A King, and No King Part 56

Stay there Sir: If he have reacht the n.o.ble worth of Captaine, He may well claime a worthy gentlewoman, Though shee were yours, and n.o.ble.

_Lig_.

I grant all that too: but this wretched fellow Reaches no further then the emptie name, That serves to feede him; were he valiant, Or had but in him any n.o.ble nature, That might hereafter promise him a good man; My cares were something lighter, and my grave A span yet from me.

_Mar_.

I confesse such fellowes Be in all royall Campes, and have, and must be To make the sinne of coward more detested In the meane Souldier, that with such a foyle Sets of much valour: By description I should now guesse him to you. It was _Bessus_, I dare almost with confidence p.r.o.nounce it.

_Lig_.

Tis such a scurvy name as _Bessus_, and now I thinke tis hee.

_Mar_.

Captaine, doe you call him?

Beleeve me Sir, you have a miserie Too mighty for your age: A pox upon him, For that must be the end of all his service: Your daughter was not mad Sir?

_Lig_.

No, would shee had beene, The fault had had more credit: I would doe something.

_Mar_.

I would faine counsell you; but to what I know not: Hee's so below a beating, that the women Find him not worthy of their distaves; and To hang him, were to cast away a rope, Hee's such an ayrie thin unbodied coward, That no revenge can catch him: He tell you Sir, and tell you truth; this rascall Feares neither G.o.d nor man, has beene so beaten: Sufferance has made him wanscote; he has had Since hee was first a slave, at least three hundred daggers Set in his head, as little boyes doe new knives in hot meat; Ther's not a rib in's bodie a my conscience, That has not beene thrice broken with drie beating; And now his sides looke like to wicker targets, Everie way bended: Children will shortly take him for a wall, And set their stone-bowes in his forhead: is of so low a sence, I cannot in a weeke imagine what should be done to him.

_Lig_.

Sure I have committed some great sinne, That this strange fellow should be made my rod: I would see him, but I shall have no patience:

_Mar_.

Tis no great matter if you have not, if a laming of him, or such a toy may doe you pleasure Sir, he has it for you, and Ile helpe you to him: tis no newes to him to have a leg broke, or a shoulder out, with being turnd ath' stones like a Tanzie: Draw not your sword, if you love it; for my conscience his head will breake it: we use him ith' warres like a Ramme to shake a wall withall; here comes the verie person of him, doe as you shall find your temper I must leave you: but if you doe not breake him like a bisket, you are much too blame Sir. _Ex. Mardo. Enter Bessus and Sword-men_.

_Lig_.

Is your name Bessus?

_Bes_.

Men call me Captaine Bessus.

_Lig_.

Then Captaine _Bessus_ you are a ranke rascall, without more exordiums, a durty frozen slave; and with the favour of your friends here, I will beate you.

_2_.

Pray use your pleasure Sir, you seem to be a gentleman.

_Lig_.

Thus Captaine _Bessus_, thus; thus twinge your nose, thus kicke you, and thus tread you.

_Bess_.

I doe beseech you yeeld your cause Sir quickly.

_Lig_.

Indeed I should have told you that first.

_Bess_.

I take it so.

_1_.

Captaine, a should indeed, he is mistaken:

_Lig_.

Sir you shall have it quickly, and more beating, You have stolne away a Lady Captaine Coward, And such a one.

_Bes_.

Hold, I beseech you, hold Sir, I never yet stole any living thing That had a tooth about it.

_Lig_.

Sir I know you dare lie With none but Summer Wh.o.r.es upon my life Sir.

_Bes_.

My meanes and manners never could attempt Above a hedge or hey-c.o.c.ke.

_Lig_.

Sirra that quits not me, where is this Ladie, Doe that you doe not use to doe, tell truth, Or by my hand Ile beat your Captaines braines out.

Wash um, and put um in againe, that will I.

_Bes_.

There was a Ladie Sir, I must confesse Once in my charge: the Prince _Tigranes_ gave her To my guard for her safetie, how I usd her She may her selfe report, shee's with the Prince now: I did but waite upon her like a Groome, Which she will testifie I am sure: If not, My braines are at your service when you please Sir, And glad I have um for you?

_Lig_.

This is most likely, Sir I aske your pardon, And am sorrie I was so intemperate.