Page:Works of Sir John Suckling.djvu/261

Rh All that you hold here of command, and what

Your fortune in this Sigismund has suffer'd,

Repair, and make it fairer than at first.

Bren. How?

Than nothing? Lord! trifle below ill language!

How came it in thy heart to tempt my honour?

Trock. My lord?

Bren. Dost think, 'cause I am angry with

The king and state sometimes, I am fallen out

With virtue and myself?

Draw! draw! or by goodness

Trock. What means your lordship?

Bren. Draw, I say!

He that would think me a villain, is one; and I

Do wear this toy to purge the world of such.

They've sav'd thee. Wert thou good-natur'd,

Thou wouldst love the king the better during life.

King. If they be just, they call for gracious answers;

Speedy, howe'er, we promise.

All. Long live great Sigismund!

Bren. The Lithuanians, sir,

Are of the wilder sort of creatures, must

Be rid with cavilons and with harsh curbs.

And, since the war can only make them tried,

What can be used but swords? where men have fall'n

From not respecting royalty, unto

A liberty of offending it, what though

Their numbers possibly equal yours, sir;

And now, forc'd by necessity, like cats

In narrow rooms, they fly up in your face?

Think you rebellion and loyalty

Are empty names? and that in subjects' hearts

They don't both give and take away the courage?

Shall we believe there is no difference

In good and bad? that there's no punishment

Or no protection? forbid it, heaven!

If, when great Poland's honour, safety too,

Hangs in dispute, we should not draw our swords,

Why were we ever taught to wear 'em, sir?

Mi. This late commotion in your kingdom, sir,

Is like a growing wen upon the face,