Kings and rulers -- Drama; Political plays; Tragicomedy
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.
_Bes_.
The King rages extreamly, shall we slink away? He'l strike us.
_2 Gent_.
Content.
_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.
_1 Gent_.
Must we go?
_Bes_. I know not.
_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_.
[_Exeunt all but_ Arb. _and_ Mar.
_Mar_.
Sir.
_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.
_Mar_.
Sir shall I speak?
_Arb_.
Why, you would now think much
To be denied, but I can scar[c]e 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 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_.
_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 vertues.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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