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ARBACES, king of Iberia.

TIGRANES, king of Armenia.

ARANE, the queen-mother.

PANTHEA, her daughter.

GOBRIAS, lord-protector, and father of Arbaces. SPACONIA, a lady, daughter of Ligones.

BACURIUS, another lord.

MARDONIUS,

BESSUS, } two captains.

LIGONES, father of Spaconia. Two gentlemen.

Two Sword-men.

MANDANE, a waiting-woman; and other atten

dants.

Three men and a woman.

PHILIP, a servant, and two citizens' wives.

A Messenger,

A Servant to BACURIUS.

A Boy.

SCENE.-On the Frontiers of Armenia; and afterwards in the Metropolis of Iberia.

Enter MARDONIUS and BESSUS.

ACT I.

Mar. Bessus, the king has made a fair hand on't; he has ended the wars at a blow. Would my sword had a close basket hilt, to hold wine, and the blade would make knives; for we shall have nothing but eating and drinking.

Bes. We that are commanders shall do well enough.

Mar. Faith, Bessus, such commanders as thou may: I had as lieve set thee perdue for a pudding i'th' dark, as Alexander the Great,

Bes. I love these jests exceedingly.

Mar. I think thou lov'st 'em better than quarrelling, Bessus; I'll say so much in thy behalf. And yet thou'rt valiant enough upon a retreat: I think thou wouldst kill any man that stop'd thee, if thou couldst.

Bes. But was not this a brave combat, Mardonius?

VOL. I.

Mar. Why, didst thou see it?
Bes. You stood wi' me.

Mar. I did so; but methought thou wink'd'st every blow they struck.

Bes. Well, I believe there are better soldiers than I, that never saw two princes fight in lists.

Mar. By my troth, I think so too, Bessus; many a thousand: But, certainly, all that are worse than thou have seen as much.

Bes. 'Twas bravely done of our king.

Mar. Yes, if he had not ended the wars. I'm glad thou dar'st talk of such dangerous busi

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Bes. I could willingly venture for it.
Mar. Hum! no venture neither, Bessus.
Bes. Let me not live, if I do not think 'tis a
braver piece of service than that I'm so fam'd
for.

Mar. Why, art thou fam'd for any
Bes. Fam'd? I warrant you.

valour?

Mar. I'm e'en heartily glad on't: I have been with thee e'er since thou cam'st to the wars, and this is the first word that ever I heard on't. Prithee, who fames thee?

Bes. The Christian world. Mar. 'Tis heathenishly done of 'em, in my conscience: Thou deserv'st it not.

Bes. Yes, I ha' done good service. Mar. I do not know how thou may'st wait of a man in's chamber, or thy agility in shifting of a trencher; but otherwise no service, good Bes

sus.

Bes. You saw me do the service yourself. Mar. Not so hasty, sweet Bessus! Where was it? is the place vanish'd?

Bes. At Bessus' Desp'rate Redemption. Mar. At Bessus' Desp'rate Redemption! where's that?

Bes. There, where I redeem'd the day: the place bears my name.

Mar. Prithee, who christen'd it?

Bes. The soldiers.

Mar. If I were not a very merrily disposed man, what would become of thee? One that had but a grain of choler in the whole composition of his body, would send thee on an errand to the worms, for putting thy name upon that field: Did not I beat thee there, i'th' head o'th' troops, with a truncheon, because thou wouldst needs run away with thy company, when we should charge the enemy?

Bes. True, but I did not run.

Mar. Right, Bessus: I beat thee out on't. Bes. But came I not up when the day was gone, and redeem'd all?

Mar. Thou knowest, and so do I, thou meant'st to fly, and thy fear making thee mistake, thou ran'st upon the enemy; and a hot charge thou gav'st; as, I'll do thee right, thou art furious in running away; and, I think, we owe thy fear for our victory. If I were the king, and were sure thou wouldst mistake always, and run away upon the enemy, thou shouldst be general, by this light.

Bes. You'll never leave this, till I fall foul.

Mar. No more such words, dear Bessus; for though I have ever known thee a coward, and therefore durst never strike thee, yet if thou proceed'st, I will allow thee valiant, and beat thee.

Bes. Come, our king's a brave fellow.

