A King, and No King Part 5

_Arb_.

Eclipse my vertues?

_Mar_.

Yes, your pa.s.sions, which are so manifold, that they appear even in this: when I commend you, you hug me for that truth: but when I speak your faults, you make a start, and flie the hearing but.

_Arb_.

When you commend me? O that I should live To need such commendations: If my deeds Blew not my praise themselves about the earth, I were most wretched: spare your idle praise: If thou didst mean to flatter, and shouldst utter Words in my praise, that thou thoughtst impudence, My deeds should make 'em modest: when you praise I hug you? 'tis so [false], that wert thou worthy thou shouldst receive a death, a glorious death from me: but thou shalt understand thy lies, for shouldst thou praise me into Heaven, and there leave me inthron'd, I would despise thee though as much as now, which is as much as dust because I see thy envie.

_Mar_.

However you will use me after, yet for your own promise sake, hear me the rest.

_Arb_.

I will, and after call unto the winds, for they shall lend as large an ear as I to what you utter: speak.

_Mar_.

Would you but leave these hasty tempers, which I do not say take from you all your worth, but darken 'em, then you will s.h.i.+ne indeed.

_Arb_.

Well.

_Mar_.

Yet I would have you keep some pa.s.sions, lest men should take you for a G.o.d, your vertues are such.

_Arb_.

Why now you flatter.

_Mar_.

I never understood the word, were you no King, and free from these moods, should I choose a companion for wit and pleasure, it should be you; or for honesty to enterchange my bosom with, it should be you; or wisdom to give me counsel, I would pick out you; or valour to defend my reputation, still I should find you out; for you are fit to fight for all the world, if it could come in question: Now I have spoke, consider to your self, find out a use; if so, then what shall fall to me is not material.

_Arb_.

Is not material? more than ten such lives, as mine, _Mardonius_: it was n.o.bly said, thou hast spoke truth, and boldly such a truth as might offend another. I have been too pa.s.sionate and idle, thou shalt see a swift amendment, but I want those parts you praise me for: I fight for all the world? Give me a sword, and thou wilt go as far beyond me, as thou art beyond in years, I know thou dar'st and wilt; it troubles me that I should use so rough a phrase to thee, impute it to my folly, what thou wilt, so thou wilt par[d]on me: that thou and I should differ thus!

_Mar_.

Why 'tis no matter Sir.

_Arb_.

Faith but it is, but thou dost ever take all things I do, thus patiently, for which I never can requite thee, but with love, and that thou shalt be sure of. Thou and I have not been merry lately: pray thee tell me where hadst thou that same jewel in thine ear?

_Mar_.

Why at the taking of a Town.

_Arb_.

A wench upon my life, a wench _Mardonius_ gave thee that jewel.

_Mar_.

Wench! they respect not me, I'm old and rough, and every limb about me, but that which should, grows stiffer, I'those businesses I may swear I am truly honest: for I pay justly for what I take, and would be glad to be at a certainty.

_Arb_.

Why, do the wenches encroach upon thee?

_Mar_.

I by this light do they.

_Arb_.

Didst thou sit at an old rent with 'em?

_Mar_.

Yes faith.

_Arb_.

And do they improve themselves?

_Mar_.

I ten s.h.i.+llings to me, every new young fellow they come acquainted with.

_Arb_.

How canst live on't?

_Mar_.

Why I think I must pet.i.tion to you.

_Arb_.

Thou shalt take them up at my price.