Act I

First Retainer AY, do! push, friends, and then you’ll push down me!

Gerard.Save your courtesies, my friend. Here is my place.

Second Retainer.Now, Gerard, out with it!

Gerard.What then?

Second Retainer.What then? Why, you, she speaks to, if she meets

Third Retainer.I’ll wager he has let

Gerard.Ralph,

Fourth Retainer.Let Gerard be!

First Retainer.Our retainers look as fine—

Fourth Retainer.He’s only bowing, fool!

First Retainer.That’s comfort. Here’s a very cavalcade!

Third Retainer.I don’t see wherefore Richard, and his troop

Gerard.—With Hugh

Third Retainer.Out on you, crab! What next, what next? The Earl!

First Retainer.Oh Walter, groom, our horses, do they match.

Sixth Retainer.Ay—ay!

First Retainer.No? that’s comfort.

Second Retainer.Peace, Cook! The Earl descends. Well, Gerard, see

Third Retainer.His eyes are blue:

Fourth Retainer.So young, and yet

Fifth Retainer.Here’s Lord Tresham’s self!

Second Retainer.But you’d not have a boy

First Retainer.Our master takes his hand—

Jumping down from the window-bench, and making for the table and its jugs.] Good health, long life,

Sixth Retainer.My father drove his father first to court,

Second Retainer.God bless

Gerard.Drink, my boys!

Second Retainer[aside]. He’s vexed, now, that he let the show escape!

To GERARD.]Remember that the Earl returns this way.

Gerard.That way?

Second Retainer.Just so.

Gerard.Then my way’s here.[Goes.

Second Retainer.Old Gerard

Second Retainer.God help him! Who’s for the great servants’ hall

Third Retainer.I!—

Fourth Retainer.I!—

First Retainer.Have at you! Boys, hurrah!