Mar. He is so, Bessus; I wonder how thou cam'st to know it. But, if thou wert a man of understanding, I would tell thee, he is vain-glorious and humble, and angry and patient, and merry and dull, and joyful and sorrowful, in extremity, in an hour. Do not think me thy friend, for this; for if I car'd who knew it, thou shouldst

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takes away

Arb. Thy sadness, brave Tigranes,
From my full victory: Am I become
Of so small fame, that any man should grieve
When I o'ercome him? They, that plac'd me here,
Intended it an honour, large enough
For the most valiant living, but to dare
Oppose me single, though he lost the day.
What should afflict you? You're as free as I.
To be my prisoner, is to be more free
Than you were formerly. And never think,
The man, I held worthy to combat me,
Shall be us'd servilely. Thy ransom is,
To take my only sister to thy wife :
A heavy one, Tigranes; for she is
A lady, that the neighbour princes send
Blanks to fetch home. I have been too unkind
To her, Tigranes: She, but nine years old,
I left her, and ne'er saw her since: Your wars
Have held me long, and taught me, though
youth,

The way to victory. She was a pretty child;
Then, I was little better; but now fame
Cries loudly on her, and my messengers
Make me believe she is a miracle.
She'll make you shrink, as I did, with a stroke,
But of her eye, Tigranes.

Tigr. Is't the course

a

Of Iberia to use her prisoners thus ?
Had fortune thrown my name above Arbaces',
I should not thus have talk'd, sir: In Armenia,
We hold it base. You should have kept your

temper

Till you saw home again, where 'tis the fashion,
Perhaps, to brag.

Arb. Be you my witness, earth,
Need I to brag? Ďoth not this captive prince
Speak me sufficiently, and all the acts

That I have wrought upon his suffering land?
Should I then boast? Where lies that foot of
ground,

Within his whole realm, that I have not past,
Fighting and conquering? Far then from me
Be ostentation. I could tell the world,
How I have laid his kingdom desolate,
By this sole arm, prop'd by divinity;
Stript him out of his glories; and have sent
The pride of all his youth to people graves;
And made his virgins languish for their loves;
If I would brag. Should I, that have the pow'r
To teach the neighbour world humility,
Mix with vain-glory?

Mar. Indeed, this is none.

[Aside.

Arb. Tigranes, nay, did I but take delight To stretch my deeds as others do, on words, I could amaze my hearers.

Mar. So you do.

Arb. But he shall wrong his and my modesty,
That thinks me apt to boast: After an act
his foe,
Fit for a god to do upon
A little glory in a soldier's mouth

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Arb. See, if I insult,

That am the conqueror, and for a ransom
Offer rich treasure to the conquered,
Which he refuses, and I bear his scorn ?
It cannot be self-flattery to say,

The daughters of your country, set by her,
Would see their shame, run home, and blush to
death

At their own foulness. Yet she is not fair, Nor beautiful; those words express her not: They say, her looks have something excellent, That wants a name. Yet, were she odious, Her birth deserves the empire of the world: Sister to such a brother; that hath ta'en Victory prisoner, and throughout the earth Carries her bound, and, should he let her loose, She durst not leave him. Nature did her wrong, To print continual conquest on her cheeks, And make no man worthy for her to taste, But me, that am too near her; and as strangely She did for me: But you will think I brag.

Mur. I do, I'll be sworn. Thy valour and thy passions sever'd, would have made two excellent fellows in their kinds. I know not, whether I should be sorry thou art so valiant, or so passionate: 'Would one of 'em were away! [Aside. Tigr. Do I refuse her, that I doubt her worth?

Were she as virtuous as she would be thought;
So perfect, that no one of her own sex
Could find a want she had; 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 fix'd
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 yourself in love
To any other, that her searching sight
Cannot dissolve it? So, before you try'd,
You thought yourself a match for me in fight:
Trust me, Tigranes, she can do as much
In peace, as I in war; she'll conquer too.
You shall see, if you have the pow'r to stand
The force of her swift looks. If you dislike,
I'll 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 prisoner's sufferance, And will obey: But give me leave to talk In private with some friends before I go.

Arb. Some do 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, Mar-
donius,

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 done't,

Hadst thou join'd with him, though thy name in

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Will you confine my words? By Heav'n 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.

Bes. Ha, ha, ha!

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,

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I cannot be heard out; they cut me off,
As if I were too saucy. I will live

In woods, and talk to trees; they will allow me
To end what I begin. The meanest subject
Can find a freedom to discharge his soul,
And not I. Now it is a time to speak;
I hearken.

