Tigr.

Oh! oh!

Spa.

The destinies, I hope, have pointed out Our ends, that thou maist die for love, Though not for me; for this assure thy self, The Princess hates thee deadly, and will sooner Be won to marry with a Bull, and safer Than such a beast as thou art: I have struck, I fear, too deep; beshrow me for't; Sir, This sorrow works me like a cunning friendship, Into the same piece with it; 'tis asham'd, Alas, I have been too rugged: Dear my Lord, I am sorry I have spoken any thing, Indeed I am, that may add more restraint To that too much you have: good Sir, be pleas'd To think it was a fault of love, not malice; And do as I will do, forgive it Prince. I do, and can forgive the greatest sins To me you can repent of; pray believe.

Tigr.

O my Spaconia! O thou vertuous woman!

Spa.

Nay, more, the King Sir.

Enter Arbaces, Bacurius, Mardonius.

Arb.

Have you been carefull of our noble Prisoner, That he want nothing fitting for his greatness?

Bac.

I hope his grace will quit me for my care Sir.

Arb.

'Tis well, royal Tigranes, health.

Tigr.

More than the strictness of this place can give Sir, I offer back again to great Arbaces.

Arb.

We thank you worthy Prince, and pray excuse us, We have not seen you since your being here, I hope your noble usage has been equall With your own person: your imprisonment, If it be any, I dare say is easie, And shall not last t[w]o dayes.

Tigr.

I thank you; My usage here has been the same it was, Worthy a royal Conqueror. For my restraint, It came unkindly, because much unlook'd for; But I must bear it.

Arb.

What Lady's that? Bacurius?

Bac.

One of the Princess women, Sir.

Arb.

I fear'd it, why comes she hither?

Bac.

To speak with the Prince Tigranes.

Arb.

From whom, Bacurius?

Bac.

From the Princess, Sir.

Arb.

I knew I had seen her.

Mar.

His fit begins to take him now again, 'Tis a strange Feaver, and 'twill shake us all anon, I fear, Would he were well cur'd of this raging folly:

Give me the warrs, where men are mad, and may talk what they list, and held the bravest fellows; This pelting prating peace is good for nothing: drinking's a vertue to't.

Arb.

I see there's truth in no man, nor obedience, But for his own ends, why did you let her in?

Bac.

It was your own command to barr none from him, Besides, the Princess sent her ring Sir, for my warrant.

Arb.

A token to Tigranes, did she not? Sir tell truth.

Bac.

I do not use to lie Sir, 'Tis no way I eat or live by, and I think, This is no token Sir.

Mar.

This combat has undone him: if he had been well beaten, he had been temperate; I shall never see him handsome again, till he have a Horse-mans staffe yok'd thorow his shoulders, or an arm broken with a bullet.

Arb.

I am trifled with.

Bac.

Sir?

Arb.

I know it, as I know thee to be false.

Mar.

Now the clap comes.

Bac.

You never knew me so, Sir I dare speak it, And durst a worse man tell me, though my better—

Mar.

'Tis well said, by my soul.

Arb.

Sirra, you answer as you had no life.

Bac.

That I fear Sir to lose nobly.

Arb.

I say Sir, once again.

Bac.

You may say what yo[u] please, Sir, Would I might do so.

Arb.

I will, Sir, and say openly, this woman carries letters, By my life I know she carries letters, this woman does it.

Mar.

Would Bessus were here to take her aside and search her, He would quickly tell you what she carried Sir.

Arb.

I have found it out, this woman carries letters.

Mar.

If this hold, 'twill be an ill world for Bawdes, Chamber-maids and Post-boyes, I thank heaven I have none I but his letters patents, things of his own enditing.

Arb.

Prince, this cunning cannot do't.

Tigr.

Doe, What Sir? I reach you not.

Arb.

It shall not serve your turn, Prince.

Tigr.

Serve my turn Sir?

Arb.

I Sir, it shall not serve your turn.

Tigr.

Be plainer, good Sir.

Arb.

This woman shall carry no more letters back to your Love Panthea, by Heaven she shall not, I say she shall not.

Mar.

This would make a Saint swear like a souldier.

Tigr.

This beats me more, King, than the blowes you gave me.

Arb.

Take'em away both, and together let them prisoners be, strictly and closely kept, or Sirra, your life shall answer it, and let no body speak with'em hereafter.

Tigr.

Well, I am subject to you, And must indure these passions: This is the imprisonment I have look'd for always. And the dearer place I would choose.

[Exeunt Tigr. Spa. Bac.

Mar.

Sir, you have done well now.

Arb.

Dare you reprove it?

Mar.

No.

Arb.

You must be crossing me.

Mar.

I have no letters Sir to anger you, But a dry sonnet of my Corporals To an old Suttlers wife, and that I'll burn, Sir. 'Tis like to prove a fine age for the Ignorant.

Arb.

How darst thou so often forfeit thy life? Thou know'st 'tis in my power to take it.

Mar.

Yes, and I know you wo'not, or if you doe, you'll miss it quickly.

Arb.

Why?

Mar.

Who shall tell you of these childish follies When I am dead? who shall put to his power To draw those vertues out of a flood of humors, When they are drown'd, and make'em shine again? No, cut my head off: Then you may talk, and be believed, and grow worse, And have your too self-glorious temper rot Into a deep sleep, and the Kingdom with you, Till forraign swords be in your throats, and slaughter Be every where about you like your flatterers. Do, kill me.

Arb.

Prethee be tamer, good Mardonius, Thou know'st I love thee, nay I honour thee, Believe it good old Souldier, I am thine; But I am rack'd clean from my self, bear with me, Woot thou bear with me my Mardonius?

Enter Gobrias.

Mar.

There comes a good man, love him too, he's temperate, You may live to have need of such a vertue, Rage is not still in fashion.

Arb.

Welcome good Gobrias.

Gob.

My service and this letter to your Grace.

Arb.

From whom?

Gob.

From the rich Mine of vertue and beauty, Your mournfull Sister.

Arb.

She is in prison, Gobrias, is she not?

Gob.

She is Sir, till your pleasure to enlarge her, Which on my knees I beg. Oh 'tis not fit, That all the sweetness of the world in one, The youth and vertue that would tame wild Tygers, And wilder people, that have known no manners, Should live thus cloistred up; for your loves sake, If there be any in that noble heart, To her a wretched Lady, and forlorn, Or for her love to you, which is as much As nature and obedience ever gave, Have pity on her beauties.

Arb.

Pray thee stand up; 'Tis true, she is too fair, And all these commendations but her own, Would thou had'st never so commended her, Or I nere liv'd to have heard it Gobrias; If thou but know'st the wrong her beautie does her, Thou wouldst in pity of her be a lyar, Thy ignorance has drawn me wretched man, Whither my self nor thou canst well tell: O my fate! I think she loves me, but I fear another Is deeper in her heart: How thinkst thou Gobrias?

Gob.

I do beseech your Grace believe it not, For let me perish if it be not false. Good Sir, read her Letter.

Mar.

This Love, or what a devil it is I know not, begets more mischief than a Wake. I had rather be well beaten, starv'd, or lowsie, than live within the Air on't. He that had seen this brave fellow Charge through a grove of Pikes but t'other day, and look upon him now, will ne'r believe his eyes again: if he continue thus but two days more, a Taylor may beat him with one hand tied behind him.

Arb.

Alas, she would be at liberty. And there be a thousand reasons Gobrias, Thousands that will deny't: Which if she knew, she would contentedly Be where she is: and bless her vertues for it, And me, though she were closer, she would, Gobrias, Good man indeed she would.

Gob.

Then good Sir, for her satisfaction, Send for her and with reason make her know Why she must live thus from you.

Arb.

I will; go bring her to me.

[Exeunt all.

Enter Bessus, And two Sword-men, and a Boy.

Bes.

Y'are very welcome both; some stools boy, And reach a Table; Gentlemen o'th' Sword, Pray sit without more complement; be gone child. I have been curious in the searching of you, Because I understand you wise and valiant persons.

1.

We understand our selves Sir.

Bes.

Nay Gentlemen, and dear friends o'th' Sword, No complement I pray, but to the cause I hang upon, which in few, is my honour.

2.

You cannot hang too much Sir, for your honour, But to your cause.

Bes.

Be wise, and speak truth, my first doubt is, My beating by my Prince.

1.

Stay there a little Sir, do you doubt a beating? Or have you had a beating by your Prince?

Bes.

Gentlemen o'th' Sword, my Prince has beaten me.

2.

Brother, what think you of this case?

1.

If he has beaten him, the case is clear.

2.

If he have beaten him, I grant the case; But how? we cannot be too subtil in this business, I say, but how?

Bes.

Even with his Royal hand.

1.

Was it a blow of love, or indignation?

Bes.

'Twas twenty blows of indignation, Gentlemen, Besides two blows o'th face.

2.

Those blows o'th' face have made a new cause on't, The rest were but an horrible rudeness.

1.

Two blows o'th' face, and given by a worse man, I must confess, as the Sword-men say, had turn'd the business: Mark me brother, by a worse man; but being by his Prince, had they been ten, and those ten drawn teeth, besides the hazard of his nose for ever; all this had been but favours: this is my flat opinion, which I'le die in.

2.

The King may do much Captain, believe it; for had he crackt your Scull through, like a bottle, or broke a Rib or two with tossing of you, yet you had lost no honour: This is strange you may imagine, but this is truth now Captain.

Bes.

I will be glad to embrace it Gentlemen; But how far may he strike me?

1.

There is another: a new cause rising from the time and distance, in which I will deliver my opinion: he may strike, beat, or cause to be beaten: for these are natural to man: your Prince, I say, may beat you, so far forth as his dominion reacheth, that's for the distance; the time, ten miles a day, I take it.

2.

Brother, you err, 'tis fifteen miles a day, His stage is ten, his beatings are fifteen.

Bes.

'Tis the longest, but we subjects must—

1.

Be subject to it; you are wise and vertuous.

Bes.

Obedience ever makes that noble use on't, To which I dedicate my beaten body; I must trouble you a little further, Gentlemen o'th' Sword.

2.

No trouble at all to us Sir, if we may Profit your understanding, we are bound By vertue of our calling to utter our opinions, Shortly, and discreetly.

Bes.

My sorest business is, I have been kick'd.

2.

How far Sir?

Bes.

Not to flatter my self in it, all over, my sword forc'd but not lost; for discreetly I rendred it to save that imputation.

1.

It shew'd discretion, the best part of valour.

2.

Brother, this is a pretty cause, pray ponder on't; Our friend here has been kick'd.

1.

He has so, brother.

2.

Sorely he saies: Now, had he set down here Upon the meer kick, 't had been Cowardly.

1.

I think it had been Cowardly indeed.

2.

But our friend has redeem'd it in delivering His sword without compulsion; and that man That took it of him, I pronounce a weak one, And his kicks nullities. He should have kick'd him after the delivering Which is the confirmation of a Coward.

1.

Brother, I take it, you mistake the question; For, say that I were kick'd.

2.

I must not say so; Nor I must not hear it spoke by the tongue of man. You kick'd, dear brother! you're merry.

1.

But put the case I were kick'd?

2.

Let them put it that are things weary of their lives, and know not honour; put the case you were kick'd?

1.

I do not say I was kickt.

2.

Nor no silly creature that wears his head without a Case, his soul in a Skin-coat: You kickt dear brother?

Bes.

Nay Gentlemen, let us do what we shall do, Truly and honest[l]y; good Sirs to the question.

1.

Why then I say, suppose your Boy kick't, Captain?

2.

The Boy may be suppos'd is liable.

1.

A foolish forward zeal Sir, in my friend; But to the Boy, suppose the Boy were kickt.

Bes.

I do suppose it.

1.

Has your Boy a sword?

Bes.

Surely no; I pray suppose a sword too.

1.

I do suppose it; you grant your Boy was kick't then.

2.

By no means Captain, let it be supposed still; the word grant, makes not for us.

1.

I say this must be granted.

