A King, and No King. Beaumont Francis

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      Tigr.

      Do I refuse her that I doubt her worth?

      Were she as vertuous as she would be thought,

      So perfect that no one of her own sex

      Could find a want, had she so tempting fair,

      That she could wish it off for damning souls,

      I would pay any ransom, twenty lives

      Rather than meet her married in my bed.

      Perhaps I have a love, where I have fixt

      Mine eyes not to be mov'd, and she on me,

      I am not fickle.

      Arb.

      Is that all the cause?

      Think you, you can so knit your self in love

      To any other, that her searching sight

      Cannot dissolve it? So before you tri'd,

      You thought your self a match for me in [f]ight,

      Trust me Tigranes, she can do as much

      In peace, as I in war, she'l conquer too,

      You shall see if you have the power to stand

      The force of her swift looks, if you dislike,

      I'le send you home with love, and name your ransom

      Some other way, but if she be your choice,

      She frees you: To Iberia you must.

      Tigr.

      Sir, I have learn'd a prisoners sufferance,

      And will obey, but give me leave to talk

      In private with some friends before I go.

      Arb.

      Some to await him forth, and see him safe,

      But let him freely send for whom he please,

      And none dare to disturb his conference,

      I will not have him know what bondage is,

      [Exit Tigranes.

      Till he be free from me. This Prince, Mardonius,

      Is full of wisdom, valour, all the graces

      Man can receive.

      Mar.

      And yet you conquer'd him.

      Arb.

      And yet I conquer'd him, and could have don't

      Hadst thou joyn'd with him, though thy name in Arms

      Be great; must all men that are vertuous

      Think suddenly to match themselves with me?

      I conquered him and bravely, did I not?

      Arb.

      Talkt enough?

      Will you confine my word? by heaven and earth,

      I were much better be a King of beasts

      Than such a people: if I had not patience

      Above a God, I should be call'd a Tyrant

      Throughout the world. They will offend to death

      Each minute: Let me hear thee speak again,

      And thou art earth again: why this is like

      Tigranes speech that needs would say I brag'd.

      Bessus, he said I brag'd.

      Arb.

      Why dost thou laugh?

      By all the world, I'm grown ridiculous

      To my own Subjects: Tie me in a Chair

      And jest at me, but I shall make a start,

      And punish some that others may take heed

      How they are haughty; who will answer me?

      He said I boasted, speak Mardonius,

      Did I? He will not answer, O my temper!

      I give you thanks above, that taught my heart

      Patience, I can endure his silence; what will none

      Vouchsafe to give me answer? am I grown

      To such a poor respect, or do you mean

      To break my wind? Speak, speak, some one of you,

      Or else by heaven.

      Arb.

      Monstrous,

      I cannot be heard out, they cut me off,

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