University of Virginia Library

Scene IV.

—The Royal Pavilion in the French Camp at Mount Dorre, on the western bank of the Lis, at the distance of a league from Rosebecque. The King is discovered rising from supper and bidding adieu to his Uncles, the Admiral of France, the Lord of Coucy, and a number of other guests who are leaving the Pavilion. Sir Guy of Baveux is in attendance, and the Duke of Burgundy remains behind the others.
The King.
My Lords, we wish you all a sweet good-night.
Sir Constable—he's gone—Sir Constable—
Run after him, Sir Guy, and bring him back.
[Exit Sir Guy of Baveux.
Uncle of Burgundy, what says your Grace?
Shall it be now?

Burgundy.
Fair cousin, now or never.

[Exit.
The King.
He will be mightily displeased! I swear
I have no heart to speak it! Me! I quake.
Re-enter Sir Guy of Baveux with the Constable of France.
We call'd you back, Sir Oliver; you heard not.

Constable.
Your Grace shall pardon me; my ears are dull;
A blow was dealt upon my head at Nantes
That something stunn'd my hearing.

The King.
Sir, the love
We bear you is well-known; and for this night
And for the morrow, out of love and grace,
We would that you should tarry by our person
And give your baton to my Lord of Coucy.

Constable.
Most gracious Sir! I am amazed at this!
I do beseech you hear me. Well I know
No greater honour can your servant share
Than to help guard your person; but, dear Sir,
Think how the van should marvel, were I missed
At such a time! Sir, do not shake them so:
Nor do not, I entreat you on my knees,
Unsettle what advisedly was fix'd
To be for your advantage. Be assured
(I say it with all deference to such counsel
As may have moved your Highness unto this)
The parting from your purposes thus late
Will put you in much peril. For myself
I have perform'd my function with such zeal
As doth not, I am bold to say, deserve
That I should be degraded.

The King.
Constable,
Your office you have well discharged, I know,
In my time and my father's; 'tis the great trust
And sure affiance that both he and I
Have ever placed in you, which makes me speak
To have you in this business at my side.

Constable,
Most noble Sir, you are so well begirt
With valiant men, and all is so well sped
That nought can be amended. Wherefore, Sir,
You and your Council ought to be content.
I pray you, Sir, maintain me in mine office,
And if I err not, you will find no cause
To-morrow to repent it.

The King.
By St. Denis,
Good Constable, your pleasure shall be mine;
So exercise your office at your will
And I will say no more: for by St. Denis,
You have seen further into this than I,
Or they that moved me in the matter first.
To-morrow come to me at mass.

Constable.
Kind Sir,
Most willingly I will. God keep your Grace!
All has been well disposed. The rear is up,
Save only skeletons of squadrons dropp'd
Upon our line of march: with tents and fires
They make a show of forces left behind,
So to beguile the Fleming, who will deem
We are not whole. God give your Grace good rest!

The King.
Good-night, good Constable. To bed, to bed!