_Bes_.
A little butter, friend a little butter, butter and parseley and a soveraign matter: _probatum est_.
_2 Sword_.
Captain we must request your hand now to our honours.
_Bes_.
Yes marry shall ye, and then let all the world come, we are valiant to our selves, and there’s an end.
_1 Sword_.
Nay then we must be valiant; O my ribs.
_2 Sword_.
O my small guts, a plague upon these sharp-toed shooes, they are murtherers.
[_Exeunt clear_.
_Enter_ Arbaces _with his sword drawn_.
_Arb_.
It is resolv’d, I bare it whilst I could, I can no more, I must begin with murther of my friends, and so go on to that incestuous ravishing, and end my life and sins with a forbidden blow, upon my self.
_Enter_ Mardonius.
_Mar_.
What Tragedy is near? That hand was never wont to draw a sword, but it cry’d dead to something.
_Arb_.
_Mardonius_, have you bid _Gobrias_ come?
_Mar_.
How do you Sir?
_Arb_.
Well, is he coming?
_Mar_.
Why Sir, are you thus? why do your hands proclaim a lawless War against your self?
_Arb_.
Thou answerest me one question with an other, is _Gobrias_ coming?
_Mar_.
Sir he is.
_Arb_.
‘Tis well, I can forbear your questions then, be gone.
_Mar_.
Sir, I have mark’t.
_Arb_.
Mark less, it troubles you and me.
_Mar_.
You are more variable than you were.
_Arb_.
It may be so.
_Mar_.
To day no Hermit could be humbler than you were to us all.
_Arb_.
And what of this?
_Mar_.
And now you take new rage into your eyes, as you would look us all out of the Land.
_Arb_.
I do confess it, will that satisfie? I prethee get thee gone.
_Mar_.
Sir, I will speak.
_Arb_.
Will ye?
_Mar_.
It is my duty. I fear you will kill your self: I am a subject, and you shall do me wrong in’t: ’tis my cause, and I may speak.
_Arb_.
Thou art not train’d in sin, it seems _Mardonius_: kill my self! by Heaven I will not do it yet; and when I will, I’le tell thee then: I shall be such a creature, that thou wilt give me leave without a word. There is a method in mans wickedness, it grows up by degrees: I am not come so high as killing of my self, there are a hundred thousand sins ‘twixt me and it, which I must doe, and I shall come to’t at last; but take my oath not now, be satisfied, and get thee hence.
_Mar_.
I am sorry ’tis so ill.
_Arb_.
Be sorry then, true sorrow is alone, grieve by thy self.
_Mar_.
I pray you let me see your Sword put up before I go: I’le leave you then.
_Arb_.
Why so? what folly is this in thee, is it not as apt to mischief as it was before? can I not reach it thinkst thou? these are toyes for Children to be pleas’d with, and not men, now I am safe you think: I would the book of fate were here, my Sword is not so sure but I would get it out and mangle that, that all the destinies should quite forget their fixt decrees, and hast to make us new, for other fortunes, mine could not be worse, wilt thou now leave me?
_Mar_.
Heaven put into your bosome temperate thoughts, I’le leave you though I fear.
_Arb_.
Go, thou art honest, why should the hasty error of my youth be so unpardonable to draw a sin helpless upon me?
_Enter_ Gobrias.
_Gob_.
There is the King, now it is ripe.
_Arb_.
Draw near thou guilty man, that art the authour of the loathedst crime five ages have brought forth, and hear me speak; curses more incurable, and all the evils mans body or his Spirit can receive be with thee.
_Gob_.
Why Sir do you curse me thus?
_Arb_.
Why do I curse thee? if there be a man subtil in curses, that exceeds the rest, his worst wish on thee, thou hast broke my heart.
_Gob_.
How Sir, have I preserv’d you from a child, from all the arrows, malice, or ambition could shoot at you, and have I this for my pay?
_Arb_.
‘Tis true, thou didst preserve me, and in that wert crueller than hardned murtherers of infants and their Mothers! thou didst save me only till thou hadst studied out a way how to destroy me cunningly thy self: this was a curious way of torturing.
_Gob_.
What do you mean?
_Arb_.
Thou knowst the evils thou hast done to me; dost thou remember all those witching letters thou sent’st unto me to Armenia, fill’d with the praise of my beloved Sister, where thou extol’st her beauty, what had I to do with that? what could her beauty be to me? and thou didst write how well she lov’d me, dost thou remember this? so that I doted something before I saw her.
_Gob_.
This is true.
_Arb_.
Is it? and when I was return’d thou knowst thou didst pursue it, till thou woundst me into such a strange and unbeliev’d affection, as good men cannot think on.
_Gob_.
This I grant, I think I was the cause.
_Arb_.
Wert thou? Nay more, I think thou meant’st it.
_Gob_.
Sir, I hate to lie, as I love Heaven and honesty, I did, it was my meaning.
_Arb_.
Be thine own sad judge, a further condemnation will not need, prepare thy self to dy.
_Gob_.
Why Sir to dy?
_Arb_.
Why shouldst thou live? was ever yet offender so impudent, that had a thought of Mercy after confession of a crime like this? get out I cannot where thou hurl’st me in, but I can take revenge, that’s all the sweetness left for me.
_Gob_.
Now is the time, hear me but speak.
_Arb_.
No, yet I will be far more mercifull than thou wert to me; thou didst steal into me and never gav’st me warning: so much time as I give thee now, had prevented thee for ever. Notwithstanding all thy sins, if thou hast hope, that there is yet a prayer to save thee, turn and speak it to thy self.
_Gob_.
Sir, you shall know your sins before you do’em, if you kill me.
_Arb_.
I will not stay then.
_Gob_.
Know you kill your Father.
_Arb_.
How?
_Gob_.
You kill your Father.
_Arb_.
My Father? though I know’t for a lie, made out of fear to save thy stained life; the very reverence of the word comes cross me, and ties mine arm down.
_Gob_.
I will tell you that shall heighten you again, I am thy Father, I charge thee hear me.
_Arb_.
If it should be so, as ’tis most false, and that I should be found a Bastard issue, the despised fruit of lawless lust, I should no more admire all my wild passions: but another truth shall be wrung from thee: if I could come by the Spirit of pain, it should be poured on thee, till thou allow’st thy self more full of lies than he that teaches thee.
_Enter_ Arane.
_Ara_.
Turn thee about, I come to speak to thee thou wicked man, hear me thou tyrant.
_Arb_.
I will turn to thee, hear me thou Strumpet; I have blotted out the name of Mother, as thou hast thy shame.
_Ara_.
My shame! thou hast less shame than any thing; why dost thou keep my Daughter in a prison? why dost thou call her Sister, and do this?
_Arb_.
Cease thy strange impudence, and answer quickly if thou contemnest me, this will ask an answer, and have it.
_Ara_.
Help me Gentle _Gobrias_.
_Arb_.
Guilt [dare] not help guilt though they grow together in doing ill, yet at the [punishment] they sever, and each flies the noise of other, think not of help, answer.
_Ara_.
I will, to what?
_Arb_.
To such a thing, as if it be a truth think what a creature thou hast made thy self, that didst not shame to do, what I must blush only to ask thee: tell me who I am, whose son I am without all circumstance, be thou as hasty as my Sword will be if thou refusest.
_Ara_.
Why, you are his son.
_Arb_.
His Son? swear, swear, thou worse than woman damn’d.
_Ara_.
By all that’s good you are.
_Arb_.
Then art thou all that ever was known bad, now is the cause of all my strange mis-fortunes come to light: what reverence expectest thou from a child, to bring forth which thou hast offended heaven, thy husband, and the Land? adulterous witch, I know now why thou wouldst have poyson’d me, I was thy lust which thou wouldst have forgot: then wicked Mother of my sins, and me, show me the way to the inheritance I have by thee: which is a spacious world of impious acts, that I may soon possess it: plagues rot thee, as thou liv’st, and such diseases, as use to pay lust, recompence thy deed.
_Gob_.
You do not know why you curse thus.
_Arb_.
Too well; you are a pair of Vipers; and behold the Serpent you have got; there is no beast but if he knew it, has a pedigree as brave as mine, for they have more descents, and I am every way as beastly got, as far without the compass of Law as they.
_Ara_.
You spend your rage and words in vain, and rail upon a guess; hear us a little.
