Page:Works of Sir John Suckling.djvu/228

208 But that (by leaving me behind alive)

He now most cunningly does think to get from me;

And I beseech your lordships to assist me,

For 'tis most fraudulent all he desires.

Your laws, I hope, are reasonable, else why

Should reasonable men be subject to them?

And then

Upon what grounds is he made guilty now?

How can he be thought accessory

To the killing of a man, that did not know

O' th' fighting with him? Witness all

Those pow'rs which search men's hearts, that I myself,

Until he beckon'd me, knew nothing of it.

If such a thing as sacrifice must be,

Why, man for man's enough; though elder times,

T'appease diviner justice, did offer up

(Whether through gallantry or ignorance)

Vast multitudes of beasts in sacrifice,

Yet numbers of men is seldom heard of.

One single Curtius purg'd a whole state's sin.

You will not say th' offence is now as great;

Or that you ought to be more highly satisfied

Than heaven.

Prince. Brave youths!

Nassurat. Pellegrin, you and I will let our speeches alone.

1st Judge. If that the law were of so fine a web,

As wit and fancy spin it out to here,

Then these defences would be just, and save:

But that is more substantial,

Of another make; and, gentlemen,

If this be all, sentence must pass.

Tamoren. Orsabrin!

Orsabrin. Ha! who names me there?

Tamoren. A friend. Hear me. I am an officer

In that dark world from whence thou cam'st, sent thus

Disguised by Reginella, our fair queen,

And to redeem thee.

Orsabrin. Reginella! in the midst of all these ills,

How preciously that name does sound!

Tamoren. If thou wilt swear to follow me,

At the instant thou'rt releas'd,

I'll save thee and thy friends in spite of law.