Enter two Gentlemen and BESSUS.

Mar. Your price?

Arb. Ay, at the king’s price.

Mar. That may be more than I’m worth.

2 Gent. Is he not merry now?

1 Gent. I think not.

Bes. He is, he is: We’ll show ourselves.

Arb. Bessus! I thought you had been in Iberia by this; I bade you hast; Gobrias will want entertainment for me.

Bes. An’t please your majesty, I have a suit.

Arb. Is’t not lousy, Bessus? what is’t?

Bes. I am to carry a lady with me.

Arb. Then thou hast two suits.

Bes. And if I can prefer her to the lady Panthea, your majesty’s sister, to learn fashions, as her friends term it, it will be worth something to me.

Arb. So many nights’ lodgings as ’tis thither; will’t not?

Bes. I know not that; but gold I shall be sure of.

Arb. Why, thou shalt bid her entertain her from me, so thou wilt resolve me one thing.

Bes. If I can.

Arb. ’Faith,’tis a very disputable question; and yet, I think, thou canst decide it.

Bes. Your majesty has a good opinion of my understanding.

Arb. I have so good an opinion of it: ’Tis whether thou be valiant.

Bes. Somebody has traduced me to you: Do you see this sword, sir?

[Draws.

Arb. Yes.

Bes. If I do not make my back-biters eat it to a knife within this week, say I am not valiant.

Enter a Messenger.

Mes. Health to your majesty!

[Delivers a letter.

Arb. From Gobrias?