965 SCENE II.] PHILIP VAN ARTEVELDE. OCCO. Fair damsel, I am happy in the fortune Which shines upon me from two spheres at once. CLARA. Fair sir, I thank you for your courtesy. No lady lives in Ghent with ears to hear, OCCO. On my soul, I blush to hear it said; though true it is 'Tis due to her whose charms would kindle valour CLARA. Whoe'er inspired your valour, your exploits OCCO. Your pardon, lady; Some other trifle's in your thoughts; at Sas There is no fort, and they who perish'd there CLARA. 13 OCCO. What happen'd there too, was of no account. CLARA. Oh, pardon me; the modesty which still OCCO. The town Was taken by surprise. CLARA. Ay, true, and then The garrison that made themselves so strong There was no garrison. OCCO. At Zeveren CLARA. You say not so ? How false is Fame! I'm certain I was told Of a great slaughter in the convent there. OCCO. True; a proportion of the sisterhood Met with mishap. But, lady, by your leave A softer theme were meeter, and there's one CLARA. Alack, alack! Then I am gone; soft speeches please mine ear, OCCO. [Exeunt CLARA and Page. A merry lady Your friend appears; but now that she is gone, I waste like wax before a witch's fire, Whilst but one word from thee would make earth heaven, And I must soon be nothing or a god! There's an unutterable want and void, ADRIANA. O no, my lord, your pardon; You flatter me or else deceive yourself; 19 OCCO. Nay, lady, nay : Deem that I've been tormented long enough ADRIANA. I am not coy, and plainly now to speak (When aught but plainness should be less than just) I cannot be your wife. OCCO. And wherefore so? It is not that your nature is unloving; ADRIANA. I've told you all Which it can profit you to know. OCCO. Ah! now I see it clearly; there's some smooth-tongued knave Fighting hard battles to my neck in blood. ADRIANA. In charity I never will speak more With you, Sir Guy of Occo, Nor till I see a sign of gentle blood, Or any [Exit. 0000. Thanks, gentle lady! Thanks, kind, loving soul! To him who knows their signs. Would that I knew Then no more need I knowledge of the stars. SCENE III-The Stadt-House. Enter MYK STEENSEL, followed by several Burghers. MYK. And who is Van den Bosch, resolve me that: FIRST BURGHER. Or Ackerman, or Launoy, who are they? MYK. I say, sirs, if our goods be not our own, SECOND BURGHER. Why, look you, sirs, our case stands simply here: The Earl of Flanders is a valiant lord, And was a gracious master, till the Devil, Who never sleeps, awaken'd them of Bruges |