John Fletcher - A King, and No King

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

Enter Bessus and Spaconia.

Gob .

How does his Majesty?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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—