Page:Works of Sir John Suckling.djvu/117

] Ther. Here, sir.

Agl. What means the prince, my lord?

Zir. Madam,

His wiser fear has taught him to disguise

His love, and make it look a little rude at parting.

Affairs, that do concern all that you hope

From happiness, this night force him away;

And, lest you should have tempted him to stay,—

Which he did doubt you would, and would prevail—

He left you thus: he does desire by me

You would this night lodge in the little tower,

Which is in my command: the reasons why

Himself will shortly tell you.

Agl. 'Tis strange, but I am all obedience.

Iol. I told him so, sir; urg'd 'twas no common knot,

That to the tying of it two powerful princes,

Virtue and Love, were join'd, and that a greater

Than these two was now engaged in't, Religion.

But 'twould not do; the cork of passion

Buoy'd up all reason so, that what was said

Swam but o' th' top of th' ear, ne'er reach'd the heart.

Ther. Is there no way for kings to show their power,

But in their subjects' wrongs?—no subject neither,

But his own son?

Iol. Right, sir!

No quarry for his lust to gorge on, but

On what you fairly had flown at and taken?

Well, wer't not the king, or wer't indeed not you,

That have such hopes, and such a crown to venture—

And yet, 'tis but a woman.

Ther. How? that but

Again, and thou art more injurious

Than he, and wou'lt provoke me sooner!