.

_Mar_.

Sir, you did promise you would hear me out.

_Arb_.

And so I will; speak freely, for from thee Nothing can come but worthy things and true.

_Mar_.

Though you have all this worth, you hold some qualities that do Eclipse your vertues.