Ger. What then? 2nd Ret. What then? Why, you, she speaks to, if she meets Your worship, smiles on as you hold apart The boughs to let her through her forest walks, You've heard, these three days, how Earl Mertoun sues To lay his heart and house and broad lands too One congee of the least page in his train, 3rd Ret. I'll wager he has let Both swans he tamed for Lady Mildred, swim Ger. Is not to-morrow my inspecting-day 4th Ret. Ralph, Let Gerard be! He's coarse-grained, like his carved black cross-bow stock. Ha, look now, while we squabble with him, look! To purpose? Ist Ret. Our retainers look as fine That's comfort. Lord, how Richard holds himself 4th Ret. He's only bowing, fool! The Earl's man bent us lower by this much. 1st Ret. That's comfort, Here's a very cavalcade! 3rd Ret. I don't see wherefore Richard, and his troop Of silk and silver varlets there, should find On high days, holidays! Would it so disgrace In my right hand a cast of Swedish hawks, A leash of greyhounds in my left?- Ger. The logman for supporter, in his right -With Hugh The bill-hook, in his left the brushwood-shears! 3rd Ret. Out on you, crab! What next, what next? The Earl! 1st Ret. Oh Walter, groom, our horses, do they match The Earl's? Alas, that first pair of the sixThey paw the ground-ah Walter! and that brute Just on his haunches by the wheel! 6th Ret. Ay-Ay! At soups and sauces: what's a horse to you? 1st Ret. No? That's comfort. 2nd Ret. Peace, Cook! The Earl descends.—Well, Gerard, see The Earl at least! Come, there's a proper man, 3rd Ret. His eyes are blue So young, and yet But leave my hawks alone! 4th Ret. So tall and shapely! 5th Ret. Here's Lord Tresham's self! There now-there's what a nobleman should be! A House's head! 2nd Ret. But you'd not have a boy -And what's the Earl beside?-possess too soon That stateliness? Ist Ret. Our master takes his hand- -At last I see our lord's back and his friend's- Close round them-in they go! the window-bench, and [Jumping down from making for the table Good health, long life, Great joy to our Lord Tresham and his House! 6th Ret. My father drove his father first to court, After his marriage-day-ay, did he! 2nd Ret. God bless Lord Tresham, Lady Mildred, and the Earl! Drink, my boys! Ger. Don't mind me-all's not right about me-drink! 2nd Ret. [Aside.] He's vexed, now, that he let the show escape! [To GER.] Remember that the Earl returns this way. Ger. That way? 2nd Ret. Ger. Ind Ret. Just so. Then my way's here. [Goes. Will die soon-mind, I said it! He was used To care about the pitifullest thing That touched the House's honour, not an eye In cares that this was right, nor that was wrong, And now-you see his humour: die he will! 2nd Ret. God help him! Who's for the great servant's-hall To hear what's going on inside? They'd follow 3rd Ret. 4th. Ret. I! I! Leave Frank alone for catching, at the door, Ist Ret. Have at you! Boys, hurrah! SCENE II.-A Saloon in the Mansion. Enter LORD TRESHAM, LORD MERTOUN, AUSTIN, and Tresh. I welcome you, Lord Mertoun, yet once more, Yet taking in your person, fame avers, New price and lustre,-(as that gem you wear, Seems to re-kindle at the core)—your name Mer. Thanks! -But add to that, The worthiness and grace and dignity Our Houses even closer than respect Unites them now-add these, and you must grant Our cousin, Lady Guendolen-betrothed To Austin: all are yours. Mer. I thank you-less For the expressed commendings which your seal, My putting from me.. to my heart I take Of what must needs be uppermost with one That gift, I have to thank you. Yes, Lord Tresham, That lady.. oh more, more I love her! Wealth, Rank, all the world thinks me, they're yours, you know, To hold or part with, at your choice-but grant |