Page:Works of Sir John Suckling.djvu/274

254 No better sign of love, my lord, than fevers are

Of life: they show there is a being, though

Impair'd and perishing; and that, affection,

But sick and in disorder. I like't not.

Your servant.

Alm. So short and sour? the change is visible.

Iph. Dear Almerin, welcome, y' have been absent long.

Alm. Not very long.

Iph. To me it hath appear'd so.

What says our camp? am I not blamed there?

Alm. They wonder

Iph. While we smile.

How have you found the king inclining?

Alm. Well.

The treaty is not broken, nor holds it. Things

Are where they were: 't has a kind of face of peace.

You, my lord, may, when you please, return.

Iph. I, Almerin?

Alm. Yes, my lord,

I'll give you an escape.

Iph. 'Tis least in my desires.

Alm. Hum!

Iph. Such prisons are beyond all liberty.

Alm. Is't possible?

Iph. Seems it strange to you?

Alm. No,

Not at all. What, you find the ladies kind?

Iph. [smiles]. Civil.

Alm. You make love well too, they say, my lord.

Iph. Pass my time.

Alm. Address unto Francelia?

Iph. Visit her.

Alm. D'you know she is my mistress. Palatine?

Iph. Ha?

Alm. D'you know she is my mistress?

Iph. I have been told so.

Alm. And do you court her then?

Iph. [smiles]. Why,

If I saw the enemy first, would you not charge?

Alm. [aside]. He does allow it too, by Heaven!

Laughs at me too. [Aloud] Thou filcher of a heart,