_Barton._ I know not that: I am no whisper-monger;--and if, once, A secret be entrusted to my charge, I keep it, as an honest agent should, Lock'd in my heart's old strong box; and I'll answer No draught from any but my principal. _La Var._ If now thou hast a charge, old trusty, I, (Believe me), am next heir to't. _Barton._ Very like. Yet, sir, if heirs had liberty to draw For what is not their own, till time shall give it them, I fear the stock would soon be dry;--and, then, The principals might have some cause to grumble. _La Var._ Thou art the strangest fellow! What's thy name? _Barton._ Barton;--that I may trust you with. _La Var._ No more? _Barton._ No, not a pin's point more. Pshaw! here comes one, To let all out. Children, and fools, and women, Will still be babbling. _Enter PRINCE EDWARD._ _Prince._ Oh! my lord, is't you! _La Var._ Oh, my young sir! how my heart springs to meet you! Where is your royal mother? is she safe? _Prince._ She's in this house, my lord.--Last night, This honest man received us:--and another,-- His friend--not quite so honest as he might be-- Did bring us hither;--'twas a rogue, my lord;-- Yet no rogue neither;--and, to say the sooth, The rogue, my lord, 's a very honest man. Lord, how this meeting will rejoice my mother! And she was wishing, now, within this minute, To see the Seneschal of Normandy. _Barton._ So! This is the Seneschal of Normandy! Here is another secret.--Plague take secrets! This is in token of their liking me;-- Just as an over hospitable host, Out of pure kindness to his visitor, Crams the poor bursting soul with meat he loaths. _La Var._ I cannot blame thee, friend;--thou knew'st me not: And, thou hast, now, a jewel in thy care, Well worth thy utmost caution in preserving. _Barton._ I need not to be told the value on't. I have been sworn his mother's subject, sir; and since My poor house has been honour'd with her presence, The tender scenes, I've been a witness to, 'Twixt her, and this young bud of royalty, Would make me traitor to humanity, Could I betray her. There is a rapturous something, That plays about an English subject's heart, When female majesty is seen employ'd In these sweet duties of domestic love, Which all can feel,--but very few describe! _La Var._ Oh! how thou warm'st me, fellow, with thy zeal! Come, my young lord!--now lead us to her majesty. [_To BARTON._ _Barton._ Why, as things are, I'll lead you where she is:-- But were they otherwise, and you had not Discover'd where she is--you'll pardon me-- But I had led you, sir, a pretty dance Ere I had led you to her. Come, I'll conduct you. [_Exeunt._ SCENE III. _Another Apartment, in BARTON's House._ _Enter GONDIBERT and 1st ROBBER._ _Gondi._ Away all night! What then? Am not I their leader? Do they begin to doubt me? Am not I, as it were, wedded to the party?