A King, and No King Part 19

_Gob_.

Do you not see her there?

_Arb_.

Where?

_Gob_.

There.

_Arb_.

There, where?

_Mar_.

S'light, there, are you blind?

_Arb_.

Which do you mean, that little one?

_Gob_.

No Sir.

_Arb_.

No Sir? why, do you mock me? I can see No other here, but that pet.i.tioning Lady.

_Gob_.

That's she.

_Arb_.

Away.

_Gob_.

Sir, it is she.

_Arb_.

'Tis false.

_Gob_.

Is it?

_Arb_.

As h.e.l.l, by Heaven, as false as h.e.l.l, My Sister: is she dead? if it be so, Speak boldly to me; for I am a man, And dare not quarrel with Divinity; And do not think to cozen me with this: I see you all are mute and stand amaz'd, Fearful to answer me; it is too true, A decreed instant cuts off ev'ry life, For which to mourn, is to repine; she dy'd A Virgin, though more innocent than sheep, As clear as her own eyes, and blessedness Eternal waits upon her where she is: I know she could not make a wish to change Her state for new, and you shall see me bear My crosses like a man; we all must die, And she hath taught us how.

_Gob_.

Do not mistake, And vex your self for nothing; for her death Is a long life off, I hope: 'Tis she, And if my speech deserve not faith, lay death Upon me, and my latest words shall force A credit from you.

_Arb_.

Which, good Gobrias? that Lady dost thou mean?

_Gob_.

That Lady Sir, She is your Sister, and she is your Sister That loves you so, 'tis she for whom I weep, To see you use her thus.

_Arb_.

It cannot be.

_Tigr_.

Pish, this is tedious, I cannot hold, I must present my self, And yet the sight of my _s.p.a.conia_ Touches me, as a sudden thunder-clap Does one that is about to sin.

_Arb_.

Away, No more of this; here I p.r.o.nounce him Traytor, The direct plotter of my death, that names Or thinks her for my Sister, 'tis a lie, The most malicious of the world, invented To mad your King; he that will say so next, Let him draw out his sword and sheath it here, It is a sin fully as pardonable: She is no kin to me, nor shall she be; If she were ever, I create her none: And which of you can question this? My power Is like the Sea, that is to be obey'd, And not disputed with: I have decreed her As far from having part of blood with me, As the nak'd _indians_; come and answer me, He that is boldest now; is that my Sister?

_Mar_.

O this is fine.

_Bes_.

No marry, she is not, an't please your Majesty, I never thought she was, she's nothing like you.

_Arb_.

No 'tis true, she is not.

_Mar_.

Thou shou'dst be hang'd.

_Pan_.

Sir, I will speak but once; by the same power You make my blood a stranger unto yours, You may command me dead, and so much love A stranger may importune, pray you do; If this request appear too much to grant, Adopt me of some other Family, By your unquestion'd word; else I shall live Like sinfull issues that are left in streets By their regardless Mothers, and no name Will be found for me.