Even now the faction hopes to be redeemed

By a new leader, Philip of Artevelde.

EARL.

Ha! Artevelde? that name is ominous.

Whenever sunshine has come near my house,

An Artevelde has cast his shadow there.

I have not heard the name of Artevelde
Since that usurper Jacques died the death.
This Philip then was in his infancy.

What is he made of? Of his father's metal?
A dangerous man, in truth, sirs, if he be.

GILBERT MATTHEW.

Oh fear him not, my lord; his father's name
Is all that from his father he derives.

He is a man of singular address

In catching river-fish. His life hath been,
Till now, more like a peasant's or a monk's,
Than like the issue of so great a man.

OCCO.

Yet is his name so worshipp'd of the people,
That were the time and scope permitted him
To grow expert, some danger might come of him.
Wherefore 'twere well to note him on your list.

EARL.

Let him be noted. Think you, then, Sir Guy,

That they'll accept our terms, or still hold out?

OCCO.

Let these good knights make instant speed to Ghent,

And call the burghers to the market-place.

Then let to-morrow, at their bidding, wear

The aspect of to-day, and all will prosper.

Take them whilst yet Nivelle is in their thoughts.

EARL.

You counsel well. Prepare, sirs, to depart;
We'll have the terms engross'd, and send them you.
Farewell, my lord; farewell, Sir Simon Bette;
Sir Guisebert Grutt, farewell.-We'll send them you.

[Exeunt the EARL, GILBERT MATTHEW,

Occo, and SIR SIMON BETTE. AS SIR GUISEBERT GRUTT is following, he is detained by D'ARLON.

D'ARLON.

One word, fair sir.

SIR GUISEBERT GRUTT.

My good lord, at your pleasure.

D'ARLON.

I have a foolish errand in

your

town.

There is a damsel...... but your head is white;

You will not heed me.

SIR GUISEBERT GRUTT.

Pray proceed, my lord.

I have not yet forgotten how in youth

A damsel's love, amongst the amorous,

Was more than bed of down or morning posset.
D'ARLON.

In brief, kind sir, conveyance hence to Ghent
Is what I crave. Methinks, amongst your train,
And habited like them, I well could pass,

And no one mark me.

SIR GUISEBERT GRUTT.

Sir, you're free to try.

And if our friends should still be uppermost,

You will risk nothing. Should the faction reign,
You shall do well to keep your secret close,

And make your best speed back.

D'ARLON.

Leave that to me.

[Exeunt.

ACT II.

SCENE I.-GHENT.

THE HOUSE VAN ARTEVELDE.

HE, and VAN DEN BOSCH.

VAN DEN BOSCH.

When they were brought together in the square,
I spake. I told them that they lack'd a chief;
For though they saw that dangers compass'd them,
Amongst their captains there was none could win
The love of all, but still some guild or craft
Would stone him if they might. I bade them think
How Jacques Artevelde from lowest state
Had borne this city up to sovereign sway;
And how his son had liv'd aloof from strife,

To none bore malice, and wish'd well to all.
With that they caught thy name, and shouted much,
And some old men swore they remembered well,

In the good times of Jacques Artevelde,

When they were young, that all the world went right,

And after he was dead, that they grew old;
And wenches, who were there, said Artevelde
Was a sweet name and musical to hear.

In brief, for these and other weighty reasons
They were resolv'd to choose thee for their chief.
But Soft! my friends,' quoth I; 'ye know not yet
How he inclines to that you'd put upon

him ; He hath no friends and favourites to reward; He hath no adverse faction to repress;

Of what avail to him were power and office?

But nathless we'll entreat him.' 'Bring him here,'
Was then the cry. 'More meet it were, my friends,'
Quoth I, that we go seek this noble youth;
On such high worth we humbly should attend,
And not expect such worth should wait on us.'
To this they gave assent, and will be here
Soon as the crafts are gather'd all together.

Good!

ARTEVELDE.

When they come I'll speak to them.

VAN DEN BOSCH.

"Twere well.

Thou canst not miss to please them in this mood.