2

This must be granted brother?

1.

I, this must be granted.

2.

Still this must?

1.

I say this must be granted.

2.

I, give me the must again, brother, you palter.

1.

I will not hear you, wasp.

2.

Brother, I say you palter, the must three times together; I wear as sharp Steel as another man, and my Fox bites as deep, musted, my dear brother. But to the cause again.

Bes.

Nay look you Gentlemen.

2.

In a word, I ha' done.

1.

A tall man but intemperate, 'tis great pity; Once more suppose the Boy kick'd.

2.

Forward.

1.

And being thorowly kick'd, laughs at the kicker.

2

So much for us; proceed.

1.

And in this beaten scorn, as I may call it, Delivers up his weapon; where lies the error?

Bes.

It lies i'th' beating Sir, I found it four dayes since.

2.

The error, and a sore one as I take it, Lies in the thing kicking.

Bes.

I understand that well, 'tis so indeed Sir.

1.

That is according to the man that did it.

2.

There springs a new branch, whose was the foot?

Bes.

A Lords.

1.

The cause is mighty, but had it been two Lords, And both had kick'd you, if you laugh, 'tis clear.

Bes.

I did laugh, But how will that help me, Gentlemen?

2.

Yes, it shall help you if you laught aloud.

Bes.

As loud as a kick'd man could laugh, I laught Sir.

1.

My reason now, the valiant man is known By suffering and contemning; you have Enough of both, and you are valiant.

2.

If he be sure he has been kick'd enough: For that brave sufferance you speak of brother, Consists not in a beating and away, But in a cudgell'd body, from eighteen To eight and thirty; in a head rebuk'd With pots of all size, degrees, stools, and bed-staves, This showes a valiant man.

Bes.

Then I am valiant, as valiant as the proudest, For these are all familiar things to me; Familiar as my sleep, or want of money, All my whole body's but one bruise with beating, I think I have been cudgell'd with all nations, And almost all Religions.

2.

Embrace him brother, this man is valiant, I know it by my self, he's valiant.

1.

Captain, thou art a valiant Gentleman, To bide upon, a very valiant man.

Bes.

My equall friends o'th'Sword, I must request your hands to this.

2.

'Tis fit it should be.

Bes.

Boy, get me some wine, and pen and Ink within: Am I clear, Gentlemen?

1.

Sir, the world has taken notice what we have done, Make much of your body, for I'll pawn my steel, Men will be coyer of their legs hereafter.

Bes.

I must request you goe along and testife to the Lord Bacurius, whose foot has struck me, how you find my cause.

2.

We will, and tell that Lord he must be rul'd, Or there are those abroad, will rule his Lordship.

[Exeunt.

Enter Arbaces at one door, and Gob. and Panthea at another.

Gob.

Sir, here's the Princess.

Arb.

Leave us then alone, For the main cause of her imprisonment Must not be heard by any but her self.

[Exit Gob.

You're welcome Sister, and would to heaven I could so bid you by another name: If you above love not such sins as these, Circle my heart with thoughts as cold as snow To quench these rising flames that harbour here.

[P]an.

Sir, does it please you I should speak?

Arb.

Please me? I, more than all the art of musick can, Thy speech doth please me, for it ever sounds, As thou brought'st joyfull unexpected news; And yet it is not fit thou shouldst be heard. I pray thee think so.

Pan.

Be it so, I will. Am I the first that ever had a wrong So far from being fit to have redress, That 'twas unfit to hear it? I will back To prison, rather than disquiet you, And wait till it be fit.

Arb.

No, do not goe; For I will hear thee with a serious thought: I have collected all that's man about me Together strongly, and I am resolv'd To hear thee largely, but I do beseech thee, Do not come nearer to me, for there is Something in that, that will undoe us both.

Pan.

Alas Sir, am I venome?

Arb.

Yes, to me; Though of thy self I think thee to be In equall degree of heat or cold, As nature can make: yet as unsound men Convert the sweetest and the nourishing'st meats Into diseases; so shall I distemper'd, Do thee, I pray thee draw no nearer to me.

Pan.

Sir, this is that I would: I am of late Shut from the world, and why it should be thus, Is all I wish to know.

Arb.

Why credit me Panthea, Credit me that am thy brother, Thy loving brother, that there is a cause Sufficient, yet unfit for thee to know, That might undoe thee everlastingly, Only to hear, wilt thou but credit this? By Heaven 'tis true, believe it if thou canst.

Pan.

Children and fools are ever credulous, And I am both, I think, for I believe; If you dissemble, be it on your head; I'le back unto my prison: yet me-thinks I might be kept in some place where you are; For in my self, I find I know not what To call it, but it is a great desire To see you often.

Arb.

Fie, you come in a step, what do you mean? Dear sister, do not so: Alas Panthea, Where I am would you be? Why that's the cause You are imprison'd, that you may not be Where I am.

Pan.

Then I must indure it Sir, Heaven keep you.

Arb.

Nay, you shall hear the case in short Panthea, And when thou hear'st it, thou wilt blush for me, And hang thy head down like a Violet Full of the mornings dew: There is a way To gain thy freedome, but 'tis such a one As puts thee in worse bondage, and I know, Thou wouldst encounter fire, and make a proof Whether the gods have care of innocence, Rather than follow it: Know that I have lost, The only difference betwixt man and beast, My reason.

Pan.

Heaven forbid.

Arb.

Nay 'tis gone; And I am left as far without a bound, As the wild Ocean, that obeys the winds; Each sodain passion throwes me where it lists, And overwhelms all that oppose my will: I have beheld thee with a lustfull eye; My heart is set on wickedness to act Such sins with thee, as I have been afraid To think of, if thou dar'st consent to this, Which I beseech thee do not, thou maist gain Thy liberty, and yield me a content; If not, thy dwelling must be dark and close, Where I may never see thee; For heaven knows That laid this punishment upon my pride, Thy sight at some time will enforce my madness To make a start e'ne to thy ravishing; Now spit upon me, and call all reproaches Thou canst devise together, and at once Hurle'em against me: for I am a sickness As killing as the plague, ready to seize thee.

Pan.

Far be it from me to revile the King: But it is true, that I shall rather choose To search out death, that else would search out me, And in a grave sleep with my innocence, Than welcome such a sin: It is my fate, To these cross accidents I was ordain'd, And must have patience; and but that my eyes Have more of woman in 'em than my heart, I would not weep: Peace enter you again.

Arb.

Farwell, and good Panthea pray for me, Thy prayers are pure, that I may find a death However soon before my passions grow That they forget what I desire is sin; For thither they are tending: if that happen, Then I shall force thee tho' thou wert a Virgin By vow to Heaven, and shall pull a heap Of strange yet uninvented sin upon me.

Pan.

Sir, I will pray for you, yet you shall know It is a sullen fate that governs us, For I could wish as heartily as you I were no sister to you, I should then Imbrace your lawfull love, sooner than health.

Arb.

Couldst thou affect me then?

Pan.

So perfectly, That as it is, I ne're shall sway my heart, To like another.

Arb.

Then I curse my birth, Must this be added to my miseries That thou art willing too? is there no stop To our full happiness, but these meer sounds Brother and Sister?

Pan.

There is nothing else, But these alas will separate us more Than twenty worlds betwixt us.

Arb.

I have liv'd To conquer men and now am overthrown Only by words Brother and Sister: where Have those words dwelling? I will find 'em out, And utterly destroy 'em; but they are Not to be grasp'd: let 'em be men or beasts, And I will cut 'em from the Earth, or Towns, And I will raze 'em, and the[n] blow 'em up: Let 'em be Seas, and I will drink 'em off, And yet have unquencht fire left in my breast: Let 'em be any thing but meerly voice.

Pan.

But 'tis not in the power of any force, Or policy to conquer them.

Arb.

Panthea, What shall we do? Shall we stand firmly here, and gaze our eyes out?

Pan.

Would I could do so, But I shall weep out mine.

Arb.

Accursed man, Thou bought'st thy reason at too dear a rate, For thou hast all thy actions bounded in With curious rules, when every beast is free: What is there that acknowledges a kindred But wretched man? Who ever saw the Bull Fearfully leave the Heifer that he lik'd Because they had one Dam?

Pan.

Sir, I disturb you and my self too; 'Twere better I were gone.

Arb.

I will not be so foolish as I was, Stay, we will love just as becomes our births, No otherwise: Brothers and Sisters may Walk hand in hand together; so will we, Come nearer: is there any hurt in this?

Pan.

I hope not.

Arb.

Faith there is none at all: And tell me truly now, is there not one You love above me?

Pan.

No by Heaven.

Arb.

Why yet you sent unto Tigranes, Sister.

Pan.

True, but for another: for the truth—

Arb.

No more, I'le credit thee, thou canst not lie, Thou art all truth.

Pan.

But is there nothing else, That we may do, but only walk? methinks Brothers and Sisters lawfully may kiss.

Arb.

And so they may Panthea, so will we, And kiss again too; we were too scrupulous, And foolish, but we will be so no more.

Pan.

If you have any mercy, let me go To prison, to my death, to any thing: I feel a sin growing upon my blood, Worse than all these, hotter than yours.

Arb.

That is impossible, what shou'd we do?

Pan.

Flie Sir, for Heavens sake.

Arb.

So we must away, Sin grows upon us more by this delay.

[Exeunt several wayes.



Actus Quintus.

Enter Mardonius And Lygones.

Mar.

Sir, the King has seen your Commission, and believes it, and freely by this warrant gives you power to visit Prince Tigranes, your Noble Master.

Lygr.

I thank his Grace and kiss his hand.

Mar.

But is the main of all your business ended in this?

Lyg.

I have another, but a worse, I am asham'd, it is a business.

Mar.

You serve a worthy person, and a stranger I am sure you are; you may imploy me if you please without your purse, such Offices should ever be their own rewards.

Lyg.

I am bound to your Nobleness.

Mar.

I may have need of you, and then this courtesie, If it be any, is not ill bestowed; But may I civilly desire the rest? I shall not be a hurter if no helper.

Lyg.

Sir you shall know I have lost a foolish Daughter, And with her all my patience, pilfer'd away By a mean Captain of your Kings.

Mar.

Stay there Sir: If he have reacht the Noble worth of Captain, He may well claim a worthy Gentlewoman, Though she were yours, and Noble.

Lyg.

I grant all that too: but this wretched fellow Reaches no further than the empty name That serves to feed him; were he valiant, Or had but in him any noble nature That might hereafter promise him a good man, My cares were so much lighter, and my grave A span yet from me.

Mar.

I confess such fellows Be in all Royal Camps, and have and must be, To make the sin of Coward more detested In the mean souldier that with such a foil Sets off much valour. By description I should now guess him to you, it was Bessus, I dare almost with confidence pronounce it.

Lyg.

'Tis such a scurvie name as Bessus, and now I think 'tis he.

Mar.

Captain do you call him? Believe me Sir, you have a misery 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?

Lyg.

No, would she had been, The fault had had more credit: I would do something.

Mar.

I would fain counsel you, but to what I know not, he'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; he's such an Airie, thin unbodyed Coward, that no revenge can catch him: I'le tell you Sir, and tell you truth; this Rascal fears neither God nor man, he has been so beaten: sufferance has made him Wainscot: he has had since he was first a slave, at least three hundred Daggers set in's head, as little boys do new Knives in hot meat, there's not a Rib in's body o' my Conscience that has not been thrice broken with dry beating: and now his sides look like two Wicker Targets, every way bended; Children will shortly take him for a Wall, and set their Stone-bows in his forehead, he is of so base a sense, I cannot in a week imagine what shall be done to him.

Lyg.

Sure I have committed some great sin That this 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 do you pleasure Sir, he has it for you, and I'le help you to him: 'tis no news to him to have a Leg broken, or Shoulder out, with being turn'd o'th' stones like a Tansie: draw not your Sword if you love it; for on my Conscience his head will break it: we use him i'th' Wars like a Ram to shake a wall withal. Here comes the very person of him, do as you shall find your temper, I must leave you: but if you do not break him like a Bisket, you are much to blame Sir.

