Page:Works of Sir John Suckling.djvu/275

] False as thy title to Francelia,

Or as thy friendship, which with this [draws] I do

Throw by. Draw!

Iph. What do you mean?

Alm. I see

The cunning now of all thy love, and why

Thou cam'st so timely kind, suffering surprise.

Draw!

Iph. I will not draw. Kill me;

And I shall have no trouble in my death,

Knowing it is your pleasure;

As I shall have no pleasure in my life,

Knowing 'tis your trouble.

Alm. Oh, poorI look'd for this.

I knew th' wouldst find 'twas easier to do

A wrong than justify it. But

Iph. I will not fight. Hear me!

If I love you not more than I love her;

If I do love her more than for your sake,

Heaven strangely punish me.

Alm. Take heed how thou

Dost play with heaven!

Iph. By all that's just, and fair,

And good; by all that you hold dear, and men

Hold great, I never had lascivious thought,

Or e'er did action that might call in doubt

My love to Almerin.

Alm. That tongue can charm me into anything.

I do believe't: prithee, be wiser then.

Give me no further cause of jealousy;

Hurt not mine honour more, and I am well.

Iph. But well? Of all

Our passions, I wonder nature made

The worst, foul jealousy, her favourite.

And, if it be not so, why took she care,

That everything should give the monster nourishment,

And left us nothing to destroy it with?

Alm. Prithee, no more; thou plead'st so cunningly,

I fear I shall be made the guilty, and need

Thy pardon.

Iph. If you could read my heart, yould wouyou would [sic].

I will be gone to-morrow, if that will satisfy.

Indeed,