Page:Works of Sir John Suckling.djvu/284

264 Be, sure, inquisitive for news from earth,

Shall get no other but that thou art brave.

Str. To preserve some ladies, as we guess'd!

King. Still gallant, Brennoralt? thy sword not sheath'd yet?

Busy still?

Bren. Revenging, sir,

The foulest murder ever blasted ears,

Committed here by Almerin and Iphigene!

Alm. [reviving]. False, false! the first-created purity

Was not more innocent than Iphigene.

Bren. Lives he again?

Alm. Stay, thou much-wearied guest,

Till I have thrown a truth amongst them—

We shall look black else to posterity.

King. What says he?

Lord. Something concerning this he labours to

Discover.

Alm. Know, it was I that kill'd Francelia,

I alone!

Mens. O barbarous return of my civilities.

Was it thy hand?

Alm. Hear and forgive me, Menseck. Ent'ring this morning

Hastily, with resolution to preserve

The fair Francelia, I found a thief

Stealing the treasure (as I thought) belong'd to me.

Wild in my mind, as ruin'd in my honour,

In much mistaken rage I wounded both.

Then (O, too late!)

I found my error, found Iphigene a woman,

Acting stol'n love, to make her own love safe,

And all my jealousies impossible.

Whilst I ran out to bring them cure,

Francelia dies, and Iphigene found here—

I can no more.

King. Most strange and intricate!

Iphigene a woman?

Mel. With this story I am guiltily acquainted,

The first concealments, since her love, and all

The ways to it, I have been trusted with;

But, sir, my grief, join'd with the instant business,