A King and No King by F. Beaumont and J. Fletcher - HTML preview

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Act II

 

 

Enter  Gobrias, Bacurius, Arane, Panthe, and  Mandane,

 Waiting-women with Attendants.

 

Gob.

  My Lord Bacurius, you must have regard unto the Queen, she is

  your prisoner, 'tis at your peril if she make escape.

 

Bac.

  My Lord, I know't, she is my prisoner from you committed; yet she

  is a woman, and so I keep her safe, you will not urge me to keep

  her close, I shall not shame to say I sorrow for her.

 

Gob.

  So do I my Lord; I sorrow for her, that so little grace doth

  govern her: that she should stretch her arm against her King, so

  little womanhood and natural goodness, as to think the death of

  her own Son.

 

 Ara.

  Thou knowst the reason why, dissembling as thou art, and wilt not

  speak.

 

Gob.

  There is a Lady takes not after you,

  Her Father is within her, that good man

  Whose tears weigh'd down his sins, mark how she weeps,

  How well it does become her, and if you

  Can find no disposition in your self

  To sorrow, yet by gracefulness in her

  Find out the way, and by your reason weep:

  All this she does for you, and more she needs

  When for your self you will not lose a tear,

  Think how this want of grief discredits you,

  And you will weep, because you cannot weep.

 

Ara.

  You talk to me as having got a time fit for your purpose; but you

  should be urg'd know I know you speak not what you think.

 

Pan.

  I would my heart were Stone, before my softness

  Against my mother, a more troubled thought

  No Virgin bears about; should I excuse

  My Mothers fault, I should set light a life

  In losing which, a brother and a King

  Were taken from me, if I seek to save

  That life so lov'd, I lose another life

  That gave me being, I shall lose a Mother,

  A word of such a sound in a childs ears

  That it strikes reverence through it; may the will

  Of heaven be done, and if one needs must fall,

  Take a poor Virgins life to answer all.

 

 Ara.

  But Gobrias  let us talk, you know this fault

  Is not in me as in another Mother.

 

Gob.

  I know it is not.

 

 Ara.

  Yet you make it so.

 

Gob.

  Why, is not all that's past beyond your help?

 

 Ara.

  I know it is.

 

Gob.

  Nay should you publish it before the world,

  Think you 'twould be believ'd?

 

Ara.

  I know it would not.

 

Gob.

  Nay should I joyn with you, should we not both be torn and yet

  both die uncredited?

 

Ara.

  I think we should.

 

Gob.

  Why then take you such violent courses? As for me I do but right

  in saving of the King from all your plots.

 

 Ara.

  The King?

 

Gob.

  I bad you rest with patience, and a time

  Would come for me to reconcile all to

  Your own content, but by this way you take

  Away my power, and what was done unknown,

  Was not by me but you: your urging being done

  I must preserve my own, but time may bring

  All this to light, and happily for all.

 

 Ara.

  Accursed be this over curious brain

  That gave that plot a birth, accurst this womb

  That after did conceive to my disgrace.

 

Bac.

  My Lord Protector, they say there are divers Letters come from

  Armenia, that Bessus  has done good service, and brought again

  a day, by his particular valour, receiv'd you any to that effect?

 

Gob.

  Yes, 'tis most certain.

 

Bac.

  I'm sorry for't, not that the day was won,

  But that 'twas won by him: we held him here

  A Coward, he did me wrong once, at which I laugh'd,

  And so did all the world, for nor I,

  Nor any other held him worth my sword.

 

Enter  Bessus and  Spaconia.

 

Bes.

  Health to my Protector; from the King

  These Letters; and to your grace Madam, these.

 

Gob.

  How does his Majesty?

 

Bes.

  As well as conquest by his own means and his valiant

  C[o]mmanders can make him; your letters will tell you all.

 

Pan.

  I will not open mine till I do know

  My Brothers health: good Captain is he well?

 

Bes.

  As the rest of us that fought are.

 

Pan.

  But how's that? is he hurt?

 

Bes.

  He's a strange souldier that gets not a knock.

 

Pan.

  I do not ask how strange that souldier is

  That gets no hurt, but whether he have one.

 

Bes.

  He had divers.

 

Pan.

  And is he well again?

 

Bes.

  Well again, an't please your Grace: why I was run twice through

  the body, and shot i'th' head with a cross-arrow, and yet am well

  again.

 

Pan.

  I do not care how thou do'st, is he well?

 

Bes.

  Not care how I do? Let a man out of the mightiness of his spirit,

  fructifie Foreign Countries with his blood for the good of his

  own, and thus he shall be answered: Why I may live to relieve

  with spear and shield, such a Lady as you distressed.

 

Pan.

  Why, I will care, I'me glad that thou art well, I prethee is he

  so?

 

Gob.

  The King is well and will be here to morrow.

 

Pan.

  My prayer is heard, now will I open mine.

 

Gob.

  Bacurius, I must ease you of your charge:

  Madam, the wonted mercy of the King,

  That overtakes your faults, has met with this,

  And struck it out, he has forgiven you freely,

  Your own will is your law, be where you please.

 

 Ara.

