_Ash._ Ees, zur; we Hampshire lads conceat we can bowl a bit or thereabouts. _Handy, jun._ And cudgel too, I suppose? _Sir Abel._ At him, Bob. _Ash._ Ees, zur, we sometimes break oon another's heads, by way of being agreeable, and the like o'that. _Handy, jun._ Understand all the guards? [_Putting himself in an attitude of cudgelling._] _Ash._ Can't zay I do, zur. _Handy, jun._ What! hit in this way, eh? [_Makes a hit at_ ASHFIELD, _which he parries, and hits young_ HANDY _violently._] _Ash._ Noa, zur, we do hit thic way. _Handy, jun._ Zounds and fury! _Sir Abel._ Why, Bob, he has broke your head. _Handy, jun._ Yes; he rather hit me--he somehow---- _Sir Abel._ He did indeed, Bob. _Handy, jun._ Damn him--The fact is, I am out of practice. _Ash._ You need not be, zur; I'll gi' ye a belly full any day, wi' all my heart and soul. _Handy, jun._ No, no, thank you--Farmer, what's your name? _Ash._ My name be Tummas Ashfield--any thing to say against my name? [_Threatening._ _Handy, jun._ No, no--Ashfield! shou'd he be the father of my pretty Susan--Pray have you a daughter? _Ash._ Ees, I have--any thing to zay against she? _Handy, jun._ No, no; I think her a charming creature. _Ash._ Do ye, faith and troth--Come, that be deadly kind o'ye however--Do you zee, I were _frightful_ she were not agreeable. _Handy, jun._ Oh, she's extremely agreeable to me, I assure you. _Ash._ I vow, it be quite pratty in you to take notice of Sue. I do hope, zur, breaking your head will break noa squares--She be a coming down to theas parts wi' lady our maid Nelly, as wur--your spouse, zur. _Handy, jun._ The devil she is! that's awkward! _Ash._ I do hope you'll be kind to Sue when she do come, woolye, zur? _Handy, jun._ You may depend on it. _Sir Abel._ I dare say you may. Come, Farmer, attend us. _Ash._ Ees, zur; wi' all respect--Gentlemen, pray walk thic way, and I'll walk before you. [_Exit._ _Sir Abel._ Now, that's what he calls behaving pretty. Damn his pretty behaviour. [_Exeunt._ SCENE III. _A Grove._ [MORRINGTON _comes down the stage, wrapped in a great coat--He looks about--then at his watch, and whistles--which is answered._] _Enter_ GERALD. _Mor._ Here, Gerald! Well, my trusty fellow, is Sir Philip arrived? _Ger._ No, sir; but hourly expected. _Mor._ Tell me, how does the castle look? _Ger._ Sadly decayed, sir. _Mor._ I hope, Gerald, you were not observed. _Ger._ I fear otherwise, sir; on the skirts of the domain I encountered a stripling with his gun; but I darted into that thicket, and so avoided him. [HENRY _appears in the back ground, in a shooting dress, attentively observing them._] _Mor._ Have you gained any intelligence? _Ger._ None: the report that reached us was false--The infant certainly died with its mother--Hush! conceal yourself--we are observed--this way.