POLICY.
Now, boy, what news?
WIT.
The fearful herald of yon famous crew
Durst not your message to his masters tell,
Till Fealty with contumelious words
(Yet was the Spaniard brave and hot in terms)
Enforced him for their answer resolute.
[The Spaniards whisper with their Herald.
POMP.
Which now, belike, our herald shall receive;
For theirs comes to him.
SHEALTY.
It pleaseth them to be magnifical,
And of their special graces to vouchsafe
A counterview of pages and of shields,
And countermessage by us heralds done;
A favour which they seldom grant to foes.
Go thou for those; I meet thee will with these.
FEALTY.
My lords, yon braving Spaniards wish
A counterview of pages and of shields,
But what they mean or be, I know not yet.
Haply you may by their impresses view,
Or I by parley some conjecture give,
So please it you your pages and your shields
With me to send: their herald comes with theirs.
POLICY.
Our shields I reck not, but to send our Wealth—
FEALTY.
Accompanied with Wit and Will—no peril.
POMP.
It is my Wealth; but keep him, if they dare:
I'll fetch him double, if they do, my lords.
PLEASURE.
Boys, take our shields and spears, for they come on.