A King, and No King Part 32

_Enter_ Gobrias.

_Mar_.

There comes a good man, love him too, he's temperate, You may live to have need of such a vertue, Rage is not still in fashion.

_Arb_.

Welcome good _Gobrias_.

_Gob_.

My service and this letter to your Grace.

_Arb_.

From whom?

_Gob_.

From the rich Mine of vertue and beauty, Your mournfull Sister.

_Arb_.

She is in prison, _Gobrias,_ is she not?

_Gob_.

She is Sir, till your pleasure to enlarge her, Which on my knees I beg. Oh 'tis not fit, That all the sweetness of the world in one, The youth and vertue that would tame wild Tygers, And wilder people, that have known no manners, Should live thus cloistred up; for your loves sake, If there be any in that n.o.ble heart, To her a wretched Lady, and forlorn, Or for her love to you, which is as much As nature and obedience ever gave, Have pity on her beauties.

_Arb_.

Pray thee stand up; 'Tis true, she is too fair, And all these commendations but her own, Would thou had'st never so commended her, Or I nere liv'd to have heard it _Gobrias;_ If thou but know'st the wrong her beautie does her, Thou wouldst in pity of her be a lyar, Thy ignorance has drawn me wretched man, Whither my self nor thou canst well tell: O my fate!

I think she loves me, but I fear another Is deeper in her heart: How thinkst thou _Gobrias_?

_Gob_.

I do beseech your Grace believe it not, For let me perish if it be not false. Good Sir, read her Letter.

_Mar_.

This Love, or what a devil it is I know not, begets more mischief than a Wake. I had rather be well beaten, starv'd, or lowsie, than live within the Air on't. He that had seen this brave fellow Charge through a grove of Pikes but t'other day, and look upon him now, will ne'r believe his eyes again: if he continue thus but two days more, a Taylor may beat him with one hand tied behind him.

_Arb_.

Alas, she would be at liberty.

And there be a thousand reasons _Gobrias,_ Thousands that will deny't: Which if she knew, she would contentedly Be where she is: and bless her vertues for it, And me, though she were closer, she would, _Gobrias,_ Good man indeed she would.

_Gob_.

Then good Sir, for her satisfaction, Send for her and with reason make her know Why she must live thus from you.

_Arb_.

I will; go bring her to me.

[_Exeunt all_.

_Enter_ Bessus, _And two Sword-men, and a Boy_.

_Bes_.

Y'are very welcome both; some stools boy, And reach a Table; Gentlemen o'th' Sword, Pray sit without more complement; be gone child.

I have been curious in the searching of you, Because I understand you wise and valiant persons.

_1_.

We understand our selves Sir.

_Bes_.

Nay Gentlemen, and dear friends o'th' Sword, No complement I pray, but to the cause I hang upon, which in few, is my honour.

_2_.

You cannot hang too much Sir, for your honour, But to your cause.

_Bes_.

Be wise, and speak truth, my first doubt is, My beating by my Prince.

_1_.

Stay there a little Sir, do you doubt a beating?

Or have you had a beating by your Prince?

_Bes_.

Gentlemen o'th' Sword, my Prince has beaten me.

_2_.

Brother, what think you of this case?

_1_.

If he has beaten him, the case is clear.

_2_.