登陆注册
5694900000002

第2章 ACT I(1)

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,his back to a table on which are flagons,etc.

FIRST RETAINER.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!

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

SECOND RETAINER.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 through the country-side,Is coming here in utmost bravery To ask our master's sister's hand?

GERARD.What then?

SECOND RETAINER.What then?Why,you,she speaks to,if she meets Your worship,smiles on as you hold apart The boughs to let her through 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!

THIRD RETAINER.I'll wager he has let Both swans he tamed for Lady Mildred swim Over the falls and gain the river!

GERARD.Ralph,Is not to-morrow my inspecting-day For you and for your hawks?

FOURTH RETAINER.Let Gerard be!

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?

FIRST RETAINER.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?

FOURTH RETAINER.He's only bowing,fool!

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

FIRST RETAINER.That's comfort.Here's a very cavalcade!

THIRD RETAINER.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,holidays!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?--

GERARD.--With Hugh The logman for supporter,in his right The bill-hook,in his left the brushwood-shears!

THIRD RETAINER.Out on you,crab!What next,what next?The Earl!

FIRST RETAINER.Oh Walter,groom,our horses,do they match The Earl's?Alas,that first pair of the six--

They paw the ground--Ah Walter!and that brute Just on his haunches by the wheel!

SIXTH RETAINER.Ay--ay!

You,Philip,are a special hand,I hear,At soups and sauces:what's a horse to you?

D'ye mark that beast they've slid into the midst So cunningly?--then,Philip,mark this further;

No leg has he to stand on!

FIRST RETAINER.No?that's comfort.

SECOND RETAINER.Peace,Cook!The Earl descends.Well,Gerard,see The Earl at least!Come,there's a proper man,I hope!Why,Ralph,no falcon,Pole or Swede,Has got a starrier eye.

THIRD RETAINER.His eyes are blue:

But leave my hawks alone!

FOURTH RETAINER.So young,and yet So tall and shapely!

FIFTH RETAINER.Here's Lord Tresham's self!

There now--there's what a nobleman should be!

He's older,graver,loftier,he's more like A House's head.

SECOND RETAINER.But you'd not have a boy --And what's the Earl beside?--possess too soon That stateliness?

FIRST RETAINER.Our master takes his hand--

Richard and his white staff are on the move--

Back fall our people--(tsh!--there's Timothy Sure to get tangled in his ribbon-ties,And Peter's cursed rosette's a-coming off!)

--At last I see our lord's back and his friend's;

And the whole beautiful bright company Close round them--in they go!

[Jumping down from the window-bench,and making for the table and its jugs.]

Good health,long life,Great joy to our Lord Tresham and his House!

SIXTH RETAINER.My father drove his father first to court,After his marriage-day--ay,did he!

SECOND RETAINER.God bless Lord Tresham,Lady Mildred,and the Earl!

Here,Gerard,reach your beaker!

GERARD.Drink,my boys!

Don't mind me--all's not right about me--drink!

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 Will die soon--mind,I said it!He was used To care about the pitifullest thing That touched the House's honour,not an eye But his could see wherein:and on a cause Of scarce a quarter this importance,Gerard Fairly had fretted flesh and bone away In cares that this was right,nor that was wrong,Such point decorous,and such square by rule--

He knew such niceties,no herald more:

And now--you see his humour:die he will!

SECOND RETAINER.God help him!Who's for the great servants'hall To hear what's going on inside!They'd follow Lord Tresham into the saloon.

THIRD RETAINER.I!--

FOURTH RETAINER.I!--

Leave Frank alone for catching,at the door,Some hint of how the parley goes inside!

Prosperity to the great House once more!

Here's the last drop!

FIRST RETAINER.Have at you!Boys,hurrah!

SCENE II.--A Saloon in the Mansion Enter LORD TRESHAM,LORD MERTOUN,AUSTIN,and GUENDOLEN

TRESHAM.I welcome you,Lord Mertoun,yet once more,To this ancestral roof of mine.Your name --Noble among the noblest in itself,Yet taking in your person,fame avers,New price and lustre,--(as that gem you wear,Transmitted from a hundred knightly breasts,Fresh chased and set and fixed by its last lord,Seems to re-kindle at the core)--your name Would win you welcome!--

MERTOUN.Thanks!

