Page:Works of Sir John Suckling.djvu/285

Rh Begs a deferment.

King. I am amaz'd, till I do hear it out.

But, i' th' meantime, lest in these mists

Merit should lose itself, these forfeitures

Of Trock and Menseck, Brennoralt, are thine.

Bren. A princely gift! But, sir, it comes too late.

Like sunbeams on the blasted blossoms, do

Your favours fall: you should have given me this,

When't might have rais'd me in men's thoughts, and made

Me equal to Francelia's love. I have

No end, since she is not.

Back to my private life I will return.

'Cattle, though weary, can trudge homewards after.'

King. This melancholy time must cure. Come, take

The bodies up, and lead the prisoners on.

Triumph and funerals must walk together;

Cypress and laurel twin'd make up one chaplet.

For we have got

The day; but bought it at so dear a rate,

The victory itself's unfortunate.