  I thank him.

 

Gob.

  You will be ready to wait upon his Majesty to morrow?

 

 Ara.

  I will.

 

                                              [Exit  Arane.

 

Bac.

  Madam be wise hereafter; I am glad I have lost this Office.

 

Gob.

  Good Captain Bessus, tell us the discourse betwixt Tigranes

  and our King, and how we got the victory.

 

Pan.

  I prethee do, and if my Brother were

  In any danger, let not thy tale make

  Him abide there long before thou bring him off,

  For all that while my heart will beat.

 

Bes.

  Madam let what will beat, I must tell the truth, and thus it was;

  they fought single in lists, but one to one; as for my own part,

  I was dangerously hurt but three days before, else, perhaps, we

  had been two to two, I cannot tell, some thought we had, and the

  occasion of my hurt was this, the enemy had made Trenches.

 

Gob.

  Captain, without the manner of your hurt be much material to this

  business, we'l hear't some other time.

 

Pan.

  I prethee leave it, and go on with my Brother.

 

Bes.

  I will, but 'twould be worth your hearing: To the

  Lists they came, and single-sword and gantlet was their fight.

 

Pan.

  Alas!

 

Bes.

  Without the Lists there stood some dozen Captains of either side

  mingled, all which were sworn, and one of those was I: and 'twas

  my chance to stand next a Captain o'th' enemies side, called

  Tiribasus; Valiant they said he was; whilst these two Kings

  were streaching themselves, this Tiribasus  cast something a

  scornful look on me, and ask't me who I thought would overcome: I

  smil'd and told him if he would fight with me, he should perceive

  by the event of that whose King would win: something he answered,

  and a scuffle was like to grow, when one Zipetus  offered to

  help him, I--

 

Pan.

  All this is of thy self, I pray thee Bessus  tell something of

  my Brother, did he nothing?

 

Bes.

  Why yes, I'le tell your Grace, they were not to fight till the

  word given, which for my own part, by my troth I confess I was

  not to give.

 

Pan.

See for his own part.

 

Bac.

  I fear yet this fellow's abus'd with a good report.

 

Bes.

  But I--

 

Pan.

  Still of himself.

 

Bes.

  Cri'd give the word, when as some of them say, Tigranes  was

  stooping, but the word was not given then, yet one Cosroes  of

  the enemies part, held up his finger to me, which is as much with

  us Martialists, as I will fight with you: I said not a word, nor

  made sign during the combate, but that once done.

 

Pan.

  He slips o're all the fight.

 

Bes.

  I call'd him to me, Cosroes  said I.

 

Pan.

  I will hear no more.

 

Bes.

  No, no, I lie.

 

Bac.

  I dare be sworn thou dost.

 

Bes.

  Captain said I, so it was.

 

Pan.

  I tell thee, I will hear no further.

 

Bes.

  No? Your Grace will wish you had.

 

Pan.

  I will not wish it, what is this the Lady

  My brother writes to me to take?

 

Bes.

  And please your Grace this is she: Charge, will you come near the

  Princess?

 

Pan.

  You'r welcome from your Country, and this land shall shew unto

  you all the kindness that I can make it; what's your name?

 

Spa.

  Thalectris.

 

Pan.

  Y'are very welcome, you have got a letter to put you to me, that

  has power enough to place mine enemy here; then much more you

  that are so far from being so to me that you ne're saw me.

 

Bes.

  Madam, I dare pass my word for her truth.

 

Spa.

  My truth?

 

Pan.

  Why Captain, do you think I am afraid she'l steal?

 

Bes.

  I cannot tell, servants are slippery, but I dare give my word for

  her, and for honesty, she came along with me, and many favours

  she did me by the way, but by this light none but what she might

  do with modesty, to a man of my rank.

 

Pan.

  Why Captain, here's no body thinks otherwise.

 

Bes.

  Nay, if you should, your Grace may think your pleasure; but I am

  sure I brought her from Armenia, and in all that way, if ever I

  touch'd any bare of her above her knee, I pray God I may sink

  where I stand.

 

Spa.

  Above my knee?

 

Bes.

  No, you know I did not, and if any man will say, I did, this

  sword shall answer; Nay, I'le defend the reputation of my charge

  whilst I live, your Grace shall understand I am secret in these

  businesses, and know how to defend a Ladies honour.

 

Spa.

  I hope your Grace knows him so well already, I shall not need to

  tell you he's vain and foolish.

 

Bes.

  I you may call me what you please, but I'le defend your good name

  against the world; and so I take my leave of your Grace, and of

  you my Lord Protector; I am likewise glad to see your Lordship

  well.

 

Bac.

  O Captain Bessus, I thank you, I would speak with you

  anon.

 

Bes.

  When you please, I will attend your Lordship.

 

Bac.

Madam, I'le take my leave too.

 

Pan.

  Good Bacurius.

 

                              [Exeunt  Bes. and  Bac.

 

Gob.

  Madam what writes his Majesty to you?

 

Pan.

  O my Lord, the kindest words, I'le keep 'em whilst I live, here

  in my bosom, there's no art in 'em, they lie disordered in this

  paper, just as hearty nature speaks 'em.

