By Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher

Persons Represented in the Play.

Arbaces, King of Iberia.

Tigranes, King of Armenia.

Gobrias, Lord Protector, and Father of Arbaces.

Bacurius, another Lord.

Mardonius.)
Bessus, ) Two Captains

Ligo[n]es, Father of Spaconia.

Two Gentlemen.

Three Men and a Woman.

Philip, a servant, and two Citizens Wives.

A Messenger.

A Servant to Bacurius.

Two Sword-men.

A Boy.

Arane, ) The [Queen-Mother.

Panthea,) Her Daughter.

Spaconia,) A Lady Daughter of Ligones

Mandane,) A waiting woman, and other attendants.

* * * * *

Actus primus.  Scena prima.

* * * * *

Enter Mardonius and Bessus, Two Captains.

Mar.

Bessus, the King has made a fair hand on’t, he has ended the Wars at a blow, would my sword had a close basket hilt to hold Wine, and the blade would make knives, for we shall have nothing but eating and drinking.

Bes.

  We that are Commanders shall do well enough.

Mar.

  Faith Bessus, such Commanders as thou may; I had as lieve set
  thee Perdue for a pudding i’th’ dark, as Alexander the Great.

Bes.

  I love these jests exceedingly.

Mar.

I think thou lov’st ’em better than quarrelling Bessus, I’le say so much i’thy behalf, and yet thou ’rt valiant enough upon a retreat, I think thou wouldst kill any man that stopt thee if thou couldst.

Bes.

  But was not this a brave Combate Mardonius?

Mar.

  Why, didst thou see’t?

Bes.

  You stood wi’me.

Mar.

  I did so, but me thought thou wink’dst every blow they strook.

Bes.

  Well, I believe there are better souldiers than I, that never saw
  two Princes fight in lists.

Mar.

  By my troth I think so too Bessus, many a thousand, but
  certainly all that are worse than thou have seen as much.

Bes.

  ’Twas bravely done of our King.

Mar.

  Yes, if he had not ended the wars:  I’me glad thou dar’st talk of
  such dangerous businesses.

Bes.

  To take a Prince prisoner in the heart of’s own Country in single
  combat.

Mar.

  See how thy blood curdles at this, I think thou couldst be
  contented to be beaten i’this passion.