[Exit Mar.

Enter Bessus And the Sword men.

Lyg.

Is your name Bessus?

Bes.

Men call me Captain Bessus.

Lyg.

Then Ca[p]tain Bessus, you are a rank rascall, without more exordiums, a durty frozen slave; and with the favor of your friends here I will beat you.

2 Sword.

Pray use your pleasure Sir, You seem to be a Gentleman.

Lyg.

Thus Captain Bessus, thus; thus twing your nose, thus kick, thus tread you.

Bes.

I do beseech you yield your cause Sir quickly.

Lyg.

Indeed I should have told that first.

Bes.

I take it so.

1 Sword.

Captain, he should indeed, he is mistaken.

Lyg.

Sir, you shall have it quickly, and more beating, you have stoln away a Lady, Captain coward, and such an one.

beats him.

Bes.

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

Lyg.

I know you dare lie.

Bes.

With none but Summer Whores upon my life Sir, my means and manners never could attempt above a hedge or hay-cock.

Lyg.

Sirra, that quits not me, where is this Lady? do that you do not use to do; tell truth, or by my hand, I'le beat your Captains brains out, wash'em, and put 'em in again, that will I.

Bes.

There was a Lady Sir, I must confess, once in my charge: the Prince Tigranes gave her to my guard for her safety, how I us'd her, she may her self report, she's with the Prince now: I did but wait upon her like a groom, which she will testife I am sure: if not, my brains are at your service when you please Sir, and glad I have 'em for you.

Lyg.

This is most likely, Sir, I ask you pardon, and am sorry I was so intemperate.

Bes.

Well I can ask no more, you will think it strange not to have me beat you at first sight.

Lyg.

Indeed I would, but I know your goodness can forget twenty beatings, you must forgive me.

Bes.

Yes there's my hand, go where you will, I shall think you a valiant fellow for all this.

Lyg.

My da[u]ghter is a Whore, I feel it now too sensible; yet I will see her, discharge my self from being father to her, and then back to my Country, and there die, farwell Captain.

[Exit Lygo.

Bes.

Farwell Sir, farwell, commend me to the gentlewoman I pray.

1 Sword.

How now Captain? bear up man.

Bes.

Gentlemen o'th'sword, your hands once more; I have been kickt agen, but the foolish fellow is penitent, has askt me Mercy, and my honour's safe.

2 Sword.

We knew that, or the foolish fellow had better have kickt his grandsir.

Bes.

Confirm, confirm I pray.

1 Sword.

There be our hands agen, now let him come and say he was not sorry, and he sleeps for it.

Bes.

Alas good ignorant old man, let him go, let him go, these courses will undo him.

[Exeunt clear.

Enter Lygones And Bacurius.

Bac.

My Lord, your authority is good, and I am glad it is so, for my consent would never hinder you from seeing your own King, I am a Minister, but not a governor of this State, yonder is your King, I'le leave you.

[Exit.

Enter Tigranes And Spaconia.

Lyg.

There he is indeed, and with him my disloyal child.

Tigr.

I do perceive my fault so much, that yet me thinks thou shouldst not have forgiven me.

Lyg.

Health to your Majesty.

Tigr.

What? good Lygones welcome, what business brought thee hither?

Lyg.

Several businesses. My publick businesses will appear by this, I have a message to deliver, which if it please you so to authorize, is an embassage from the Armenian State, unto Arbaces for your liberty: the offer's there set down, please you to read it.

Tigr.

There is no alteration happened since I came thence?

Lyg.

None Sir, all is as it was.

Tigr.

And all our friends are well?

Lyg.

All very well.

Spa.

Though I have done nothing but what was good, I dare not see my Father, it was fault enough not to acquaint him with that good.

Lyg.

Madam I should have seen you.

Spa.

O good Sir forgive me.

Lyg.

Forgive you, why? I am no kin to you, am I?

Spa.

Should it be measur'd by my mean deserts, indeed you are not.

Lyg.

Thou couldest prate unhappily ere thou couldst go, would thou couldst do as well, and how does your custome hold out here?

Spa.

Sir?

Lyg.

Are you in private still, or how?

Spa.

What do you mean?

Lyg.

Do you take mony? are you come to sell sin yet? perhaps I can help you to liberal Clients: or has not the King cast you off yet? O thou vile creature, whose best commendation is, that thou art a young whore, I would thy Mother had liv'd to see this, or rather that I had died ere I had seen it; why didst not make me acquainted when thou wert first resolv'd to be a whore, I would have seen thy hot lust satisfied more privately: I would have kept a dancer and a whole consort of musicians in my own house only to fiddle thee.

Spa.

Sir, I was never whore.

Lyg.

If thou couldst not say so much for thy self, thou shouldst be carted.

Tigr.

Lygones, I have read it, and I like it, you shall deliver it.

Lyg.

Well Sir, I will: but I have private business with you.

Tigr.

Speak, what is't?

Lyg. How has my age deserv'd so ill of you, that you can pick no strumpets i'th' land, but out of my breed?

Tigr.

Strumpets, good Lygones?

Lyg.

Yes, and I wish to have you know, I scorn to get a whore for any prince alive, and yet scorn will not help methinks: my Daughter might have been spar'd, there were enow besides.

Tigr.

May I not prosper but she's innocent as morning light for me, and I dare swear for all the world.

Lyg.

Why is she with you then? can she wait on you better than your man, has she a gift in plucking off your stockings, can she make Cawdles well or cut your cornes? Why do you keep her with you? For a Queen I know you do contemn her, so should I, and every subject else think much at it.

Tigr.

Let 'em think much, but 'tis more firm than earth: thou see'st thy Queen there.

Lyg.

Then have I made a fair hand, I call'd her Whore. If I shall speak now as her Father, I cannot chuse but greatly rejoyce that she shall be a Queen: but if I shall speak to you as a States-man, she were more fit to be your whore.

Tigr.

Get you about your business to Arbaces, now you talk idlely.

Lyg.

Yes Sir, I will go, and shall she be a Queen? she had more wit than her old Father, when she ran away: shall she be Queen? now by my troth 'tis fine, I'le dance out of all measure at her wedding: shall I not Sir?

Tigr.

Yes marry shalt thou.

Lyg.

I'le make these withered kexes bear my body two hours together above ground.

Tigr.

Nay go, my business requires hast.

Lyg.

Good Heaven preserve you, you are an excellent King.

Spa.

Farwell good Father.

Lyg.

Farwell sweet vertuous Daughter, I never was so joyfull in all my life, that I remember: shall she be a Queen? Now I perceive a man may weep for joy, I had thought they had lyed that said so.

[Exit Lygones.

Tigr.

Come my dear love.

Spa.

But you may see another may alter that again.

Tigr.

Urge it no more, I have made up a new strong constancy, not to be shook with eyes: I know I have the passions of a man, but if I meet with any subject that should hold my eyes more firmly than is fit, I'le think of thee, and run away from it: let that suffice.

[Exeunt all.

Enter Bacurius And his Servant.

Bac.

Three Gentlemen without to speak with me?

Ser.

Yes Sir.

Bac.

Let them come in.

Enter Bessus with the two Sword-men.

Ser.

They are entred Sir already.

Bac.

Now fellows your business? are these the Gentlemen?

Bes.

My Lord, I have made bold to bring these Gentlemen, my friends o'th' Sword along with me.

Bac.

I am afraid you'l fight then.

Bes.

My good Lord, I will not, your Lordship is much mistaken, fear not Lord.

Bac.

Sir, I am sorry for't.

Bes.

I ask no more in honour, Gentlemen you hear my Lord is sorry.

Bac.

Not that I have beaten you, but beaten one that will be beaten: one whose dull body will require a laming, as Surfeits do the diet, spring and fall; now to your Sword-men; what come they for, good Captain Stock-fish?

Bes.

It seems your Lordship has forgot my name.

Bac.

No, nor your nature neither, though they are things fitter I must confess for any thing, than my remembrance, or any honest mans: what shall these Billets do; be pil'd up in my wood-yard?

Bes.

Your Lordship holds your mirth still, Heaven continue it: but for these Gentlemen, they come—

Bac.

To swear you are a Coward, spare your book, I do believe it.

Bes.

Your Lordship still draws wide, they come to vouch under their valiant hands I am no Coward.

Bac.

That would be a show indeed worth seeing: sirra be wise, and take Mony for this motion, travel with it, and where the name of Bessus has been known or a good Coward stirring, 'twill yield more than a tilting. This will prove more beneficial to you, if you be thrifty, than your Captainship, and more natural: men of most valiant hands is this true?

2 Sword.

It is so, most renowned.

Bac.

'Tis somewhat strange.

1 Sword.

Lord, it is strange, yet true; we have examined from your Lordships foot there, to this mans head, the nature of the beatings; and we do find his honour is come off clean and sufficient: this as our swords shall help us.

Bac.

You are much bound to your Bil-bow-men, I am glad you are straight again Captain; 'twere good you would think on some way to gratifie them, they have undergone a labour for you, Bessus would have puzl'd hercules with all his valour.

2 Sword.

Your Lordship must understand we are no men o'th' Law, that take pay for our opinions: it is sufficient we have clear'd our friend.

Bac.

Yet there is something due, which I as toucht in Conscience will discharge Captain; I'le pay this Rent for you.

Bes.

Spare your self my good Lord; my brave friends aim at nothing but the vertue.

Bac.

That's but a cold discharge Sir for the pains.

2 Sword.

O Lord, my good Lord.

Bac.

Be not so modest, I will give you something.

Bes.

They shall dine with your Lordship, that's sufficient.

Bac.

Something in hand the while, you Rogues, you Apple-squires: do you come hither with your botled valour, your windy froth, to limit out my beatings?

1 Sword.

I do beseech your Lordship.

2 Sword.

O good Lord.

Bac.

S'foot-what a heavy of beaten slaves are here! get me a Cudgel sirra, and a tough one.

2 Sword.

More of your foot, I do beseech your Lordship.

Bac.

You shall, you shall dog, and your fellow-beagle.

1 Sword.

O' this side good my Lord.

Bac.

Off with your swords, for if you hurt my foot, I'le have you flead you Rascals.

1 Sword.

Mine's off my Lord.

2 Sword.

I beseech your Lordship stay a little, my strap's tied to my Cod piece-point: now when you please.

Bac.

Captain these are your valiant friends, you long for a little too?

Bes.

I am very well, I humbly thank your Lordship.

Bac.

What's that in your pocket, hurts my Toe you Mungril? Thy Buttocks cannot be so hard, out with it quickly.

2 Sword.

Here 'tis Sir, a small piece of Artillery, that a Gentleman a dear friend of your Lordships sent me with, to get it mended Sir, for if you mark, the nose is somewhat loose.

Bac.

A friend of mine you Rascal? I was never wearier of doing any thing, than kicking these two Foot-balls.

Enter Servant.

Serv.

Here is a good Cudgel Sir.

Bac.

It comes too late I'me weary, pray thee do thou beat them.

2 Sword.

My Lord, this is foul play i'faith, to put a fresh man upon us, men are but men Sir.

Bac.

That jest shall save your bones; Captain, Rally up your rotten Regiment and be gone: I had rather thrash than be bound to kick these Rascals, till they cry'd ho; Bessus you may put your hand to them now, and then you are quit. Farewel, as you like this, pray visit me again, 'twill keep me in good health.

[Exit Bac.

2 Sword.

H'as a devilish hard foot, I never felt the like.

1 Sword.

Nor I, and yet I am sure I have felt a hundred.

2 Sword.

If he kick thus i'th' Dog-daies, he will be dry foundred: what cure now Captain besides Oyl of Baies?

Bes.

Why well enough I warrant you, you can go.

2 Sword.

Yes, heaven be thanked; but I feel a shrowd ach, sure h'as sprang my huckle-bone.

1 Sword.

I ha' lost a hanch.

Bes.

A little butter, friend a little butter, butter and parseley and a soveraign matter: probatum est.

