Page:Works of Sir John Suckling.djvu/223

] I fear it: 'tis that which does undo me.

For 'tis not Samorat that's prisoner now:

It is the Prince's rival.

O! for your own sake, sir, be merciful.

How poorly will this sound hereafter,

'The Prince did fear another's merit so;

Found so much virtue in his rival, that

He was forc'd to murder it, make it away'!

There can be no addition to you, sir,

By his death: by his life there will; you get the point

Of honour.

Fortune does offer here what time perchance

Cannot regain; a handsome opportunity

To show the bravery of your mind.

Prince. This pretty rhetoric

Cannot persuade me, fair, to let your Samorat

Live for my sake: it is enough, he shall

For yours.

Sabrina. Though virtue still rewards itself, yet here

May it not stay for that! but may the gods

Show'r on you suddenly such happiness,

That you may say, 'My mercy brought me this!'

Prince. The gods no doubt will hear when you do pray

Right ways; but here you take their names in vain,

Since you can give yourself that happiness

Which you do ask of them.

Sabrina. Most gracious sir,

Do not

Prince. Hold!

I dare not hear thee speak, for fear thou now

Shouldst tell me what I do tell myself; that I

Would poorly bargain for thy favours.

Retire, and banish all any fears.

I will be kind and just to thee, Sabrina,

Whatsoe'er thou prov'st to me.

Philatel. Rarely acted, sir!

Prince. Ha!

Philatel. Good faith, to th' very life.

Prince. Acted! No, 'twas not acted.

Philatel. How, sir!

Prince. I was in earnest: I mean to conquer her

This way: the other's low and poor.

Philatel. Ha!