II:3:16 PAGE.

I should not like Myself to quit such company. In truth, The Count of Leon is a merry lord.

There were some tilting jests, I warrant you, Between him and your knight.

II:3:17 SOL.

O tell it me!

II:3:18 PAGE.

The Count Alarcos, as I chanced to hear, For tiptoe even would not let me see, And that same Pedro, who has lately come To Court, the Senor of Montilla's son, He is so rough, and says a lady's page Should only be where there are petticoats.

II:3:19 SOL.

Is he so rough? He shall be soundly whipped.

But tell me, child, the Count Alarcos--

II:3:20 PAGE.

Well, The Count Alarcos--but indeed, sweet lady, I do not wish that Pedro should be whipped.

II:3:21 SOL.

He shall not then be whipped--speak of the Count.

II:3:22 PAGE.

The Count was showing how your Saracen Doth take your lion captive, thus and thus: And fashioned with his scarf a dexterous noose Made of a tiger's skin: your unicorn, They say, is just as good.

II:3:23 SOL.

Well, then Sir Leon--

II:3:24 PAGE.

Why then your Count of Leon--but just then Sancho, the Viscount of Toledo's son, The King's chief Page, takes me his handkerchief And binds it on my eyes, he whispering round Unto his fellows, here you see I've caught A most ferocious cub. Whereat they kicked, And pinched, and cuffed me till I nearly roared As fierce as any lion, you be sure.

II:3:25 SOL.

Rude Sancho, he shall sure be sent from Court!

My little Ferdinand--thou hast incurred Great perils for thy mistress. Go again And show this signet to the Seneschal, And tell him that no greater courtesy Be shown to any guest than to my Page.

This from myself--or I perchance will send, Shall school their pranks. Away, my faithful imp, And tell me how the Count Alarcos seems.

II:3:26 PAGE.

I go, sweet lady, but I humbly beg Sancho may not be sent from Court this time.

II:3:27 SOL.

Sancho shall stay.

[Exit PAGE.]

I hope, ere long, sweet child, Thou too shalt be a page unto a King.

I'm glad Alarcos smiled not overmuch; Your smilers please me not. I love a face Pensive, not sad; for where the mood is thoughtful, The pa.s.sion is most deep and most refined.

Gay tempers bear light hearts--are soonest gained And soonest lost; but he who meditates On his own nature, will as deeply scan The mind he meets, and when he loves, he casts His anchor deep.

[Re-enter PAGE.]

Give me the news.

II:3:28 PAGE.

The news!

I could not see the Seneschal, but gave Your message to the Pages. Whereupon Sancho, the Viscount of Toledo's son, Pedro, the Senor of Montilla's son, The young Count of Almeira, and--

II:3:29 SOL.

My child, What ails thee?

II:3:30 PAGE.

O the Viscount of Jodar, I think he was the very worst of all; But Sancho of Toledo was the first.

II:3:31 SOL.

What did they?

II:3:32 PAGE.

'Las, no sooner did I say All that you told me, than he gives the word, 'A guest, a guest, a very potent guest,'

Takes me a goblet brimful of strong wine And hands it to me, mocking, on his knee.

This I decline, when on his back they lay Your faithful Page, nor set me on my legs Till they had drenched me with this fiery stuff, That I could scarcely see, or reel my way Back to your presence.

II:3:33 SOL.

Marry, 'tis too much E'en for a page's license. Ne'er you mind, They shall to Prison by to-morrow's dawn.

I'll bind this kerchief round your brow, its scent Will much revive you. Go, child, lie you down On yonder couch.

II:3:34 PAGE.

I'm sure I ne'er can sleep If Sancho of Toledo shall be sent To-morrow's dawn to prison.

II:3:35 SOL.

Well, he's pardoned.

II:3:36 PAGE.

Also the Senor of Montilla's son,

II:3:37 SOL.

He shall be pardoned too. Now prithee sleep.

II:3:38 PAGE.

The young Count of Almeira--

II:3:39 SOL.

O no more.

They all are pardoned.

II:3:40 PAGE.

I do humbly pray The Viscount of Jodar be pardoned too.

[Exit SOLISA.]

SCENE 4