Page:Works of Sir John Suckling.djvu/302

282 The many hungry eyes of expectation

That wait upon our bounty, and it shall find

That we have scarce enough to keep men's hopes up,

We are rich if we can purchase friends.

Thrones, though they advance their glory ne'er so high,

Are but the seats of fear and misery.

Par. In deep security, my lord,

The lady's at one window courted;

The king, with Florelio and the favourite,

Contriving of a masque, which he must never see!

Lor. Good! which he must never see!

O, thou dost hug my fates! How I am ravish'd

To think upon ensuing joys! Parmenio,

He's dead already.

Par. Six hours ago, my lord, you cannot think

How much ado I had to keep myself

From saying, 'And 't shall please your majesty,'

I' th' open presence to you. Methinks, one while

I see your highness sit like Jupiter

In state, with all the petty gods about you;

And then

Again, in a more tempting shape than was

The shower of gold, lie in some Danae's lap,

More wanton than Europa's bull. Another time,

With some great train, as if you went to battle,

Rock'd in a downy coach, go take the air, and have

The thronging city, crowded into a handful,

Looking along to bless your eyes, and striving

Who shall cry loudest, 'God bless your majesty!'

Lor. And all the while thou, like my Ganymede,

Shalt taste ambrosia with me, while the petty gods

Burst with repining at thy happiness.

Thou shalt dispose of all, create, displace,

Be call'd my boy, revel and masque, what not?

O, for one

Half-year I will not speak unto the people:

Take you that office, keep that part for yours.

O, how I long for night! Thou canst not name

The pleasure could make the time not tedious.