University of Virginia Library

SCENE IV.

The Anti-chamber of the Palace. Antonio, Bertolo, Bertram, Lords and Ladies.
BERTOLO.

He hath done her grievous wrong.

BERTRAM.

Aye! and she so holy-mannered! I have touched string before every Queen from Naples to Toulouse, but none hath a sweeter smile than the Lady Griselda, nor a voice more attuned to music.

BERTOLO.

Aye! that makes the pity; if she needed reclaiming or forgot her feather, there were cause for this. But, in truth, this last grievance is foul.

BERTRAM.

'Tis the liker thy talk, Bertolo; if there be no herons in Paradise, thou wilt seek them otherwhere.

BERTOLO.

Not so! thou thing of strings, I should fear to meet thee else. I hate thy preludes and thy virelays worse than the east wind. I marvel how my lady doth thee favour.

BERTRAM.

Thou hast praised her discretion, marvel therefore no longer. But here is my lady's woman, she will tell us more of it. Good mistress Lenette, how went this fair child away?

LENETTE.

I may say this of her going, that she went shamefully; but I may not give more reason for her going than that it was of Lord Walter's policy. He made my lady believe she is not

loved of the people, nor her little ones held worthy of their knees.

BERTOLO.

Why, they saint her,—the hem of her garment draws them after it, like divination and Lapland charms!

BERTRAM.

They get prayers by heart to say for her.

LENETTE.

I would they did pray Heaven to mend her patience; these lords that have gentle ladies do much abuse them.

BERTRAM.

Thine shall never thus err, Lenette.

LENETTE.

Why then, beware thee, Sir Troubadour!

BERTRAM.

I,—nay, I am horribly afraid of thee,—and beside I am not wise enough to wive.

LENETTE.

They should come together, thou sayest,—wisdom and a wife?

BERTRAM.

Aye! the one to rule the other.

LENETTE.

Such conjunction shall not befall thee, therefore wed not. Didst thou see the tilting this morning?

BERTOLO.

Yea, it was my lady's saint's day. Why came she not to the lists?

LENETTE.

Thou wert best ask that of my lord, for he cometh.

Enter Marquis and Martino. The others go off.
MARQUIS.

(to Lenette).
Stay, good mistress, where is thy lady?

LENETTE.

She is but now gone to her chamber.

MARQUIS.

Tell her that I come anon. [Exit Lenette.
(To Martino.)
Hast thou the boy?

MARTINO.

Aye, my lord!

MARQUIS.

Thou took'st him privily?

MARTINO.

He is three leagues beyond the river, and none knoweth it but thou!

MARQUIS.

'Tis well; take them both now with thy most careful speed to my sister, as I bade thee: thou dost answer for them with thy life till then.

MARTINO.

Aye, lord. [Exit Martino.

MARQUIS.
Thus are they gone, and all her joy with them.
Nay, and half mine! I have advanced my foot
Too far to fly, yet would I even now
Spare thy tried patience this. Sweet, keep thee firm,
Or both shall fall to-day.

[Exit Marquis.