 

Gob.

  And to me he writes what tears of joy he shed to hear how you

  were grown in every vertues way, and yields all thanks to me, for

  that dear care which I was bound to have in training you, there

  is no Princess living that enjoys a brother of that worth.

 

Pan.

  My Lord, no maid longs more for any thing,

  And feels more heat and cold within her breast,

  Than I do now, in hopes to see him.

 

Gob.

  Yet I wonder much

  At this he writes, he brings along with him

  A husband for you, that same Captive Prince,

  And if he loves you as he makes a shew,

  He will allow you freedom in your choice.

 

Pan.

  And so he will my Lord, I warrant you, he will but offer and give

  me the power to take or leave.

 

Gob.

  Trust me, were I a Lady, I could not like that man were bargain'd

  with before I choose him.

 

Pan.

  But I am not built on such wild humours, if I find him worthy, he

  is not less because he's offer'd.

 

Spa.

  'Tis true, he is not, would he would seem less.

 

Gob.

  I think there's no Lady can affect

  Another Prince, your brother standing by;

  He doth Eclipse mens vertues so with his.

 

Spa.

  I know a Lady may, and more I fear

  Another Lady will.

 

Pan.

  Would I might see him.

 

Gob.

  Why so you shall, my businesses are great,

  I will attend you when it is his pleasure to see you.

 

Pan.

  I thank you good my Lord.

 

Gob.

  You will be ready Madam.

 

                                                [Exit Gob.

 

Pan.

  Yes.

 

Spa.

  I do beseech you Madam, send away

  Your other women, and receive from me

  A few sad words, which set against your joyes

  May make 'em shine the more.

 

Pan.

  Sirs, leave me all.

 

                                            [Exeunt Women.

 

Spa.

  I kneel a stranger here to beg a thing

  Unfit for me to ask, and you to grant,

  'Tis such another strange ill-laid request,

  As if a begger should intreat a King

  To leave his Scepter, and his Throne to him

  And take his rags to wander o're the world

  Hungry and cold.

 

Pan.

  That were a strange request.

 

Spa.

  As ill is mine.

 

Pan. 

Then do not utter it.

 

Spa.

  Alas 'tis of that nature, that it must

  Be utter'd, I, and granted, or I die:

  I am asham'd to speak it; but where life

  Lies at the stake, I cannot think her woman

  That will not take something unreasonably to hazard saving of it:

  I shall seem a strange Petitioner, that wish all ill to them I

  beg of, e're they give me ought; yet so I must: I would you were

  not fair, nor wise, for in your ill consists my good: if you were

  foolish, you would hear my prayer, if foul, you had not power to

  hinder me: he would not love you.

 

Pan.

  What's the meaning of it.

 

Spa.

  Nay, my request is more without the bounds

  Of reason yet: for 'tis not in the power

  Of you to do, what I would have you grant.

 

Pan.

  Why then 'tis idle, pray thee speak it out.

 

Spa.

  Your brother brings a Prince into this land,

  Of such a noble shape, so sweet a grace,

  So full of worth withal, that every maid

  That looks upon him, gives away her self

  To him for ever; and for you to have

  He brings him: and so mad is my demand

  That I desire you not to have this man,

  This excellent man, for whom you needs must die,

  If you should miss him. I do now expect

  You should laugh at me.

 

Pan.

  Trust me I could weep rather, for I have found him

  In all thy words a strange disjoynted sorrow.

 

Spa.

  'Tis by me his own desire so, that you would not love him.

 

Pan.

  His own desire! why credit me Thalestris,  I am no common wooer:

  if he shall wooe me, his worth may be such, that I dare not swear

  I will not love him; but if he will stay to have me wooe him, I

  will promise thee, he may keep all his graces to himself, and

  fear no ravishing from me.

 

Spa.

  'Tis yet his own desire, but when he sees your face, I fear it

  will not be; therefore I charge you as you have pity, stop these

  tender ears from his enchanting voice, close up those eyes, that

  you may neither catch a dart from him, nor he from you; I charge

  you as you hope to live in quiet; for when I am dead, for certain

  I will walk to visit him if he break promise with me: for as fast

  as Oaths without a formal Ceremony can make me, I am to him.

 

Pan.

  Then be fearless;

  For if he were a thing 'twixt God and man,

  I could gaze on him; if I knew it sin

  To love him without passion: Dry your eyes,

  I swear you shall enjoy him still for me,

  I will not hinder you; but I perceive

  You are not what you seem, rise, rise Thalestris,

  If your right name be so.

 

Spa.

  Indeed it is not, Spaconia  is my name; but I desire not to be

  known to other.

 

Pan.

  Why, by me you shall not, I will never do you wrong, what good I

  can, I will, think not my birth or education such, that I should

  injure a stranger Virgin; you are welcome hither, in company you

  wish to be commanded, but when we are alone, I shall be ready to

  be your servant.

 

                                                  [Exeunt.

 

Enter three Men and a Woman.

 

1.

 

  Come, come, run, run, run.

2.

  We shall out-go her.

 

3.

  One were better be hang'd than carry out women fidl