Kings and rulers -- Drama; Political plays; Tragicomedy
I do not know how thou mayst wait of a man in's Chamber, or thy
agility of shifting of a Trencher, but otherwise no service good
_Bessus_.
_Bes_.
You saw me do the service your self.
_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_.
Pray thee, who Christened it?
_Bes_.
The Souldiers.
_Mar_.
If I were not a very merrily dispos'd man, what would become of
thee? one that had but a grain of choler in the whole composition
of his body, would send thee of 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 Trunchion, 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 meanedst to flie, and thy fear
making thee mistake, thou ranst upon the enemy, and a hot charge
thou gav'st, as I'le 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 alwaies and run away
upon th' enemy, thou shouldst be General by this light.
_Bes_.
You'l 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
proceedest, 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 wer't 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 ear'd who knew it, thou
shouldst not hear it _Bessus_. Here he is with his prey in his
foot.
_Enter &c. Senet Flourish_.
_Enter_ Arbaces _and_ Tigranes, _Two Kings and two Gentlemen_.
_Arb_.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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