A King and No King by F. Beaumont and J. Fletcher - HTML preview

Act V

 

 

Enter  Mardonius And  Lygones.

 

Mar.

  Sir, the King has seen your Commission, and believes it, and

  freely by this warrant gives you power to visit Prince Tigranes,

  your Noble Master.

 

Lygr.

  I thank his Grace and kiss his hand.

 

Mar.

  But is the main of all your business ended in this?

 

Lyg.

I have another, but a worse, I am asham'd, it is a business.

 

Mar.

  You serve a worthy person, and a stranger I am sure you are; you

  may imploy me if you please without your purse, such Offices

  should ever be their own rewards.

 

Lyg.

  I am bound to your Nobleness.

 

Mar.

  I may have need of you, and then this courtesie,

  If it be any, is not ill bestowed;

  But may I civilly desire the rest?

  I shall not be a hurter if no helper.

 

Lyg.

  Sir you shall know I have lost a foolish Daughter,

  And with her all my patience, pilfer'd away

  By a mean Captain of your Kings.

 

Mar.

  Stay there Sir:

  If he have reacht the Noble worth of Captain,

  He may well claim a worthy Gentlewoman,

  Though she were yours, and Noble.

 

Lyg.

  I grant all that too: but this wretched fellow

  Reaches no further than the empty name

  That serves to feed him; were he valiant,

  Or had but in him any noble nature

  That might hereafter promise him a good man,

  My cares were so much lighter, and my grave

  A span yet from me.

 

Mar.

  I confess such fellows

  Be in all Royal Camps, and have and must be,

  To make the sin of Coward more detested

  In the mean souldier that with such a foil

  Sets off much valour. By description

  I should now guess him to you, it was Bessus,

  I dare almost with confidence pronounce it.

 

Lyg.

  'Tis such a scurvie name as Bessus, and now I think 'tis he.

 

Mar.

  Captain do you call him?

  Believe me Sir, you have a misery

  Too mighty for your age: A pox upon him,

  For that must be the end of all his service:

  Your Daughter was not mad Sir?

 

Lyg.

  No, would she had been,

  The fault had had more credit: I would do something.

 

Mar. 

  I would fain counsel you; but to what I know not.

  He´s so below a beating, that the women

  Find him not worthy of their distaves, and

  To hang him were to cast away a rope.

  He´s such an airy, thin, unbodied coward,

  That no revenge can catch him.

  I´ll tell you, sir, and tell you truth; this rascal

  Fears neither God nor man; has been so beaten,

  Sufferance has made him wainscot; he has had,

  Since he was first a slave,

  At least three hundred daggers set in´s head,

  As little boys do new knives in hot meat.

  There´s not a rib in´s body, o´ my conscience,

  That has not been thrice broken with dry beating!

  And now his sides look like two wicker targets,

  Every way bended;

  Children will shortly take him for a wall,

  And set their stone-bows in his forehead.

  He is of so base a sense,

  I cannot in a week imagine what

  Shall be done to him.

 

Lyg.

  Sure I have committed some great sin

  That this fellow should be made my Rod,

  I would see him, but I shall have no patience.

 

Mar.

  'Tis no great matter if you have not: if a Laming of him, or

  such a toy may do you pleasure Sir, he has it for you, and I'le

  help you to him: 'tis no news to him to have a Leg broken, or

  Shoulder out, with being turn'd o'th' stones like a Tansie: draw

  not your Sword if you love it; for on my Conscience his head will

  break it: we use him i'th' Wars like a Ram to shake a wall

  withal. Here comes the very person of him, do as you shall find

  your temper, I must leave you: but if you do not break him like a

  Bisket, you are much to blame Sir.

 

                                                [Exit  Mar.

 

  Enter  Bessus And the Sword men.

 

Lyg.

  Is your name Bessus?

 

Bes.

  Men call me Captain Bessus.

 

Lyg.

