Page:Works of Sir John Suckling.djvu/231

] Who, when our bark by pirates was surpris'd

(For so it was), was slain i' th' first encounter:

Since that,

We have been forc'd to wait on Fortune's pleasure.

And, sir,

That all this time we kept you from the knowledge

Of yourself, your pardon. It was our zeal that err'd,

Which did conclude it would be prejudicial.

Ardellan. My lords, you look as if you doubted still.

If Piramont and I be lost unto

Your memory, your hands, I hope, are not.

Here's our commission: there's the diamond elephant,

That, which our prince's sons are ever known by,

Which we, to keep him undiscovered,

Tore from his riband in that fatal day

When we were made prisoners.

And here are those that took us, who can witness

All circumstances, both how and when, time and place;

With whom we ever since have liv'd by force:

For on no kingdom, friend unto Francelia,

Did fortune ever land us, since that hour,

Nor gave us means to let our country know

He liv'd.

Tamoren. These very truths,

When they could have no ends (for they believ'd

Him lost), I did receive from them before;

Which gave me now the boldness to appear

Here, where I'm lost by law.

Nassurat. Pellegrin, let's second this: right or wrong, 'tis best for us.

Pellegrin. Observe, observe!

Prince. What shouts are those?

Stramador. Soldiers of Tamoren's,

The first: the second was the people's, who

Much press to see their long-lost prince.

Philatel. Sir, 'tis most evident, and all agrees.

This was his colour'd hair,

His hair, though altered much with time.

You wear too strange a face upon this news.

Sir, you have found a brother:

I, Torcular: the kingdom, happiness;