2 Sword.

Captain we must request your hand now to our honours.

Bes.

Yes marry shall ye, and then let all the world come, we are valiant to our selves, and there's an end.

1 Sword.

Nay then we must be valiant; O my ribs.

2 Sword.

O my small guts, a plague upon these sharp-toed shooes, they are murtherers.

[Exeunt clear.

Enter Arbaces with his sword drawn.

Arb.

It is resolv'd, I bare it whilst I could, I can no more, I must begin with murther of my friends, and so go on to that incestuous ravishing, and end my life and sins with a forbidden blow, upon my self.

Enter Mardonius.

Mar.

What Tragedy is near? That hand was never wont to draw a sword, but it cry'd dead to something.

Arb.

Mardonius, have you bid Gobrias come?

Mar.

How do you Sir?

Arb.

Well, is he coming?

Mar.

Why Sir, are you thus? why do your hands proclaim a lawless War against your self?

Arb.

Thou answerest me one question with an other, is Gobrias coming?

Mar.

Sir he is.

Arb.

'Tis well, I can forbear your questions then, be gone.

Mar.

Sir, I have mark't.

Arb.

Mark less, it troubles you and me.

Mar.

You are more variable than you were.

Arb.

It may be so.

Mar.

To day no Hermit could be humbler than you were to us all.

Arb.

And what of this?

Mar.

And now you take new rage into your eyes, as you would look us all out of the Land.

Arb.

I do confess it, will that satisfie? I prethee get thee gone.

Mar.

Sir, I will speak.

Arb.

Will ye?

Mar.

It is my duty. I fear you will kill your self: I am a subject, and you shall do me wrong in't: 'tis my cause, and I may speak.

Arb.

Thou art not train'd in sin, it seems Mardonius: kill my self! by Heaven I will not do it yet; and when I will, I'le tell thee then: I shall be such a creature, that thou wilt give me leave without a word. There is a method in mans wickedness, it grows up by degrees: I am not come so high as killing of my self, there are a hundred thousand sins 'twixt me and it, which I must doe, and I shall come to't at last; but take my oath not now, be satisfied, and get thee hence.

Mar.

I am sorry 'tis so ill.

Arb.

Be sorry then, true sorrow is alone, grieve by thy self.

Mar.

I pray you let me see your Sword put up before I go: I'le leave you then.

Arb.

Why so? what folly is this in thee, is it not as apt to mischief as it was before? can I not reach it thinkst thou? these are toyes for Children to be pleas'd with, and not men, now I am safe you think: I would the book of fate were here, my Sword is not so sure but I would get it out and mangle that, that all the destinies should quite forget their fixt decrees, and hast to make us new, for other fortunes, mine could not be worse, wilt thou now leave me?

Mar.

Heaven put into your bosome temperate thoughts, I'le leave you though I fear.

Arb.

Go, thou art honest, why should the hasty error of my youth be so unpardonable to draw a sin helpless upon me?

Enter Gobrias.

Gob.

There is the King, now it is ripe.

Arb.

Draw near thou guilty man, that art the authour of the loathedst crime five ages have brought forth, and hear me speak; curses more incurable, and all the evils mans body or his Spirit can receive be with thee.

Gob.

Why Sir do you curse me thus?

Arb.

Why do I curse thee? if there be a man subtil in curses, that exceeds the rest, his worst wish on thee, thou hast broke my heart.

Gob.

How Sir, have I preserv'd you from a child, from all the arrows, malice, or ambition could shoot at you, and have I this for my pay?

Arb.

'Tis true, thou didst preserve me, and in that wert crueller than hardned murtherers of infants and their Mothers! thou didst save me only till thou hadst studied out a way how to destroy me cunningly thy self: this was a curious way of torturing.

Gob.

What do you mean?

Arb.

Thou knowst the evils thou hast done to me; dost thou remember all those witching letters thou sent'st unto me to Armenia, fill'd with the praise of my beloved Sister, where thou extol'st her beauty, what had I to do with that? what could her beauty be to me? and thou didst write how well she lov'd me, dost thou remember this? so that I doted something before I saw her.

Gob.

This is true.

Arb.

Is it? and when I was return'd thou knowst thou didst pursue it, till thou woundst me into such a strange and unbeliev'd affection, as good men cannot think on.

Gob.

This I grant, I think I was the cause.

Arb.

Wert thou? Nay more, I think thou meant'st it.

Gob.

Sir, I hate to lie, as I love Heaven and honesty, I did, it was my meaning.

Arb.

Be thine own sad judge, a further condemnation will not need, prepare thy self to dy.

Gob.

Why Sir to dy?

Arb.

Why shouldst thou live? was ever yet offender so impudent, that had a thought of Mercy after confession of a crime like this? get out I cannot where thou hurl'st me in, but I can take revenge, that's all the sweetness left for me.

Gob.

Now is the time, hear me but speak.

Arb.

No, yet I will be far more mercifull than thou wert to me; thou didst steal into me and never gav'st me warning: so much time as I give thee now, had prevented thee for ever. Notwithstanding all thy sins, if thou hast hope, that there is yet a prayer to save thee, turn and speak it to thy self.

Gob.

Sir, you shall know your sins before you do'em, if you kill me.

Arb.

I will not stay then.

Gob.

Know you kill your Father.

Arb.

How?

Gob.

You kill your Father.

Arb.

My Father? though I know't for a lie, made out of fear to save thy stained life; the very reverence of the word comes cross me, and ties mine arm down.

Gob.

I will tell you that shall heighten you again, I am thy Father, I charge thee hear me.

Arb.

If it should be so, as 'tis most false, and that I should be found a Bastard issue, the despised fruit of lawless lust, I should no more admire all my wild passions: but another truth shall be wrung from thee: if I could come by the Spirit of pain, it should be poured on thee, till thou allow'st thy self more full of lies than he that teaches thee.

Enter Arane.

Ara.

Turn thee about, I come to speak to thee thou wicked man, hear me thou tyrant.

Arb.

I will turn to thee, hear me thou Strumpet; I have blotted out the name of Mother, as thou hast thy shame.

Ara.

My shame! thou hast less shame than any thing; why dost thou keep my Daughter in a prison? why dost thou call her Sister, and do this?

Arb.

Cease thy strange impudence, and answer quickly if thou contemnest me, this will ask an answer, and have it.

Ara.

Help me Gentle Gobrias.

Arb.

Guilt [dare] not help guilt though they grow together in doing ill, yet at the [punishment] they sever, and each flies the noise of other, think not of help, answer.

Ara.

I will, to what?

Arb.

To such a thing, as if it be a truth think what a creature thou hast made thy self, that didst not shame to do, what I must blush only to ask thee: tell me who I am, whose son I am without all circumstance, be thou as hasty as my Sword will be if thou refusest.

Ara.

Why, you are his son.

Arb.

His Son? swear, swear, thou worse than woman damn'd.

Ara.

By all that's good you are.

Arb.

Then art thou all that ever was known bad, now is the cause of all my strange mis-fortunes come to light: what reverence expectest thou from a child, to bring forth which thou hast offended heaven, thy husband, and the Land? adulterous witch, I know now why thou wouldst have poyson'd me, I was thy lust which thou wouldst have forgot: then wicked Mother of my sins, and me, show me the way to the inheritance I have by thee: which is a spacious world of impious acts, that I may soon possess it: plagues rot thee, as thou liv'st, and such diseases, as use to pay lust, recompence thy deed.

Gob.

You do not know why you curse thus.

Arb.

Too well; you are a pair of Vipers; and behold the Serpent you have got; there is no beast but if he knew it, has a pedigree as brave as mine, for they have more descents, and I am every way as beastly got, as far without the compass of Law as they.

Ara.

You spend your rage and words in vain, and rail upon a guess; hear us a little.

Arb.

No, I will never hear, but talk away my breath, and die.

Gob.

Why, but you are no Bastard.

Arb.

How's that?

Ara.

Nor child of mine.

Arb.

Still you go on in wonders to me.

Gob.

Pray you be more patient, I may bring comfort to you.

Arb.

I will kneel, and hear with the obedience of a child; good Father speak, I do acknowledge you, so you bring comfort.

Gob.

First know, our last King, your supposed Father was old and feeble when he married her, and almost all the Land thought she was past hope of issue from him.

Arb.

Therefore she took leave to play the whore, because the King was old: is this the comfort?

Ara.

What will you find out to give me satisfaction, when you find how you have injur'd me? let fire consume me, if ever I were a whore.

Gob.

For-bear these starts, or I will leave you wedded to despair, as you are now: if you can find a temper, my breath shall be a pleasant western wind that cools and blasts not.

Arb.

Bring it out good Father. I'le lie, and listen here as reverently as to an Angel: if I breath too loud, tell me; for I would be as still as night.

Gob.

Our King I say, was old, and this our Queen desir'd to bring an heir, but yet her husband she thought was past it, and to be dishonest I think she would not: if she would have been, the truth is, she was watcht so narrowly, and had so slender opportunities, she hardly could have been: but yet her cunning found out this way; she feign'd her self with child, and posts were sent in hast throughout the Land, and humble thanks was given in every Church, and prayers were made for her safe going and delivery: she feign'd now to grow bigger, and perceiv'd this hope of issue made her fear'd, and brought a far more large respect from every man, and saw her power increase, and was resolv'd, since she believ'd, she could not hav't indeed, at least she would be thought to have a child.

Arb.

Do I not hear it well? nay I will make no noise at all; but pray you to the point, quickly as you can.

Gob.

Now when the time was full, she should be brought to bed, I had a Son born, which was you, this the Queen hearing of mov'd me to let her have you; and such reasons she shewed me, as she knew would tie my secrecie, she swore you should be King, and to be short, I did deliver you unto her, and pretended you were dead, and in mine own house kept a funeral, and had an empty coffin put in Earth, that night this Queen feign'd hastily to labour and by a pair of women of her own, which she had charm'd, she made the world believe she was delivered of you. You grew up as the Kings Son, till you were six years old; then did the King dye, and did leave to me Protection of the Realm; and contrary to his own expectation, left this Queen truely with child indeed, of the fair Princess Panthea: then she could have torn her hair and did alone to me, yet durst not speak in publick, for she knew she should be found a traytor: and her tale would have been thought madness, or any thing rather than truth. This was the only cause why she did seek to poyson you, and I to keep you safe; and this the reason, why I sought to kindle some sparks of love in you to fair Panthea, that she might get part of her right again.

Arb.

And have you made an end now? is this all? if not, I will be still till I be aged, till all my hairs be Silver.

Gob.

This is all.

Arb.

And is it true say you too Madam?

Ara.

Yes heaven knows it is most true.

Arb.

Panthea then is not my Sister?

Gob.

No.

Arb. But can you prove this?

Gob.

If you will give consent, else who dares go about it?

Arb.

Give consent? why I will have 'em all that know it rackt, to get this from 'em, all that wait without, come in, what ere you be, come in and be partakers of my joy, O you are welcome.

Enter Bessus, Gentlemen, Mardonius, And other attendants.

Arb.

The best news, nay draw no nearer, they all shall hear it, I am found no King.

Mar.

Is that so good news?

Arb.

Yes the happiest news that ere was heard.

Mar.

Indeed 'twere well for you if you might be a little less obey'd.

Arb.

One call the Queen.

Mar.

Why she is there.

Arb.

The Queen Mardonius, Panthea is the Queen and I am plain Arbaces; go some one, she is in Gobrias house, since I saw you there are a thousand things delivered to me, you little dream of.

[Exit a Gent.

Mar.

So it should seem my Lord, what fury's this?

Gob.

Believe me 'tis no fury, all that he saies is truth.

Mar.

'Tis very strange.

Arb.

Why do you keep your hats off Gentlemen? is it to me? I swear it must not be; nay, trust me, in good faith it must not be; I cannot now command you, but I pray you for the respect you bare me, when you took me for your King, each man clap on his hat at my desire.

Mar.

We will, you are not found so mean a man, but that you may be cover'd as well as we, may you not?