  Then Captain Bessus, you are a rank rascall, without more

  exordiums, a durty frozen slave; and with the favor of your

  friends here I will beat you.

 

2 Sword.

  Pray use your pleasure Sir,

  You seem to be a Gentleman.

 

Lyg.

  Thus Captain Bessus, thus; thus twing your nose, thus kick,

  thus tread you.

 

Bes.

  I do beseech you yield your cause Sir quickly.

 

Lyg.

  Indeed I should have told that first.

 

Bes.

  I take it so.

 

1 Sword.

  Captain, he should indeed, he is mistaken.

 

Lyg.

  Sir, you shall have it quickly, and more beating,

you have stoln away a Lady, Captain coward, and such an

one.

  beats him.

 

Bes.

  Hold, I beseech you, hold Sir, I never yet stole any living thing

  that had a tooth about it.

 

Lyg.

  I know you dare lie.

 

Bes.

  With none but Summer Whores upon my life Sir, my means and

  manners never could attempt above a hedge or hay-cock.

 

Lyg.

  Sirra, that quits not me, where is this Lady? do that you do not

  use to do; tell truth, or by my hand, I'le beat your Captains

  brains out, wash'em, and put 'em in again, that will I.

 

Bes.

  There was a Lady Sir, I must confess, once in my charge: the

  Prince Tigranes gave her to my guard for her safety, how I us'd

  her, she may her self report, she's with the Prince now: I did

  but wait upon her like a groom, which she will testife I am sure:

  if not, my brains are at your service when you please Sir, and

  glad I have 'em for you.

 

Lyg.

  This is most likely, Sir, I ask you pardon, and am sorry I was so

  intemperate.

 

Bes.

  Well I can ask no more, you will think it strange not to have me

  beat you at first sight.

 

Lyg.

  Indeed I would, but I know your goodness can forget twenty

  beatings, you must forgive me.

 

Bes.

  Yes there's my hand, go where you will, I shall think you a

  valiant fellow for all this.

 

Lyg.

  My da[u]ghter is a Whore, I feel it now too sensible; yet I will

  see her, discharge my self from being father to her, and then

  back to my Country, and there die, farwell Captain.

 

                                               [Exit Lygo.

 

Bes.

  Farwell Sir, farwell, commend me to the gentlewoman I pray.

 

1 Sword.

  How now Captain? bear up man.

 

Bes.

  Gentlemen o'th'sword, your hands once more; I have been kickt

  agen, but the foolish fellow is penitent, has askt me Mercy, and

  my honour's safe.

 

2 Sword.

  We knew that, or the foolish fellow had better have kickt his

  grandsir.

 

Bes.

  Confirm, confirm I pray.

 

1 Sword.

  There be our hands agen, now let him come and say he was not

  sorry, and he sleeps for it.

 

Bes.

  Alas good ignorant old man, let him go, let him go, these courses

  will undo him.

 

                                            [Exeunt clear.

 

  Enter  Lygones And  Bacurius.

 

Bac.

  My Lord, your authority is good, and I am glad it is so, for my

  consent would never hinder you from seeing your own King, I am a

  Minister, but not a governor of this State, yonder is your King,

  I'le leave you.

 

                                                    [Exit.

 

  Enter  Tigranes And  Spaconia.

 

Lyg.

  There he is indeed, and with him my disloyal child.

 

Tigr.

  I do perceive my fault so much, that yet me thinks thou shouldst

  not have forgiven me.

 

Lyg.

  Health to your Majesty.

 

Tigr.

  What? good Lygones  welcome, what business brought thee hither?

 

Lyg.

  Several businesses. My publick businesses will appear by this, I

  have a message to deliver, which if it please you so to

  authorize, is an embassage from the Armenian State, unto Arbaces

  for your liberty: the offer's there set down, please you to read

  it.

 

Tigr.

  There is no alteration happened since I came thence?

 

Lyg.

  None Sir, all is as it was.

 

Tigr.

  And all our friends are well?

 

Lyg.

