SCENE I. The Camp of the King of Arragon.

[Enter the King with a young prince prisoner, Amadine, Tremelio, with Collen and counselors.]

KING. Now, brave Lords, our wars are brought to end, Our foes to the foil, and we in safety rest: It us behooves to use such clemency In peace as valour in the war It is as great honor to be bountiful At home as to be conquerors in the field. Therefore, my Lords, the more to my content, Your liking, and your country's safeguard, We are disposed in marriage for to give Our daughter to Lord Segasto here, Who shall succeed the diadem after me, And reign hereafter as I tofore have done, Your sole and lawful King of Arragon: What say you, Lordings, like you of my advise?

COLLEN. And please your Majesty, we do not only allow of your highness pleasure, but also vow faithfully in what we may to further it.

KING. Thanks, good my Lords, if long Adrostus live, He will at full requite your courtesies. Tremelio, In recompense of thy late valour done, Take unto thee the Catalonea prince, Lately our prisoner taken in the wars. Be thou his keeper, his ransom shall be thine: We'll think of it when leisure shall afford: Mean while, do use him well; his father is a King.

TREMELIO. Thanks to your Majesty: his usage shall be such, As he thereat shall think no cause to grutce.

[Exeunt Tremelio and Prince.]

KING. Then march we on to court, and rest our wearied limbs. But, Collen, I have a tale in secret kept for thee: When thou shalt hear a watch word from thy king, Think then some weighty matter is at hand That highly shall concern our state, Then, Collen, look thou be not far from me: And for thy service thou to fore hast done, Thy trueth and valour proud in every point, I shall with bounties thee enlarge therefore: So guard us to the court.

COLLEN. What so my sovereign doth command me do, With willing mind I gladly yield consent.

[Exeunt.]

ACT II. SCENE II. The same.

[Enter Segasto, and the Clown with weapons about him.]

SEGASTO. Tell me, sirra, how do you like your weapons?

MOUSE. O very well, very well, they keep my sides warm.

SEGASTO. They keep the dogs from your shins very well, do they not?

MOUSE. How, keep the dogs from my shins? I would scorn but my shins should keep the dogs from them.

SEGASTO. Well, sirra, leaving idle talk, tell me: Dost thou know captain Tremelio's chamber?

MOUSE. Aye, very well; it hath a door.

SEGASTO. I think so, for so hath every chamber. But does thou know the man?

MOUSE. Aye, forsooth, he hath a nose on his face.

SEGASTO. Why so hath every one.

MOUSE. That's more than I know.

SEGASTO. But doest thou remember the captain, that was here with the king even now, that brought the young prince prisoner?

MOUSE. O, very well.

SEGASTO. Go unto him and bid him come to me. Tell him I have a matter in secret to impart to him.

MOUSE. I will, master:--master, what's his name?

SEGASTO. Why, captain Tremelio.

MOUSE. O, the meal man. I know him very well. He brings meal every Saturday. But hark you, master, must I bid him come to you or must you come to him?

SEGASTO. No, sir, he must come to me.

MOUSE. Hark you, master, how if he be not at home? What shall I do then?

SEGASTO. Why, then thou leavest word with some of his folks.

MOUSE. Oh, master, if there be no body within, I will leave word with his dog.

SEGASTO. Why, can his dog speak?

MOUSE. I cannot tell; wherefore doth he keep his chamber else?

SEGASTO. To keep out such knaves as thou art.

MOUSE. Nay, be lady, then go your self.

SEGASTO. You will go, sir, will ye not?

MOUSE. Yes, marry, will I. O tis come to my head: And a be not within, I'll bring his chamber to you.

SEGASTO. What, wilt thou pluck down the King's house?

MOUSE. Nay, be lady, I'll know the price of it first. Master, it is such a hard name, I have forgotten it again. I pray you, tell me his name.

SEGASTO. I tell thee, captain Tremelio.

MOUSE. Oh, captain treble knave, captain treble knave.

William Shakespeare
Classic Literature Library

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