Arb.

O not here, you may, but not I, for here is my Father in presence.

Mar.

Where?

Arb.

Why there: O the whole story would be a wilderness to lose thy self for ever: O pardon me dear Father for all the idle and unreverent words that I have spoke in idle moods to you: I am Arbaces, we all fellow-subjects, nor is the Queen Panthea now my Sister.

Bes.

Why if you remember fellow-subject Arbaces; I told you once she was not your sister: I, and she lookt nothing like you.

Arb.

I think you did, good Captain Bessus.

Bes.

Here will arise another question now amongst the Sword-men, whether I be to call him to account for beating me, now he is proved no King.

Enter Lygones.

Mar.

Sir here's Lygones, the agent for the Armenian_ State.

Arb.

Where is he? I know your business good Lygones.

Lyg.

We must have our King again, and will.

Arb.

I knew that was your business: you shall have your King again, and have him so again as never King was had, go one of you and bid Bacurius bring Tigranes hither; and bring the Lady with him, that Panthea, the Queen Panthea sent me word this [morning], was brave Tigranes mistress.

[Ex. two Gent.

Lyg.

'Tis Spaconia.

Arb.

I, I, Spaconia.

Lyg.

She is my Daughter.

Arb.

She is so: I could now tell any thing I never heard: your King shall go so home, as never man went.

Mar.

Shall he go on's head?

Arb.

He shall have chariots easier than air that I will have invented; and ne're think one shall pay any ransome, and thy self that art the messenger, shalt ride before him on a horse cut out of an intire Diamond, that shall be made to go with golden wheeles, I know not how yet.

Lyg.

Why I shall be made for ever? they beli'd this King with us, and said he was unkind.

Arb.

And then thy Daughter, she shall have some strange thing, wee'l have the Kingdom sold utterly, and put into a toy which she shall wear about her carelesly some where or other. See the vertuous Queen; behold the humblest subject that you have kneel here before you.

Enter Panthea And 1 Gent.

Pan.

Why kneel you to me that am your Vassal?

Arb.

Grant me one request.

Pan.

Alas what can I grant you? what I can, I will.

Arb.

That you will please to marry me if I can prove it lawfull.

Pan.

Is that all? more willingly than I would draw this air.

Arb.

I'le kiss this hand in earnest.

2 Gent.

Sir, Tigranes is coming though he made it strange at first, to see the Princess any more.

Enter Tigranes And Spaconia.

Arb.

The Queen thou meanest, O my Tigranes. Pardon me, tread on my neck, I freely offer it, and if thou beest so given take revenge, for I have injur'd thee.

Tigr.

No, I forgive, and rejoyce more that you have found repentance, than I my liberty.

Arb.

Mayest thou be happy in thy fair choice, for thou art temperate. You owe no ransom to the state, know that I have a thousand joyes to tell you of, which yet I dare not utter till I pay my thanks to Heaven for 'em: Will you go with me and help me? pray you do.

Tigr.

I will.

Arb.

Take then your fair one with you; and you Queen of goodness and of us, O give me leave to take your arm in mine: come every one that takes delight in goodness, help to sing loud thanks for me, that I am prov'd no King.

* * * * *

(A) A King and no King. Acted at the Globe, by his Majesties Servants. Written by Francis Beamount, and John Flecher. At London Printed for Thomas Walkley, and are to bee sold at his shoppe at the Eagle and Childe in Brittans-Bursse. 1619.

(B) A King and No King. Acted at the Blacke-Fryars, by his Majesties Servants. And now the second time Printed, according to the true Copie. Written by Francis Beamount and John Flecher. London, Printed for Thomas Walkley, and are to be sold at his shop at the Eagle and Childe in Brittans-Burse. 1625.

(C) A King, and No King. Acted at the Blacke-Fryars, by his Majesties Servants. And now the third time Printed, according to the true Copie. Written by Francis Beamont & John Fletcher Gent. The Stationer to Dramatophilus. A Play and no Play, who this Booke shall read, Will judge, and weepe, as if 'twere done indeed. London, Printed by A. M. for Richard Hawkins, and are to bee sold at his Shop in Chancerie Lane, neere Serjeants Inne. 1631.

(D) A King and No King. Acted at the Black-Fryars, by his Majesties Servants. And now the fourth time printed, according to the true Copie. Written by Francis Beaumont & John Fletcher Gent. The Stationer to Dramatophilus. A Play and no Play, who this Booke shall read, Will judge, and weepe, as if 'twere done indeed. London, Printed by E. G. for William Leake, and are to be sold at his shop in Chancery-lane, neere unto the Rowles. 1639.

(E) A King and No King. Acted at the Black-Fryers, by his Majesties Servants. And now the fifth time Printed, according To the true Copie. Written by Francis Beaumont & John Fletcher Gent. The Statinor to Dramatophilus. A Play and no Play, who this Book shall read, Will judge, and weep, as if 'twere done indeed London, Printed for William Leak, and are to be sold at his shop at the signe of the Crown in Fleet- street, between the two temple Gates. 1655.

On the back of the last page is printed a list of books printed or sold by William Leake.

(F) A King, and No King. Acted at the Black-Fryars, by his Majesties Servants. And now the fourth time Printed, according to the true Copie. Written by Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher Gent. The Stationer to Dramatophilus. A Play and no Play, who this Book shall read, Will judge, and weep, as if 'twere done indeed. London, Printed in the Year, 1661.

(G) A King and No King. As it is now Acted at the Theatre Royal, By His Majesties Servants. Written by Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher Gent. London: Printed by Andr. Clark, for William and John Leake at the Crown in Fleetstreet, betwixt the two Temple-gates. M.DC.LXXVI.

A contains on the title-page a wood-cut representing Arbaces with his crown partly lifted from his head by a hand emerging from a cloud.

A prefixes the following dedication]

To the Right Worshipfull and Worthie Knight, Sir Henrie Nevill. Worthy Sir, I Present, or rather returne unto your view, that which formerly hath beene received from you, hereby effecting what you did desire: To commend the worke in my unlearned method, were rather to detract from it, then to give it any luster. It sufficeth it hath your Worships approbation and patronage, to the commendation of the Authors, and incouragement of their further labours: and thus wholy committing my selfe and it to your Worships dispose I rest, ever readie to doe you service, not onely in the like, but in what I may.

Thomas Walkley.

p. 149, l. 4. A and B omit the List of Persons Represented in the Play. C—F] The Personated Persons. G] The Persons Represented. G omits] in the Play. G includes in its List of The Persons Represented the names of the players of the chief parts, viz.] Arbaces, Mr Hart; Tigranes, Mr Kynaston; Gobrias, Mr Wintershall; Bacurius, Mr Lydall; Mardonius, Mr Mohun; Bessus, Mr Lacy, or Mr Shottrell; Lygones, Mr Cartwright; Two Sword-men, Mr Watson, Mr Haynes; Arane, Mrs Corey; Panthea, Mrs Cox; Spaconia, Mrs Marshall. l. 12. Folio misprints] Ligoces. l. 21. C—G and Folio] The Queenes Mother. l. 27. A—G omit] Actus primus. Scena prima. G] Act I. l. 29. A omits] he. ll. 35 and 36. B] had's.

p. 150, l. 2. A] them. l. 3. A] thou art. l. 5. A] and thou couldst. l. 8. A] with me. l. 9. A—F] winkst. G] winkedst. l. 10. A] strake. 1. 17. A] I am glad. l. 19. A] of his owne. l. 21. A] cruddles. B and G] crudles. l. 22. A] wouldst. A] in this passion. l. 25. A] for it. I. 26. A] neither good Bessus. l. 27. A] it is. l.30. A] I famed, I, I warrant you. I. 31. A] I am verie heartily. I. 32. A] ever. A] ath' warres. B—G omit] is. l. 39. A, B and G] in shifting a.

p. 151, 11. 4 and 5. A] desperate. l. 5. A omits] At. l. 8. A] Prethee. l. 9. A, B and G] The Souldier. l. 10. A] meerely. l. 12. E] compasion. F] compassion. l. 14. B—F] a'th. l. 19. A, B and G] not I. l. 21. A] mean'st. B, C and G] meant'st. D, E and F] meanest. l. 26. A] the enemie. B] shouldest. l. 31. A—G] proceedst. l. 33. A] Come, come. l. 34. A] comst. l. 37. A] extreamities. l. 40. A] the prey.

p. 152, ll. 1 and 2. In place of these lines A] Enter Arbaces and Tigranes, with attendants. l. 2. B and C] two Kings, &c. The two Gentlemen. l. 4. A] fall victorie. l. 9. A—G] are free as I. l. 18. A, B, C and G] yeare. l. 27. A omits] Tigr. l. 28. A—D and G] Arbaces. l. 29. A] talkt: for in Armenia.

p. 153, l. 11. A] Tigranes, no. l. 16. A] an Act. l. 17. A and G] Fit for a God. B—F omit] man. l. 20. A] Its. l. 26. A] spoke. A] not mee. l. 40. A] are something.

p. 154, l. 8. A] to take. B and G] her for to take. l. 17. A] no owne of. l. 18. A] Would finde. l. 19. A] off her damning. l. 20. A] twenty times. l. 29. Folio] sight. l. 40. A] Some two.

p. 155, l. 3. For Exit Tigranes A] Exe. l. 8. B and G omit] don't. A] don. l. 20. A] ift. l. 21. A and G] with you. l. 22. A] sunke. l. 28. A] th' eare. l. 29. B and G] runne about his head. A] bloud runne abouts head. l. 30. A] didst thou learn that at. B—F] learn'st that at. G] learn'st thou that at. l. 31. A] Pust, did I not. l. 33. A—F] Talke. l. 34. A] While you. A—G] words.

p. 156, l. 6. A] to a chaire. l. 8. A—F] other. A] will take. l. 14. A] give mee audience. G omits] me. l. 16. A] soone one of you. ll. 29 and 30. G omits] but I am grown To balk, but I defie. l. 30. A] but I desire, let. l. 32. B, C and G] draulst. D] drawlst. l. 34. G] in an instant. l. 36. A] An't. l. 38. A, B and G] As yet you. l. 39. A] command mee else.

p. 157, l. 11. B, C and G] Were great as. l. 12. A] that I might. l. 14. A] with. l. 28. A omits] puffe. B and G omit the bracket, and print 'puffe' in roman type as part of the speech. l. 29. D, E and F] rules. l. 34. A] Will you be gone. l. 35. A] My word mooves. C—F] My words moves. l. 36. A] 2 Gent. l. 39. A] That they will. B omits] you. A omits] Exeunt all but Arb. and Mar. l. 40. Folio] the.

p. 158, l. 7. Folio] scare. l. 17. A] doted, because. B—F omit] it. l. 35. A omits] but. A] of your faults. l. 39. A] above the earth.

p. 159, l. 4. Folio] safe. l. 15. A, B and G] would. l. 21. A] these wilde moodes. l. 22. A] honest. l. 23. A, B and G] would. l. 25. A] would. l. 34. A, B, C and G] Give thee. l. 37. Folio misprints] paron. l. 40. C] doest. F omits] I.

p. 160, l. 4. B, C and D] i' thine eare. F] thy eare. l. 10. A] Ith those. G] in those. l. 12. B] they wenches. l. 18. B by mistake Adds] Enter Bessus, and the two Gent. l. 22. A omits this stage-direction. l. 25. A] I am. l. 26. A] 1 Gent. l. 27. A] 2 Gent. l. 30. A] I bad you; halfe. l. 31. A] An't. l. 35. A] Panthan. l. 38. A] will not. l. 39. A omits] Sir.

p. 161, l. 6. E and F] a good an opinion. l. 15. A omits] a. G] Enter a Messenger, with a Packet. l. 21. A] Thanke thee for. l. 29. A] teares enough. B—F] tears I'now. G] tears Enow. l. 32. C—F] set her.