  All very well.

 

Spa.

  Though I have done nothing but what was good, I dare not see my

  Father, it was fault enough not to acquaint him with that good.

 

Lyg.

  Madam I should have seen you.

 

Spa.

  O good Sir forgive me.

 

Lyg.

  Forgive you, why? I am no kin to you, am I?

 

Spa.

  Should it be measur'd by my mean deserts, indeed you are not.

 

Lyg.

  Thou couldest prate unhappily ere thou couldst go, would thou

  couldst do as well, and how does your custome hold out here?

 

Spa.

  Sir?

 

Lyg.

  Are you in private still, or how?

 

Spa.

  What do you mean?

 

Lyg.

  Do you take mony? are you come to sell sin yet? perhaps I can

  help you to liberal Clients: or has not the King cast you off

  yet? O thou vile creature, whose best commendation is, that thou

  art a young whore, I would thy Mother had liv'd to see this, or

  rather that I had died ere I had seen it; why didst not make me

  acquainted when thou wert first resolv'd to be a whore, I would

  have seen thy hot lust satisfied more privately: I would have

  kept a dancer and a whole consort of musicians in my own house

  only to fiddle thee.

 

Spa.

  Sir, I was never whore.

 

Lyg.

  If thou couldst not say so much for thy self, thou shouldst be

  carted.

 

Tigr.

  Lygones, I have read it, and I like it, you shall deliver it.

 

Lyg.

  Well Sir, I will: but I have private business with you.

 

Tigr.

  Speak, what is't?

 

Lyg.

  How has my age deserv'd so ill of you, that you can

pick no strumpets i'th' land, but out of my breed?

 

Tigr.

  Strumpets, good Lygones?

 

Lyg.

  Yes, and I wish to have you know, I scorn to get a whore for any

  prince alive, and yet scorn will not help methinks: my Daughter

  might have been spar'd, there were enow besides.

 

Tigr.

  May I not prosper but she's innocent as morning light for me, and

  I dare swear for all the world.

 

Lyg.

  Why is she with you then? can she wait on you better than your

  man, has she a gift in plucking off your stockings, can she make

  Cawdles well or cut your cornes? Why do you keep her with you?

  For a Queen I know you do contemn her, so should I, and every

  subject else think much at it.

 

Tigr.

  Let 'em think much, but 'tis more firm than earth: thou see'st

  thy Queen there.

 

Lyg.

  Then have I made a fair hand, I call'd her Whore. If I shall

  speak now as her Father, I cannot chuse but greatly rejoyce that

  she shall be a Queen: but if I shall speak to you as a

  States-man, she were more fit to be your whore.

 

Tigr.

  Get you about your business to Arbaces, now you talk idlely.

 

Lyg.

  Yes Sir, I will go, and shall she be a Queen? she had more wit

  than her old Father, when she ran away: shall she be Queen? now

  by my troth 'tis fine, I'le dance out of all measure at her

  wedding: shall I not Sir?

 

Tigr.

  Yes marry shalt thou.

 

Lyg.

  I'le make these withered kexes bear my body two hours together

  above ground.

 

Tigr.

  Nay go, my business requires hast.

 

Lyg.

  Good Heaven preserve you, you are an excellent King.

 

Spa.

  Farwell good Father.

 

Lyg.

  Farwell sweet vertuous Daughter, I never was so joyfull in all my

  life, that I remember: shall she be a Queen? Now I perceive a man

  may weep for joy, I had thought they had lyed that said so.

 

                                            [Exit  Lygones.

 

Tigr.

  Come my dear love.

 

Spa.

  But you may see another may alter that again.

 

Tigr.

  Urge it no more, I have made up a new strong constancy, not to be

  shook with eyes: I know I have the passions of a man, but if I

  meet with any subject that should hold my eyes more firmly than

  is fit, I'le think of thee, and run away from it: let that

  suffice.

 

                                              [Exeunt all.

 

  Enter  Bacurius And his Servant.