1 Gent. May it please—

Arb. mean not you;

Did not I stop you once? But I am grown
To talk! But I defy-Let another speak.
2 Gent. I hope your majesty-
Arb. Thou drawl'st 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.
Bes. An please your majesty

Arb. Wilt thou devour me? This is such a rudeness

As yet you never shew'd me: And I want
Pow'r to command too; else, Mardonius
Would speak at my request. Were you my king,
I would have answer'd at your word, Mardonius.
I pray you speak, and truly, did I boast?

Mur. Truth will offend you.

Arb. You take all great care what will offend

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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 tem-
per,

That rule such people: I have nothing left
At my own choice! I would I might be private:
Mean men enjoy themselves; but 'tis our curse
To have a tumult, that, out of their loves,
Will wait on us, whether we will or no.

Go, get you gone! Why, here they stand like

death:

My words move nothing.

1 Gent. Must we go?

Bes. I know not.

Arb. I pray you, leave me, sirs. I'm proud of this, [Exeunt all but ARB. and MAR. That you will be intreated from my sight. Why, now they leave me all. Mardonius! Mar. Sir.

Arb. Will you leave me quite alone? Methinks, Civility should teach you more than this,

If I were but your friend. Stay here, and wait. Mar. Sir, shall I speak?

Arb. Why, you would now think much To be denied; but I can scarce intreat What I would have. Do, speak.

Mar. But will you hear me out?

Arb. With me you article, to talk thus: Well, I will hear you out.

Mar. Sir, that I have ever lov'd you, my sword hath spoken for me; that I do, if it be doubted, I dare call an oath, a great one, to my witness; and were you not my king, from amongst men, I should have chose you out, to love above the rest: Nor can this challenge thanks; for my own sake I should have done it, because I would have lov'd the most deserving man; for so you

are.

Arb. Alas, Mardonius, rise! you shall not kneel:

We all are soldiers, and all venture lives;
And where there is no diff'rence in mens' worths,
Titles are jests. Who can outvalue thee?
Mardonius, thou hast lov'd me, and hast wrong;
Thy love is not rewarded; but, believe
It shall be better. More than friend in arms,
My father, and my tutor, good Mardonius!

Mar. Sir, you did promise you would hear me

out.

Arb. And so I will: Speak freely, for from thee

Nothing can come, but worthy things and true.

Mar. Though you have all this worth, you hold some qualities that do eclipse your virtues. Arb. Eclipse my virtues?

Mar. Yes; your passions; which are so manifold, that they appear even in this: When I commend you, you hug me for that truth; but when I speak your faults, you make a start, and fly the hearing: But

Arb. When you commend me? Oh, 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 thought'st 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 lyes; For, shouldst thou praise me into Heav'n, and there

Leave me inthron'd, I would despise thee then As much as now, which is as much as dust, Because I see thy envy.

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 it, 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 virtues are such.

Arb. Why, now you flatter.

Mar. I never understood the word. Were you no king, and free from these moods, should I chuse a companion for wit and pleasure, it should be you; or for honesty to interchange 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 yourself; 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 thee 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 pardon 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: Prithee 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, Mar-
donius, 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. Ay, 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. Ay, 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. Ay, at the king's price.

Mar. That may be more than I'm worth. 2 Gent. Is he not merry now?

1 Gent. I think not.

Bes. He is, he is: We'll shew ourselves.
Arb. Bessus! I thought you had been in
Iberia by this; I bade you haste; Gobrias will
want entertainment for me.

Bes. An please your majesty, I have a suit,
Arb. Is't not lousy, Bessus? What is't?
Bes. I am to carry a lady with me.
Arb. Then thou hast two suits.

Bes. And if I can prefer her to the lady Panthea, your majesty's sister, to learn fashions, as her friends term it, it will be worth something

to me.

Arb. So many nights' lodgings as 'tis thither; will't 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 question; and yet, I think, thou canst decide it.

Bes. Your majesty has a good opinion of my understanding.

Arb. I have so good an opinion of it: 'Tis, whether thou be valiant.

Bes. Somebody has traduced me to you: Do you see this sword, sir?

Arb. Yes.

Bes. If I do not make my back-biters eat it to a knife within this week, say I am not valiant. Enter a Messenger.

Mes. Health to your majesty !
Arb. From Gobrias?
Mes. Yes, sir.

Arb. How does he? is he well?
Mes. In perfect health.

Arb. Take that for thy good news.
A trustier servant to his prince there lives not,
Than is good Gobrias.

1 Gent. The king starts back. Mar. His blood goes back as fast. 2 Gent. And now it comes again. Mar. He alters strangely.

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