PHILIP VAN ARTEVELDE. PART THE SECOND. ACT I. SCENE I.-An Ante-room to the State Apartments of the Grand Justiciary in the Royal Palace at Senlis, in France. Several groups of suitors holding petitions in their hands. In front a Yeoman of Tournesis, and near him SIR FLEUREANT OF HEURLÉE. Sir F. If I may be so bold, friend, whence art thou? The times are stirring, and come whence thou may'st Thou must bring news. Yeo. So please your worship's grace I come from this side Tournay; I am French, And though I say it, sir, an honest yeoman. Sir F. And, honest yeoman, what's thine errand here? Yeo. I have a suit, sir, to my noble lord The Duke of Burgundy. Sir F. Why, what?-what suit? Yeo. 'Tis but for justice, sir; I crave but justice. Sir F. Hast thou the price of justice in thy pocket? Yeo. Nay, sir, I am poor. Sir F. Poor, and want justice ?-where was thy mother 's thrift To bring thee up in such a poor estate, And yet to lack such dainties! Say wherein thee? Yeo. Last Wednesday, sir, a troop of Flemings, led By fierce Frans Ackerman, the frontier passed And burned my homestead, ravaged all my fields, And did sore havoc in the realm of France. Sir F. What say'st thou? is it so? Go to-go to— This is high matter. Thou 'lt be heard on this. Enter Usher. Usher. Depart ye, sirs; his grace is with the king; He bids you all depart and come to-morrow; To-day his grace hath business with the king, And will not be molested. Clear the chamber. Their graces and the king are coming hither, And would be private ;-prithee, sir, depart. [To the Yeoman, who lingers. Sir F. Take thou thy grievance to the outer hall, But go no further hence. Soft, Master Usher; My friend shall have an audience of the duke. Look he be carefully bestowed without Till he be called. He is an injured man ; An injured man, and being so, yet welcome. The grief he hath is worth its weight in gold. Bestow him carefully without. Usher. This way. [Exit, with the Yeoman. Enter the DUKES of BURGUNDY and BOURBON, in close conference. Bur. Good morrow, Flurry. Not on us, good brother. I grant you were we rashly to make war, But, backed by all the council,-yea, by all, Backed by the council, wherein weighty reasons Bour. Bur. In Jacques Bonhomme's throat In Flanders, think you they stand fast in France ? Though heir to Flanders I am Frenchman born, Five hundred thousand swords; and ask what fate Bour. But Philip speaks us fair. Bur. As fair as false. Sir F. My lords, there's proof of that Here close at hand; a yeoman from Tournesis, On the French frontier. Bur. There, good brother, there! There's Flemish friendship, Flemish love of peace! Shall we make nought of this? Bour. And find if it be true. Bur. We'll sift it, brother, Where is the man? [Exit. Sir F. I'll bring him in, my Lord. Enter the KING with a Hawk on his hand. Bur. How now, my royal cousin, have you done? Can you repeat the speech? King. Oh yes, good uncle. Right noble our liege councillors all, We greet you! We have required your—' Bur. Presence here this day. King. We have required your presence here this day On matters of high import, which surcharge Bur. Cousin, stay. Enter SIR FLEUREANT with the Yeoman. Here is a worthy yeoman from Tournesis, King. A yeoman, uncle ? Here, worthy yeoman, you shall kiss our hand. Bour. [The Yeoman kneels and kisses his hand. Now, sir, from what place In France or Flanders, com'st thou ? Yeo. Please your Highness, 'Twas a small holding from my lord of Vergues Close to the liberties of Fontenoy. Bour. This side the bourn? Yeo. Three miles, my lord, and long ones. Bur. Three miles in France. And what befell thee there? came The houses of the gentlemen and knights. Than was the Count of Flanders: 'tis God's mercy! Bur. Thou hast done well; Retire His Majesty will bring thy case Before the council. Hold thyself prepared To tell thy story there. [Exit Yeoman. I think my royal cousin, though he 's young, Bears yet a mind too mettlesome to brook |