A King, and No King Part 47

_Gob_.

Pray you be more patient, I may bring comfort to you.

_Arb_.

I will kneel, and hear with the obedience of a child; good Father speak, I do acknowledge you, so you bring comfort.

_Gob_.

First know, our last King, your supposed Father was old and feeble when he married her, and almost all the Land thought she was past hope of issue from him.

_Arb_.

Therefore she took leave to play the wh.o.r.e, because the King was old: is this the comfort?

_Ara_.

What will you find out to give me satisfaction, when you find how you have injur'd me? let fire consume me, if ever I were a wh.o.r.e.

_Gob_.

For-bear these starts, or I will leave you wedded to despair, as you are now: if you can find a temper, my breath shall be a pleasant western wind that cools and blasts not.

_Arb_.

Bring it out good Father. I'le lie, and listen here as reverently as to an Angel: if I breath too loud, tell me; for I would be as still as night.

_Gob_.

Our King I say, was old, and this our Queen desir'd to bring an heir, but yet her husband she thought was past it, and to be dishonest I think she would not: if she would have been, the truth is, she was watcht so narrowly, and had so slender opportunities, she hardly could have been: but yet her cunning found out this way; she feign'd her self with child, and posts were sent in hast throughout the Land, and humble thanks was given in every Church, and prayers were made for her safe going and delivery: she feign'd now to grow bigger, and perceiv'd this hope of issue made her fear'd, and brought a far more large respect from every man, and saw her power increase, and was resolv'd, since she believ'd, she could not hav't indeed, at least she would be thought to have a child.

_Arb_.

Do I not hear it well? nay I will make no noise at all; but pray you to the point, quickly as you can.

_Gob_.

Now when the time was full, she should be brought to bed, I had a Son born, which was you, this the Queen hearing of mov'd me to let her have you; and such reasons she shewed me, as she knew would tie my secrecie, she swore you should be King, and to be short, I did deliver you unto her, and pretended you were dead, and in mine own house kept a funeral, and had an empty coffin put in Earth, that night this Queen feign'd hastily to labour and by a pair of women of her own, which she had charm'd, she made the world believe she was delivered of you. You grew up as the Kings Son, till you were six years old; then did the King dye, and did leave to me Protection of the Realm; and contrary to his own expectation, left this Queen truely with child indeed, of the fair Princess _Panthea_: then she could have torn her hair and did alone to me, yet durst not speak in publick, for she knew she should be found a traytor: and her tale would have been thought madness, or any thing rather than truth. This was the only cause why she did seek to poyson you, and I to keep you safe; and this the reason, why I sought to kindle some sparks of love in you to fair _Panthea_, that she might get part of her right again.

_Arb_.

And have you made an end now? is this all? if not, I will be still till I be aged, till all my hairs be Silver.

_Gob_.

This is all.

_Arb_.

And is it true say you too Madam?

_Ara_.

Yes heaven knows it is most true.

_Arb_.

_Panthea_ then is not my Sister?

_Gob_.

No.

_Arb_. But can you prove this?

_Gob_.

If you will give consent, else who dares go about it?

_Arb_.

Give consent? why I will have 'em all that know it rackt, to get this from 'em, all that wait without, come in, what ere you be, come in and be partakers of my joy, O you are welcome.

_Enter_ Bessus, Gentlemen, Mardonius, _And other attendants_.

_Arb_.

The best news, nay draw no nearer, they all shall hear it, I am found no King.

_Mar_.

Is that so good news?

_Arb_.

Yes the happiest news that ere was heard.

_Mar_.

Indeed 'twere well for you if you might be a little less obey'd.

_Arb_.

One call the Queen.

_Mar_.

Why she is there.