VAN RYK. So please you, sir, a cast at Van den Bosch OCCO. Well shot, Van Ryk; But yet not quite the bull's eye. VAN MUCK. By the mass, He's shot the bull he had his horns of-Ha! What will Dame Oda say to thee? VAN RYK. Come, come! If that's our archery, Frans Fleisch for thee. OCCO. My friends, we'll settle all such scores at will. Van Artevelde must die, you understand me. [A pause. [A pause again. G VAN RYK. Why, if he must, he must, and there's an end. OCCO. The Earl must have his life; who hath the guerdon But truly were the money on my head, I'd rather that such men as you should have it, VAN RYK. Saving your displeasure, sir, 'Tis said good men ne'er thrive but by good deeds. Now, were it but the slaying Van den Bosch, Or Peter Nuitre, or Frans Ackerman, There's husbands, widows, orphans, all through Ghent, Would say the deed was good: but Artevelde Has, as it were, a creditable name, And men would say we struck not for revenge, And also, sir occo (to a Serving-man, who enters). What, sirrah ?-speak-what now? Van Artevelde! he is not coming here? Not now-not now? SERVING-MAN. Now, instantly, my lord. OCCO. Masters, I wish you both good-day-good-day. God prosper thee, Van Ryk-Van Muck, farewell. Why op'st thou not the door, thou villain groom? Think'st thou the burgesses have time to lose? Farewell at once, sirs-not to keep you longer When things are all so stirring in the town; You're needed at your posts, I know; farewell. VAN RYK. My lord, as touching these five hundred florins OCCO. Just as ye will, sirs-any way ye please; I bid God speed you, and so fare you well. If you VAN RYK. would take four hundred from the five, And set the residue on Van den Bosch, His head I'd bring you in for that much money, And Ackerman's for love and pure good-will. Peace on your lives, he's here! Enter VAN ARTEVELDE. ARTEVELDE. My Lord of Occo, at your pleasure. Ha! Better accompanied,-no, nor a foe Better encounter'd than by men like these. When thou wert wonted to attend my father Home from the Stadt-House: it was always thou Whom he would choose from them that brought him home To ask thy company; and in thine arms For I was stillest there. Times change, Van Ryk; That I love more than what a child I loved. OCCO. By your leave, The burgesses are tarried for elsewhere; They are incontinently going hence; You will forgive their haste, they cannot stay; VAN MUCK. Master Van Artevelde, I'm more your debtor And keep you in your The Lord requite you, perils near at hand! VAN RYK. Master Van Artevelde, God bless you, sir! [Exeunt the Craftsmen. ARTEVELDE (after a pause). These are ambiguous knaves. OCCO. True craftsmen both! Ever suspicious of nobility. ARTEVELDE. That am I not. You had some news to tell, So your lieutenant said. OCCO. Intelligence Has reach'd me of the terms the Earl will offer: A guarantee of franchises and rights, Conditional on some three hundred of us ARTEVELDE. Of whom then is this number? |