After a noise of horns and shoutings, enter certain Huntsmen (if you please, singing) one way; another way Ateukin and Jaques.
Ateu. Say, gentlemen, where may we find the king?
First Hunts. Even here at hand, on hunting;
And at this hour he taken hath a stand,
To kill a deer.
Ateu. A pleasant work in hand.
Follow your sport, and we will seek his grace.
First Hunts. When such him seek, it is a woful case.
[Exeunt Huntsmen one way, Ateukin and Jaques another.
SCENE II.—Near the Castle of the Countess of Arran.
Enter the Countess of Arran, Ida and Eustace.
Count. of A. Lord Eustace, as your youth and virtuous life
Deserve a far more fair and richer wife,
So, since I am a mother, and do wit
What wedlock is, and that which 'longs to it,
Before I mean my daughter to bestow,
'Twere meet that she and I your state did know.
Eust. Madam, if I consider Ida's worth,
I know my portions merit none so fair,
And yet I hold in farm and yearly rent
A thousand pound, which may her state content.
Count. of A. But what estate, my lord, shall she possess?
Eust. All that is mine, grave countess, and no less.—
But, Ida, will you love?
Ida. I cannot hate.
Eust. But will you wed?
Ida. 'Tis Greek to me, my lord:
I'll wish you well, and thereon take my word.
Eust. Shall I some sign of favour, then, receive?
Ida. Ay, if her ladyship will give me leave.
Count. of A. Do what thou wilt.
Ida. Then, noble English peer,
Accept this ring, wherein my heart is set;
A constant heart, with burning flames be-fret,
But under-written this, O morte dura:
Hereon whenso you look with eyes pura,
The maid you fancy most will favour you.
Eust. I'll try this heart, in hope to find it true.
Enter certain Huntsmen and Ladies.
First Hunts. Widow countess, well y-met;[278]
Ever may thy joys be many;—
Gentle Ida, fair beset,
Fair and wise, not fairer any;
Frolic huntsmen of the game
Will you well, and give you greeting.
Ida. Thanks, good woodman, for the same,
And our sport, and merry meeting.
First Hunts. Unto thee we do present
Silver hart with arrow wounded.
Eust. [aside]. This doth shadow my lament,
[With] both fear and love confounded.
Ladies. To the mother of the maid,
Fair as the lilies, red as roses,
Even so many goods are said,
As herself in heart supposes.
Count. of A. What are you, friends, that thus do wish us well?
First Hunts. Your neighbours nigh, that have on hunting been,
Who, understanding of your walking forth,
Prepar'd this train to entertain you with:
This Lady Douglas, this Sir Egmond is.
Count. of A. Welcome, ye ladies, and thousand thanks for this.
Come, enter you a homely widow's house,
And if mine entertainment please you, let us feast.
First Hunts. A lovely lady never wants a guest.
[Exeunt Countess of Arran, Huntsmen, and Ladies.
Eust. Stay, gentle Ida, tell me what you deem,
What doth this hart, this tender hart beseem?
Ida. Why not, my lord, since nature teacheth art
To senseless beasts to cure their grievous smart;
Dictamnum[279] serves to close the wound again.
Eust. What help for those that love?
Ida. Why, love again.
Eust. Were I the hart,—
Ida. Then I the herb would be:
You shall not die for help; come, follow me. [Exeunt.
SCENE III.—A Public Place near the Palace.
Enter Andrew and Jaques.