I go, my fairest! Should I not return,

There's nothing here that I shall leave with pain
Except thyself, my beautiful Elena !

What strange forgetfulness appears it now
So many mis-spent moments to have given
To any thing but love! They're gone for ever
With all their wasted sunshine! Now is left
One moment but to spare, one word to speak;
Farewell, my dearest love!

ELENA.

Farewell, my lord.

ARTEVELDE.

God and good angels guard thee through all time,

My ever-loved Elena ! and if here

We meet no more, God grant us so to die

In peace with Him, that we may meet hereafter.

Farewell, my best-beloved!

ELENA.

Farewell, my lord.

ARTEVELDE.

And is it thus we part? Enough, enough;

Full hearts, few words. Yet I have more to say.

I might have wiselier done and kindlier too,

More righteously and clearly to my conscience,
Touching the tie between us, than I have.
For reparation of this fatal fault

I would that I might be preserved to-day;
If not, I know that I shall fall forgiven.

ELENA.

Try me no further, Artevelde; go, go;
If I should speak to thee one word of love
I could not hold myself on this side reason.
Go whilst I have my senses, Artevelde;

Or stay and hear the passion of my heart

Break out, and not in words; if throes and shrieks Thou wouldst be fain to witness, stay; if not

Content thee with one bitter word, adieu!

ARTEVELDE.

This fair hand trembles.

Dearest, be thou calm;

Calm and courageous. I commend thy silence.

Yonder's the Knight of Heurlée; he is coming

To see his fiendish face! Why is it he

That comes to bring thee?

'Tis better for her to be thus bereft.

One other kiss on that bewitching brow,
Pale hemisphere of charms! Unhappy girl!
The curse of beauty was upon thy birth,
Nor love bestowed a blessing. Fare thee well!

[Exeunt.

SCENE VI.

THE WESTERN SIDE OF THE LIS.

A watch-fire in advance of the French Encampment.

Two SOLDIERS of the Watch.

FIRST SOLDIER (sings).

Four stakes and a mat

Make a very good house : 'Tis ill-found, quoth the rat ;

Not a whit, said the louse.

SECOND SOLDIER.

The devil catch thy breath and mar thy singing!
The trumpets of the Flemish host may sound,
And nothing to be heard for thy fond ballads.

FIRST SOLDIER (still singing).

More happy are we than the count and the earl,
More happy are we than the gold-hatching churl,
Than the squire and friar, and seller and buyer,
Than he that is high, who still sees something higher.
Your ear and I'll tell you

The why and the wherefore

He that hath nothing

Hath nothing to care for.

SECOND SOLDIER.

Be still, I say; I hear a trumpet now.

Hark! hush! now-there-a trumpet clear as day! 'Tis a reveillée; bundle up your blankets,

And hie we to the captain of the watch.

[Exeunt.

SCENE VII.

THE EASTERN SIDE OF THE LIS.

VAN ARTEVELDE, his PAGE, and SIR FLEUREANT

OF HEURLÉE.

ARTEVELDE.

They gather on the left. Fly to Vauclaire,
And bid him when he sees me pass the bridge,
To drive his force along as though the devil
Were at his heels.

[Exeunt VAN ARTEVELDE and PAGE.

SIR FLEUREANT.

He is at your's, my lord.

[Exit.