This was a misbecoming piece of love:35
Women would manage a disaster better.
Again? thou art unkind!
Thy goodness is so great it makes thee faulty:
For, while thou think'st to take the trouble from me,
Thou givest me more by giving me thine too.40
Iph. Alas! I am indeed an useless trifle,
A dull, dull thing; for, could I now do anything
But grieve and pity, I might help. My thoughts
Labour to find a way; but, like to birds
In cages, though they never rest, they are45
But where they did set out at first.
Enter Gaoler
Gao. My lords, your pardon. The prisoner must retire.
I have receiv'd an order from the king
Denies access to any.
Iph. He cannot be
So great a tyrant.
Alm. I thank him; nor can50
He use me ill enough. I only grieve
That I must die in debt—a bankrupt! Such
Thy love hath made me: my dear Iphigene,
Farewell. It is no time for ceremony.
Show me the way I must.[Exit Almerin and Gaoler55
Iph. Grief strove with such disorder to get out,
It stopp'd the passage, and sent back my words
That were already on the place.
Mel. Stay, there
Is yet a way.
Iph. Oh, speak it!
Mel. But there is
Danger in't, Iphigene—to thee high danger.60
Iph. Fright children in the dark with that, and let
Me know it. There is no such thing in nature,
If Almerin be lost.
Mel. Thus then: you must
Be taken pris'ner too, and by exchange
Save Almerin.[Aside
Iph. How can that be?[Aside65
Mel. Why [He studies, then calls to the Gaoler]
Step in,
