Page:Works of Sir John Suckling.djvu/129

] Here the dead-doing law (like ill-paid soldiers)

Leaves the side 'twas on to join with power.

Royal villainy now will look so like to justice,

That the times to come and curious posterity

Will find no difference.

Weep'st thou, Aglaura? Come to bed, my love;

And we will there mock tyranny and fate:

Those softer hours of pleasure and delight

That, like so many single pearls, should have

Adorn'd our thread of life, we will at once,

By love's mysterious power and this night's help.

Contract to one, and make but one rich draught

Of all.

Agl. What mean you, sir?

Ther. To make myself incapable of misery,

By taking strong preservatives of happiness:

I would this night enjoy thee.

Agl. Do, sir, do what you will with me;

For I am too much yours to deny the right,

However claim'd; but

Ther. But what, Aglaura?

Agl. Gather

Not roses in a wet and frowning hour:

They'll lose their sweets then, trust me they will, sir.

What pleasure can love take to play his game out,

When death must keep the stakes?

Hark, sir!

Grave-bringers and last minutes are at hand:

Hide, hide yourself; for love's sake, hide yourself!

Ther. As soon the sun may hide himself as I.

The Prince of Persia hide himself!

Agl. O, talk not, sir; the sun does hide himself,

When night and blackness comes.

Ther. Never, sweet ignorance, he shines in th' other world then;

And so shall I, if I set here in glory.

Enter, ye hasty seekers of life! [Opens the door. Enter Ziriff Zorannes!

Agl. My brother!

If all the joy within me come not out,

To give a welcome to so dear an object,

Excuse it, sir; sorrow locks up all doors.

Zir. If there be such a toy about you, sister,