SCENE I.--The Interior of a Lodge in Lord Tresham's Park. Many Retainers crowded at the window, supposed to command a view of the entrance to his Mansion. GERARD, the Warrener, his back to a table on which are flagons, etc. FIRST RETAINER. Ay, do! push, friends, and then you'll push down me! --What for? Does any hear a runner's foot Or a steed's trample or a coach-wheel's cry? Is the Earl come or his least poursuivant? But there's no breeding in a man of you Save Gerard yonder: here's a half-place yet, Old Gerard! GERARD. Save your courtesies, my friend. Here is my place. SECOND RETAINER. Now, Gerard, out with it! What makes you sullen, this of all the days I' the year? To-day that young rich bountiful Handsome Earl Mertoun, whom alone they match With our Lord Tresham through the country-side, Is coming here in utmost bravery To ask our master's sister's hand? GERARD. What then? SECOND RETAINER. What then? Why, you, she speaks to, if she meets Your worship, smiles on as you hold apart The boughs to let her through her forest walks, You, always favourite for your no-deserts, You've heard, these three days, how Earl Mertoun sues To lay his heart and house and broad lands too At Lady Mildred's feet: and while we squeeze Ourselves into a mousehole lest we miss One congee of the least page in his train, You sit o' one side--"there's the Earl," say I-- "What then?" say you! THIRD RETAINER. I'll wager he has let Both swans he tamed for Lady Mildred swim Over the falls and gain the river! GERARD. Ralph, Is not to-morrow my inspecting-day For you and for your hawks? FOURTH RETAINER. Let Gerard be! He's coarse-grained, like his carved black cross-bow stock. Ha, look now, while we squabble with him, look! Well done, now--is not this beginning, now, To purpose? FIRST RETAINER. Our retainers look as fine-- That's comfort. Lord, how Richard holds himself With his white staff! Will not a knave behind Prick him upright? FOURTH RETAINER. He's only bowing, fool! The Earl's man bent us lower by this much. FIRST RETAINER. That's comfort. Here's a very cavalcade! THIRD RETAINER. I don't see wherefore Richard, and his troop Of silk and silver varlets there, should find Their perfumed selves so indispensable On high days, holidays! Would it so disgrace Our family, if I, for instance, stood-- In my right hand a cast of Swedish hawks, A leash of greyhounds in my left?-- GERARD. --With Hugh The logman for supporter, in his right The bill-hook, in his left the brushwood-shears!