_Arb_.
No, I will never hear, but talk away my breath, and die.
_Gob_.
Why, but you are no Bastard.
_Arb_.
How’s that?
_Ara_.
Nor child of mine.
_Arb_.
Still you go on in wonders to me.
_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 whore, 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 whore.
_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.
_Arb_.
The Queen _Mardonius_, _Panthea_ is the Queen and I am plain _Arbaces_; go some one, she is in _Gobrias_ house, since I saw you there are a thousand things delivered to me, you little dream of.
[_Exit a Gent_.
_Mar_.
So it should seem my Lord, what fury’s this?
_Gob_.
Believe me ’tis no fury, all that he saies is truth.
_Mar_.
‘Tis very strange.
_Arb_.
Why do you keep your hats off Gentlemen? is it to me? I swear it must not be; nay, trust me, in good faith it must not be; I cannot now command you, but I pray you for the respect you bare me, when you took me for your King, each man clap on his hat at my desire.
_Mar_.
We will, you are not found so mean a man, but that you may be cover’d as well as we, may you not?
_Arb_.
O not here, you may, but not I, for here is my Father in presence.
_Mar_.
Where?
_Arb_.
Why there: O the whole story would be a wilderness to lose thy self for ever: O pardon me dear Father for all the idle and unreverent words that I have spoke in idle moods to you: I am _Arbaces_, we all fellow-subjects, nor is the Queen _Panthea_ now my Sister.
_Bes_.
Why if you remember fellow-subject _Arbaces_; I told you once she was not your sister: I, and she lookt nothing like you.
_Arb_.
I think you did, good Captain _Bessus_.
_Bes_.
Here will arise another question now amongst the Sword-men, whether I be to call him to account for beating me, now he is proved no King.
_Enter_ Lygones.
_Mar_.
Sir here’s Lygones, the agent for the Armenian_ State.
_Arb_.
Where is he? I know your business good Lygones.
_Lyg_.
We must have our King again, and will.
_Arb_.
I knew that was your business: you shall have your King again, and have him so again as never King was had, go one of you and bid _Bacurius_ bring _Tigranes_ hither; and bring the Lady with him, that _Panthea_, the Queen _Panthea_ sent me word this [morning], was brave _Tigranes_ mistress.
[_Ex. two Gent_.
_Lyg_.
‘Tis _Spaconia_.
_Arb_.
I, I, _Spaconia_.
_Lyg_.
She is my Daughter.
_Arb_.
She is so: I could now tell any thing I never heard: your King shall go so home, as never man went.
_Mar_.
Shall he go on’s head?
_Arb_.
He shall have chariots easier than air that I will have invented; and ne’re think one shall pay any ransome, and thy self that art the messenger, shalt ride before him on a horse cut out of an intire Diamond, that shall be made to go with golden wheeles, I know not how yet.
_Lyg_.
Why I shall be made for ever? they beli’d this King with us, and said he was unkind.
_Arb_.
And then thy Daughter, she shall have some strange thing, wee’l have the Kingdom sold utterly, and put into a toy which she shall wear about her carelesly some where or other. See the vertuous Queen; behold the humblest subject that you have kneel here before you.
_Enter_ Panthea _And_ 1 Gent.
_Pan_.
Why kneel you to me that am your Vassal?
_Arb_.
Grant me one request.
_Pan_.
Alas what can I grant you? what I can, I will.
_Arb_.
That you will please to marry me if I can prove it lawfull.
_Pan_.
Is that all? more willingly than I would draw this air.
_Arb_.
I’le kiss this hand in earnest.
_2 Gent_.
Sir, _Tigranes_ is coming though he made it strange at first, to see the Princess any more.
_Enter_ Tigranes _And_ Spaconia.
_Arb_.
The Queen thou meanest, O my _Tigranes_. Pardon me, tread on my neck, I freely offer it, and if thou beest so given take revenge, for I have injur’d thee.
_Tigr_.
No, I forgive, and rejoyce more that you have found repentance, than I my liberty.
_Arb_.
Mayest thou be happy in thy fair choice, for thou art temperate. You owe no ransom to the state, know that I have a thousand joyes to tell you of, which yet I dare not utter till I pay my thanks to Heaven for ’em: Will you go with me and help me? pray you do.
_Tigr_.
I will.
_Arb_.
Take then your fair one with you; and you Queen of goodness and of us, O give me leave to take your arm in mine: come every one that takes delight in goodness, help to sing loud thanks for me, that I am prov’d no King.
* * * * *
(A) A King and no King. | Acted at the Globe, by his Majesties Servants. | Written by Francis Beamount, and John Flecher. | At London | Printed for Thomas Walkley, and are to bee sold | at his shoppe at the Eagle and Childe in | Brittans-Bursse. 1619.
(B) A King | and | No King. | Acted at the Blacke-Fryars, by his | Majesties Servants. | And now the second time Printed, according | to the true Copie. | Written by Francis Beamount and | John Flecher. | London, | Printed for Thomas Walkley, and are to be sold at | his shop at the Eagle and Childe in | Brittans-Burse. 1625.
(C) A King, | and | No King. | Acted at the Blacke-Fryars, by his | Majesties Servants. | And now the third time Printed, according | to the true Copie. | Written by Francis Beamont & John Fletcher Gent. | The Stationer to | Dramatophilus. | A Play and no Play, who this Booke shall read, | Will judge, and weepe, as if ’twere done indeed. | London, | Printed by A. M. for Richard Hawkins, and are to bee sold | at his Shop in Chancerie Lane, neere | Serjeants Inne. 1631.
(D) A King | and | No King. | Acted at the Black-Fryars, by his | Majesties Servants. | And now the fourth time printed, according | to the true Copie. | Written by Francis Beaumont & John Fletcher Gent. | The Stationer to | Dramatophilus. | A Play and no Play, who this Booke shall read, | Will judge, and weepe, as if ’twere done indeed. London, | Printed by E. G. for William Leake, and are to be sold | at his shop in Chancery-lane, neere unto the | Rowles. 1639.
(E) A King | and | No King. | Acted at the Black-Fryers, by his | Majesties Servants. | And now the fifth time Printed, according | To the true Copie. | Written by Francis Beaumont & John Fletcher Gent. | The Statinor to | Dramatophilus.| A Play and no Play, who this Book shall read, Will judge, and weep, as if ’twere done indeed | London, | Printed for William Leak, and are to be sold | at his shop at the signe of the Crown in Fleet-| street, between the two temple Gates. 1655.
On the back of the last page is printed a list of books printed or sold by William Leake.
(F) A | King, | and | No King. | Acted at the Black-Fryars, by his | Majesties Servants. | And now the fourth time Printed, according to | the true Copie. | Written by Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher Gent. | The Stationer to | Dramatophilus. | A Play and no Play, who this Book shall read, | Will judge, and weep, as if ’twere done indeed. | London, Printed in the Year, 1661.
(G) A | King | and | No King. | As it is now Acted at the | Theatre Royal, | By | His Majesties Servants. | Written by Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher Gent. | London: | Printed by Andr. Clark, for William and John Leake at the | Crown in Fleetstreet, betwixt the two Temple-gates. | M.DC.LXXVI.
A contains on the title-page a wood-cut representing Arbaces with his crown partly lifted from his head by a hand emerging from a cloud.
A prefixes the following dedication]
To the Right Worshipfull and Worthie Knight, Sir Henrie Nevill. Worthy Sir, I Present, or rather returne unto your view, that which formerly hath beene received from you, hereby effecting what you did desire: To commend the worke in my unlearned method, were rather to detract from it, then to give it any luster. It sufficeth it hath your Worships approbation and patronage, to the commendation of the Authors, and incouragement of their further labours: and thus wholy committing my selfe and it to your Worships dispose I rest, ever readie to doe you service, not onely in the like, but in what I may.
