Enter the King, Antony, Damianus, and Cosmo;
Victoria meetes the King.
Vict. As you are Vice-gerent to that Maiesty
By whom Kings reigne on earth, as you would wish
Your heires should sit upon your Throne, your name
Be mentioned in the Chronicle of glory;
Great King, vouchsafe me hearing.
King. Speake.
Vict. My husband,
The much, too much wrong'd Bellizarius,
Hath not deserv'd the measure of such misery
Which is throwne on him. Call, oh call to minde
His service, how often he hath fought
And toyl'd in warres to give his Country peace.
He has not beene a flatterer of the Time,
Nor Courted great ones for their glorious Vices;
He hath not sooth'd blinde dotage in the World,
Nor caper'd on the Common-wealths dishonour;
He has not peeld the rich nor flead the poore,
Nor from the heart-strings of the Commons drawne
Profit to his owne Coffers; he never brib'd
The white intents of mercy; never sold
Iustice for money, to set up his owne
And utterly undoe whole families.
Yet some such men there are that have done thus:
The mores the pitty.
King. To the poynt.
Vict. Oh, Sir,
Bellizarius has his wounds emptied of blood,
Both for his Prince and Countrey: to repeat
Particulars were to do iniury
To your yet mindfull gratitude. His Life,
His liberty, 'tis that I plead for—that;
And since your enemies and his could never
Captive the one and triumph in the other,
Let not his friends—his King—commend a cruelty,
Strange to be talkt of, cursed to be acted.
My husband, oh! my husband Bellizarius,
For him I begge.
King. Lady, rise up; we will be gracious To thy suit,—Cause Bellizarius And the Bishop be brought hither instantly. [Exit for him.
Vict. Now all the blessings due to a good King Crowne you with lasting honours.
King. If thou canst
Perswade thy husband to recant his errours,
He shall not onely live, but in our favoures
Be chiefe. Wilt undertake it?
Vict. Undertake it, Sir,
On these conditions? You shall your selfe
Be witnesse with what instance I will urge him
To pitty his owne selfe, recant his errours.