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ACT II

SCENE I.—A Court-Yard of the Palace at Orleans– (Phillips.) – in front a pair of great Gates, with Posts before them, and a Chain across from one to the other

(Pantomime Music.)

Officers and Servants run on terrified – go in at the great gates, and make them fast —Valentine enters on horseback, leading Orson, who seems amazed at every thing around him —Valentine blows a horn at the gate, Orson is surprised at the noise, tries to blow it, but cannot, which makes him very angry – Some one looks out from above, sees Orson, shakes his head and retires —Orson imitates him —Valentine angrily tries to force the gate, but is unable; Orson assists, without effect – at length, seeing that Valentine is eager to obtain entrance, Orson pulls up a post, breaks the chain by which it is attached to the next post, and batters the gate open – attendants rush out armed, are going to attack Orson – Valentine interposes —Henry and Haufray enter, shake hands with Valentine – Henry, in turning from Valentine, half draws his sword, Orson sees him, and pushes it rudely back into the scabbard —Valentine signifies to Orson that he must shake hands with his friends – he takes a hand of each, and squeezes them violently – he then shakes hands with the others —Eglantine enters, runs into Valentine's arms —Orson is astonished, delighted at her beauty, he runs to embrace her, as Valentine has done, but is repulsed and much displeased at it —Valentine makes him kneel and kiss her hand – drums and trumpets are heard, the wild man is alarmed – the King and Courtiers enter and welcome Valentine – Orson's attention is still fixed on the Princess – he approaches her again, she, terrified, runs for protection to Valentine – Orson seems hurt, and makes a savage kind of moaning – the King admires Orson, who wants to shake hands with him, but is taught the proper mode of approaching him by Valentine– the King orders Orson a dress, and goes off with the Princess and attendants —Valentine and Orson are following, when the latter espies Hugo, and remembering the adventure of the cloak in the forest, runs furiously towards him, and reminds him of it by action —Valentine interposes in behalf of his terrified armour-bearer, whom he reconciles to Orson, and leaves them together – Attendants bring on apparel, as ordered by the King, for Orson, who makes many whimsical mistakes in putting it on, when suddenly missing Valentine, he throws the dress at the Officers, and runs into the palace in search of his friend.

SCENE II.—An Apartment in the Palace. (Phillips.)

(Laughing heard without.)

Re-Enter Hugo

Hugo

Ha! ha! ha! the wild man has began to shew his breeding with a vengeance – he has overturned the kitchen, set the cellar afloat, and sent every thing in the stable to rack and manger; for he hath eaten the beast's provender, given wine to the horses, and thrown the cook into the dripping pan, where he basted him with his own ladle.

Enter Agatha

Agatha

Ah, Hugo – what, are you laughing at the wild man? I'm sure he frightens me.

Hugo

He'd have frightened you more, if you had seen him, as I did, in his own dining room in the forest.

Agatha

Why now, really, had you courage enough to venture there?

Hugo

To be sure I had – I went in boldly – by mistake.

(Aside.)

Agatha

When he was out, I suppose?

Hugo

O, no; he was there, and wanted me to stay. I took off my cloak to oblige him, and to avoid ceremony, came away without it. Your lady may well be glad that Valentine had power to tame him.

Agatha

Glad! she's more uneasy than ever; and if she hasn't fallen out of love into jealousy, I'll give you leave to say that Agatha is no conjuror.

Hugo

I'm sure I never said you was one: but who is she jealous of?

Agatha

You shall hear. The Duke of Acquitane has arrived to beg relief against a pagan, they call the Green Knight, who holds his daughter unlawfully a prisoner, and unless, by a certain hour she is rescued, she will be forced to marry this Saracen monster, who has already vanquished and hanged up twenty knights who fought for her.

Hugo

Poor fellows! And what is he to have who conquers the pagan?

Agatha

The lady's hand.

Hugo

Hanging on one side, and marriage on the other! bless me! Where could they find twenty knights mad enough to undertake such a terrible alternative?

Agatha

Why; your master, Valentine, will go, if it's only for the honour of the thing: and the Princess is distracted lest he should fall in love with the lady, or be killed by the knight.

Hugo

And for fear he shou'd once more ask me to bear him company I'll get out of the way as fast as possible.

(Going, meets the Princess.)

Eglantine

Hugo, where are you going?

Hugo

I'm going, madam, to – to unarm my master before the banquet, and fear I shall be too late.

Eglantine

Hold, sir – Can you be secret?

Hugo

Ask Agatha, your grace's hand-maid – she knows I can.

Agatha

I know you are a blockhead. Mark my lady.

Eglantine

Can you not bring, Sir Valentine's armour to Agatha's apartment?

Hugo

Aye, madam, if she be there to receive it – but when, and how long must I —

Agatha

How rude of you to want to know more than I do – Go, fetch the armour, quick!

Eglantine

And here's a purse of gold to speed thee.

Hugo

I lack no spur but your commands, and a kiss from Agatha.

Agatha

No, no – (he is going away) Well, take it.

Hugo

Now, why did you say no, no?

Agatha

Why, one must refuse at first for decency.

Eglantine

Here, Hugo.

[Gives the purse.

Hugo

[Takes it.] Madam, I'm gone.

Agatha

[Apart to Hugo.] I thought you didn't want the money.

Hugo

One must refuse at first, you know, for decency.

[Exit.

Eglantine

In Valentine's disguise I'll see this beauty he would venture for; – for, should he conquer in the fight, how many Cupids smiling, through her tears, may aim at Valentine! And, shou'd he fall —

Agatha

It wou'd be a sad thing, truly, my dear lady; but how will your going help it?

Eglantine

There is a prophecy, that no man nursed by woman can subdue this pagan – Perhaps it is his fate to fall by woman.

Agatha

He wou'dn't be the first if he did, madam.

Eglantine

My mother's martial spirit trained me up to Amazonian sports – Foremost in the chace, thrice have I pierced the monarch of our woods; and, more than once, have been where battles roar, and undismayed, beheld the mortal conflict.

Agatha

I shou'd have been frighten'd out of my wits.

Eglantine

By force or stratagem it may be mine to free this lady, and save my lover from a double danger.

Agatha

But will he go, knowing this prophecy?

Eglantine

He disregards it as an artful fable, coined by the Saracen; or else as pagan sorcery, which he, a christian knight, fears not to combat with. Come, thou, as my page, shalt follow me, and learn my purpose on the journey.

Agatha

Me!

Enter Hugo

Hugo

The armour is all in Agatha's apartment, your highness. My master had taken it all off before I came.

Agatha

But, madam, wont you go to the banquet, you purposely provided for the king and Valentine?

Eglantine

No time for feasting now – obey my orders – We'll to the Green Knight's Camp – Away, my girl.

[Exit.

"Agatha

"With all my heart. Its my opinion my lady is so in love, that, to save Valentine from danger, she'd follow him to the world's end.