Confess he was the cause.
Alm. O innocence
Ill understood, and much worse us'd! She was,
Alas, by accident! but I—I was
The cause in deed.
Bren. I will believe thee too,
And kill thee; destroy all causes, till I make55
A stop in nature;
For to what purpose should she work again?
Alm. Bravely then!
The title of a kingdom is a trifle
To our quarrel, sir. Know by sad mistake60
I kill'd thy mistress, Brennoralt; and thou
Kill'dst mine.
Bren. Thine?
Alm. Yes, that Iphigene,
Though shown as man unto the world, was woman,65
Excellent woman!
Bren. I understand no riddles; guard thee.[Fight and pause
Alm. O, could they now look down and see,
How we two strive which first should give revenge,
They would forgive us something of the crime.70
Hold! prithee, give me leave
To satisfy a curiosity—
I never kissed my Iphigene as woman.[Kisses Iphigene and rises
Bren. Thou motion'st well, nor have I taken leave.[Kisses Francelia
It keeps a sweetness yet,75
As stils from roses when the flowers are gone.[Rises
Alm. Even so have two faint pilgrims, scorch'd with heat,
Unto some neighbour fountain stepp'd aside,
Kneel'd first, then laid their warm lips to the nymph,
And from her coldness took fresh life again,80
As we do now.
Bren. Let's on our journey, if thou art refresh'd.
Alm. Come! and, if there be a place reserv'd
For height'ned spirits better than other,
May that which wearies first of ours have it
