The Provost of Bruges A Tragedy. In Five Acts |
 | 1. |
| 1. |
| 2. |
| 2. |
| 1. |
| 2. |
| 3. |
| 3. |
| 1. | SCENE I. |
| 2. |
| 4. |
| 1. |
| 2. |
| 3. |
| 5. |
| 1. |
| 2. |
| 3. |
 | The Provost of Bruges |  |
SCENE I.
Country near Bruges.—Citizens discovered.FIRST CITIZEN.
They cannot tarry long. 'Tis many a day since the old
town saw such a fight as this bids fair to be.
SECOND CITIZEN.
I would I had a thousand crowns to stake upon Bouchard;
—I'd wager freely.
THIRD CITIZEN.
I know not, Thancmar is exceeding brave—a perfect
master of his weapon too.
FOURTH CITIZEN.
Few good men's prayers will aid him.
SECOND CITIZEN.
No! they will be Bouchard's—for he is ever the poor man's
friend, and strives against these laws, that would oppress
them.
Enter Denis and Antoine.
FIRST CITIZEN.
Ah! my good friends, stirring to see the fight?
DENIS.
Ay, to be sure,—'tis the Serf's holiday when Nobles cut
each other's throats!
Stirring! Why all the city's in a stir! and no man, who
can walk, keeps house to-day:—look yonder, if you would
see what such a day can do.
THIRD CITIZEN.
Philippe!—impossible!
FOURTH CITIZEN.
What, old Philippe! that we all thought would never
leave his house again!
ANTOINE.
Oh, how the poor old man must love a show!
THIRD CITIZEN.
Nay, 'tis no show has drawn him out; I warrant he has
read something in the stars.
DENIS.
'Twere well if he could read there how to patch his shattered
carcase up. The feeble wretch looks more a walking
corpse than a live man!
FIRST CITIZEN.
Nay, by my troth, but he is very feeble!
FOURTH CITIZEN.
This apparition, to my thinking, bodes some great events
from to-day's work.
DENIS.
'Tis not unlikely—for on such occasions men say that evil
spirits walk abroad.
ANTOINE.
Hush! should he hear you, you'll repent this.
SECOND CITIZEN.
See, he is here.
[Enter Philippe.]
Good-day, sweet
master Philippe!
PHILIPPE.
Good-day, sweet—rogue.
Why, by my troth, I am glad you look so hale—ay, that
I am.
PHILIPPE.
What foolery's this!—I am sick—most sick!—and
feeble.
SECOND CITIZEN.
Nay, troth, you look so. Wherefore came you forth?
PHILIPPE.
For my affairs—not yours! Where is the Provost? has
he passed by?
SECOND CITIZEN.
Not yet.
PHILIPPE
[aside.]
This must be stayed—I had rather lose a thousand
crowns than lose Sir Thancmar.—Half my power upon
Bertulphe would go with him. Besides, he promised
largely.
ANTOINE.
Hark! they are coming!—Stand back—the Show!—the
Show!
[Trumpets heard—Philippe places himself on one side where the procession has to pass.—Enter Heralds, Men-at-Arms, Knights, Banners, &c. Thancmar supported by Hebert—Bouchard by Bertulphe: as they pass,
PHILIPPE.
Provost of Bruges, I must speak with you.
BERTULPHE.
Who's that?
PHILIPPE.
'Tis I!
[advancing.]
Philippe! what make you here?
PHILIPPE.
Bertulphe, I said that I must speak with you.
BERTULPHE.
Not here—not now—
PHILIPPE.
Yes, here and now, Bertulphe!—
Old, feeble as I am, I twice already
To-day have sought admission at your palace,
And twice you have denied me. You shall hear me!
BERTULPHE.
Be quick—what would you?
PHILIPPE.
Stay this combat.
BERTULPHE.
Stay it!—
Not though 'twere the condition of the fight
To hold it o'er my corse!
PHILIPPE.
Bertulphe, beware!—
Beware, great Provost, how you anger me!—
BERTULPHE.
Dog! do you threaten?
PHILIPPE.
Do not force me to it.
BERTULPHE.
Slave, would you beard me? Peace, thou drivelling dotard,
And home in silence—sound the trumpets.—Forward!—
[Exit with the procession—the greater part of the Citizens follow—a few remain behind.]
PHILIPPE.
What! does he mock me? Nay, but he shall hear me,
Or I will ruin both.
[Hurries after him.
What may this mean?
FOURTH CITIZEN.
I know not—'tis most strange!—See, he has gained
Bertulphe—he stops his path—look how he clings to him!
THIRD CITIZEN.
Bertulphe's incensed.
SECOND CITIZEN.
Ha! he has struck him down!
FOURTH CITIZEN.
Nay, 'twas not so—he did but fling him from him—
'Twas the crowd.
THIRD CITIZEN.
The old man's hurt. They are bringing him this way.
[Re-enter Philippe, led in by two Citizens.]
SECOND CITIZEN.
How now, Philippe!
PHILIPPE
[choking with rage.]
Slave!—slave!—He called me slave!—struck me—
support me, friends—I am much hurt—slave!—he shall
pay for it. Proud as he is.—Here!
[whispers one of the
Citizens who goes out.]
Slave!—The upstart!—strike me
too! softly! softly—bear me home—ungrateful!—
slave!—
[Exit, led off.—Re-enter Bertuplhe and Charente.]
BERTULPHE.
Where is the old man? I fear me I have hurt him.
CHARENTE.
Yonder I think they bear him.
BERTULPHE.
Follow after,
And bid him come to me: lose not a moment;—
And stay—here's gold—give him this too—and charge him,
Upon the instant—come to the Chateau—
For I shall home at once—Speak kindly to him;—
Be liberal of all that thou canst offer;—
Give all he asks;—and look—old men are testy,
And nurse their anger—say, I did him wrong—
That I had cares that vex'd me:—you may add—
Yes—you may say I even am sorry for it:—
But look you bring him with you!—And now quick—
Away. [Exit Charente.]
Oh, fool!—impatient, headstrong fool!
To let my passion master me—I had not
But for his threat—and that—he could not mean it!—
'Twas but a threat—a fit of spleen—no more.
Yet I must see him:—What! my horse there! Ho!
[Exit.
| The Provost of Bruges | |