 

Bac.

  Three Gentlemen without to speak with me?

 

Ser.

  Yes Sir.

 

Bac.

  Let them come in.

  Enter  Bessus with the two Sword-men.

 

Ser.

  They are entred Sir already.

 

Bac.

  Now fellows your business? are these the Gentlemen?

 

Bes.

  My Lord, I have made bold to bring these Gentlemen, my friends

  o'th' Sword along with me.

 

Bac.

  I am afraid you'l fight then.

 

Bes.

  My good Lord, I will not, your Lordship is much mistaken, fear

  not Lord.

 

Bac.

  Sir, I am sorry for't.

 

Bes.

  I ask no more in honour, Gentlemen you hear my Lord is sorry.

 

Bac.

  Not that I have beaten you, but beaten one that will be beaten:

  one whose dull body will require a laming, as Surfeits do the

  diet, spring and fall; now to your Sword-men; what come they for,

  good Captain Stock-fish?

 

Bes.

  It seems your Lordship has forgot my name.

 

Bac.

  No, nor your nature neither, though they are things fitter I must

  confess for any thing, than my remembrance, or any honest mans:

  what shall these Billets do; be pil'd up in my wood-yard?

 

Bes.

  Your Lordship holds your mirth still, Heaven continue it: but for

  these Gentlemen, they come--

 

Bac.

  To swear you are a Coward, spare your book, I do believe it.

 

Bes.

  Your Lordship still draws wide, they come to vouch under their

  valiant hands I am no Coward.

 

Bac.

  That would be a show indeed worth seeing: sirra be wise, and take

  Mony for this motion, travel with it, and where the name of

  Bessus  has been known or a good Coward stirring, 'twill yield

  more than a tilting. This will prove more beneficial to you, if

  you be thrifty, than your Captainship, and more natural: men of

  most valiant hands is this true?

 

2 Sword.

  It is so, most renowned.

 

Bac.

  'Tis somewhat strange.

 

1 Sword.

  Lord, it is strange, yet true; we have examined from your

  Lordships foot there, to this mans head, the nature of the

  beatings; and we do find his honour is come off clean and

  sufficient: this as our swords shall help us.

 

Bac.

  You are much bound to your Bil-bow-men, I am glad you are

  straight again Captain; 'twere good you would think on some way

  to gratifie them, they have undergone a labour for you, Bessus

  would have puzl'd hercules  with all his valour.

 

2 Sword.

  Your Lordship must understand we are no men o'th' Law, that take

  pay for our opinions: it is sufficient we have clear'd our

  friend.

 

Bac.

  Yet there is something due, which I as toucht in Conscience will

  discharge Captain; I'le pay this Rent for you.

 

Bes.

  Spare your self my good Lord; my brave friends aim at nothing but

  the vertue.

 

Bac.

  That's but a cold discharge Sir for the pains.

 

2 Sword.

  O Lord, my good Lord.

 

Bac.

  Be not so modest, I will give you something.

 

Bes.

They shall dine with your Lordship, that's sufficient.

 

Bac.

  Something in hand the while, you Rogues, you Apple-squires: do

  you come hither with your botled valour, your windy froth, to

  limit out my beatings?

 

1 Sword.

  I do beseech your Lordship.

 

2 Sword.

  O good Lord.

 

Bac.

  S'foot-what a heavy of beaten slaves are here! get me a Cudgel

  sirra, and a tough one.

 

2 Sword.

  More of your foot, I do beseech your Lordship.

 

Bac.

  You shall, you shall dog, and your fellow-beagle.

 

1 Sword.

  O' this side good my Lord.

 

Bac.

  Off with your swords, for if you hurt my foot, I'le have you

  flead you Rascals.

 

1 Sword.

  Mine's off my Lord.

 

2 Sword.

  I beseech your Lordship stay a little, my strap's tied to my Cod

  piece-point: now when you please.

 

Bac.

  Captain these are your valiant