University of Virginia Library

SCENE IV.

A Hall in the Palace.
Retainers lounging about: some cleaning armour, some drinking.
FIRST RETAINER
I'll wager you prince Rudolph is the man.

SECOND RETAINER
Not he, but our prince Casimir.

THIRD RETAINER
I'll hold
My master wins.

FOURTH RETAINER
Or mine.

FIFTH RETAINER
(from table where some are drinking)
But which is he
The princess most affects?

FIRST RETAINER
Why, none, she says.

FOURTH RETAINER
Ay, says: a woman always says her No.
That's good Bohemian for ‘I thank you, sir!’
[To one of the Princess' Attendants passing]
Is it not? girl!—Where runnest thou? We'll have
A match at last. Shall it be a double one?

GIRL
No fear of that: no king will father me.
Was I my lady, I would take the veil
Rather than marry any against my will.

FOURTH RETAINER
You'll never have the chance.

GIRL
Why not? sir Squire!

FOURTH RETAINER
Because you'd not be able to say No.

GIRL
Try me!

FOURTH RETAINER
That's Yes,—and Yes beforehand too.

He attempts to kiss her.
GIRL
Keep off!

FOURTH RETAINER
But truly, if a woman can,
Say, do you think the princess mean'd her No?

GIRL
What's that to you?

FOURTH RETAINER
Nay, what a mood you're in.
I did not go to offend you.

SECOND RETAINER
Let her be!
But tell us, do you think your mistress cares
For none of our young princes?

GIRL
'Troth, not I,
Unless prince Casimir.

SECOND RETAINER
He's worthy her.
Yet I know one more princely to my mind
Even than he.

GIRL
Who then?

SECOND RETAINER
Your lady's page.
He's kinder; has a gentler way with him;
Nor any upstart pride.

FIFTH RETAINER
He's proud enough
With the king's knights.

SECOND RETAINER
That's true. But not with us.

FIFTH RETAINER
Then he's one of us.

GIRL
(passing on)
Well, I can't stay here
Idling with you. A set of gossiping knaves!

SIXTH RETAINER
(at the table)
Here's to the winner!

FIFTH RETAINER
You pledge warily.

SIXTH RETAINER
I am a courtier.

FIFTH RETAINER
Where may you have learn'd
State policy?

SIXTH RETAINER
The school is not far off;
Nor hard to find: under the palace-eaves.

SEVENTH RETAINER
I like not this rough wooing. What say you?

EIGHTH RETAINER
It bodes no good.

FIFTH RETAINER
Tush, man! what would you do?
Girls must be married. Who should choose for them
If not their fathers?

A PAGE
Or if not themselves?

FIFTH RETAINER
Ha! so you boys may fancy,—always wise
In your own mad conceits. A likely judge
Your inexperience.

PAGE
Well, I would not have
My father choose for me; nor take a wife
Whose only Yes came from her father's mouth.
Does it follow that my father's suit fits me?

SEVENTH RETAINER
The boy's not wide o' the mark; though it is well
To have a father's sanction. I ne'er knew
That a forced marriage came to any speed.
I heard, the king, after he left the lords,
Had harsh words with his daughter. He's quicktongued.

EIGHTH RETAINER
And hasty in his will too. What he says
Is done on the spur o' the moment. Well, I hope
Prince Casimir may win her.

PAGE
So do I.

NINTH RETAINER
(entering)
Prince Rudolph even now is taking leave.

PAGE
He will not risk the fight.

SIXTH RETAINER
I'm of his mind.
A broken pate's a sorry wedding gift.
I'd rather keep mine whole, though I was sure
To have a crown for plaster.

FIFTH RETAINER
Will you pledge
The winner now?

SIXTH RETAINER
I'll pledge you any way.

FIFTH RETAINER
Here's a safe journey to you.

SIXTH RETAINER
And to you,
Fair weather for your wedding.

NINTH RETAINER
Come! the prince
Has call'd for us.

SIXTH RETAINER
I'm with you.

SEVENTH RETAINER
It looks black:
There'll be a storm by the morrow.

PAGE
Do you hear
How the wind moans? Was not that lightning too,
Over the royal chamber? There, again!