Enter BESSUS, Gentlemen, MARDONIUS, and other Attendants.

Mar. Is that so good news?

Arb. Yes, the happiest news
That e’er 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.—

[Exit a Gentleman.

Mar. So it should seem.—My lord,
What fury’s this?

Gob. Believe me, ’tis no fury;
All that he says 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. Oh, not here!
You may, but not I, for here is my father
In presence.

Mar. Where?

Arb. Why, there. Oh, the whole story
Would be a wilderness, to lose thyself
For ever.—Oh, pardon me, dear father,
For all the idle and unreverend 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: Ay, and she look’d nothing like you.

Arb. I think you did, good captain Bessus.

Bes. Here will arise another question now amongst the swordmen, whether I be to call him to account for beating me, now he is proved No King.

Enter LYGONES.

Mar. Sir, here’s Lygones, the agent for the Armenian state.

Arb. Where is he?—I know your business, good Lygones.

Lyg. We must have our king again, and will.