_Rol._ I've nothing for your eye. But in my heart there is a testament That makes me bold to name them. I would risk All but my soul to save you such a friend And virtuous servant as De Burgh, You may Condemn me---- _Hen._ First, I'll watch these lords. But be they false, where, where shall I find friends? _Rol._ 'Mong those who fight your battles, sire, nor fear To die to save a king. [_Exit_] _Hen._ [_Seating himself in an alcove_] I see a king Must take some thought to keep his crown on 's head. [_Re-enter Stephen and Eldra_] _Eld._ Dear man, you can't deny it! 'Twas you saved my mistress. But for my good man drowned at sea I'd love you, sweeting. _Ste._ And if you love me it must be by way of kiss and part, for my good wife is still in the world, I've reason to think, and some day I shall run plumb into her bonny white arms. But a kiss, my lass, with a penny to the priest, can do a soldier no harm, and you'll always find me obliging in everything except matrimony. _Eld._ Out! Away! You old father Longbeard! You Johnny Hump-back! _Ste._ Hump! 'Tis the squint in your eye, my dearie! I'm as straight as a poplar in the king's court. _Eld._ Squint, sir? May be so, for I'm thinkin' o' my braw handsome man, an' 'twould make a straight eye squint to see you standin' in his place, it would. _Ste._ An' I'm thinkin' o' my bonny little girl, as plump and tender as a partridge at her first nest, and out upon you, my fine, fat waddler! _Eld._ An my man were here you'd drop to your fours and go like a beast for shame, you would. The prettiest figure 'tween here and Jerusalem! He had an arm! He could sling a sword! And such a leg! Dick Lion-heart never shaped a trimmer stocking. Hair like a raven fannin' the wind! An eye like Sallydeen's! For all the world a black coal with a fire in the middle. No watery peepers like present company's. An his eyes were stars in heaven I could point 'em out! _Ste._ O, my sweet wench that's a waitin' for me! When shall I see her comin' with her head up like a highland doe, an' cheeks as red as my grandam's nightcap? I think o' her now as she stood on the high rocks over Logan's frith singin' the song that made the sugar-water start in my heart. And straight I must gallop wi' her to the kirk-- Hey, what's the matter, old lady? _Eld._ Nothin'--nothin', sir,--just one o' my qualms. _Ste._ Do you have 'em ordinary? A pity now. My lass, an she lived a thousand years, would not he qualmsy. _Eld._ [_Aside_] 'Tis Stephen, my own man! And he doesn't know me! O, I am changed from his ain lassie! He despises me! Waddler! O! _Ste._ Chirk up, old duck. When I find my lass---- [_Re-enter Orson_] _Ors._ Mistress Eldra, what do you gabbling here and my lady calling you? [_Exit Eldra with Orson_]