_Arb_.
No, thou art dull, kneel down before her,
And ne'r rise again, till she will love me.
_Mar_.
Why, I think she does.
_Arb_.
But better than she does, another way;
As wives love Husbands.
_Mar_.
Why, I think there are few Wives that love their
Husbands better than she does you.
_Arb_.
Thou wilt not understand me: is it fit
This should be uttered plainly? take it then
Naked as it is: I would desire her love
Lasciviously, lewdly, incestuously,
To do a sin that needs must damn us both,
And thee too: dost thou understand me now?
_Mar_.
Yes, there's your Ring again; what have I done
Dishonestly in my whole life, name it,
That you should put so base a business to me?
_Arb_.
Didst thou not tell me thou wouldst do it?
_Mar_.
Yes; if I undertook it, but if all
My hairs were lives, I would not be engag'd
In such a case to save my last life.
_Arb_.
O guilt! ha how poor and weak a thing art thou!
This man that is my servant, whom my breath
Might blow upon the world, might beat me here
Having this cause, whil'st I prest down with sin
Could not resist him: hear _Mardonius_,
It was a motion mis-beseeming man,
And I am sorry for it.
_Mar_.
Heaven grant you may be so: you must understand, nothing that you
can utter, can remove my love and service from my Prince. But
otherwise, I think I shall not love you more. For you are sinful,
and if you do this crime, you ought to have no Laws. For after
this, it will be great injustice in you to punish any offender
for any crime. For my self I find my heart too big: I feel I have
not patience to look on whilst you run these forbidden courses.
Means I have none but your favour, and I am rather glad that I
shall lose 'em both together, than keep 'em with such conditions;
I shall find a dwelling amongst some people, where though our
Garments perhaps be courser, we shall be richer far within, and
harbour no such vices in 'em: the Gods preserve you, and mend.
_Arb_.
_Mardonius_, stay _Mardonius_, for though
My present state requires nothing but knaves
To be about me, such as are prepar'd
For every wicked act, yet who does know
But that my loathed Fate may turn about,
And I have use for honest men again?
I hope I may, I prethee leave me not.
_Enter_ Bessus.
_Bes_.
Where is the King?
_Mar_.
There.
_Bes_.
An't please your Majesty, there's the knife.
_Arb_.
What knife?
_Bes_.
The Sword is eaten.
_Mar_.
Away you fool, the King is serious,
And cannot now admit your vanities.
_Bes_.
Vanities! I'me no honest man, if my enemies have not brought it
to this, what, do you think I lie?
_Arb_.
No, no, 'tis well _Bessus_, 'tis very well I'm glad on't.
_Mar_.
If your enemies brought it to this, your enemies are Cutlers,
come leave the King.
_Bes_.
Why, may not valour approach him?
_Mar_.
Yes, but he has affairs, depart, or I shall be something
unmannerly with you.
_Arb_.
No, let him stay _Mardonius_, let him stay,
I have occasion with him very weighty,
And I can spare you now.
_Mar_.
Sir?
_Arb_.
Why I can spare you now.
_Bes_.
_Mardonius_ give way to these State affairs.
_Mar_.
Indeed you are fitter for this present purpose.
[_Exit_ Mar.
_Arb_.
_Bessus_, I should imploy thee, wilt thou do't?
_Bes_.
Do't for you? by this Air I will do any thing without exception,
be it a good, bad, or indifferent thing.
_Arb_.
Do not swear.
_Bes_.
By this light but I will, any thing whatsoever.
_Arb_.
But I shall name the thing,
Thy Conscience will not suffer thee to do.
_Bes_.