"A King and No King" is a tragicomedy play by
Francis Beaumont and
John Fletcher, published in 1619.
It was a long
war between Iberia and Armenia. Eventually victory goes to Arbaces, the King of Iberia, in a combat against Tigranes of Armenia.
Not evil-minded and mean-spirited, Arbaces offers Tigranes his liberty and continued peace on one condition, that he marry Panthea, his sister. Tigranes declines since he already loves Spaconia.
Meanwhile, Panthea has grown up into a beautiful young lady during Arbaces' absence while at war. When she appears her beauty disturbs not only Tigranes, but also her brother, Arbaces who becomes enamored.
Arbaces tries to quash his incestuous passion, but then he discovers that his feelings are reciprocated by Panthea. Avoiding the situation to go off hand, the Lord Protector of the kingdom, Gobrias, takes the matter in his hands by confessing a long kept secret. Gobrias reveals that Arbace is in reality his son.
Abrace was still an infant when the Queen Mother had despaired of bearing children. Gobrias, ever faithful and loyal to the king and queen gave away his son to the Queen. Panthea was born to the late king and queen six years later.
As the matter is straightened out in which there is no longer any obstruction to the union, between Abrace and Panthea, and Tigranes is also free to marry Spaconia. The play is not without intrigues but ends well.