University of Virginia Library

SCENE IV.

Acciajoli and Psein.
Acciajoli.
Sorrow and consternation are around.

Psein.
Men could not have cried louder had they lost
Policinello, who begets them fun,
While princes but beget them blows and taxes.
When will they see things straightly, and give these
Their proper station?

Acciajoli.
Have you not your king?

Psein.
O! quite another matter! We have ours,
True; but his taxes are for us; and then
The blows . . we give and take them, as may happen.

Acciajoli.
We too may do the same, another day. [Psein expresses contempt.

So! you imagine that your arms suffice
To keep this kingdom down! War is a game
Not of skill only, not of hazard only,
No, nor of both united.

Psein.
What the ball
Is stuft with, I know not, nor ever lookt;
I only know it is the very game
I like to play at.

Acciajoli.
Many are the chances.

Psein.
Without the chances I would throw it up.
Play me at Naples only five to one,
I take the odds.

Acciajoli.
All are not Neapolitans.

Psein.
Then strike off three.

Acciajoli.
Some Normans.

Psein.
Then my sword
Must be well whetted and my horse well fed,
And my poor memory well poked for prayers.
And, hark ye! I should like one combatant
As well as twenty, of that ugly breed.
Lord Seneschal, be ready at your post.

Acciajoli.
I trust I shall be.

Psein.
At what hour?

Acciajoli.
Not yet.

Psein.
Ay, but the queen must fix it.

Acciajoli.
She inclines
To peace.

Psein.
I know it; but for flight ere peace.

Acciajoli.
Flight is not in the movements of our queen.

Psein.
Departure then.

Acciajoli.
Sir! should she will departure,
Breasts are not wanting to repell the charge
Of traitor or intruder.

Psein.
Here is one,
Lord Seneschal! as ready to defend her
As any mail'd with iron or claspt with gold.
Doubtest thou? Doubt no longer.

[Shows the glove.
Acciajoli.
Whose is that?

Psein.
The names we venerate we rarely speak;
And love beats veneration out and out.
I will restore it at the vessel's side,
And ask it back again when she is safe
And the less happy lady whom you serve.
It then behoves me to retrace my steps
And rally my few countrymen for safety.