world! They will offend to death
Each minute: Let me hear thee speak again,
And thou art earth again. Why, this is like
Tigranes’ speech, that needs would say I bragg’d.
Bessus, he said I bragg’d.

Bes. Ha, ha, ha!

Arb. Why dost thou laugh?
By all the world, I’m grown ridiculous
To my own subjects. Tie me to a chair,
And jest at me! But I shall make a start,
And punish some, that others may take heed
How they are haughty. Who will answer me?
He said I boasted: speak, Mardonius,
Did I?—He will not answer. Oh, my temper!
I give you thanks above, that taught my heart
Patience; I can endure his silence? What, will none
Vouchsafe to give me audience? Am I grown
To such a poor respect? or do you mean
To break my wind? Speak, speak, some one of you
Or else, by Heaven—

1 Gent. So please your—

Arb. Monstrous!
I cannot be heard out; they cut me off,
As if I were too saucy. I will live
In woods, and talk to trees; they will allow me
To end what I begin. The meanest subject
Can find a freedom to discharge his soul,
And not I. Now it is a time to speak;
I hearken.

1 Gent. May it please—

Arb. I mean not you;
Did not I stop you once? But I am grown
To balk! But I desire let another speak.

2 Gent. I hope your majesty—

Arb. Thou draw’st thy words,
That I must wait an hour, where other men
Can hear in instants: Throw your words away
Quick, and to purpose; I have told you this.

Bes. An’t please your majesty—

Arb. Wilt thou devour me? This is such a rudeness
As yet you never show’d me: and I want
Power to command ye; else, Mardonius
Would speak at my request. Were you my king,
I would have answer’d at your word, Mardonius.
I pray you speak, and truly, did I boast?

Mar. Truth will offend you.

Arb. You take all great care what will offend me,
When you dare to utter such things as these.

Mar. You told Tigranes, you had won his land
With that sole arm, propp’d by divinity:
Was not that bragging, and a wrong to us
That daily ventured lives?

Arb. O, that thy name
Were great as mine! ’would I had paid my wealth
It were as great, as I might combat thee!
I would, through all the regions habitable,
Search thee, and, having found thee, with my sword
Drive thee about the world, ’till I had met
Some place that yet man’s curiosity
Hath miss’d of: There, there would I strike thee dead:
Forgotten of mankind, such funeral rites
As beasts would give thee, thou shouldst have.

Bes. The king rages extremely: shall we slink away?
He’ll strike us.

2 Gent. 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
Moved you like wheels; it moved you as it pleased.
Whither slip you now? What, are you too good
To wait on me? 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: