John Fletcher - A King, and No King

Arbaces, King of Iberia.

Tigranes, King of Armenia.

Gobrias, Lord Protector, and Father of Arbaces.

Bacurius, another Lord .

Mardonius.)

Bessus, ) Two Captains

Ligo[n]es, Father of Spaconia.

Two Gentlemen .

Three Men and a Woman .

Philip, a servant, and two Citizens Wives .

A Messenger .

A Servant to Bacurius.

Two Sword-men .

A Boy .

Arane, ) The [Queen-Mother .

Panthea,) Her Daughter .

Spaconia,) A Lady Daughter of Ligones

Mandane,) A waiting woman, and other attendants .

Enter Mardonius and Bessus, Two Captains .

Mar .

Bessus , the King has made a fair hand on't, he has ended the Wars at a blow, would my sword had a close basket hilt to hold Wine, and the blade would make knives, for we shall have nothing but eating and drinking.

Bes .

We that are Commanders shall do well enough.

Mar .

Faith Bessus , such Commanders as thou may; I had as lieve set thee Perdue for a pudding i'th' dark, as Alexander the Great.

Bes .

I love these jests exceedingly.

Mar .

I think thou lov'st 'em better than quarrelling Bessus , I'le say so much i'thy behalf, and yet thou 'rt valiant enough upon a retreat, I think thou wouldst kill any man that stopt thee if thou couldst.

Bes .

But was not this a brave Combate Mardonius ?

Mar .

Why, didst thou see't?

Bes .

You stood wi'me.

Mar .

I did so, but me thought thou wink'dst every blow they strook.

Bes .

Well, I believe there are better souldiers than I, that never saw two Princes fight in lists.

Mar .

By my troth I think so too Bessus , many a thousand, but certainly all that are worse than thou have seen as much.

Bes .

'Twas bravely done of our King.

Mar .

Yes, if he had not ended the wars: I'me glad thou dar'st talk of such dangerous businesses.

Bes .

To take a Prince prisoner in the heart of's own Country in single combat.

Mar .

See how thy blood curdles at this, I think thou couldst be contented to be beaten i'this passion.

Bes .

Shall I tell you truly?

Mar .

I.

Bes .

I could willingly venture for't.

Mar .

Um, no venture neither Bessus .

Bes .

Let me not live, if I do not think 'tis a braver piece of service than that I'me so fam'd for.

Mar .

Why, art thou fam'd for any valour?

Bes .

Fam'd! I, I warrant you.

Mar .

I'me e'en heartily glad on't, I have been with thee e're since thou cam'st to th'wars, and this is the first word that ever I heard on't, prethee who fames thee.

Bes .

The Christian world.

Mar .

'Tis heathenishly done of'em in my conscience, thou deserv'st it not.

Bes .

Yes, I ha' don good service.

Mar .

I do not know how thou mayst wait of a man in's Chamber, or thy agility of shifting of a Trencher, but otherwise no service good Bessus .

Bes .

You saw me do the service your self.

Mar .

Not so hasty sweet Bessus , where was it, is the place vanish'd?

Bes .

At Bessus desp'rate redemption.

Mar .

At Bessus desp'rate redemption, where's that?

Bes .

There where I redeem'd the day, the place bears my name.

Mar .

Pray thee, who Christened it?

Bes .

The Souldiers.

Mar .

If I were not a very merrily dispos'd man, what would become of thee? one that had but a grain of choler in the whole composition of his body, would send thee of an errand to the worms for putting thy name upon that field: did not I beat thee there i'th' head o'th' Troops with a Trunchion, because thou wouldst needs run away with thy company, when we should charge the enemy?

Bes .

True, but I did not run.

Mar .

Right Bessus , I beat thee out on't.

Bes .

But came I not up when the day was gone, and redeem'd all?

Mar .

Thou knowest, and so do I, thou meanedst to flie, and thy fear making thee mistake, thou ranst upon the enemy, and a hot charge thou gav'st, as I'le do thee right, thou art furious in running away, and I think, we owe thy fear for our victory; If I were the King, and were sure thou wouldst mistake alwaies and run away upon th' enemy, thou shouldst be General by this light.

Bes .

You'l never leave this till I fall foul.

Mar .

No more such words dear Bessus , for though I have ever known thee a coward, and therefore durst never strike thee, yet if thou proceedest, I will allow thee valiant, and beat thee.

Bes .

Come, our King's a brave fellow.

Mar .

He is so Bessus , I wonder how thou cam'st to know it. But if thou wer't a man of understanding, I would tell thee, he is vain-glorious, and humble, and angry, and patient, and merry and dull, and joyful and sorrowful in extremity in an hour: Do not think me thy friend for this, for if I ear'd who knew it, thou shouldst not hear it Bessus . Here he is with his prey in his foot.

Enter &c. Senet Flourish .

Enter Arbaces and Tigranes, Two Kings and two Gentlemen .