University of Virginia Library

Scene IV.

—An Ante-chamber in the Earl's Palace.
Sir Walter D'Arlon and Gilbert Matthew.
Gilbert.
No sooner had his Highness reach'd his door
Than he sends back for me.

D'Arlon.
And me the same.

Gilbert.
His Highness is not happy.

D'Arlon.
That may be;
But have you private cause to think it?

Gilbert.
Well,
I've taken note that when he is not happy
He sends for me.

D'Arlon.
And do you mend his mood?

Gilbert.
Nay, what I can. His Highness at such times
Would fain be counsell'd to shed blood.

D'Arlon.
To that
'Tis said that he is counsell'd oft.

Gilbert.
Oh, ho!
I tender my advice as duty bids
With neither fear nor favour. As I came
The bodies of three citizens lay stretch'd
Upon the causeway.

D'Arlon.
How had they been kill'd?

Gilbert.
By knocking on the head.

D'Arlon.
Yes; and by whom?

Gilbert.
The officers that walk'd before the Earl
To make him room to pass. The streets were full,
And many of the mean-crafts roam'd about
Discoursing of the news they heard from Ghent;
And as his Highness pass'd they misbehaved
And three were knock'd upon the head with staves.
I knew by that his Highness was not happy;
I knew I should be sent for.
Enter an Usher from an inner chamber.

Usher.
Ho! Master Gilbert Matthew, pass within.

[Re-enters the chamber, followed by Gilbert Matthew.
D'Arlon.
There's some men of their bloody counsels boast,
As though it were heroic to be hard.

Enter an Attendant.
Attendant.
My Lord, there's some one of the flight from Ghent
Who seeks you. I inform'd him you were here
In waiting on his Highness, but he still
Insisted you would see him, did you know
The matter and its urgency.

D' Arlon.
His name?

Attendant.
Van Aeswyn.

D' Arlon.
What! Sir Guy of Occo's Squire?

Attendant.
The same, my Lord.

D'Arlon.
Yes, yes, the man I know,
But not the matter that he hath with me;—
Unless it be some difference with my steward
About his quarters. Bring me where he waits.