Content.

Arb.

  There I would make you know ’twas this sole arm. 
  I grant you were my instruments, and did
  As I commanded you, but ’twas this arm
  Mov’d you like wheels, it mov’d you as it pleas’d. 
  Whither slip you now? what are you too good
  To wait on me (puffe,) I had need have temper
  That rule such people; I have nothing left
  At my own choice, I would I might be private: 
  Mean men enjoy themselves, but ’tis our curse,
  To have a tumult that out of their loves
  Will wait on us, whether we will or no;
  Go get you gone:  Why here they stand like death,
  My words move nothing.

1 Gent.

  Must we go?

Bes.  I know not.

Arb.

I pray you leave me Sirs, I’me proud of this,
That you will be intreated from my sight: 
Why now the[y] leave me all:  Mardonius.

[Exeunt all but Arb. and Mar.

Mar.

Sir.

Arb.

Will you leave me quite alone? me thinks
Civility should teach you more than this,
If I were but your friend:  Stay here and wait.

Mar.

  Sir shall I speak?

Arb.

  Why, you would now think much
  To be denied, but I can scar[c]e intreat
  What I would have:  do, speak.

Mar.

  But will you hear me out?

Arb.

  With me you Article to talk thus:  well,
  I will hear you out.

Mar.

Sir, that I have ever lov’d you, my sword hath spoken for me; that I do, if it be doubted, I dare call an oath, a great one to my witness; and were you not my King, from amongst men, I should have chose you out to love above the rest:  nor can this challenge thanks, for my own sake I should have done it, because I would have lov’d the most deserving man, for so you are.

Arb.

Alas Mardonius, rise you shall not kneel, We all are souldiers, and all venture lives:  And where there is no difference in mens worths, Titles are jests, who can outvalue thee? Mardonius thou hast lov’d me, and hast wrong, Thy love is not rewarded, but believe It shall be better, more than friend in arms, My Father, and my Tutor, good Mardonius.

Mar.

  Sir, you did promise you would hear me out.

Arb.

  And so I will; speak freely, for from thee
  Nothing can come but worthy things and true.

Mar.

  Though you have all this worth, you hold some qualities that do
  Eclipse your vertues.

Arb.

  Eclipse my vertues?

Mar.

  Yes, your passions, which are so manifold, that they appear even
  in this:  when I commend you, you hug me for that truth:  but when
  I speak your faults, you make a start, and flie the hearing but.