Thomas Walkley.
p. 149, l. 4. A and B _omit_ the List of Persons Represented in the Play. C–F] The Personated Persons. G] The Persons Represented. G _omits_] in the Play. G includes in its List of The Persons Represented the names of the players of the chief parts, viz.] Arbaces, Mr Hart; Tigranes, Mr Kynaston; Gobrias, Mr Wintershall; Bacurius, Mr Lydall; Mardonius, Mr Mohun; Bessus, Mr Lacy, or Mr Shottrell; Lygones, Mr Cartwright; Two Sword-men, Mr Watson, Mr Haynes; Arane, Mrs Corey; Panthea, Mrs Cox; Spaconia, Mrs Marshall. l. 12. Folio _misprints_] Ligoces. l. 21. C–G and Folio] The Queenes Mother. l. 27. A–G omit] Actus primus. Scena prima. G] Act I. l. 29. A _omits_] he. ll. 35 and 36. B] had’s.
p. 150, l. 2. A] them. l. 3. A] thou art. l. 5. A] and thou couldst. l. 8. A] with me. l. 9. A–F] winkst. G] winkedst. l. 10. A] strake. 1. 17. A] I am glad. l. 19. A] of his owne. l. 21. A] cruddles. B and G] crudles. l. 22. A] wouldst. A] in this passion. l. 25. A] for it. I. 26. A] neither good Bessus. l. 27. A] it is. l.30. A] I famed, I, I warrant you. I. 31. A] I am verie heartily. I. 32. A] ever. A] ath’ warres. B–G omit] is. l. 39. A, B and G] in shifting a.
p. 151, 11. 4 and 5. A] desperate. l. 5. A omits] At. l. 8. A] Prethee. l. 9. A, B and G] The Souldier. l. 10. A] meerely. l. 12. E] compasion. F] compassion. l. 14. B–F] a’th. l. 19. A, B and G] not I. l. 21. A] mean’st. B, C and G] meant’st. D, E and F] meanest. l. 26. A] the enemie. B] shouldest. l. 31. A–G] proceedst. l. 33. A] Come, come. l. 34. A] comst. l. 37. A] extreamities. l. 40. A] the prey.
p. 152, ll. 1 and 2. In place of these lines A] Enter Arbaces and Tigranes, with attendants. l. 2. B and C] two Kings, &c. The two Gentlemen. l. 4. A] fall victorie. l. 9. A–G] are free as I. l. 18. A, B, C and G] yeare. l. 27. A _omits_] Tigr. l. 28. A–D and G] Arbaces. l. 29. A] talkt: for in Armenia.
p. 153, l. 11. A] Tigranes, no. l. 16. A] an Act. l. 17. A and G] Fit for a God. B–F _omit_] man. l. 20. A] Its. l. 26. A] spoke. A] not mee. l. 40. A] are something.
p. 154, l. 8. A] to take. B and G] her for to take. l. 17. A] no owne of. l. 18. A] Would finde. l. 19. A] off her damning. l. 20. A] twenty times. l. 29. Folio] sight. l. 40. A] Some two.
p. 155, l. 3. For _Exit Tigranes_ A] Exe. l. 8. B and G _omit_] don’t. A] don. l. 20. A] ift. l. 21. A and G] with you. l. 22. A] sunke. l. 28. A] th’ eare. l. 29. B and G] runne about his head. A] bloud runne abouts head. l. 30. A] didst thou learn that at. B–F] learn’st that at. G] learn’st thou that at. l. 31. A] Pust, did I not. l. 33. A–F] Talke. l. 34. A] While you. A–G] words.
p. 156, l. 6. A] to a chaire. l. 8. A–F] other. A] will take. l. 14. A] give mee audience. G _omits_] me. l. 16. A] soone one of you. ll. 29 and 30. G _omits_] but I am grown To balk, but I defie. l. 30. A] but I desire, let. l. 32. B, C and G] draulst. D] drawlst. l. 34. G] in an instant. l. 36. A] An’t. l. 38. A, B and G] As yet you. l. 39. A] command mee else.
p. 157, l. 11. B, C and G] Were great as. l. 12. A] that I might. l. 14. A] with. l. 28. A _omits_] puffe. B and G _omit_ the bracket, and print ‘puffe’ in roman type as part of the speech. l. 29. D, E and F] rules. l. 34. A] Will you be gone. l. 35. A] My word mooves. C–F] My words moves. l. 36. A] 2 Gent. l. 39. A] That they will. B _omits_] you. A _omits_] Exeunt all but Arb. and Mar. l. 40. Folio] the.
p. 158, l. 7. Folio] scare. l. 17. A] doted, because. B–F _omit_] it. l. 35. A _omits_] but. A] of your faults. l. 39. A] above the earth.
p. 159, l. 4. Folio] safe. l. 15. A, B and G] would. l. 21. A] these wilde moodes. l. 22. A] honest. l. 23. A, B and G] would. l. 25. A] would. l. 34. A, B, C and G] Give thee. l. 37. Folio _ misprints_] paron. l. 40. C] doest. F _omits_] I.
p. 160, l. 4. B, C and D] i’ thine eare. F] thy eare. l. 10. A] Ith those. G] in those. l. 12. B] they wenches. l. 18. B by mistake _Adds_] Enter Bessus, and the two Gent. l. 22. A _omits_ this stage-direction. l. 25. A] I am. l. 26. A] 1 Gent. l. 27. A] 2 Gent. l. 30. A] I bad you; halfe. l. 31. A] An’t. l. 35. A] Panthan. l. 38. A] will not. l. 39. A _omits_] Sir.
p. 161, l. 6. E and F] a good an opinion. l. 15. A _omits_] a. G] Enter a Messenger, with a Packet. l. 21. A] Thanke thee for. l. 29. A] teares enough. B–F] tears I’now. G] tears Enow. l. 32. C–F] set her.
p. 162, l. 2. A] now has hired. l. 7. F] them. l. 12. A] laden. l. 16. E and F] that come. l. 18. A–D and G] mourning. l. 19. A] her sacred dew. l. 32. A] prayers. l. 34. A] dangers. l. 35. A _omits_] Exeunt.
p. #163#, l. 3. A, B and G] either loves. l. 7. A–G] place. A] unfortunately too light. l. 17. A _omits_] thee. l. 24. Folio] make. l. 31. B and G] gi’n. A, B and G] to. l. 33. A] would place.
p. #164#, l. 11. Folio _misprints_] could. l. 15. A–G] requires. A] more speed. l. 18. B] He shall not doe so Lord. l. 21. A _Adds_] Finis Actus Primi. B and C _Add_] The end of the First Act. l. 24. A] attendance. G _Adds_] and Guards.
p. #165#, l. 5. A] paid downe. l. 20. A] let light. l. 25. A–D] eare. l. 30. A] another woman. l. 36. A] twill. F] ‘twood not. l. 37. F _omits_] not.
p. #, l. 9. A] mine own. l. 21. B–F] a did. l. 23. A] held time. l. 25. A–G with variations in spelling] my Lord Protectour. l. 29. Folio _misprints_] Cammanders.
p. #167#, l. 7. A _omits_] as you. l. 12. A, B and G] prayers are. A] I will. l. 20. A _omits_] Arane. l. 23. A] Betweene. l. 36. A] heare it. l. 37. A] I, I prethee.
p. #168#, l. 1. F] Captain. l. 3. A] neere a Captaine. l. 4. A] of the. l. 7. A–G] whom. l. 11. A] prethee. l. 14. F] was given. l. 18. A] I, but I. l. 20. A] saide. ll. 21 and 22. A] when one. l. 23. A] Marshallists. l. 30. F] doest. l. 31. A] twas so. B–G] so ’twas. l. 36. A] An’t. l. 37. A and B] neerer. G] nearer. l. 39. A] kindnesses.
p. #169#, l. 1. A and G] Thalestris. l. 10. A] for her honestie. l. 17. A] on her. l. 33. A _Adds_] Exit. B–G with various abbreviations _Add_] Exit Bessus. l. 34. A, B and G _Add_] Exit. l. 35. A–G _omit_ stage-direction. l. 39. F] speeks them.
p. #170#, l. 1. A] vertuous. l. 6. A] or feeles. l. 7. A–G] hope. l. 11. A–D and G] love. l. 16. E and F] where bargain’d. l. 18. A] find time worthy. l. 20. A, B and G] there is. l. 22. A] with this. l. 27. A] to see you Madam. l. 29. A _omits_] Gob. l. 35. A _omits_] Exeunt Women.
p. #171#, l. 9. F] a stake. l.14. F] if foole. l. 20. A] prethee. l.22. F] noble sharp. l. 33. A] desire too. E and F] his one desire.
