Page:Works of Sir John Suckling.djvu/136

116 Orb. These lovers sure are like astronomers,

That, when the vulgar eye discovers but

A sky above, studded with some few stars,

Find out, besides, strange fishes, birds, and beasts.

Sem. As men in sickness, scorch'd into a raving,

Do see the devil in all shapes and forms,

When standers-by, wondering, ask where and when,

So they in love; for all's but fever there,

And madness too.

Orb. That's too severe, Semanthe;

But we will have your reasons in the park:

Are the doors open through the gardens?

Lord. The king has newly led the way.

Ari. Thou art a tyrant, Ziriff: I shall die

With joy.

Zir. I must confess, my lord, had but

The prince's ills proved slight, and not thus dangerous

He should have ow'd to me—at least I would

Have laid a claim unto his safety; and,

Like physicians that do challenge right

In nature's cures, look'd for reward and thanks;

But, since 'twas otherwise, I thought it best

To save myself, and then to save the state.

Ari. 'Twas wisely done.

Zir. Safely, I'm sure, my lord! you know 'tis not

Our custom, where the king's dislike once swells

To hate, there to engage ourselves. Court friendship

Is a cable, that in storms is ever cut;

And I made bold with it. Here is the warrant seal'd;

And, for the execution of it, if

You think we are not strong enough, we may

Have Iolas; for him the king did name.

Ari. And him I would have nam'd.

Zir. But is he not too much the prince's, sir?

Ari. He is as lights in scenes at masques:

What glorious show soe'er he makes without,

I, that set him there, know why and how.

But here he is.