A King, and No King. Beaumont Francis

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      Arb.

      I mean not you,

      Did not I stop you once? but I am grown

      To balk, but I defie, let another speak.

      Arb.

      Thou drawest thy words,

      That I must wait an hour, where other men

      Can hear in instants; throw your words away,

      Quick, and to purpose, I have told you this.

      Arb.

      Wilt thou devour me? this is such a rudeness

      As you never shew'd me, and I want

      Power to command too, else Mardonius

      Would speak at my request; were you my King,

      I would have answered at your word Mardonius,

      I pray you speak, and truely, did I boast?

      Arb.

      You take all great care what will offend me,

      When you dare to utter such things as these.

      Mar.

      You told Tigranes, you had won his Land,

      With that sole arm propt by Divinity:

      Was not that bragging, and a wrong to us,

      That daily ventured lives?

      Arb.

      O that thy name

      Were as great, as mine, would I had paid my wealth,

      It were as great, as I might combate thee,

      I would through all the Regions habitable

      Search thee, and having found thee, wi'my Sword

      Drive thee about the world, till I had met

      Some place that yet mans curiosity

      Hath mist of; there, there would I strike thee dead:

      Forgotten of mankind, such Funeral rites

      As beasts would give thee, thou shouldst have.

      Arb.

      There I would make you know 'twas this sole arm.

      I grant you were my instruments, and did

      As I commanded you, but 'twas this arm

      Mov'd you like wheels, it mov'd you as it pleas'd.

      Whither slip you now? what are you too good

      To wait on me (puffe,) I had need have temper

      That rule such people; I have nothing left

      At my own choice, I would I might be private:

      Mean men enjoy themselves, but 'tis our curse,

      To have a tumult that out of their loves

      Will wait on us, whether we will or no;

      Go get you gone: Why here they stand like death,

      My words move nothing.

      Arb.

      I pray you leave me Sirs, I'me proud of this,

      That you will be intreated from my sight:

      Why now the[y] leave me all: Mardonius.

      Arb.

      Will you leave me quite alone? me thinks

      Civility should teach you more than this,

      If I were but your friend: Stay here and wait.

      Arb.

      Why, you would now think much

      To be denied, but I can scar[c]e intreat

      What I would have: do, speak.

      Arb.

      With me you Article to talk thus: well,

      I will hear you out.

      Arb.

      Alas Mardonius, rise you shall not kneel,

      We all are souldiers, and all venture lives:

      And where there is no difference in mens worths,

      Titles are jests, who can outvalue thee?

      Mardonius thou hast lov'd me, and hast wrong,

      Thy love is not rewarded, but believe

      It shall be better, more than friend in arms,

      My Father, and my Tutor, good Mardonius.

      Arb.

      And so I will; speak freely, for from thee

      Nothing can come but worthy things and true.

      Mar.

      Though you have all this worth, you hold some qualities that do

      Eclipse your vertues.