p. 162, l. 2. A] now has hired. l. 7. F] them. l. 12. A] laden. l. 16. E and F] that come. l. 18. A—D and G] mourning. l. 19. A] her sacred dew. l. 32. A] prayers. l. 34. A] dangers. l. 35. A omits] Exeunt.

p. #163#, l. 3. A, B and G] either loves. l. 7. A—G] place. A] unfortunately too light. l. 17. A omits] thee. l. 24. Folio] make. l. 31. B and G] gi'n. A, B and G] to. l. 33. A] would place.

p. #164#, l. 11. Folio misprints] could. l. 15. A—G] requires. A] more speed. l. 18. B] He shall not doe so Lord. l. 21. A Adds] Finis Actus Primi. B and C Add] The end of the First Act. l. 24. A] attendance. G Adds] and Guards.

p. #165#, l. 5. A] paid downe. l. 20. A] let light. l. 25. A—D] eare. l. 30. A] another woman. l. 36. A] twill. F] 'twood not. l. 37. F omits] not.

p. #, l. 9. A] mine own. l. 21. B—F] a did. l. 23. A] held time. l. 25. A—G with variations in spelling] my Lord Protectour. l. 29. Folio misprints] Cammanders.

p. #167#, l. 7. A omits] as you. l. 12. A, B and G] prayers are. A] I will. l. 20. A omits] Arane. l. 23. A] Betweene. l. 36. A] heare it. l. 37. A] I, I prethee.

p. #168#, l. 1. F] Captain. l. 3. A] neere a Captaine. l. 4. A] of the. l. 7. A—G] whom. l. 11. A] prethee. l. 14. F] was given. l. 18. A] I, but I. l. 20. A] saide. ll. 21 and 22. A] when one. l. 23. A] Marshallists. l. 30. F] doest. l. 31. A] twas so. B—G] so 'twas. l. 36. A] An't. l. 37. A and B] neerer. G] nearer. l. 39. A] kindnesses.

p. #169#, l. 1. A and G] Thalestris. l. 10. A] for her honestie. l. 17. A] on her. l. 33. A Adds] Exit. B—G with various abbreviations Add] Exit Bessus. l. 34. A, B and G Add] Exit. l. 35. A—G omit stage-direction. l. 39. F] speeks them.

p. #170#, l. 1. A] vertuous. l. 6. A] or feeles. l. 7. A—G] hope. l. 11. A—D and G] love. l. 16. E and F] where bargain'd. l. 18. A] find time worthy. l. 20. A, B and G] there is. l. 22. A] with this. l. 27. A] to see you Madam. l. 29. A omits] Gob. l. 35. A omits] Exeunt Women.

p. #171#, l. 9. F] a stake. l.14. F] if foole. l. 20. A] prethee. l.22. F] noble sharp. l. 33. A] desire too. E and F] his one desire.

p. #172#, l. i. A—D and G] those tender. l. 4. A, B and G] I shall. l. 13. B, C and F] Thalectris. l. 16. B, C and G] others. l. 26. A, B and G] women out. l. 29. A] say. l. 35. A—D and G] those. l. 37. A] places quickly. l. 38. A, D and F] a foote. B, C and E] afoote. G] afoot.

p. #173#, l. 2. A] looke. l. 5. A] Enter two Citizens wives, and Philip. l. 15. A, B and G] with me downe. l. 16. A] abed. l. 17. A] tis. l. 18. A] prethee. l. 29. A] In good faith. l.34. A] I. l. 35. A omits] you. l. 37. A] had thrusting. G] shoving. l. 38. A] hap to go.

p. #174#, l. 2. A] so on me. l. 5. A] have not. l. 10. A] law, thou art. A] there is. l. 11. A] thou art. A] of it. l. 12. A] he will never. l. 13. A] stripling. l. 17. A] you are. l. 18. B—F] cast. l. 19. A omits this line. l. 20. A—D and G] The King, the King, the King, the King. l. 21. A omits] Flourish. A] Enter Arbaces, Tigranes, Mardonius, and others. l. 23. E and F] I think. l. 29. A] without our blouds. B and G] but with our. G] bloud. l. 31. A] in your Townes. l. 32. A—D and G] about you; you may sit. l. 37. A, B and G] may you. F] you may fall. l. 38. A, B and G] when I.

p. 175, l. 5. E and F] beheld. l. 6. A] hearts. l. 9. A] Hang him, hang him, hang him. l. 13. A, B and G] was farre. l. 14. E and F] nor to revile. l. 15. A—D and G] the nature. l. 19. A] made that name. l. 21. C and D] and well for. l. 22. B—G] word. l. 25. A] commendations. l. 29. A] Thus my. l. 30. A] calles. l. 36. A] Eate at. l. 40. In place of this line A] Exeunt.

p. 176, l. 1. A omits one 'God bless your Majesty.' l. 7. A] n*. l. 10. A omits] so. B, C, D and G] women. A] Exeunt 1, 2, 3, and Women. l. 11. A—G] afore. l. 12. A] homeward. l. 13. A omits] all. l. 15. A] They are. A—G] heard on. l. 18. A Adds] Finis Actus Secundi. B and C Add] The end of the Second Act. l. 19. A] Actus Tertii Scaena Prima. l. 23. A] doth. l. 29. A—D and G] where you will have her. l. 37. A omits] I do hope she will not.

p. 177, l. 6. A] Sir, sheele not. l. 15. B and G] would. l. 18. C—F omit] you. l. 24. A omits] I Gent. and. l. 25. A] here's. l. 29. A] them. B and G Add] Exit Gobrias. l. 35. A omits] and two Gentlemen. G Adds] Attendants, and Guards.

p. 178, l. 11. A, B and G] sorrow. l. 14. A Adds] Exit. l. 15. A omits] Exit Arane. l. 32. G] words and kind ones. l. 35. C] doest. l. 36. D] forth my selfe. l. 38. A and G] thence. l. 40. A] wounded flesh.

p. 179, l. 1. A, B and G] a quill. l. 2. A, B, C and G] wanton wing. l. 3. A] in thy bloud. l. 16. A, B and G omit] it. l. 33. A by mistake gives the words 'some one that hath [A has] a wit, answer, where is she' to Gobrias, with the result that the names of the speakers of the following four speeches are transposed.

p. 180, l. 18. A] sleepe. l. 27. A] Is a long life of yet, I hope. l. 31. C, D and E] doest. ll. 33—35. A omits these lines.

p. 181, l. 11. A] If shee were any. l.14. D] dispute. l. 16. F and G] naked. l. 19. A, B and G] is she not. l. 39. A, B and G] your brother.

p. 182, l. 6. A] them. l. 8. A] yet so. l. 9. Folio prints] langish. l. 17. A] sudden change. l. 19. A, B and G] Pray God it doe. l. 24. A] prisoner. l. 31. A] in the.

p. 183, l. 13. A, B and G] And how dare you then. C and D] And how then dare you. l. 21. A, B and G] that breath. l. 24. A] law.

p. 184, l. 11*. A] subtiller. G] subtiler. l. 13. A and G] Tyrants. B] Tirants. F] mightest. l. 14. A] in the depth. B] i' the depth. C and G] i' the deepe. l. 18. A omits] Exeunt Tigr. and Bac. l. 21. G Adds] Exit Spaconia. l. 39. A and B] then to; here I. G] then too; here I.

p. 185, l. 11. A] still in doubt. l. 12. A] This, this third. l. 25. A, B, C and G] A poysoner. l. 26. A by mistake gives this speech to Bacurius and the following one to Gobrias. l. 32. A] had it twixt. A] Exeunt omnes, prae. Ar. Mar. G] Exeunt Gob. Pan. and Bes.

p. 186, l. 9. A] I prethee. l. 10. B and G] Am not I. l. 19. F] O do. l. 25. A] I prethee. l. 26. A Adds] Mar. I warrant ye. l. 28. G] of game. l. 30. B and G omit] it.

p. 187, l. 2. A] them. l. 3. A] In this state (omits I). B, C, D and G] I' this state. l. 4. B—F] b' the. A] with. l. 5. A] with. l. 10. A, B and G with variations of spelling] God cald. C and D] heaven cald. l. 11. A] pounds. l. 17. A and G] afraid. l. 21. G] A pox. A—G] of their. l. 23. A] of me. l. 24. A] freshly to account, worthily. l. 25. B and G omit] the. l. 26. A omits] a. l. 27. Here and throughout the scene '3 Gent' is in A described as 'Gent.' l. 30. A] you are. l. 32. A] he nothing doubts.

p. 188, l. 2. A—D, F and G with variations of spelling] O cry you mercie. E] O cir you mercy. l. 3. A, B, C and G with variations of spelling] agreeablie. l. 4. Here and in the following three lines A reads only one 'um' in place of three. l. 12. A by mistake omits] Bes. l. 19. A] plaine with you. l. 20. A] can doe him. A] resolutely. l. 21. B and C] hundreth. l. 22. F] no more. l. 23. A] pray ye. l. 26. A simply] Exit. l. 30. D] these two houres. l. 32. F omits] that. A] reserv'd. l. 34. A] are there. l. 35. A] likely to hold him this time here for mine. l. 36. B, C and G] yeare. D] these five yeares. l. 37. A] send me.

p. 189, l. 27. A] I prethee. l. 28. A—D and G] beate. l. 31. A] pounds. l. 32. A omits] well. F] well and walk sooner. l. 33. C] I do. l. 36. C] doest.

p. 190, l. 5. A—G] Come, unbuckle, quicke. l. 7. C—F] Unbuckle say. l. 17. A omits] Bac. l. 24. A] will I. l. 25. A] that this is all is left. G] that is left. l. 26. A omits] Bessus. l. 28. G] he's. l. 32. A, B and G] await. l. 35. A omits this stage-direction. l. 39. A] in their eyes.

p. 191, l. 3. A—G] lies. l. 5. A—G] vex me. l. 6. G] thou art. l. 8. A omits] do. l. 12. F] fire. l. 14. A, B and G] is not that. G] there is. l. 18. A, B and G] I shall not. l. 20. A—G] I know 'tis. l. 21. A] hath ... 22. A] or fall. l. 34. A] of all this.

p. 192, l. 2. A, B and G] shall I. l. 6. A] But what, what should. B and G] should. l. 11. A, B and G] on more advice. l. 17. A omits] a. l. 19. Folio misprints] faithul. l. 21. F] doe't. l. 23. C—F] doest. l. 24. A, B and G] I hope I. l. 37. E and F] doest.

p. 193, l. 4. A, B and G] cause. l. 5. A, B, C and G omit] ha. l. 7. A, B, C and G] blow about the world. l. 8. A, B and G] his cause. l. 9. A] deare Mardonius. l. 12. A, B and G] Pray God you. l. 24. A, B and G] God preserve you, and mend you. l. 26. A, B and G] require. l. 30. A, B and G] use of. l. 32. A Adds] to them.

p. 194, l. 2. A] I am. l. 4. A, B, F and G] I am. A includes the words 'I am glad on't' in the following speech of Mardonius. l. 5. A, B and G] to that. ll. 7—9. A omits these lines. l. 11. A, B and G] occasions. l. 15. A, B, C and G] to the. l. 16. A—D and G] for his. l. 17. A omits] Mar. l. 19. A] Doe for. The letters 'ith' are in C cut off at the end of the line. l. 23. A, B and G] a thing. l. 26. G] would fain have thee. l. 27. A] understands. G] understandest. l. 30. A] dost make. l. 32. A, B and G] tell me, it shall. C has the same reading, though the word 'tell' is by mistake cut off from the end of the line. A omits] too. l. 35. A, B and C] and mayst yet.

p. 195, l. 2. A—D and G] that I have ever. l. 3. A, B and G omit] the. l. 8. A, B, C and G] your businesse. l. 12. A, B and G omit] now. l. 29. A—F] Gods and mans. l. 30. G] nature. l. 36. A Adds] Finis Actus Tertii. B and C Add] The end of the Third Act.

