Page:Works of Sir John Suckling.djvu/244

224 How goes affairs?

Gra. Well.

Vil. But well?

Gra. Faith,

'Tis now upon the turning of the balance;

A most equal business

Betwixt rebellion and loyalty.

Vil. What dost mean?

Gra. Why! which shall be the virtue, and which the vice.

Vil. How the devil can that be?

Gra. O, success is a rare paint, hides all the ugliness.

Vil. Prithee, what's the quarrel?

Gra. Nay, for that excuse us. Ask the children of

peace; they have the leisure to study it; we know nothing

of it: liberty, they say.

Vil. 'Sfoot, let the king make an act that any man may

be unmarried again: there's liberty for them! a race of

half-witted fellows quarrel about freedom, and all that

while allow the bonds of matrimony!

Gra. You speak very well, sir.

Mar. Soft, the king and council.

Gra. Look, they follow after, like tired spaniels quest

sometimes for company, that is, concur; and that's their

business.

Mar. They are as weary of this sport as a young unthrift

of's land; any bargain to be rid on't. Can you blame

them? Who's that?

Gra. Brennoralt, our brave Coronel: a discontent, but

what of that? who is not?

Vil. His face speaks him one.

Gra. Thou art i' th' right: he looks still as if he were

saying to Fortune, 'Huswife, go about your business!'

Come, let's retire to Barathen's tent. Taste a bottle, and

speak bold truths; that's our way now. [Exeunt. Manent King and Lords Miesta. Think not of pardon, sir;

Rigour and mercy us'd in states uncertainly,

And in ill times, look not like th' effects

Of virtue, but necessity. Nor will

They thank your goodness, but your fears.

Mel. My lords,

Revenge in princes should be still imperfect: