University of Virginia Library

Scene XI.

—Another part of the Field on the same side of the Lis, near the Bridge.
Artevelde and Van Ryk.
Artevelde.
I bleed, Van Ryk. Can anything be done?
For if there can, my spirit's sight is dimm'd
And I discern it not.

Van Ryk.
To fly, my Lord,
Is what remains.

Artevelde.
To fly! Then mount my horse
And make away before the general flight
Chokes up the bridge.

Van Ryk.
Not I, my Lord. Your horse
Should bear his proper burthen: mount yourself.

Artevelde.
Never, Van Ryk. My errand upon earth
Ends in this overthrow. Bind up my wound;
Give me but strength again to reach the field
And I will carve myself a nobler death
Than they design'd me. God would not permit
That I should fall by any hand so base
As his who hurt me thus.

Van Ryk.
Whose hand was that?

Artevelde.
Sir Fleureant's: he stabb'd me on the bridge
And fled amongst the French.

Van Ryk.
Oh monstrous deed!

Artevelde.
I hid it whilst I could, which was not long:
And being seen so tottering in my seat
The rumour ran that I was hurt to death,
And then they stagger'd. Lo! we're flying all!
Mount, mount, old man; at least let one be saved!
Roosdyk! Vauclaire! the gallant and the kind!
Who shall inscribe your deeds upon your tombs?
May mine tell nothing to the world but this,—
That never did that Prince or Leader live
Who had more loyal or more loving friends!
Let it be written that fidelity
Could go no farther. Mount, old friend, and fly!

Van Ryk.
With you, my Lord, not else. A fear-struck throng
Comes rushing from Mount Dorre. Sir, cross the bridge.

Artevelde.
The bridge! my soul abhors; but cross it thou,
And take this token to my Love, Van Ryk.
Fly for my sake in hers, and take her hence;
It is my last command. See her convey'd
To Ghent by Olsen or what safer road
Thy prudence shall descry. This do, Van Ryk—
Lo! now they pour upon us like a flood!
Thou that didst never disobey me yet,
This last good office render me. Begone!
Fly whilst the way is free,

Van Ryk.
My Lord, alas!
You put my duty to the sternest test
It ever yet endured; but I obey.
I do beseech you come across the bridge;
This rush of runaways—

Artevelde.
Farewell, Van Ryk.

Van Ryk.
Fellows, stand back! What! see you not my Lord?
Stand back, I say!

Artevelde.
Ho! turn ye round once more!
Cry Artevelde! and charge them once again!
What! courage, friends! We yet can keep the bridge.
Three minutes but stand fast, and our reserves
Shall succour us. Heigh, heigh, Sir! who are you
That dares to touch me?

Van Ryk.
Nay, Sirs, nay, stand back.

[Van Ryk is forced off by the crowd.
Artevelde.
Shame on you, cowards! what! do you know me! back!
Back, villains! will you suffocate your Lord!
Back, or I'll stab you with my dagger. Oh!
Give me but space to breathe! Forgive me, God!
What have I done?—why such a death?—why thus?—
Oh! for a wound as wide as famine's mouth
To make a soldier's passage for my soul.

[He is borne along in the rout towards the bridge.