University of Virginia Library

Scene IX.

—The Market-place of Bruges.—In front, Artevelde with Clara and D'Arlon. Next, Ukenheim, Frans Ackerman, Van Nuitre,and other Leaders. Behind them are crowds of armed Followers and Attendants bearing torches, of whom some companies march off from time to time under orders from their Captains and others remain keeping guard over prisoners and spoil.
Artevelde.
War hath dealt hardly with the noble D'Arlon;
Him gold not ransoms, and to stricter bonds
A captive Knight was never yet consign'd.
[Turning to his Followers.
Van Muck returns not. Who amongst you all
Hath eye of lynx and leveret's foot to speed
Through all the town with inquisition sure
And leave no corner of a house unsearch'd?
Where is Van Ryk?

Ukenheim.
He left us at the gates.

Artevelde.
True, true, upon a mission sent by me.
He will be here anon. Then Ukenheim,
Go thou, with such assistance as thou wilt,
Upon the quest, through every lane and street.
Take him, if possibly ye can, alive.
Evil and folly hath he wrought against us,
But never treason; he had wrong'd us less
But for the renegades that gave him counsel.
Bring forth the Lord of Occo.
[Occo is brought forward bound.
So, my Lord!
Enter Van Muck and his party.
Another?

Van Muck.
Gilbert Matthew, Sir, we bring.

Artevelde.
And not the Earl?

Van Muck.
No; he, they say, escaped,
And took the road to Lisle. He lay some space
Hid in a hovel till the search went by,
And then he slunk away.

Artevelde.
Long must thou wait,
Earl, ere thou see thy heritage again!
Bring Gilbert Matthew forth.
[He is brought in bound.
So, Gilbert Matthew!

Gilbert.
Young upstart, what wouldst thou with Gilbert Matthew?

Artevelde.
Be patient, Sir; you'll know it. Where art thou,
Frans Ackerman? Despatch ere break of day
A hundred waggons on the road to Ghent
Laden with corn and wine. That done, send forth
To Damme and Sluys and empty out their stores
For a fresh convoy. Have me men prepared
To ride to Ypres, Courtray, Cassel, Bergues,
To Poperinguen and to Roussaelere,
And bid the Mayor and Burghers of each town
Send me its keys. Well met, bold Van den Bosch!

Enter Van den Bosch, with Followers.
Well met at Bruges, my brethren in arms!
As ye were brave, so be ye temperate now.
Let not the small-crafts suffer. Spare their blood,
For they but follow'd in the train of power
And many wished us in their hearts no ill.
To all shall plunder plentifully flow
Out of the coffers of the rich; but him
That spills a foreigner's or craftsman's blood
I mulct of all his share, and, this night past,
The price (not willingly so long postponed,
But needfully for this tumultuous night)
Of all blood-guiltiness is paid in blood.
Take heed of what I say; ye ought to know
For good or ill my promises are kept.
The debt of vengeance justly due to Ghent
Ye shall behold acquitted where ye stand.
[Turning to Occo and Gilbert Matthew.
Look, Van den Bosch, upon your former friends,
And say what they deserve.
Van den Bosch.
In this world death,
And after that let Satan tend his own.
I should commend their bodies to the rack
But that I'm loth so long to keep their souls
Out of hell-fire.

Occo.
Thy heart was ever hard;
But, Artevelde, thou wilt not stain thy hands
By killing in cold blood two helpless men!
If thou'rt a soldier, do not such a deed.
Soldiers by soldiers in the field are slain,
Not murder'd in the market-place.

Artevelde.
Agreed;
And if the name of soldier can be claim'd
By both or one of you, ye shall not die.
Bring forth the Friar.
[A Friar is brought forward.
Save you, holy Sir!
Say in the face of these two that stand here
That which thou said'st to me.

Friar.
Sir, it was this:
Here in the hospital expired but now
Of many wounds a Florentine, by name
Romero, who, repentant ere his death,
Confessed an impious contract, for a bribe
From Gilbert Matthew and Sir Guy of Occo,
To kill the Lord of Arlon, for some spite
That each had to him.

Occo.
Miscreant, he lied!
Whoe'er procured him, it was never I.
Master Van Artevelde, and you, my Lord,
Believe not I would sin in such a sort.
Have mercy on a miserable man!
[Falls on his knees.
Oh God! there's some mistake, or else he lied.

Gilbert.
How say'st thou that he lied? Sirs, it is true,
I with this craven beggarly companion—
Of whose accompliceship to do the deed
And not the deed itself I speak with shame—
I with this caitiff truly did conspire
For good and ample reasons to remove
Sir Walter D'Arlon from this troublesome world.
Such chances as no prudence could forefend
Have baulk'd my purpose and I go myself.
Wherefore, Sirs, God be with you! To the block!
What are ye dreaming of, ye sluggish hinds?

Artevelde
(signing to the men-at-arms who lead out Gilbert Matthew).
Ay, Gilbert, God forgive thee for thy sins!
Thou steppest statelily the only walk
Thou hast to take on earth. Full many a man
That lives a godlier life less bravely dies.
Take forth Sir Guy of Occo.

Occo.
Hear me yet.
If through pretext of justice I am doomed,
What justice is it that believes not me
And yet believes such villains as Romero
And Gilbert Matthew? Find a credible tongue
To testify against me ere you strike.

Enter Van Ryk, conducting Adriana.
Artevelde.
Behold the witness! Look upon this face
And bid death welcome. Lead him to the block.

Adriana.
Oh, spare him; speak not now of shedding blood,
Now, in the hour that Heaven has rescued us;
Vengeance is God's, whose function take not thou;
Spare him, Van Artevelde, oh! spare his life!

Artevelde.
Not though an Angel plead. Vengeance is God's;
But God doth oftentimes dispense it here
By human ministration. To my hands
He render'd victory this eventful day
For uses of His own, and this is one.
Let Flanders judge me from my deeds to-night,
That I from this time forth will do His will;
Justice with mercy tempering where I may,
But executing always. Take him hence.
[Occo is led out.
Now, Adriana, I am wholly thine.