CAPTAIN. Both mean and notable, and rich and poor, That when it shall be heard what terms of ARTEVELDE. peace I'll swear they will. But what? Thou look'st not over cheerily ; Think'st thou the knights have made some way then, ha? CAPTAIN. The deacons of eight crafts have sided with them, ARTEVELDE. Ay, truly? CAPTAIN. And all the men of lineage. ARTEVELDE. That's as thou hearest. CAPTAIN. The citizens pass'd by me in the street By scores and hundreds, and of them I saw ARTEVELDE. Build up, and then pull down, and then build up,- CAPTAIN. And I'm afeard, though loth I am to think it, A few amongst your guard have fallen off ARTEVELDE. Is't so ? Why, wherefore should I wish that it were not? SCENE IV.—The Dwelling-house of the Lord of Occo. OCCO. The mariners, then, are for us ? AESWYN. They are ours. OCCO. And these are of the curriers that thou bring'st me? AESWYN. The deacons of that craft—they're backward still : They're ever harping upon Artevelde, Who told their worships when they did him homage If his poor humour govern'd, nothing else But leathern jerkins should be worn in Ghent. OCCO. We'll deal with them the same as with the fullers; So bring them in. [Exit VAN AESWYN. Well done, Sir Curriers! These precious moments must be given to you! Re-enter VAN AESWYN with the two Craftsmen. Good-morrow, masters-Ha! my valued friend, Jacob Van Ryk; and if my eyes see true, Master AESWYN. Van Muck. occo. Tush, tush, sir! tell not me. Have I forgotten my old friend Van Muck, And I should take no step without advice. I will confess I'm not so subtle-witted To see much difference 'twixt this hour and that, With flesh upon our bones, or holding back Till famine wastes it or steel hacks it off: I see no difference. VAN MUCK. Truly, sir, nor I. OCCO. Aye, but there is a difference, my friends, Who take a step or two before the herd, Whilst the will's free, who lead and do not followThese men have claims; they have a right to say, Reward us for our voluntary service; Nor will they be unanswer'd, that I know: 'First serve the first,' is what they say at Bruges. VAN RYK. 'Tis a good proverb, sir, for early men, And we have ne'er been slack in things of credit; OCCO. Why look ye now; too surely, should ye shout, Here is a town beleaguer'd in such wise And they would rather 'twere by steel than cord, Are we not free to choose twixt peace and war? VAN RYK. It must be own'd The city's weal doth loudly call upon us ; OCCO. What then? That was but for the war-not knowing then And peace concluded: answer not so idly. Come, come, my friends-we're all as one, I see; |