p. 196, l. 1. A] Actus Quarti Scaena Prima. l. 2. A—G omit] and. l. 11. A, B, C and G] Yet fearing since they. A] th' are many. l. 13. F] them. l. 14. F] them. l. 15. A] fearefull; if he. l. 18. A] labour out this. l. 19. A] against. ll. 25 and 26. A encloses the words 'never ... humour' within brackets. l. 26. D, E and F] shot. l. 30. F] no farther. l. 33. A omits] But.

p. 197, l. 3. A Adds] Exit. l. 4. A omits] Exit Gob. l. 13. A] yours. l. 29. G] I'm. A] if no more. l. 36. B—G] these. l. 37. A] That have Authority. l. 38. F] besides.

p. 198, l. 1. A] words. l. 4. A] Ime. l. 12. A, B and G] Pray God. l. 13. A omits] in prison. l. 15. A and F] mine. A] turne. l. 27. A, B and G] deserv'd it. l. 33. A] griefes. l. 35. A] womans. F] woman. l. 36. A] lost. l. 39. G] unconstancy.

p. 199, l. 7. A] kill me Ladie. l. 9. A omits] Lady. l. 15. A] for were. l. 20. A] in the. l. 26. A, B and G] is as firme. l. 27. A] and as lasting. l. 28. A, B and G] in the. C] in th' ayre. l. 31. A] murmurs. l. 37. A—D and G] wrongs.

p. 200, l. 1. A by mistake omits] Spa. l. 2. A, B, C and G] Our ends alike. l. 9. A] hee's asham'd. l. 17. A] pray believe me. l. 19. A, B and G] No more. l. 20. A] and Mardonius. l. 32. A—G] outlast. Folio misprints] too. l. 38. A] is that.

p. 201, l. 5. A] know. l. 10. A] pratling. l. 11. A] to it. l. 15. A—G] Beside. l. 17. A] Sirra. l. 23. A] Staffe poak't. A, B, C and G] through. F] throw. l. 24. A—D and G] broke. l. 25. D, E and F] stifled with. l. 30. F] worst. l. 35. A] you may say Sir what. Folio misprints] you. l. 36. A gives this line to Mardonius.

p. 202, l. 3. A, B and G] I thank God. l. 5. A] doe it. l. 6. A omits] Doe. l. 13. A Adds] and a Souldier like a termogant. l. 16. A] let um be prisoners. l. 18. F] them. ll. 19 and 20. A gives these lines to Bacurius. ll. 21 and 22. A and G give these lines to Spaconia. l. 22. A, B, C and G] deare. l. 23. A] Ex. Bacu. with Tig. and Spa. l. 24. A, B, C and G] have you. l. 25. F] prove. l. 30. A] Sadlers. l. 32. A, D and F] darest. l. 33. A] knowest. l. 34. G] will not. l. 37. A] shall then tell. B] of this. l. 40. A] Where. F] them.

p. 203, l. 1. A Adds after off] doe, kill me. l. 2. A omits] worse. l. 4. A, B, C and G] a dead sleepe. l. 5. A] Like forraigne swords. l. 10. A] all thine. l. 12. G] Wilt. A] with me good Mardonius. l. 20. A, B and G] and all beautie. l. 22. F] she is not. l. 23. A] doe enlarge her. l. 26. A] that would have. l. 29. E and F] heat. l. 30. E] To here wretched. F omits] a. l. 38. A] knew of. B, C and D] knewst the.

p. 204, l. 7. A] is it. l. 15. A—D and G omit] a. l. 16. A omits] Thousands. E and F] Thousand. A] denie it. l. 18. A, B and G] vertue. l. 24. A omits] all. l. 26. A—G] stooles there boy. l. 32. A, B and G] and my deare. l. 33. B, C and G] to th' cause. l. 35. F omits this line. l. 37. A prints the words 'be wise, and speake truth' as the conclusion of the second Sword-man's speech.

p. 205, l. 4. A] If he have. l. 5. B—E] If a have. F] If I have. l. 12. A] case. l. 13. A, B and G] an honourable. l. 15. A, B and G] we Sword-men. l. 17. A, B and G] drawne ten teeth. A—G] beside. l. 18. A] all these. l. 21. B—E] a crackt. l. 22. A] with crossing. l. 26. A—G] There's. l. 30. A, B, C and G] mile. l. 32. A—G] mile. l. 34. A, B and C] 'Tis a the longest. G] o' the longest. l. 35. A by mistake gives this line to Bessus and the following speech to the first Sword-man.

p. 206, ll. 5 and 6. F] word forc'd. l. 9. A—D and G] case. l. 12. A] sit. G] sat. l. 13. A] it had. l. 15. E and F] delivery. l. 19. B—E] A should. F] And should. A—D and G] deliverie. l. 24. A] by th'. l. 25. A] you are. l. 28. A omits] the. l. 32. B and G] that we. l. 33. Folio misprints] honesty. A] good Sir to th'. l. 35. A] The boy may be supposd, hee's lyable; but kicke my brother.

p. 207, l. 7. A] Still the must. l. 9. A—D and G omit] I. A] againe, againe. l. 12. F omits] my. l. 20. A] at the kicke. l. 22. F] baren scorn, as I will call it. l. 27. A—G] sore indeed Sir. l. 29. A] the foole. l. 30. A] Ah Lords. l. 32. A, B, C and G] laught.

p. 208, l. 5. A—G] size, daggers. F] sizes. l. 16. A] To abide upon't. l. 20. A, B, C and G omit] me. F] Both get me. l. 21. F] cleane. l. 22. G] what you have done. l. 27. F] Go will, and tell. l. 28. A—D] Or there be. l. 29. A omits and before Gob. l. 33. A omits] Exit Gob. l. 34. A] you are. A, B, C and G] and I would. A, B and G] to God. l. 38. G] the rising. l. 39. B, C and G] I shall. l. 40. Folio misprints] Ban.

p. 209, l. 3. A] does. l. 6. A] I prethee. l. 8. A, B and G] I am. l. 23. A, B and G] In as equal a degree. C and D] In equal a degree. l. 27. A] I prethee. l. 33. C, D and E] and there is. E] no cause. F] and there is none can see.

p. 210, l. 6. D, E and F] stop. l. 11. A, B and G] God keepe you. l. 12. A, B and G] cause. l. 19. A] innocents. l. 20. A, B and G omit] that. l. 24. A, B and G] it is. l. 27. A, B and G] as it lists. l. 33. A encloses 'Which I beseech thee doe not' within brackets. l. 36. A, B and G] For God knows. l. 39. A] start eye to.

p. 211, l. 2. F] them. l. 5. A] should. l. 11. F] them. l. 20. A, B and G] sinnes. l. 32. A] no steppe.

p. 212, ll. 1-6 and 8. F] them. l. 2. A] them. l. 5. Folio] and them. l. 6. A] drinke them off. l. 25. A gives this line to Panthea. l. 27. D, E and F] brother. l. 29. B] i' this. l. 35. A omits] Why. l. 38. A, B and G] I know thou.

p. 213, l. 4. A, B and G omit too before scrupulous. ll. 8 and 9. In place of these lines G reads] I dare no longer stay. l. 9. A and B] hotter I feare then yours. l. 11. A, B and G] for God's sake. l. 14. A omits stage-direction. B and G omit] several wayes. A Adds] Finis Actus Quarti. B and C Add] The end of the Fourth Act. l. 15. A] Actus Quinti Scaena Prima. l. 19. A] leave to visit. l. 20. A] hands. l. 26. A] officers.

p. 214, l. 3. B—F] were a valiant. l. 6. A] something lighter. l. 28. A—D omit] he. G] h'as. l. 29. B—F] a was. l. 30. A] in his. E and F] in in's. l. 31. A—E] a my. F] in my. G] i'my. l. 33. A, B and G] like to wicker Targets. l. 35. A omits] he. A] so low a sence. l. 36. A] should. l. 38. A, B and G] That this strange fellow.

p. 215, l. 3. A—D and G] broke. A—G] or a shoulder out. A—F] ath' stones. l. 4. A] of my. l. 10. A omits] the. l. 13. Folio misprints] Catain. l. 16. A omits] Sword. l. 19. A] thus kicke you, and thus. B and G] thus kicke, and thus. l. 21. A—D and G] told you that. l. 23. A omits] Sword. A—F] a should. l. 25. A, B, C and G] a one. l. 26. A omits] beats him. l. 29. A, B and G] Sir I know. l. 30. A prints 'Bes.' at the beginning of the following line, thus making this line part of Lygones' speech.

p. 216, l. 6. A, B and G] you would. l. 7. A, B, C and G] strange now to have. l. 12. Folio misprints] danghter. l. 13. A, B and G] of being. l. 15. A omits] Lygo. l. 18. A omits] Sword. l. 19. A] ath' sword. l. 20. G] h'as. l. 23. A] a kick't. l. 24. A omits 'Bes.,' thus making this line part of the second Sword-man's speech. l. 25. A omits] Sword. A gives the words 'Now let him come and say he was not sorry, And he sleepes for it' to '2,' i.e., the second Sword-man. l. 26. B—F] a was not. B—F] a sleepes. l. 28. A omits] clear. G] Exeunt omnes. l. 34. A prints this stage-direction after the words 'There he is indeed' in l. 35.

p. 217, l. 3. A, B, C and G] businesse will. l. 5. B] the Armenia state. l. 9. F omits] is. l. 20. A—G] couldst prate. l. 28. A] vild. B and C] vilde. B—F] commendations. l. 30. A, B and G] or rather would I. l. 34. A and F] mine own. l. 38. A] and like it.

p. 218, l. 3. A] in the. B, C, D and G] i' the. l. 6. B misprints] my Prince. l. 8. A] beside. l. 12. A] men. l. 13. C] Cawdle. l. 14. A] your Queene. l. 21. A] should speake. l. 27. A] a Queene. l. 33. A, B and G] Good God. l. 37. A, B and G omit] all.

p. 219, l. 4. A] that shall. l. 6. A omits] all. l. 7. A] a servant. l. 11. A] and Swordmen. In A this stage-direction is printed after the following line. l. 15. A—F] ath' sword. l. 17. A—D and G omit] much. l. 20. A] I can aske. l. 23. A] will require launcing. l. 24. A] and full. l. 28. A omits] must. l. 31. A, B and G] God continue it. l. 32. F misprints] they to it.

p. 220, l. 5. The two Sword-men are throughout the scene referred to in A as '2' or '1.' l. 6. A omits 'Bac.,' thus giving the line to the second Sword-man. l. 13. A—G omit] on. F] them, that have. l. 16. A—F] ath' law. l. 22. F] That is. A] their paines. l. 26. A] ye rogues, ye apple-squiers. l. 31. A] a many of. F] a beautie of. l. 33. E] I do beseech. l. 35. A—F] A this side.

p. 221, l. 4. A] in your pocket slave, my key you. B and G] in your pocket slave, my toe. l. 5. A] with't. l. 11. A—G] doing nothing. l. 12. A omits this stage-direction. B] Enter Servant, Will. Adkinson. l. 13. A—D] Here's. l. 14. A] I am. A] prethee. l. 15. A] beate um. l. 17. A omits] Sir. l. 18. A omits] Captain, Rally. A] up with your. F] rally upon. l. 20. A] cride hold. l. 22. E and F] vit me. l. 23. A, B and G] breath. A omits] Exit Bac. l. 25. A] Ime sure I ha. l. 26. B—F] a kicke. B—F] a will. l. 27. C—F] beside. l. 29. A, B and G] yes, God be thanked. l. 33. A, B, C and G] is a. l. 34. A] hands.

p. 222, l. 2. A omits] clear. G] Exeunt omnes. l. 4. A—D and G] bore. After this line A Adds]—Hell open all thy gates, And I will thorough them; if they be shut, Ile batter um, but I will find the place Where the most damn'd have dwelling; ere I end, Amongst them all they shall not have a sinne, But I will call it mine: l. 5. A—D and G] friend. A, B and G] to an. l. 13. B, C and D] a comming. l. 14. A—G] does your hand. l. 19. This line from 'I can' and the next line are given by A to Mardonius. l. 24. A] humblier.