p. #172#, l. i. A–D and G] those tender. l. 4. A, B and G] I shall. l. 13. B, C and F] Thalectris. l. 16. B, C and G] others. l. 26. A, B and G] women out. l. 29. A] say. l. 35. A–D and G] those. l. 37. A] places quickly. l. 38. A, D and F] a foote. B, C and E] afoote. G] afoot.
p. #173#, l. 2. A] looke. l. 5. A] Enter two Citizens wives, and Philip. l. 15. A, B and G] with me downe. l. 16. A] abed. l. 17. A] tis. l. 18. A] prethee. l. 29. A] In good faith. l.34. A] I. l. 35. A _omits_] you. l. 37. A] had thrusting. G] shoving. l. 38. A] hap to go.
p. #174#, l. 2. A] so on me. l. 5. A] have not. l. 10. A] law, thou art. A] there is. l. 11. A] thou art. A] of it. l. 12. A] he will never. l. 13. A] stripling. l. 17. A] you are. l. 18. B–F] cast. l. 19. A _omits_ this line. l. 20. A–D and G] The King, the King, the King, the King. l. 21. A _omits_] Flourish. A] Enter Arbaces, Tigranes, Mardonius, and others. l. 23. E and F] I think. l. 29. A] without our blouds. B and G] but with our. G] bloud. l. 31. A] in your Townes. l. 32. A–D and G] about you; you may sit. l. 37. A, B and G] may you. F] you may fall. l. 38. A, B and G] when I.
p. 175, l. 5. E and F] beheld. l. 6. A] hearts. l. 9. A] Hang him, hang him, hang him. l. 13. A, B and G] was farre. l. 14. E and F] nor to revile. l. 15. A–D and G] the nature. l. 19. A] made that name. l. 21. C and D] and well for. l. 22. B–G] word. l. 25. A] commendations. l. 29. A] Thus my. l. 30. A] calles. l. 36. A] Eate at. l. 40. In place of this line A] Exeunt.
p. 176, l. 1. A _omits_ one ‘God bless your Majesty.’ l. 7. A] n*. l. 10. A _omits_] so. B, C, D and G] women. A] Exeunt 1, 2, 3, and Women. l. 11. A–G] afore. l. 12. A] homeward. l. 13. A _omits_] all. l. 15. A] They are. A–G] heard on. l. 18. A _Adds_] Finis Actus Secundi. B and C _Add_] The end of the Second Act. l. 19. A] Actus Tertii Scaena Prima. l. 23. A] doth. l. 29. A–D and G] where you will have her. l. 37. A _omits_] I do hope she will not.
p. 177, l. 6. A] Sir, sheele not. l. 15. B and G] would. l. 18. C–F _omit_] you. l. 24. A _omits_] I Gent. and. l. 25. A] here’s. l. 29. A] them. B and G _Add_] Exit Gobrias. l. 35. A _omits_] and two Gentlemen. G _Adds_] Attendants, and Guards.
p. 178, l. 11. A, B and G] sorrow. l. 14. A _Adds_] Exit. l. 15. A _omits_] Exit Arane. l. 32. G] words and kind ones. l. 35. C] doest. l. 36. D] forth my selfe. l. 38. A and G] thence. l. 40. A] wounded flesh.
p. 179, l. 1. A, B and G] a quill. l. 2. A, B, C and G] wanton wing. l. 3. A] in thy bloud. l. 16. A, B and G _omit_] it. l. 33. A by mistake gives the words ‘some one that hath [A has] a wit, answer, where is she’ to Gobrias, with the result that the names of the speakers of the following four speeches are transposed.
p. 180, l. 18. A] sleepe. l. 27. A] Is a long life of yet, I hope. l. 31. C, D and E] doest. ll. 33–35. A _omits_ these lines.
p. 181, l. 11. A] If shee were any. l.14. D] dispute. l. 16. F and G] naked. l. 19. A, B and G] is she not. l. 39. A, B and G] your brother.
p. 182, l. 6. A] them. l. 8. A] yet so. l. 9. Folio _prints_] langish. l. 17. A] sudden change. l. 19. A, B and G] Pray God it doe. l. 24. A] prisoner. l. 31. A] in the.
p. 183, l. 13. A, B and G] And how dare you then. C and D] And how then dare you. l. 21. A, B and G] that breath. l. 24. A] law.
p. 184, l. 11*. A] subtiller. G] subtiler. l. 13. A and G] Tyrants. B] Tirants. F] mightest. l. 14. A] in the depth. B] i’ the depth. C and G] i’ the deepe. l. 18. A _omits_] Exeunt Tigr. and Bac. l. 21. G _Adds_] Exit Spaconia. l. 39. A and B] then to; here I. G] then too; here I.
p. 185, l. 11. A] still in doubt. l. 12. A] This, this third. l. 25. A, B, C and G] A poysoner. l. 26. A by mistake gives this speech to Bacurius and the following one to Gobrias. l. 32. A] had it twixt. A] Exeunt omnes, prae. Ar. Mar. G] Exeunt Gob. Pan. and Bes.
p. 186, l. 9. A] I prethee. l. 10. B and G] Am not I. l. 19. F] O do. l. 25. A] I prethee. l. 26. A _Adds_] _Mar_. I warrant ye. l. 28. G] of game. l. 30. B and G _omit_] it.
p. 187, l. 2. A] them. l. 3. A] In this state (_omits_ I). B, C, D and G] I’ this state. l. 4. B–F] b’ the. A] with. l. 5. A] with. l. 10. A, B and G with variations of spelling] God cald. C and D] heaven cald. l. 11. A] pounds. l. 17. A and G] afraid. l. 21. G] A pox. A–G] of their. l. 23. A] of me. l. 24. A] freshly to account, worthily. l. 25. B and G _omit_] the. l. 26. A _omits_] a. l. 27. Here and throughout the scene ‘3 Gent’ is in A described as ‘Gent.’ l. 30. A] you are. l. 32. A] he nothing doubts.
p. 188, l. 2. A–D, F and G with variations of spelling] O cry you mercie. E] O cir you mercy. l. 3. A, B, C and G with variations of spelling] agreeablie. l. 4. Here and in the following three lines A reads only one ‘um’ in place of three. l. 12. A by mistake _omits_] _Bes_. l. 19. A] plaine with you. l. 20. A] can doe him. A] resolutely. l. 21. B and C] hundreth. l. 22. F] no more. l. 23. A] pray ye. l. 26. A simply] Exit. l. 30. D] these two houres. l. 32. F _omits_] that. A] reserv’d. l. 34. A] are there. l. 35. A] likely to hold him this time here for mine. l. 36. B, C and G] yeare. D] these five yeares. l. 37. A] send me.
p. 189, l. 27. A] I prethee. l. 28. A–D and G] beate. l. 31. A] pounds. l. 32. A _omits_] well. F] well and walk sooner. l. 33. C] I do. l. 36. C] doest.
p. 190, l. 5. A–G] Come, unbuckle, quicke. l. 7. C–F] Unbuckle say. l. 17. A _omits_] Bac. l. 24. A] will I. l. 25. A] that this is all is left. G] that is left. l. 26. A _omits_] Bessus. l. 28. G] he’s. l. 32. A, B and G] await. l. 35. A _omits_ this stage-direction. l. 39. A] in their eyes.
p. 191, l. 3. A–G] lies. l. 5. A–G] vex me. l. 6. G] thou art. l. 8. A _omits_] do. l. 12. F] fire. l. 14. A, B and G] is not that. G] there is. l. 18. A, B and G] I shall not. l. 20. A–G] I know ’tis. l. 21. A] hath … 22. A] or fall. l. 34. A] of all this.
p. 192, l. 2. A, B and G] shall I. l. 6. A] But what, what should. B and G] should. l. 11. A, B and G] on more advice. l. 17. A _omits_] a. l. 19. Folio _misprints_] faithul. l. 21. F] doe’t. l. 23. C–F] doest. l. 24. A, B and G] I hope I. l. 37. E and F] doest.
p. 193, l. 4. A, B and G] cause. l. 5. A, B, C and G _omit_] ha. l. 7. A, B, C and G] blow about the world. l. 8. A, B and G] his cause. l. 9. A] deare Mardonius. l. 12. A, B and G] Pray God you. l. 24. A, B and G] God preserve you, and mend you. l. 26. A, B and G] require. l. 30. A, B and G] use of. l. 32. A _Adds_] to them.
