ACT III
The Inner Courtyard of the Castle.—In the foreground at the left is the Castle gate. In the background on the right, at the top of a broad flight of steps, under an arcade of columns, stands the door of the chapel. At the left of the gate entering the courtyard are some buildings, behind which may be seen the high castle walls surmounted by trees. The road from the Castle to the church is laid with carpets. In the middle of the stage, on the right, stands a stone well. In the background is a crowd of people held back by three armed guards. At the foot of the steps, one on each side, stand two men-at-arms.
SCENE I
1st GUARD.
Back, crowd not there! Stand back!
2d Guard.
The children may
Stand in the front, but hold them. There crawls one!
1st Guard (pushing the child back into the crowd).
My little friend, get back! Now see, I'll make
A line upon the ground, and if thy toes,
But by a hair's breadth, cross that line again,
I'll drop my spear on them and they shall be
As flat as any barley cake. [Laughter.]
1st Girl.
Ha, Ha!
2d Girl.
Hast thou become a baker, oh Gilain!
1st Guard (lifting his mailed hand).
Ay, wench, would'st see me knead my dough?
[Laughter.]