Kings and rulers -- Drama; Political plays; Tragicomedy
As well as conquest by his own means and his valiant
C[o]mmanders can make him; your letters will tell you all.
_Pan_.
I will not open mine till I do know
My Brothers health: good Captain is he well?
_Bes_.
As the rest of us that fought are.
_Pan_.
But how's that? is he hurt?
_Bes_.
He's a strange souldier that gets not a knock.
_Pan_.
I do not ask how strange that souldier is
That gets no hurt, but whether he have one.
_Bes_.
He had divers.
_Pan_.
And is he well again?
_Bes_.
Well again, an't please your Grace: why I was run twice through
the body, and shot i'th' head with a cross-arrow, and yet am well
again.
_Pan_.
I do not care how thou do'st, is he well?
_Bes_.
Not care how I do? Let a man out of the mightiness of his spirit,
fructifie Foreign Countries with his blood for the good of his
own, and thus he shall be answered: Why I may live to relieve
with spear and shield, such a Lady as you distressed.
_Pan_.
Why, I will care, I'me glad that thou art well, I prethee is he
so?
_Gob_.
The King is well and will be here to morrow.
_Pan_.
My prayer is heard, now will I open mine.
_Gob_.
_Bacurius_, I must ease you of your charge:
Madam, the wonted mercy of the King,
That overtakes your faults, has met with this,
And struck it out, he has forgiven you freely,
Your own will is your law, be where you please.
_ Ara_.
I thank him.
_Gob_.
You will be ready to wait upon his Majesty to morrow?
_ Ara_.
I will.
[_Exit_ Arane.
_Bac_.
Madam be wise hereafter; I am glad I have lost this Office.
_Gob_.
Good Captain _Bessus_, tell us the discourse betwixt _Tigranes_
and our King, and how we got the victory.
_Pan_.
I prethee do, and if my Brother were
In any danger, let not thy tale make
Him abide there long before thou bring him off,
For all that while my heart will beat.
_Bes_.
Madam let what will beat, I must tell the truth, and thus it was;
they fought single in lists, but one to one; as for my own part,
I was dangerously hurt but three days before, else, perhaps, we
had been two to two, I cannot tell, some thought we had, and the
occasion of my hurt was this, the enemy had made Trenches.
_Gob_.
Captain, without the manner of your hurt be much material to this
business, we'l hear't some other time.
_Pan_.
I prethee leave it, and go on with my Brother.
_Bes_.
I will, but 'twould be worth your hearing: To the
Lists they came, and single-sword and gantlet was their fight.
_Pan_.
Alas!
_Bes_.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account