p. 194, l. 2. A] I am. l. 4. A, B, F and G] I am. A includes the words ‘I am glad on’t’ in the following speech of Mardonius. l. 5. A, B and G] to that. ll. 7–9. A _omits_ these lines. l. 11. A, B and G] occasions. l. 15. A, B, C and G] to the. l. 16. A–D and G] for his. l. 17. A _omits_] Mar. l. 19. A] Doe for. The letters ‘ith’ are in C cut off at the end of the line. l. 23. A, B and G] a thing. l. 26. G] would fain have thee. l. 27. A] understands. G] understandest. l. 30. A] dost make. l. 32. A, B and G] tell me, it shall. C has the same reading, though the word ‘tell’ is by mistake cut off from the end of the line. A _omits_] too. l. 35. A, B and C] and mayst yet.
p. 195, l. 2. A–D and G] that I have ever. l. 3. A, B and G _omit_] the.
l. 8. A, B, C and G] your businesse. l. 12. A, B and G _omit_] now.
l. 29. A–F] Gods and mans.
l. 30. G] nature.
l. 36. A _Adds_] Finis Actus Tertii. B and C _Add_] The end of the Third Act.
p. 196,
l. 1. A] Actus Quarti Scaena Prima. l. 2. A–G _omit_] and.
l. 11. A, B, C and G] Yet fearing since they. A] th’ are many. l. 13. F] them.
l. 14. F] them.
l. 15. A] fearefull; if he.
l. 18. A] labour out this.
l. 19. A] against.
ll. 25 and 26. A encloses the words ‘never … humour’ within brackets.
l. 26. D, E and F] shot.
l. 30. F] no farther.
l. 33. A _omits_] But.
p. 197,
l. 3. A _Adds_] Exit.
l. 4. A _omits_] Exit Gob.
l. 13. A] yours.
l. 29. G] I’m. A] if no more.
l. 36. B–G] these.
l. 37. A] That have Authority.
l. 38. F] besides.
p. 198,
l. 1. A] words.
l. 4. A] Ime.
l. 12. A, B and G] Pray God.
l. 13. A _omits_] in prison.
l. 15. A and F] mine. A] turne.
l. 27. A, B and G] deserv’d it.
l. 33. A] griefes.
l. 35. A] womans. F] woman.
l. 36. A] lost.
l. 39. G] unconstancy.
p. 199,
l. 7. A] kill me Ladie.
l. 9. A _omits_] Lady.
l. 15. A] for were.
l. 20. A] in the.
l. 26. A, B and G] is as firme.
l. 27. A] and as lasting.
l. 28. A, B and G] in the. C] in th’ ayre. l. 31. A] murmurs.
l. 37. A–D and G] wrongs.
p. 200,
l. 1. A by mistake _omits_] Spa.
l. 2. A, B, C and G] Our ends alike. l. 9. A] hee’s asham’d.
l. 17. A] pray believe me.
l. 19. A, B and G] No more.
l. 20. A] and Mardonius.
l. 32. A–G] outlast. Folio _misprints_] too. l. 38. A] is that.
p. 201,
l. 5. A] know.
l. 10. A] pratling.
l. 11. A] to it.
l. 15. A–G] Beside.
l. 17. A] Sirra.
l. 23. A] Staffe poak’t. A, B, C and G] through. F] throw. l. 24. A–D and G] broke. l. 25. D, E and F] stifled with. l. 30. F] worst.
l. 35. A] you may say Sir what. Folio _misprints_] you. l. 36. A gives this line to Mardonius.
p. 202,
l. 3. A, B and G] I thank God.
l. 5. A] doe it.
l. 6. A _omits_] Doe.
l. 13. A _Adds_] and a Souldier like a termogant. l. 16. A] let um be prisoners.
l. 18. F] them.
ll. 19 and 20. A gives these lines to Bacurius. ll. 21 and 22. A and G give these lines to Spaconia. l. 22. A, B, C and G] deare.
l. 23. A] Ex. Bacu. with Tig. and Spa. l. 24. A, B, C and G] have you.
l. 25. F] prove.
l. 30. A] Sadlers.
l. 32. A, D and F] darest.
l. 33. A] knowest.
l. 34. G] will not.
l. 37. A] shall then tell. B] of this. l. 40. A] Where. F] them.
p. 203,
l. 1. A _Adds after_ off] doe, kill me. l. 2. A _omits_] worse.
l. 4. A, B, C and G] a dead sleepe. l. 5. A] Like forraigne swords.
l. 10. A] all thine.
l. 12. G] Wilt. A] with me good Mardonius. l. 20. A, B and G] and all beautie.
l. 22. F] she is not.
l. 23. A] doe enlarge her.
l. 26. A] that would have.
l. 29. E and F] heat.
l. 30. E] To here wretched. F _omits_] a. l. 38. A] knew of. B, C and D] knewst the.
p. 204,
l. 7. A] is it.
l. 15. A–D and G _omit_] a.
l. 16. A _omits_] Thousands. E and F] Thousand. A] denie it. l. 18. A, B and G] vertue.
l. 24. A _omits_] all.
l. 26. A–G] stooles there boy.
l. 32. A, B and G] and my deare.
l. 33. B, C and G] to th’ cause.
l. 35. F _omits_ this line.
l. 37. A prints the words ‘be wise, and speake truth’ as the conclusion of the second Sword-man’s speech.
p. 205,
l. 4. A] If he have.
l. 5. B–E] If a have. F] If I have. l. 12. A] case.
l. 13. A, B and G] an honourable.
l. 15. A, B and G] we Sword-men.
l. 17. A, B and G] drawne ten teeth. A–G] beside. l. 18. A] all these.
l. 21. B–E] a crackt.
l. 22. A] with crossing.
l. 26. A–G] There’s.
l. 30. A, B, C and G] mile.
l. 32. A–G] mile.
l. 34. A, B and C] ‘Tis a the longest. G] o’ the longest. l. 35. A by mistake gives this line to Bessus and the following speech to the first Sword-man.
p. 206,
ll. 5 and 6. F] word forc’d.
l. 9. A–D and G] case.
l. 12. A] sit. G] sat.
l. 13. A] it had.
l. 15. E and F] delivery.
l. 19. B–E] A should. F] And should. A–D and G] deliverie. l. 24. A] by th’.
l. 25. A] you are.
l. 28. A _omits_] the.
l. 32. B and G] that we.
l. 33. Folio _misprints_] honesty. A] good Sir to th’. l. 35. A] The boy may be supposd, hee’s lyable; but kicke my brother.
p. 207,
l. 7. A] Still the must.
l. 9. A–D and G _omit_] I. A] againe, againe. l. 12. F _omits_] my.
l. 20. A] at the kicke.
l. 22. F] baren scorn, as I will call it. l. 27. A–G] sore indeed Sir.
l. 29. A] the foole.
l. 30. A] Ah Lords.
l. 32. A, B, C and G] laught.
p. 208,
l. 5. A–G] size, daggers. F] sizes. l. 16. A] To abide upon’t.
l. 20. A, B, C and G _omit_] me. F] Both get me. l. 21. F] cleane.
l. 22. G] what you have done.
l. 27. F] Go will, and tell.
l. 28. A–D] Or there be.
l. 29. A _omits_ and _before_ Gob.
l. 33. A _omits_] Exit Gob.
l. 34. A] you are. A, B, C and G] and I would. A, B and G] to God.
l. 38. G] the rising.
l. 39. B, C and G] I shall.
l. 40. Folio _misprints_] Ban.
p. 209,
l. 3. A] does.
l. 6. A] I prethee.
l. 8. A, B and G] I am.
l. 23. A, B and G] In as equal a degree. C and D] In equal a degree. l. 27. A] I prethee.
l. 33. C, D and E] and there is. E] no cause. F] and there is none can see.
p. 210,
l. 6. D, E and F] stop.
l. 11. A, B and G] God keepe you.
l. 12. A, B and G] cause.
l. 19. A] innocents.
l. 20. A, B and G _omit_] that.
l. 24. A, B and G] it is.
l. 27. A, B and G] as it lists.
l. 33. A encloses ‘Which I beseech thee doe not’ within brackets. l. 36. A, B and G] For God knows.
