Bes.
Madam, I dare pass my word for her truth.
Spa.
My truth?
Pan.
Why Captain, do you think I am afraid she'l steal?
Bes.
I cannot tell, servants are slippery, but I dare give my word for her, and for honesty, she came along with me, and many favours she did me by the way, but by this light none but what she might do with modesty, to a man of my rank.
Pan.
Why Captain, here's no body thinks otherwise.
Bes.
Nay, if you should, your Grace may think your pleasure; but I am sure I brought her from Armenia, and in all that way, if ever I touch'd any bare of her above her knee, I pray God I may sink where I stand.
Spa.
Above my knee?
Bes.
No, you know I did not, and if any man will say, I did, this sword shall answer; Nay, I'le defend the reputation of my charge whilst I live, your Grace shall understand I am secret in these businesses, and know how to defend a Ladies honour.
Spa.
I hope your Grace knows him so well already, I shall not need to tell you he's vain and foolish.
Bes.
I you may call me what you please, but I'le defend your good name against the world; and so I take my leave of your Grace, and of you my Lord Protector; I am likewise glad to see your Lordship well.
Bac.
O Captain Bessus, I thank you, I would speak with you anon.
Bes.
When you please, I will attend your Lordship.
Bac.
Madam, I'le take my leave too.
Pan.
Good Bacurius.
[Exeunt Bes. and Bac.
Gob.
Madam what writes his Majesty to you?
Pan.
O my Lord, the kindest words, I'le keep 'em whilst I live, here in my bosom, there's no art in 'em, they lie disordered in this paper, just as hearty nature speaks 'em.
Gob.
And to me he writes what tears of joy he shed to hear how you were grown in every vertues way, and yields all thanks to me, for that dear care which I was bound to have in training you, there is no Princess living that enjoys a brother of that worth.
Pan.
My Lord, no maid longs more for any thing,
And feels more heat and cold within her breast,
Than I do now, in hopes to see him.
Gob.
Yet I wonder much
At this he writes, he brings along with him
A husband for you, that same Captive Prince,
And if he loves you as he makes a shew,
He will allow you freedom in your choice.
Pan.
And so he will my Lord, I warrant you, he will but offer and give me the power to take or leave.
Gob.
Trust me, were I a Lady, I could not like that man were bargain'd with before I choose him.
Pan.
But I am not built on such wild humours, if I find him worthy, he is not less because he's offer'd.
Spa.
'Tis true, he is not, would he would seem less.
Gob.
I think there's no Lady can affect
Another Prince, your brother standing by;
He doth Eclipse mens vertues so with his.
Spa.
I know a Lady may, and more I fear
Another Lady will.
Pan.
Would I might see him.
Gob.
Why so you shall, my businesses are great,
I will attend you when it is his pleasure to see you.
Pan.
I thank you good my Lord.
Gob.
You will be ready Madam.
[Exit Gob.
Pan.
Yes.
Spa.
I do beseech you Madam, send away
Your other women, and receive from me
A few sad words, which set against your joyes
May make 'em shine the more.
Pan.
Sirs, leave me all.
[Exeunt Women.
Spa.
I kneel a stranger here to beg a thing
Unfit for me to ask, and you to grant,
'Tis such another strange ill-laid request,
As if a begger should intreat a King
To leave his Scepter, and his Throne to him
And take his rags to wander o're the world
Hungry and cold.
Pan.
That were a strange request.
Spa.
As ill is mine.
Pan. Then do not utter it.
Spa.
Alas 'tis of that nature, that it must
Be utter'd, I, and granted, or I die:
I am asham'd to speak it; but where life
Lies at the stake, I cannot think her woman
That will not take something unreasonably to hazard saving of it: I shall seem a strange Petitioner, that wish all ill to them I beg of, e're they give me ought; yet so I must: I would you were not fair, nor wise, for in your ill consists my good: if you were foolish, you would hear my prayer, if foul, you had not power to hinder me: he would not love you.
Pan.
What's the meaning of it.
Spa.
Nay, my request is more without the bounds
Of reason yet: for 'tis not in the power
Of you to do, what I would have you grant.
Pan.
Why then 'tis idle, pray thee speak it out.
Spa.
Your brother brings a Prince into this land,
Of such a noble shape, so sweet a grace,
So full of worth withal, that every maid
That looks upon him, gives away her self
To him for ever; and for you to have
He brings him: and so mad is my demand
That I desire you not to have this man,
This excellent man, for whom you needs must die,
If you should miss him. I do now expect
You should laugh at me.
Pan.
Trust me I could weep rather, for I have found him
In all thy words a strange disjoynted sorrow.
Spa.
'Tis by me his own desire so, that you would not love him.
Pan.
His own desire! why credit me Thalestris, I am no common wooer: if he shall wooe me, his worth may be such, that I dare not swear I will not love him; but if he will stay to have me wooe him, I will promise thee, he may keep all his graces to himself, and fear no ravishing from me.
Spa.
'Tis yet his own desire, but when he sees your face, I fear it will not be; therefore I charge you as you have pity, stop these tender ears from his enchanting voice, close up those eyes, that you may neither catch a dart from him, nor he from you; I charge you as you hope to live in quiet; for when I am dead, for certain I will walk to visit him if he break promise with me: for as fast as Oaths without a formal Ceremony can make me, I am to him.
Pan.
Then be fearless;
For if he were a thing 'twixt God and man,
I could gaze on him; if I knew it sin
To love him without passion: Dry your eyes,
I swear you shall enjoy him still for me,
I will not hinder you; but I perceive
You are not what you seem, rise, rise Thalestris,
If your right name be so.
Spa.