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A BLOT IN THE 'SCUTCHEON.

A Tragedy

VOL. II.

B

A BLOT IN THE 'SCUTCHEON.

PERSONS.

MILDRED TRESHAM.

GUENDOLEN TRESHAM.

THOROLD, Lord Tresham.

AUSTIN TRESHAM.

HENRY, Earl Mertoun.

GERARD.

Other Retainers of Lord Tresham.

TIME, 17-.

ACT I.

SCENE I.-The interior of a Lodge in LORD TRESHAM'S Park. Many Retainers crowded at the window, supposed to command a view of the entrance to his Mansion. GERARD, the Warrener, sitting alone, his back to a table on which are flagons, &c.

1st Ret. Ay-do-push, friends, and then you'll push down me.

-What for? Does any hear a runner's foot, Or a steed's trample, or a coach-wheel's cry? Is the Earl come or his least poursuivant ?

But there's no breeding in a man of you

Save Gerard yonder here's a half-place yet,
Old Gerard!

Ger.

Save your courtesies, my friend.

Here is my place.

2nd Ret.

Now, Gerard, out with it!

What makes you sullen, this of all the days
I' the year? To-day that, young, rich, bountiful,
Handsome Earl Mertoun, whom alone they match
With our Lord Tresham thro' the country-side,
Is coming here in utmost bravery

To ask our Master's Sister's hand?

Ger.

What then?

2nd Ret. What then? Why, you she speaks to, if

she meets

Your worship, smiles on as you hold apart

The boughs to let her thro' her forest walks,

You, always favourite for your no-deserts,

You've heard, these three days, how Earl Mertoun sues
To lay his heart, and house, and broad lands too,
At Lady Mildred's feet—and while we squeeze
Ourselves into a mousehole lest we miss

One congee of the least page in his train,

You sit o' one side-" there's the Earl,” say I— "What then," say you!

3rd Ret.

I'll wager he has let

Both swans he tamed for Lady Mildred, swim

Over the falls and gain the river!

Ger.

Ralph,

[blocks in formation]

He's coarse-grained, like his carved black cross-bow

stock.

Ha, look now, while we squabble with him, look!
Well done, now-is not this beginning, now,

To purpose?

1st Ret.

Our retainers look as fine

That's comfort! Lord, how Richard holds himself

With his white staff! Will not a knave behind

Prick him upright?

4th Ret.

He's only bowing, fool!

The Earl's man bent us lower by this much.

1st Ret. That's comfort. Here's a very cavalcade! 3d Ret. I don't see wherefore Richard, and his troop

Of silk and silver varlets there, should find

Their perfumed selves so indispensable

On high days, holy-days! Would it so disgrace
Our Family, if I, for instance, stood—

In my right hand a cast of Swedish hawks,

A leash of greyhounds in my left?

Ger.

The logman for supporter-in his right

-With Hugh

The bill-hook-in his left the brushwood-shears!

3rd Ret. Out on you, crab! What next, what next?

The Earl!

1st Ret. Oh, Walter, groom, our horses, do they

match

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