l. 39. A] start eye to.
p. 211,
l. 2. F] them.
l. 5. A] should.
l. 11. F] them.
l. 20. A, B and G] sinnes.
l. 32. A] no steppe.
p. 212,
ll. 1-6 and 8. F] them.
l. 2. A] them.
l. 5. Folio] and them.
l. 6. A] drinke them off.
l. 25. A gives this line to Panthea. l. 27. D, E and F] brother.
l. 29. B] i’ this.
l. 35. A _omits_] Why.
l. 38. A, B and G] I know thou.
p. 213,
l. 4. A, B and G _omit_ too _before_ scrupulous. ll. 8 and 9. In place of these lines G reads] I dare no longer stay. l. 9. A and B] hotter I feare then yours. l. 11. A, B and G] for God’s sake.
l. 14. A _omits_ stage-direction. B and G _omit_] several wayes. A _Adds_] Finis Actus Quarti. B and C _Add_] The end of the Fourth Act.
l. 15. A] Actus Quinti Scaena Prima. l. 19. A] leave to visit. l. 20. A] hands. l. 26. A] officers.
p. 214,
l. 3. B–F] were a valiant.
l. 6. A] something lighter.
l. 28. A–D _omit_] he. G] h’as.
l. 29. B–F] a was.
l. 30. A] in his. E and F] in in’s. l. 31. A–E] a my. F] in my. G] i’my.
l. 33. A, B and G] like to wicker Targets. l. 35. A _omits_] he. A] so low a sence. l. 36. A] should.
l. 38. A, B and G] That this strange fellow.
p. 215, l. 3. A–D and G] broke. A–G] or a shoulder out. A–F] ath’ stones. l. 4. A] of my. l. 10. A _omits_] the. l. 13. Folio _ misprints_] Catain. l. 16. A _omits_] Sword. l. 19. A] thus kicke you, and thus. B and G] thus kicke, and thus. l. 21. A–D and G] told you that. l. 23. A _omits_] Sword. A–F] a should. l. 25. A, B, C and G] a one. l. 26. A _omits_] beats him. l. 29. A, B and G] Sir I know. l. 30. A _prints_ ‘Bes.’ at the beginning of the following line, thus making this line part of Lygones’ speech.
p. 216, l. 6. A, B and G] you would. l. 7. A, B, C and G] strange now to have. l. 12. Folio _misprints_] danghter. l. 13. A, B and G] of being. l. 15. A _omits_] Lygo. l. 18. A _omits_] Sword. l. 19. A] ath’ sword. l. 20. G] h’as. l. 23. A] a kick’t. l. 24. A _omits_ ‘Bes.,’ thus making this line part of the second Sword-man’s speech. l. 25. A _omits_] Sword. A gives the words ‘Now let him come and say he was not sorry, And he sleepes for it’ to ‘2,’ i.e., the second Sword-man. l. 26. B–F] a was not. B–F] a sleepes. l. 28. A _omits_] clear. G] Exeunt omnes. l. 34. A prints this stage-direction after the words ‘There he is indeed’ in l. 35.
p. 217, l. 3. A, B, C and G] businesse will. l. 5. B] the Armenia state. l. 9. F _omits_] is. l. 20. A–G] couldst prate. l. 28. A] vild. B and C] vilde. B–F] commendations. l. 30. A, B and G] or rather would I. l. 34. A and F] mine own. l. 38. A] and like it.
p. 218, l. 3. A] in the. B, C, D and G] i’ the. l. 6. B _ misprints_] my Prince. l. 8. A] beside. l. 12. A] men. l. 13. C] Cawdle. l. 14. A] your Queene. l. 21. A] should speake. l. 27. A] a Queene. l. 33. A, B and G] Good God. l. 37. A, B and G _omit_] all.
p. 219, l. 4. A] that shall. l. 6. A _omits_] all. l. 7. A] a servant. l. 11. A] and Swordmen. In A this stage-direction is printed after the following line. l. 15. A–F] ath’ sword. l. 17. A–D and G _omit_] much. l. 20. A] I can aske. l. 23. A] will require launcing. l. 24. A] and full. l. 28. A _omits_] must. l. 31. A, B and G] God continue it. l. 32. F _misprints_] they to it.
p. 220, l. 5. The two Sword-men are throughout the scene referred to in A as ‘2’ or ‘1.’ l. 6. A _omits_ ‘Bac.,’ thus giving the line to the second Sword-man. l. 13. A–G _omit_] on. F] them, that have. l. 16. A–F] ath’ law. l. 22. F] That is. A] their paines. l. 26. A] ye rogues, ye apple-squiers. l. 31. A] a many of. F] a beautie of. l. 33. E] I do beseech. l. 35. A–F] A this side.
p. 221, l. 4. A] in your pocket slave, my key you. B and G] in your pocket slave, my toe. l. 5. A] with’t. l. 11. A–G] doing nothing. l. 12. A _omits_ this stage-direction. B] Enter Servant, Will. Adkinson. l. 13. A–D] Here’s. l. 14. A] I am. A] prethee. l. 15. A] beate um. l. 17. A _omits_] Sir. l. 18. A _omits_] Captain, Rally. A] up with your. F] rally upon. l. 20. A] cride hold. l. 22. E and F] vit me. l. 23. A, B and G] breath. A _omits_] Exit Bac. l. 25. A] Ime sure I ha. l. 26. B–F] a kicke. B–F] a will. l. 27. C–F] beside. l. 29. A, B and G] yes, God be thanked. l. 33. A, B, C and G] is a. l. 34. A] hands.
p. 222, l. 2. A _omits_] clear. G] Exeunt omnes. l. 4. A–D and G] bore. After this line A _Adds_]–Hell open all thy gates, And I will thorough them; if they be shut, Ile batter um, but I will find the place Where the most damn’d have dwelling; ere I end, Amongst them all they shall not have a sinne, But I will call it mine: l. 5. A–D and G] friend. A, B and G] to an. l. 13. B, C and D] a comming. l. 14. A–G] does your hand. l. 19. This line from ‘I can’ and the next line are given by A to Mardonius. l. 24. A] humblier.
p. 223, l. 4. A, B and G _omit_] and. l. 12. A] thinkest. l. 13. G] these are tales. l. 15. A–D and G] should get. l. 17. A] Farre other Fortunes. l. 19. A, B and G] God put. G] temporall. l. 20. A _Adds_] Exit. B and. G _Add_] Exit Mar. l. 21. A–D and G] errors. l. 27. A, B and G _omit_] more. l. 35. A–D and G _omit_] my.
p. 224, l. 4. F] knowest. l. 9. A] doest. l. 12. A] and I when I. F] knowest. l. 16. B and F] meanst. l. 17. A, B, C and G] a lie. A, B and G] God and. l. 22. A, B and G] wouldst. l. 28. A] gavest. l. 31. A] your selfe. B and G] it thy selfe. l. 38. A and G] know it. l. 39. E and F] staind.
p. 225, l. 7. A, B, C and G] allowest. l. 15. C–F] doest … doest. l. 17. A–D and G] Cease thou strange. l. 18. A] contemn’st. ll. 20 and 21. Folio _misprints_] dear … punishnment. l. 35. A and C] expects. B] expectes. D] expectst. G] expect’st. l. 39. A] thou wicked.
p. 226, l. 10. A, B, C and G] of a law. l. 19. A _omits_] you. ll. 25 and 26. A–G] Land as she. l. 29. A _misprints_] _Arb_. l. 31. A–D and G _omit_] a.
p. 227, l. 2. A] opportunitie. ll. 4 and 5. A, B and G] and God was humbly thankt in every Church, That so had blest the Queene, and prayers etc. l. 12. A–D and G] quicke. l. 14. A] abed. l. 16. A] sware. l. 20. A] the Queene. l. 23. A–G] yeare. l. 28. A] her talke. l. 32. A] sparke. l. 35. A, B and G] till I am. A] are silver. l. 37. A _omits_] too. I. 38. A, B and G] yes God knowes.
p. 228, l. 2. A by mistake _omits_] _Gob_. A] dare. l, 3. A] them. l. 4. A–G] waites. l. 7. A] Ent. Mar. Bessus, and others. l. 8. A _omits_] _Arb_. A] Mardonius, the best. B _misprints_] _Mar_. l. 11. E and F] happie. l. 14. A] On, call. l. 19. A _omits_] _Exit a Gent_. l. 24. A _omits_] I swear it must not be; nay, trust me. l. 26. B and C] beare. l. 28. A] but you are not.
p. 229, l. 1. A] I say she. l. 8. A] Armenian king. I. 15. Folio _ misprints_] morrning. l. 16. A _omits_ this stage-direction. l. 24. A and G] He shall. B] A shall. C] An shall. l. 25. A–G] shall. l. 26. F _omits_] that. l. 31. A _misprints_] thinke. l. 35. In place of this stage-direction A after the word ‘Queen’ in l. 33 _reads_] Enter Pan.
p. 230, l. 6. A gives this speech to Mardonius. l. 7. A _omits_] at first. l. 8. In A this stage-direction occurs after ‘Queen’ in the following line. l. 14. A and F] Maist. G] May’st. l. 17. F] them. l. 20. A–G] your Queene. l. 23. A–G _Add_] Finis.