p. 223, l. 4. A, B and G omit] and. l. 12. A] thinkest. l. 13. G] these are tales. l. 15. A—D and G] should get. l. 17. A] Farre other Fortunes. l. 19. A, B and G] God put. G] temporall. l. 20. A Adds] Exit. B and. G Add] Exit Mar. l. 21. A—D and G] errors. l. 27. A, B and G omit] more. l. 35. A—D and G omit] my.

p. 224, l. 4. F] knowest. l. 9. A] doest. l. 12. A] and I when I. F] knowest. l. 16. B and F] meanst. l. 17. A, B, C and G] a lie. A, B and G] God and. l. 22. A, B and G] wouldst. l. 28. A] gavest. l. 31. A] your selfe. B and G] it thy selfe. l. 38. A and G] know it. l. 39. E and F] staind.

p. 225, l. 7. A, B, C and G] allowest. l. 15. C—F] doest ... doest. l. 17. A—D and G] Cease thou strange. l. 18. A] contemn'st. ll. 20 and 21. Folio misprints] dear ... punishnment. l. 35. A and C] expects. B] expectes. D] expectst. G] expect'st. l. 39. A] thou wicked.

p. 226, l. 10. A, B, C and G] of a law. l. 19. A omits] you. ll. 25 and 26. A—G] Land as she. l. 29. A misprints] Arb. l. 31. A—D and G omit] a.

p. 227, l. 2. A] opportunitie. ll. 4 and 5. A, B and G] and God was humbly thankt in every Church, That so had blest the Queene, and prayers etc. l. 12. A—D and G] quicke. l. 14. A] abed. l. 16. A] sware. l. 20. A] the Queene. l. 23. A—G] yeare. l. 28. A] her talke. l. 32. A] sparke. l. 35. A, B and G] till I am. A] are silver. l. 37. A omits] too. I. 38. A, B and G] yes God knowes.

p. 228, l. 2. A by mistake omits] Gob. A] dare. l, 3. A] them. l. 4. A—G] waites. l. 7. A] Ent. Mar. Bessus, and others. l. 8. A omits] Arb. A] Mardonius, the best. B misprints] Mar. l. 11. E and F] happie. l. 14. A] On, call. l. 19. A omits] Exit a Gent. l. 24. A omits] I swear it must not be; nay, trust me. l. 26. B and C] beare. l. 28. A] but you are not.

p. 229, l. 1. A] I say she. l. 8. A] Armenian king. I. 15. Folio misprints] morrning. l. 16. A omits this stage-direction. l. 24. A and G] He shall. B] A shall. C] An shall. l. 25. A—G] shall. l. 26. F omits] that. l. 31. A misprints] thinke. l. 35. In place of this stage-direction A after the word 'Queen' in l. 33 reads] Enter Pan.

p. 230, l. 6. A gives this speech to Mardonius. l. 7. A omits] at first. l. 8. In A this stage-direction occurs after 'Queen' in the following line. l. 14. A and F] Maist. G] May'st. l. 17. F] them. l. 20. A—G] your Queene. l. 23. A—G Add] Finis.

A KING AND NO KING. VERSE AND PROSE VARIATIONS [1].

p. 152, ll. 8 and 9. A—D and G] 3 ll. dare, day, I. l. 27. A] 2 ll. of, thus. ll. 33—35. A] 3 ll. Earth, Prince, Acts.

p. 157, l. 20. A] 2 ll. king, away.

p. 159, ll. 3—8. A—D and G] 8 ll. praise, worthy, death, lies, there, though, dust, envy. ll. 11 and 12. A—D and G] 3 ll. windes, I, speake. ll. 29—38. A—D and G] 14 ll. lives, said, truth, bin, see, parts, world, farre, yeares, mee, thee, wilt, I, thus. l. 40 and p. 160, ll. 1—4. A—D and G] 6 ll. Take, which, love, I, mee, eare.

p. 160, ll. 6 and 7. A, B and G] 2 ll. Mardonius, Jewell.

p. 161, ll. 21 and 22. A—D and G] 3 ll. newes, not, Gobrias. ll. 27—33. A—D and G] 9 ll. farre, sinnes, teares, feele, brest, stand, eyes, world, me. ll. 37—39 and p. 162, ll. 1—7. A—D and G] 14 ll. know, died, life, pardon'd, fit, olde, thence, out, there, live, me, deathes, life, him.

p. 163, ll. 16—22. A, B, C and G] 9 ll. of (C = halfe), free, thine, prisoner, force, me, unwilling, Tigranes, there. D] 7 ll. halfe, free, thine, force, me, Tigranes, there.

p. 164, ll. 1 and 2. A—D and G] 2 ll. health, jealous. ll. 25—35 and p. 165, ll. 1 and 2. A—D and G] 16 ll. regard, prisoner, escape, prisoner, woman, me, say, her, Lord, grace, arme, womanhood, death, sonne, why, speake.

p. 165, ll. 14—17. A—D and G] 5 ll. Time, know, thinke, heart, urgd. ll. 35 and 36. A—D and G] 2 ll. it, believ'd. ll. 38 and 39. A—D and G] 3 ll. you, die, uncredited (D = should).

p. 166, ll. I and 2. A—D and G] 4 ll. Then, me, King, plots (D adds l. 3). ll. 5—8. A—D and G] 5 ll. me, content, power, me, done. ll. 19—23. A—and G] Prose. ll. 25 and 26. A] These, these.

p. 167, ll. 9 and 10. A] 2 ll. well, so. l. 19. A—D and G] 2 ll. readie, morrow. ll. 21—28. A] 10 ll. hereafter, office, discourse, how, victorie, doe, danger, long, while, beate. ll. 21—24. B—D and G] 4 ll. hereafter, office, discourse, victory. ll. 25—28. B—D and G] Prose.

p. 168, ll. 11 and 12. A—D and G] 2 ll. Bessus, nothing. ll. 39 and 40. A—D and G] 2 ll. kindnesses, name.

p. 169, ll. 2—5. A—D and G] 5 ll. letter, enough, you, me, me. ll. 25 and 26. A and G] 2 ll. Already, foolish. ll. 37—40 and p. 170, ll. 1—4. A—D and G] 12 ll. Lord, live, um, Just, um, mee, heare, way, care, you, enjoyes, worth.

p. 170, ll. 5—10. A—D and G] Prose. ll. 13—18. A—D and G] 8 ll. you, power, leave, like, him, humours, lesse, offer'd. ll. 27—29. A] 2 ll. pleasure, Madam.

p. 171, ll. 10—15. A—D and G] 9 ll. unreasonably, seeme, ill, ought, faire, good, prayer, me, you. ll. 31—40 and p. 172, ll. 1—6. A—D] 24 ll. weepe, words, sorrow, me, him, Thalestris, me, sweare, slay, thee, himselfe, me, yet, face, you, eares, eyes, him, hope, dead, him, fast, ceremony, him.

p. 172, ll. 15—21. A—D and G] 11 ll. not, desire, others, me (or not), wrong, birth, injure, hither, commanded, ready, servand.

p. 174, l. 20. A—D] 2 ll. king, now. ll. 23—29. A—D and G] 11 ll. full, subjects, love, height, you, me, warre, imagine, word, blouds, peace.

[Footnote 1: The prose printings of E and F have not been recorded.]

p. 175, ll. 4—6. A—D and G] 4 ll. man, home, hearts, deliverance. ll. 11—22. A—D and G] 17 ll. wrong, spectacle, people, me, deserved, you, dwels, man, compare, selfe, you, too, name, fall, loves, content, worke. ll. 35 and 36. A—D and G] 2 ll. Children, is.

p. 176, ll. 23—35. A—D and G] 14 ll. Sir, hands, know, her, home, stubbornnesse, like, her, Jewell, mad, sister, is, Land, another.

p. 177, ll. 1—10. A—D and G] 11 ll. Too, friends, know, loth, passe, constraint, so, speake, health, love, againe.

p. 178, ll. 16 and 17. A—D and G] 3 ll. die, returne, life. ll. 30—32. A—D and G] 4 ll. ill, kneele, gaine, you.

p. 179, ll. 21—25. A—D and G] 7 ll. earth, alas, command, me, short, sister brought.

p. 180, l. 31. A—D and G] 7 ll. Gobrias, meane.

p. 191, ll. 35 and 36. A—D and G] 2 ll. utterd, careleslie.

p. 192, ll. 9—12. E and F] 3 ll. And, love, thou. ll. 10—12. A—D and G] 3 ll. Advice, love, thou. ll. 16 and 17. A—D and G] 3 ll. This, caution, it (G Adds l. 18). ll. 20 and 21. A—D and G] 2 ll. it, it.

p. 194, ll. 5 and 6. A] 2 ll. cutlers, King. l. 22. A] 2 ll. will, whatsoever.

p. 195, ll. 21 and 22. A] 2 ll. in-, Monsters.

p. 196, l. 38, and p. 197, ll. 1—3. A] Prose.

p. 197, ll. 4 and 5. A] 3 ll. you, Spaconia, thus.

p. 199, ll. 9 and 10. B—D and G] 3 ll. Ladie, passe, King. ll. 12 and 13. A and G] 2 ll. from, remov'd.

p. 201, ll. 7 and 8. A] 2 ll. All, folly. l. 15. A] 2 ll. Sir, warrant. ll. 39 and 40.

p. 202, ll. 19—22. A] Prose.

p. 204, l. 6. A—D and G] 2 ll. false, letter. ll. 36—38. A] 2 ll. Truth, Prince.

p. 205, ll. 26 and 27. A—D and G] 3 ll. Another, distance, opinion.

p. 207, ll. 11—13. A—D and G] 3 ll. Toge-, man, brother. I. 24. A—D and G] 2 ll. Sir, since.

p. 209, ll. 31 and 32. A] 2 ll. me, brother.

p. 212, ll. ii and 12. A] 3 ll. Panthea, gaze, out. ll. 23 and 24. A] 2 ll. you, gone.

Act 5 is in verse in Quartos A, B, C and D, in prose in Quartos E and F from p. 214, I. 22. As the Second Folio also prints it in prose it has been decided to give here the verse of Quarto A (1619) in full.

Actus Quinti Scaena Prima.

Enter Mardonius, and Ligones.

Mar.

Sir, the King has seene your Commission, and beleeves it, and freely by this warrant gives you leave to visit Prince Tigranes your noble Master.

Lig.

I thanke his Grace, and kisse his hands.

Mar.

But is the maine of all your businesse Ended in this?

Lig.

I have another, but a worse; I am asham'd, it is a businesse.—

Mar.

You serve a worthy person, and a stranger I am sure you are; you may imploy mee if you please, without your purse, such Officers should ever be their owne rewards.

Lig.

I am bound to your noblenesse.

Mar.

I may have neede of you, and then this curtesie, If it be any, is not ill bestowed: But may I civilly desire the rest? I shall not be a hurter, if no helper.

Lig.

Sir, you shall know I have lost a foolish daughter, And with her all my patience; pilferd away By a meane Captaine of your Kings.

Mar.

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

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 noble 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 pronounce 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 God 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 Whores upon my life Sir.

Bes.

My meanes and manners never could attempt Above a hedge or hey-cocke.

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.

Bes.

Well, I can aske no more, you would thinke it strange Now to have me beat you at first sight.

Lig.

Indeed I would but I know your goodnes can forget Twentie beatings. You must forgive me.

Bes.

Yes, ther's my hand, goe where you will, I shall thinke You a valiant fellow for all this.

Lig.

My daughter is a Whore, I feele it now too sencible; yet I will see her, Discharge my selfe of being Father to her, And then backe to my Countrie, and there die; Farewell Captaine.

Exit.

Bes.

Farewell Sir, farewell, commend me to the Gentlewoman I praia.

1.

How now Captaine, beare up man.

Bes.

Gentlemen ath' sword your hands once more, I have Beene kickt againe, but the foolish fellow is penitent, Has ask't me mercy, and my honor's safe.