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, 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 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 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, He's coarse-grained, like his carved black cross-bow stock. Ha, look now, while we squabble with him, look! 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 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 |