A KING AND NO KING. VERSE AND PROSE VARIATIONS [1].
p. 152, ll. 8 and 9. A–D and G] 3 ll. _dare, day, I_. l. 27. A] 2 ll. _of, thus_. ll. 33–35. A] 3 ll. _Earth, Prince, Acts_.
p. 157, l. 20. A] 2 ll. _king, away_.
p. 159, ll. 3–8. A–D and G] 8 ll. _praise, worthy, death, lies, there, though, dust, envy_. ll. 11 and 12. A–D and G] 3 ll. _ windes, I, speake_. ll. 29–38. A–D and G] 14 ll. _lives, said, truth, bin, see, parts, world, farre, yeares, mee, thee, wilt, I, thus_. l. 40 and p. 160, ll. 1–4. A–D and G] 6 ll. _Take, which, love, I, mee, eare_.
p. 160, ll. 6 and 7. A, B and G] 2 ll. _Mardonius, Jewell_.
p. 161, ll. 21 and 22. A–D and G] 3 ll. _newes, not, Gobrias_. ll. 27–33. A–D and G] 9 ll. _farre, sinnes, teares, feele, brest, stand, eyes, world, me_. ll. 37–39 and p. 162, ll. 1–7. A–D and G] 14 ll. _know, died, life, pardon’d, fit, olde, thence, out, there, live, me, deathes, life, him_.
p. 163, ll. 16–22. A, B, C and G] 9 ll. _of_ (C = _halfe_), _ free, thine, prisoner, force, me, unwilling, Tigranes, there_. D] 7 ll. _halfe, free, thine, force, me, Tigranes, there_.
p. 164, ll. 1 and 2. A–D and G] 2 ll. _health, jealous_. ll. 25–35 and p. 165, ll. 1 and 2. A–D and G] 16 ll. _regard, prisoner, escape, prisoner, woman, me, say, her, Lord, grace, arme, womanhood, death, sonne, why, speake_.
p. 165, ll. 14–17. A–D and G] 5 ll. _Time, know, thinke, heart, urgd_. ll. 35 and 36. A–D and G] 2 ll. _it, believ’d_. ll. 38 and 39. A–D and G] 3 ll. _you, die, uncredited_ (D = _should_).
p. 166, ll. I and 2. A–D and G] 4 ll. _Then, me, King, plots_ (D adds l. 3). ll. 5–8. A–D and G] 5 ll. _me, content, power, me, done_. ll. 19–23. A–and G] Prose. ll. 25 and 26. A] _These, these_.
p. 167, ll. 9 and 10. A] 2 ll. _well, so_. l. 19. A–D and G] 2 ll. _readie, morrow_. ll. 21–28. A] 10 ll. _hereafter, office, discourse, how, victorie, doe, danger, long, while, beate_. ll. 21–24. B–D and G] 4 ll. _hereafter, office, discourse, victory_. ll. 25–28. B–D and G] Prose.
p. 168, ll. 11 and 12. A–D and G] 2 ll. _Bessus, nothing_. ll. 39 and 40. A–D and G] 2 ll. _kindnesses, name_.
p. 169, ll. 2–5. A–D and G] 5 ll. _letter, enough, you, me, me_. ll. 25 and 26. A and G] 2 ll. _Already, foolish_. ll. 37–40 and p. 170, ll. 1–4. A–D and G] 12 ll. _Lord, live, um, Just, um, mee, heare, way, care, you, enjoyes, worth_.
p. 170, ll. 5–10. A–D and G] Prose. ll. 13–18. A–D and G] 8 ll. _you, power, leave, like, him, humours, lesse, offer’d_. ll. 27–29. A] 2 ll. _pleasure, Madam_.
p. 171, ll. 10–15. A–D and G] 9 ll. _unreasonably, seeme, ill, ought, faire, good, prayer, me, you_. ll. 31–40 and p. 172, ll. 1–6. A–D] 24 ll. _weepe, words, sorrow, me, him, Thalestris, me, sweare, slay, thee, himselfe, me, yet, face, you, eares, eyes, him, hope, dead, him, fast, ceremony, him_.
p. 172, ll. 15–21. A–D and G] 11 ll. _not, desire, others, me_ (or _not_), _wrong, birth, injure, hither, commanded, ready, servand_.
p. 174, l. 20. A–D] 2 ll. _king, now_. ll. 23–29. A–D and G] 11 ll. _full, subjects, love, height, you, me, warre, imagine, word, blouds, peace_.
[Footnote 1: The prose printings of E and F have not been recorded.]
p. 175, ll. 4–6. A–D and G] 4 ll. _man, home, hearts, deliverance_. ll. 11–22. A–D and G] 17 ll. _wrong, spectacle, people, me, deserved, you, dwels, man, compare, selfe, you, too, name, fall, loves, content, worke_. ll. 35 and 36. A–D and G] 2 ll. _Children, is_.
p. 176, ll. 23–35. A–D and G] 14 ll. _Sir, hands, know, her, home, stubbornnesse, like, her, Jewell, mad, sister, is, Land, another_.
p. 177, ll. 1–10. A–D and G] 11 ll. _Too, friends, know, loth, passe, constraint, so, speake, health, love, againe_.
p. 178, ll. 16 and 17. A–D and G] 3 ll. _die, returne, life_. ll. 30–32. A–D and G] 4 ll. _ill, kneele, gaine, you_.
p. 179, ll. 21–25. A–D and G] 7 ll. _earth, alas, command, me, short, sister brought_.
p. 180, l. 31. A–D and G] 7 ll. _Gobrias, meane_.
p. 191, ll. 35 and 36. A–D and G] 2 ll. _utterd, careleslie_.
p. 192, ll. 9–12. E and F] 3 ll. _And, love, thou_. ll. 10–12. A–D and G] 3 ll. _Advice, love, thou_. ll. 16 and 17. A–D and G] 3 ll. _This, caution, it_ (G _Adds_ l. 18). ll. 20 and 21. A–D and G] 2 ll. _it, it_.
p. 194, ll. 5 and 6. A] 2 ll. _cutlers, King_. l. 22. A] 2 ll. _will, whatsoever_.
p. 195, ll. 21 and 22. A] 2 ll. _in-, Monsters_.
p. 196, l. 38, and p. 197, ll. 1–3. A] Prose.
p. 197, ll. 4 and 5. A] 3 ll. _you, Spaconia, thus_.
p. 199, ll. 9 and 10. B–D and G] 3 ll. _Ladie, passe, King_. ll. 12 and 13. A and G] 2 ll. _from, remov’d_.
p. 201, ll. 7 and 8. A] 2 ll. _All, folly_. l. 15. A] 2 ll. _Sir, warrant_. ll. 39 and 40.
p. 202, ll. 19–22. A] Prose.
p. 204, l. 6. A–D and G] 2 ll. _false, letter_. ll. 36–38. A] 2 ll. _Truth, Prince_.
p. 205, ll. 26 and 27. A–D and G] 3 ll. _Another, distance, opinion_.
p. 207, ll. 11–13. A–D and G] 3 ll. _Toge-, man, brother_. I. 24. A–D and G] 2 ll. _Sir, since_.
p. 209, ll. 31 and 32. A] 2 ll. _me, brother_.
p. 212, ll. ii and 12. A] 3 ll. _Panthea, gaze, out_. ll. 23 and 24. A] 2 ll. _you, gone_.
