And question keen, importing that his soul
Was yoked in soft subjection to a woman;
And were she of good life and conversation,
Insidious slanderers said, 'twere not so strange,
But he is vanquished by his paramour!

So the word went, and as it reached his ear
From time to time repeated, he grew cold,
Captious, suspicious, full of slights and cavils,
Asserting his supremacy in words

Of needless contradiction. This I bore
Though not by such sad change unalienate;
But presently there came to me reports,
Authentic though malignant, of loose gibes
Let fall among his retinue, whereby
His grace, to keep his wit in good repute
For shrewdness, and to boast his liberty,
Had shamefully belied his own belief-
For firm belief he had-that I was chaste.

SIR FLEUREANT.

Oh mischief! you gave credence to such tales!

ELENA.

This which I speak of, carry to the duke;

"Tis therefore I relate it—he well knows

If it be true or false. Say further this :
Finding his grace thus pitiably weak,

Alternate slave of vanity and love,

I from that moment in my heart resolved

To break the link that bound us to this end

I parted from his company at Bruges,
And by the same abiding, I have made
This free deliverance of my mind to you.

Which task fulfilled, (I'm sorry from my soul,
If it offend,) I wish you, sir, farewell.

[Exit, CECILE following.

SIR FLEUREANT.

'Tis a magnanimous harlot! By my faith
Of all the queans that on my humble head
Have poured the vials of their wrath and scorn,
This is the prettiest, and I think, the proudest.
If one might bolt the bran from her discourse

I should take leave to guess her firm resolve

Was not fast clenched till Artevelde took Bruges.
Whichever way it be, my path is plain

Though slippery, and forth I go upon it.

[Exit.

ACT III.

SCENE I.

NIGHT.-A DINGLE IN THE OUTSKIRTS OF THE

CAMP, BEHIND A SUTLER'S TENT.

VAN KORTZ, to whom enter VAN MUCK.

VAN KORTZ.

Who's there-Van Muck? holloa you, boy! what

speed?

VAN MUCK.

Hush, hush! speak low; is no one here but you?

VAN KORTZ.

No jolly soul beside.

VAN MUCK.

Has the watch past ?

VAN KORTZ.

By my permission, yes. I drew a shaft

Chock to the steel, and from behind this tree

Aimed it at Serjeant Laubscher's black old heart,

In quittance of an ancient debt I owe him;

But pooh! I let him pass.

VAN MUCK.

Why, were you mad?

It would have baulked our meeting.

VAN KORTZ.

What care I?

VAN MUCK.

It is a matter of five hundred merks

White money down.

VAN KORTZ.

Aye, let me see it down,

And I'll believe you.

VAN MUCK.

He will soon be here,

And then you'll-here he is-no, 'tis but Bulsen.

Enter BULSen.

BULSEN.

Well, is all right? 'tis close upon the hour.

VAN KORTZ.

Nothing is stirring; stand from out the trees

That he may see us, lest he miss the spot.

Art certain that he'll bring the money here?

VAN MUCK.

I saw it in his hands; doubtless he'll bring it.

Why, hark

VAN KORTZ.

ye then-what need to go to Ghent,

Or Bruges, or Ypres, to get gold that's here?

VAN MUCK.

He gives it us for taking letters hence,

To Ghent, and Bruges, and Ypres.

VAN KORTZ.

Hold thy peace,

Thou nick-ear'd lubber; what have we to do

With whys and wherefores? Here he brings the gold, And hence he takes it not, if we be men.