A King, and No King. Beaumont Francis

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СКАЧАТЬ in this: when I commend you, you hug me for that truth: but when I speak your faults, you make a start, and flie the hearing but.

      Arb.

      When you commend me? O that I should live To need such commendations: If my deeds Blew not my praise themselves about the earth, I were most wretched: spare your idle praise: If thou didst mean to flatter, and shouldst utter Words in my praise, that thou thoughtst impudence, My deeds should make 'em modest: when you praise I hug you? 'tis so [false], that wert thou worthy thou shouldst receive a death, a glorious death from me: but thou shalt understand thy lies, for shouldst thou praise me into Heaven, and there leave me inthron'd, I would despise thee though as much as now, which is as much as dust because I see thy envie.

      Mar.

      However you will use me after, yet for your own promise sake, hear me the rest.

      Arb.

      I will, and after call unto the winds, for they shall lend as large an ear as I to what you utter: speak.

      Mar.

      Would you but leave these hasty tempers, which I do not say take from you all your worth, but darken 'em, then you will shine indeed.

      Arb.

      Well.

      Mar.

      Yet I would have you keep some passions, lest men should take you for a God, your vertues are such.

      Arb.

      Why now you flatter.

      Mar.

      I never understood the word, were you no King, and free from these moods, should I choose a companion for wit and pleasure, it should be you; or for honesty to enterchange my bosom with, it should be you; or wisdom to give me counsel, I would pick out you; or valour to defend my reputation, still I should find you out; for you are fit to fight for all the world, if it could come in question: Now I have spoke, consider to your self, find out a use; if so, then what shall fall to me is not material.

      Arb.

      Is not material? more than ten such lives, as mine, Mardonius: it was nobly said, thou hast spoke truth, and boldly such a truth as might offend another. I have been too passionate and idle, thou shalt see a swift amendment, but I want those parts you praise me for: I fight for all the world? Give me a sword, and thou wilt go as far beyond me, as thou art beyond in years, I know thou dar'st and wilt; it troubles me that I should use so rough a phrase to thee, impute it to my folly, what thou wilt, so thou wilt par[d]on me: that thou and I should differ thus!

      Mar.

      Why 'tis no matter Sir.

      Arb.

      Faith but it is, but thou dost ever take all things I do, thus patiently, for which I never can requite thee, but with love, and that thou shalt be sure of. Thou and I have not been merry lately: pray thee tell me where hadst thou that same jewel in thine ear?

      Mar.

      Why at the taking of a Town.

      Arb.

      A wench upon my life, a wench Mardonius gave thee that jewel.

      Mar.

      Wench! they respect not me, I'm old and rough, and every limb about me, but that which should, grows stiffer, I'those businesses I may swear I am truly honest: for I pay justly for what I take, and would be glad to be at a certainty.

      Arb.

      Why, do the wenches encroach upon thee?

      Mar.

      I by this light do they.

      Arb.

      Didst thou sit at an old rent with 'em?

      Mar.

      Yes faith.

      Arb.

      And do they improve themselves?

      Mar.

      I ten shillings to me, every new young fellow they come acquainted with.

      Arb.

      How canst live on't?

      Mar.

      Why I think I must petition to you.

      Arb.

      Thou shalt take them up at my price.

      Enter two Gentlemen and Bessus.

      Mar.

      Your price?

      Arb.

      I at the Kings price.

      Mar.

      That may be more than I'me worth.

      2 Gent.

      Is he not merry now?

      1 Gent.

      I think not.

      Bes.

      He is, he is: we'l shew our selves.

      Arb.

      Bessus, I thought you had been in Iberia by this, I bad you hast; Gobrias will want entertainment for me.

      Bes.

      And please your Majesty I have a sute.

      Arb.

      Is't not lousie Bessus, what is't?

      Bes.

      I am to carry a Lady with me.

      Arb.

      Then thou hast two sutes.

      Bes.

      And if I can prefer her to the Lady Pentha your Majesties

      Sister, to learn fashions, as her friends term it, it will be

      worth something to me.

      Arb.

      So many nights lodgings as 'tis thither, wilt not?

      Bes.

      I know not that Sir, but gold I shall be sure of.

      Arb.

      Why thou shalt bid her entertain her from me, so thou wilt resolve me one thing.

      Bes.

      If I can.

      Arb.

      Faith 'tis a very disputable СКАЧАТЬ