Page:Works of Sir John Suckling.djvu/283

] Confess he was the cause.

Alm. O innocence

Ill understood, and much worse us'd! She was,

Alas, by accident! but I—I was

The cause in deed.

Bren. I will believe thee too,

And kill thee; destroy all causes, till I make

A stop in nature;

For to what purpose should she work again?

Alm. Bravely then!

The title of a kingdom is a trifle

To our quarrel, sir. Know by sad mistake

I kill'd thy mistress, Brennoralt; and thou

Kill'dst mine.

Bren. Thine?

Alm. Yes, that Iphigene,

Though shown as man unto the world, was woman,

Excellent woman!

Bren. I understand no riddles; guard thee.

Alm. O, could they now look down and see,

How we two strive which first should give revenge,

They would forgive us something of the crime.

Hold! prithee, give me leave

To satisfy a curiosity—

I never kissed my Iphigene as woman.

Bren. Thou motion'st well, nor have I taken leave.

It keeps a sweetness yet,

As stils from roses when the flowers are gone.

Alm. Even so have two faint pilgrims, scorch'd with heat,

Unto some neighbour fountain stepp'd aside,

Kneel'd first, then laid their warm lips to the nymph,

And from her coldness took fresh life again,

As we do now.

Bren. Let's on our journey, if thou art refresh'd.

Alm. Come! and, if there be a place reserv'd

For height'ned spirits better than other,

May that which wearies first of ours have it!

Bren. If I grow weary, laugh at me, that's all.

Alm. Brave souls above, which will