Page:Works of Sir John Suckling.djvu/249

] So does it at fourscore too, when the soul's mew'd up

In narrow darkness, neither sees nor hears.

Pish, 'tis mere fondness in our nature,

A certain clownish cowardice, that still

Would stay at home, and dares not venture into

Foreign countries, though better than its own!

Ha, what countries? for we receive descriptions

Of th' other world from our divines, as blind

Men take relation of this from us.

My thoughts lead me into the dark, and there

They'll leave me. I'll no more on't. Within!

Alm. Some paper and a light! I'll write to th' king,

Defy him, and provoke a quick despatch.

I would not hold this ling'ring doubtful state

So long again, for all that hope can give.

That sword does tempt me strangely:

Were't in my hands, 'twere worth th' other two.

But then the guard? it sleeps or drinks; maybe

To contrive it so that, if I should not pass,—

Why, if I fall in't, 'tis better yet than pageantry,

A scaffold and spectators; more soldier-like— [One of the Guard peeps over his shoulder Uncivil villain, read my letter!

1st Guard. Not I, not I, my lord.

Alm. Deny it too?

Guard. Murder, murder!

Guard. Arm, arm!

Alm. I'll follow, give the alarm with them.

'Tis least suspicious. Arm, arm, arm!

All. The enemy, the enemy!

Sol. Let them come, let them come, let them come!

Alm. I hear fresh noise: the camp's in great disorder.

Where am I now? 'tis strangely dark.

Goddess without eyes,

Be thou my guide, for blindness and sight

Are equal sense, of equal use, this night.