同类推荐
  • 蛮书

    蛮书

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • The Captives

    The Captives

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 落帆后赋得二绝

    落帆后赋得二绝

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 太上正一解五音咒诅秘箓

    太上正一解五音咒诅秘箓

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 无量寿经优波提舍

    无量寿经优波提舍

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 宇宙维修清理

    宇宙维修清理

    各宇宙正面临着前所未有的危机,拯救它们,这就是我,被选中的清理维修人员的本职工作。“为了宇宙的平衡发展和健康快乐地成长,你们这种垃圾必须被清理干净!”,“这个宇宙根本已经无法维修了,还是清理了吧!”……PS:部分宇宙为小说,可能清理主角或整个宇宙,请谨慎观看
  • 无爱五百

    无爱五百

    一家开在半夜的藏物阁,揽存世间一切光怪陆离的的东西,从古至今神秘而又悠远。
  • 芳菲歇

    芳菲歇

    乔纳家的门铃在晚上九点二十七分的时候突然欢唱起来。之所以说如此确切的时间,是因为门铃乍鸣的第一刻,乔纳习惯性地抬起手腕看了时间。虽然现下早已全面进入了手机时代,但乔纳还是一直保留着戴手表的习惯。当然,成熟优雅又有生活规律的男士一般都是这样。他甩掉睡衣,抓起一件T恤套上,希望铃声就此止住。不早不晚的。谁这时候来找他?物业?还是去开了门。然而,竟是——魏锦素。她微微地笑着站在门口。她不是空手,她右手提着一只篮子。一只常见的编织篮。她穿着一袭长及脚踝的白袍。
  • 皮一下贼开心

    皮一下贼开心

    灵气复苏,异界降临,地球迎来了穿越诸天万界以图强的崭新时代。在这大争之世中挣扎奋斗的少年,某一天突然发现,自己竟能通过‘皮’来变强!从此,他走上了一条“皮肝沥胆”的不归路!多年后,诸天万界,饱受他摧残的主角、穿越者、反派们忍不住发出了怒吼!“花间,皮一下你很开心吗?”花间:“emmm……对呀!”————这是在一个主角模板多如狗,反主角模板遍地走的时代,一只皮皮虾异军突起,所向皮靡的故事!
  • 牛X皇妃:帅哥你欠削

    牛X皇妃:帅哥你欠削

    她媚眼如丝,“你,果真无能!”男子暴怒,“你,果真够贱!”她反唇相讥,“人不犯贱必有缺陷!”众人唏嘘,难不成这英威神勇的皇上竟有缺……看牛X皇妃,如何将奶油邪皇收拾的外焦内嫩!
  • 中华营养百味:营养早餐,美味晚餐

    中华营养百味:营养早餐,美味晚餐

    阳光明媚的早晨,提前一会儿起床,给家人做好营养美味的饭菜,一家人一起吃完早餐,上学的上学,上班的上班,美好的一天就有了一个美好的开始。忙碌了一天,晚上回到家中,一家人高高兴兴吃着可口的饭菜,聊聊高兴的事情,给这一天画个完美的句号。本书为你介绍了诸多黄金早餐和温馨晚餐的多种做法,让您和您的家人享受完美人生。
  • 狐祸

    狐祸

    月牙尖锐地刺穿黑幕,一二点星子南北各悬,被浓夜杀辉,微芒孱弱。高大的公寓楼楼如同一座无名的墓碑伫立在黑暗中,整栋楼唯独十楼的客厅里透出了一点点光芒。楚凌风冷汗淋漓地从梦中惊醒,顺手按了床头旁的开关,昏黄的床头灯让他瞬间有了一点安全感,不过还是十分薄弱,楚凌风脑子还未清醒过来,撑着身体迷迷糊糊地半坐起来,随口唤道:“阿狐?阿狐?你这个小王八犊子是不是又趁我睡觉的时候在客厅看三俗狗血剧了?”
  • 都市之至尊医神

    都市之至尊医神

    你是称誉世界的神医,医术惊天地泣鬼神?你是武道宗师,古武世界的掌门人?不好意思,在我面前,都是垃圾!重生百年,身负血海深仇!这一世,我要用仇人的血,祭奠苍天。这一世,我要踏平苍穹,横扫天涯!
  • 永恒大魔主

    永恒大魔主

    界民崛起,天下屠戮。无限火力,步伐如风。异界结合,灵魂交融。如果凭空多别人一生的记忆,我还是我吗?我到底是男是女,不敢确定!
  • 金陵爵

    金陵爵

    蔷薇花已开,可待美人折?琼楼玉宇,我看见烟雨迷离中的南国楼台几万重。子夜吴歌,我听见谁在吟唱为这随风而逝的爱情。青春与美貌在深宫禁苑里被默默祭奠,权力与欲望在爱恨纠葛中正熊熊燃烧。王谢士族,胡马铁骑。生逢乱世,南北分庭。英雄辈出的华丽时代,谁可定鼎天下?