I pray you have Sir Charles of France inform'd It was your diligence with such speed dismiss'd you, And not my lack of hospitality. HERALD. My lord, we surely shall report in France ARTEVELDE. [Exit HERALD. You are not, I will hope, so much in haste? SIR FLEUREANT. My lord, I tarry but an hour behind, And not for idleness. My lord, I'm charged ARTEVELDE. Sir, I attend; his grace has all my ears. What would he? SIR FLEUREANT. He has voices more than ten In the king's council, and as they may speak Envenom'd, and if justice were but done him ARTEVELDE. By mine honour, If there be justice I can render him, He should receive it from my ready hands, Although his voice in council were as small SIR FLEUREANT. My lord, he sent you letters that pourtray'd ARTEVELDE. Sir, he's thrice welcome to his paramour; SIR FLEUREANT. Then to me, A servant of the prince, 'tis his desire ARTEVELDE. To the hands of whom she will I yield the lady, to go where she will, Were it to the palace of the Prince of Darkness. But at the lady's bidding it must be, Not at the Prince's. SIR FLEUREANT. Do I learn from this The lady is reluctant? ARTEVELDE. By no means. The dangers of the journey have deterr'd her Toward the frontier, she may travel hence In your protection safely. SIR FLEUREANT. Her pleasure from herself? May I learn ARTEVELDE. I'll name your wish To see her, and she doubtless will comply. Attendance here! Enter an Attendant. Apprise the foreign lady, That with her leave, at her convenient leisure, [Exit Attendant. We'll walk towards her tent, Of brief discourse. If that's your pleasure. SIR FLEUREANT. Still at your command. SCENE III-A Pavilion richly hung and furnished. ELENA. Art thou not weary of the camp, Cecile ? CECILE. Oh no, my lady, it is always stirring; ELENA. Well, I am. Or rather I am weary of myself, And carry dulness with me as the wind CECILE. For shame, my lady! you that are so young ELENA. Give me my lute, and I will answer that. (She sings.) Down lay in a nook my lady's brach, I cannot follow with the pack A-hunting of the boar. And though the horn sounds never so clear With the hounds in loud uproar, Yet I must stop and lie down here, Because my feet are sore. The huntsman when he heard the same, The dog that's lame is much to blame, Lo! some one comes. Enter an Attendant. ATTENDANT. The Regent, madam, would attend your leisure ELENA. Surely; Acquaint him that I wait upon his pleasure. [Exit Attendant. What can he want! he never ask'd before To speak with me in private. It is strange; But it will end in nothing. This morning; put it right. Go, Cecile. Look, here he comes; But there's one with him-said he not alone He wish'd to see me? I will go within And thou canst say that I expect him there. Enter VAN ARTEVELDE and SIR FLEUREANT. My lady waits your CECILE. pleasure, sir, within. [Exit. [VAN ARTEVELDE passes into the inner apartment. Your servant, sir; would you too see my mistress? SIR FLEUREANT. If it so please your master. CECILE. Who's my master? SIR FLEUREANT. I cry you mercy, is it not the Regent? CECILE. The Regent is no master, sir, of mine. |