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.