SIR FLEUREANT. So you, my lord, have said. ARTEVELDE. You stand condemned. Yet 't is a word that I would fain unsay. SIR FLEUREANT. You are most kind my lord; the word went always ARTEVELDE. Nay, thy life Is justly forfeited; and if I spare thee It is not that I look for God's reward In sparing crime; since justice is most mercy. SIR FLEUREANT. Whatsoe'er they be I will be bound most solemly by oath, ARTEVELDE. 'Tis but to pay thy debt of gratitude SIR FLEUREANT. I'm bound to her for ever. ARTEVELDE. Sometime hence Mischances may befall her. Though I trust, And should my hope be wrecked upon some reef Would give his vengeance and his jealousy SIR FLEUREANT. I were ungrateful past all reach of words ARTEVELDE. I trust the day Will never come, that asks such service from you. But should it so, I charge you on your faith And duty as a knight, perform it stoutly. Prudence, meantime, demands that you remain In close confinement. SIR FLEUREANT. As you please, my lord. ARTEVELDE (after a pause). What, watch there, ho! Enter two Guards. You will give passage to Sir Fleureant To go at large. My mind, you see, is changed. When I do trust a man, to trust him wholly. You shall not quit my camp; but that word given, SIR FLEUREANT. Sir, your trust Shall not appear misplaced. ARTEVELDE. Give you good rest! And better dreams than those I woke you from. SIR FLEUREANT. With grateful heart I say, my lord, God keep you! [Exeunt. ACT IV. SCENE I. The BURGOMASTER of Ypres, with several BURGHRES of the French faction, and VAN MUCK. BURGOMASTER. Well, well, God bless us! have a care oh me! And ever, mind'st thou, when thou see'st Vauclaire, VAN MUCK. I will, your worship. Nay, but you must. BURGOMASTER. And Roosdyk-speak him fair; For give him but a saucy word, he's out, And twinkling me his dagger in the sun Says, take you that,' and you are dead for good. I'll speak him fair. VAN MUCK. BURGOMASTER. Nay, but I say you shall. 'Tis a good rule to be more civil-spoken Than wantonly be cut and stabbed for nothing. 'Tis so, your worship. VAN MUCK. BURGOMASTER. Cast not away your life. VAN MUCK. 'Tis as your worship pleases. FIRST BURGHER. But if Vauclaire, or Roosdyk, or the captains What should he answer? BURGOMASTER. Say thou com'st from Dinand From Dinand, say, to sell Dinandery, Pots, pitchers, mugs, and beakers, and the like. VAN MUCK. Suppose I'm questioned where they are. BURGOMASTER. You've sold 'em. Say you praise God. Say you're a thriving man. FIRST BURGHER (aside to second). This matter will be out. SECOND BURGHER. Why so? FIRST BURGHER. Good friend, Didst ever know a secret to lie close Under a goose's wing? |