Act 5 is in verse in Quartos A, B, C and D, in prose in Quartos E and F from p. 214, I. 22. As the Second Folio also prints it in prose it has been decided to give here the verse of Quarto A (1619) in full.
Actus Quinti Scaena Prima.
_Enter Mardonius, and Ligones_.
_Mar_.
Sir, the King has seene your Commission, and beleeves it, and freely by this warrant gives you leave to visit Prince _Tigranes_ your noble Master.
_Lig_.
I thanke his Grace, and kisse his hands.
_Mar_.
But is the maine of all your businesse Ended in this?
_Lig_.
I have another, but a worse; I am asham’d, it is a businesse.–
_Mar_.
You serve a worthy person, and a stranger I am sure you are; you may imploy mee if you please, without your purse, such Officers should ever be their owne rewards.
_Lig_.
I am bound to your noblenesse.
_Mar_.
I may have neede of you, and then this curtesie, If it be any, is not ill bestowed:
But may I civilly desire the rest? I shall not be a hurter, if no helper.
_Lig_.
Sir, you shall know I have lost a foolish daughter, And with her all my patience; pilferd away By a meane Captaine of your Kings.
_Mar_.
Stay there Sir:
If he have reacht the noble worth of Captaine, He may well claime a worthy gentlewoman, Though shee were yours, and noble.
_Lig_.
I grant all that too: but this wretched fellow Reaches no further then the emptie name, That serves to feede him; were he valiant, Or had but in him any noble nature,
That might hereafter promise him a good man; My cares were something lighter, and my grave A span yet from me.
_Mar_.
I confesse such fellowes
Be in all royall Campes, and have, and must be To make the sinne of coward more detested In the meane Souldier, that with such a foyle Sets of much valour: By description
I should now guesse him to you. It was _Bessus_, I dare almost with confidence pronounce it.
_Lig_.
Tis such a scurvy name as _Bessus_, and now I thinke tis hee.
_Mar_.
Captaine, doe you call him?
Beleeve me Sir, you have a miserie 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?
_Lig_.
No, would shee had beene,
The fault had had more credit: I would doe something.
_Mar_.
I would faine counsell you; but to what I know not: Hee’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,
Hee’s such an ayrie thin unbodied coward, That no revenge can catch him:
He tell you Sir, and tell you truth; this rascall Feares neither God nor man, has beene so beaten: Sufferance has made him wanscote; he has had Since hee was first a slave, at least three hundred daggers Set in his head, as little boyes doe new knives in hot meat; Ther’s not a rib in’s bodie a my conscience, That has not beene thrice broken with drie beating; And now his sides looke like to wicker targets, Everie way bended:
Children will shortly take him for a wall, And set their stone-bowes in his forhead: is of so low a sence, I cannot in a weeke imagine what should be done to him.
_Lig_.
Sure I have committed some great sinne, That this strange 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 doe you pleasure Sir, he has it for you, and Ile helpe you to him: tis no newes to him to have a leg broke, or a shoulder out, with being turnd ath’ stones like a Tanzie: Draw not your sword, if you love it; for my conscience his head will breake it: we use him ith’ warres like a Ramme to shake a wall withall; here comes the verie person of him, doe as you shall find your temper I must leave you: but if you doe not breake him like a bisket, you are much too blame Sir. _Ex. Mardo. Enter Bessus and Sword-men_.
_Lig_.
Is your name Bessus?
_Bes_.
Men call me Captaine Bessus.
_Lig_.
Then Captaine _Bessus_ you are a ranke rascall, without more exordiums, a durty frozen slave; and with the favour of your friends here, I will beate you.
_2_.
Pray use your pleasure Sir, you seem to be a gentleman.
_Lig_.
Thus Captaine _Bessus_, thus; thus twinge your nose, thus kicke you, and thus tread you.
_Bess_.
I doe beseech you yeeld your cause Sir quickly.
_Lig_.
Indeed I should have told you that first.
_Bess_.
I take it so.
_1_.
Captaine, a should indeed, he is mistaken:
_Lig_.
Sir you shall have it quickly, and more beating, You have stolne away a Lady Captaine Coward, And such a one.
_Bes_.
Hold, I beseech you, hold Sir,
I never yet stole any living thing That had a tooth about it.
_Lig_.
Sir I know you dare lie
With none but Summer Whores upon my life Sir.
_Bes_.
My meanes and manners never could attempt Above a hedge or hey-cocke.
_Lig_.
Sirra that quits not me, where is this Ladie, Doe that you doe not use to doe, tell truth, Or by my hand Ile beat your Captaines braines out. Wash um, and put um in againe, that will I.
_Bes_.
There was a Ladie Sir, I must confesse Once in my charge: the Prince _Tigranes_ gave her To my guard for her safetie, how I usd her She may her selfe report, shee’s with the Prince now: I did but waite upon her like a Groome, Which she will testifie I am sure: If not, My braines are at your service when you please Sir, And glad I have um for you?
_Lig_.
This is most likely, Sir I aske your pardon, And am sorrie I was so intemperate.
_Bes_.
Well, I can aske no more, you would thinke it strange Now to have me beat you at first sight.
_Lig_.
Indeed I would but I know your goodnes can forget Twentie beatings. You must forgive me.
_Bes_.
Yes, ther’s my hand, goe where you will, I shall thinke You a valiant fellow for all this.
_Lig_.
My daughter is a Whore,
I feele it now too sencible; yet I will see her, Discharge my selfe of being Father to her, And then backe to my Countrie, and there die; Farewell Captaine.
_Exit_.
_Bes_.
Farewell Sir, farewell, commend me to the Gentlewoman I praia.
_1_.
How now Captaine, beare up man.
_Bes_.
Gentlemen ath’ sword your hands once more, I have Beene kickt againe, but the foolish fellow is penitent, Has ask’t me mercy, and my honor’s safe.
_2_.
We knew that, or the foolish fellow had better a kick’t His Grandsire.
Confirme, confirme I pray.
_1_.
There be our hands againe.
_2_.
Now let him come, and say he was not sorry, And he sleepes for it.
_Bes_.
Alas good ignorant old man, let him goe, Let him goe, these courses will undoe him.
_Exeunt_.
_Enter Ligones, and Bacurius_.
_Bac_.
My Lord your authoritie is good, and I am glad it is so, for my consent would never hinder you from seeing your owne King. I am a Minister, but not a governour of this state; yonder is your King, Ile leave you.
_Exit_.
_Lig_.
There he is indeed, _Enter Tig. and Spaco_. And with him my disloyall childe.
_Tig_.
I doe perceive my fault so much, that yet Me thinkes thou shouldst not have forgiven me.
_Lig_.
Health to your Maiestie.
_Tig_.
What? good Ligones, welcome; what businesse brought thee hether?
_Lig_.
Severall Businesses.
My publique businesse will appeare by this: I have a message to deliver, which
If it please you so to authorise, is An embassage from the Armenian state,
Unto _Arbaces_ for your libertie:
The offer’s there set downe, please you to read it.
_Tig_.
There is no alteration happened
Since I came thence?
_Lig_.
None Sir, all is as it was.
_Tig_.
And all our friends are well.
_Lig_.
All verie 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.
_Lig_.
Madam I should have scene you.
_Spa_.
O good Sir forgive me.
_Lig_.
Forgive you, why I am no kin to you, am I?
_Spa_.
Should it be measur’d by my meane deserts, Indeed you are not.
_Lig_.
Thou couldst prate unhappily
Ere thou couldst goe, would thou couldst doe as well. And how does your custome hold out here. _Spa_. Sir.
_Lig_.
Are you in private still, or how?
_Spa_.
What doe you meane?
_Lig_.
Doe you take money? are you come to sell sinne yet? perhaps I can helpe you to liberall Clients: or has not the King cast you off yet? O thou wild creature, whose best commendation is, that thou art a young Whore. I would thy Mother had liv’d to see this: or rather would I had dyed ere I had seene it: why did’st not make me acquainted when thou wert first resolv’d to be a Whore? I would have seene thy hot lust satisfied more privately. I would have kept a dancer, and a whole consort of Musitions in mine owne house, onely to fiddle thee. _Spa_. Sir I was never whore.
_Lig_.
If thou couldst not say so much for thy selfe thou shouldst be Carted.