A King, and No King. Beaumont Francis
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place that yet mans curiosity
Hath mist of; there, there would I strike thee dead:
Forgotten of mankind, such Funeral rites
As beasts would give thee, thou shouldst have.
Bes.
The King rages extreamly, shall we slink away? He'l strike us.
2 Gent.
Content.
Arb.
There I would make you know 'twas this sole arm.
I grant you were my instruments, and did
As I commanded you, but 'twas this arm
Mov'd you like wheels, it mov'd you as it pleas'd.
Whither slip you now? what are you too good
To wait on me (puffe,) I had need have temper
That rule such people; I have nothing left
At my own choice, I would I might be private:
Mean men enjoy themselves, but 'tis our curse,
To have a tumult that out of their loves
Will wait on us, whether we will or no;
Go get you gone: Why here they stand like death,
My words move nothing.
1 Gent.
Must we go?
Bes. I know not.
Arb.
I pray you leave me Sirs, I'me proud of this,
That you will be intreated from my sight:
Why now the[y] leave me all: Mardonius.
[Exeunt all but Arb. and Mar.
Mar.
Sir.
Arb.
Will you leave me quite alone? me thinks
Civility should teach you more than this,
If I were but your friend: Stay here and wait.
Mar.
Sir shall I speak?
Arb.
Why, you would now think much
To be denied, but I can scar[c]e intreat
What I would have: do, speak.
Mar.
But will you hear me out?
Arb.
With me you Article to talk thus: well,
I will hear you out.
Mar.
Sir, that I have ever lov'd you, my sword hath spoken for me; that I do, if it be doubted, I dare call an oath, a great one to my witness; and were you not my King, from amongst men, I should have chose you out to love above the rest: nor can this challenge thanks, for my own sake I should have done it, because I would have lov'd the most deserving man, for so you are.
Arb.
Alas Mardonius, rise you shall not kneel,
We all are souldiers, and all venture lives:
And where there is no difference in mens worths,
Titles are jests, who can outvalue thee?
Mardonius thou hast lov'd me, and hast wrong,
Thy love is not rewarded, but believe
It shall be better, more than friend in arms,
My Father, and my Tutor, good Mardonius.
Mar.
Sir, you did promise you would hear me out.
Arb.
And so I will; speak freely, for from thee
Nothing can come but worthy things and true.
Mar.
Though you have all this worth, you hold some qualities that do
Eclipse your vertues.
Arb.
Eclipse my vertues?
Mar.
Yes, your passions, 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 shine indeed.
Arb.
Well.
Mar.
Yet I would have you keep some passions, lest men should take you for a God, 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 nobly said, thou hast spoke truth, and boldly such a truth as might offend another. I have been too passionate 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: