Page:Works of Sir John Suckling.djvu/284

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264
SIR JOHN SUCKLING
[Act V., Sc. 3

Be, sure, inquisitive for news from earth,
Shall get no other but that thou art brave.

Enter King, Stratheman, Lords, Menseck

Str. To preserve some ladies, as we guess'd!90

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!95

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.100

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.105
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.110
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,115
And all my jealousies impossible.
Whilst I ran out to bring them cure,
Francelia dies, and Iphigene found here—
I can no more.[Dies

King. Most strange and intricate!
Iphigene a woman?120

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,