Is D'Arlon's

pennon.

CLARA.

Now tell me which of these

VAN RYK.

Presently I'll tell thee;

I cannot yet distinguish. Come this way

Their cross-bow shafts have touched us on that side,
And ours fly large. We're dazzled by the sun.
Bid Van den Bosch give gently back and back,

And wind them round the slough; I'll hover here ;

And soon as he have turn'd his back o' the sun,

Let him stand fast and shoot. Thou hast thine errand;

Let it not cool. And you, sirs, follow me.

[Exeunt.

SCENE VI.

ANOTHER PART OF THE FIELD.

THE LORD OF ARLON and GILBERT MATTHEW.

GILBERT MATTHEW.

How came they thus? My lord, I needs must say,
A soldier's courage, not a leader's skill,

Has placed them here.

D'ARLON.

Skill! what can skill avail?

Could I have made men sober that were drunk!

The meanest archer with his senses whole

Would not have rushed to stare the sun i'the face

As these have done;—but nothing could withhold them

GILBERT MATTHEW.

They will not long hold out.

D'ARLON.

I prithee fly,

And tell the earl to send us succours up.
I'll keep them steady, if I can, till then.

[Exeunt.

SCENE VII.

ANOTHER PART OF THE FIELD.

CLARA following VAN LINDEN, a man-at-arms.

CLARA.

Here, hearken to me, man; give ear, I say;

Where fights the Lord of Arlon?

VAN LINDEN.

Let me go;

Nay, hold me not; the game that's now afoot

Is not for boys to meddle in.

CLARA.

Yet stay;

Tell me, doth D'Arlon live, or hath he fallen?

VAN LINDEN.

God! what care I for D'Arlon or for thee!

I tell thee, boy, let go.

CLARA.

No boy am I.

Look here!

(She uncovers her head, and looses her hair.)

Clara Van Artevelde it is that speaks,

And she desires to know where D'Arlon fights.

VAN LINDEN.

Beseech you, lady, pardon my mistake,

And my too blunt behaviour.

With your eye

If you can follow forth yon dry stone wall.
Down to the hollow, and where further on
Again it rises, you shall see a crowd

Of fighting men, and in the midst of them
The pennon of the lord of Arlon flies—
By Heaven! but I think no—a minute since
It there was flying, but I think 'tis down.

[Exit CLARA.

Enter VAN ARTEVELDE with followers from the one side, and VAN RYK with followers from the other.

ARTEVELDE.

How is't with you? On our side all is well.

One half their host is foundered in the swamp,
The other full in flight.

VAN RYK.

On our side too,

They all have fled; but further down the field

The D'Arlon still stands fast.

ARTEVELDE.

Set on,-set on

Make for the spot. Thou look'st as thou would'st speak?

VAN LINDEN.

you that your sister's in the field?

ARTEVELDE.

Sir, know

My sister, no!

VAN LINDEN.

But now, Sir, she was here.

And with such flighty haste departed hence,
That if she be not looked to, I'm afeard,

In the confusion of the field, mishap

Might easily befal her.

ARTEVELDE.

Here but now?

Show me then whitherward she went.-Ah Clara !

[Exeunt.

SCENE VIII.

A STREET IN BRUGES.

It is night. The EARL of FLANDERS and SIR ROBERT MARESCHAULT enter, preceded by Attendants bearing torches.

EARL.

What succours we can find I'll lead myself.