but is repulsed and much displeased at it—Valentine makes him kneel and kiss her hand—drums and trumpets are heard, the wild man is alarmed—the King and Courtiers enter and welcome Valentine—Orson's attention is still fixed on the Princess—he approaches her again, she, terrified, runs for protection to Valentine—Orson seems hurt, and makes a savage kind of moaning—the King admires Orson, who wants to shake hands with him, but is taught the proper mode of approaching him by Valentine—the King orders Orson a dress, and goes off with the Princess and attendants—Valentine and Orson are following, when the latter espies Hugo, and remembering the adventure of the cloak in the forest, runs furiously towards him, and reminds him of it by action—Valentine interposes in behalf of his terrified armour-bearer, whom he reconciles to Orson, and leaves them together—Attendants bring on apparel, as ordered by the King, for Orson, who makes many whimsical mistakes in putting it on, when suddenly missing Valentine, he throws the dress at the Officers, and runs into the palace in search of his friend.

SCENE II.—An Apartment in the Palace. (Phillips.)

(Laughing heard without.)

Re-Enter Hugo.

Hugo.

Ha! ha! ha! the wild man has began to shew his breeding with a vengeance—he has overturned the kitchen, set the cellar afloat, and sent every thing in the stable to rack and manger; for he hath eaten the beast's provender, given wine to the horses, and thrown the cook into the dripping pan, where he basted him with his own ladle.

Enter Agatha.

Agatha.

Ah, Hugo—what, are you laughing at the wild man? I'm sure he frightens me.

Hugo.

He'd have frightened you more, if you had seen him, as I did, in his own dining room in the forest.

Agatha.

Why now, really, had you courage enough to venture there?

Hugo.

To be sure I had—I went in boldly—by mistake.

(Aside.)

Agatha.

When he was out, I suppose?

Hugo.

O, no; he was there, and wanted me to stay. I took off my cloak to oblige him, and to avoid ceremony, came away without it. Your lady may well be glad that Valentine had power to tame him.

Agatha.

Glad! she's more uneasy than ever; and if she hasn't fallen out of love into jealousy, I'll give you leave to say that Agatha is no conjuror.

Hugo.

I'm sure I never said you was one: but who is she jealous of?

Agatha.

You shall hear. The Duke of Acquitane has arrived to beg relief against a pagan, they call the Green Knight, who holds his daughter unlawfully a prisoner, and unless, by a certain hour she is rescued, she will be forced to marry this Saracen monster, who has already vanquished and hanged up twenty knights who fought for her.

Hugo.

Poor fellows! And what is he to have who conquers the pagan?

Agatha.

The lady's hand.

Hugo.

Hanging on one side, and marriage on the other! bless me! Where could they find twenty knights mad enough to undertake such a terrible alternative?

Agatha.

Why; your master, Valentine, will go, if it's only for the honour of the thing: and the Princess is distracted lest he should fall in love with the lady, or be killed by the knight.

Hugo.

And for fear he shou'd once more ask me to bear him company I'll get out of the way as fast as possible.

(Going, meets the Princess.)

Eglantine.

Hugo, where are you going?

Hugo.

I'm going, madam, to——to unarm my master before the banquet, and fear I shall be too late.

Eglantine.

Hold, sir—Can you be secret?

Hugo.

Ask Agatha, your grace's hand-maid—she knows I can.

Agatha.

I know you are a blockhead. Mark my lady.

Eglantine.

Can you not bring, Sir Valentine's armour to Agatha's apartment?

Hugo.

Aye, madam, if she be there to receive it—but when, and how long must I—

Agatha.

How rude of you to want to know more than I do—Go, fetch the armour, quick!

Eglantine.

And here's a purse of gold to speed thee.

Hugo.

I lack no spur but your commands, and a kiss from Agatha.

Agatha.

No, no—(he is going away) Well, take it.

Hugo.

Now, why did you say no, no?

Agatha.

Why, one must refuse at first for decency.

Eglantine.

Here, Hugo.

[Gives the purse.

Hugo.

[Takes it.] Madam, I'm gone.

Agatha.

[Apart to Hugo.] I thought you didn't want the money.

Hugo.

One must refuse at first, you know, for decency.

[Exit.

Eglantine.

In Valentine's disguise I'll see this beauty he would venture for;—for, should he conquer in the fight, how many Cupids smiling, through her tears, may aim at Valentine! And, shou'd he fall——

Agatha.

It wou'd be a sad thing, truly, my dear lady; but how will your going help it?

Eglantine.

There is a prophecy, that no man nursed by woman can subdue this pagan—Perhaps it is his fate to fall by woman.

Agatha.

He wou'dn't be the first if he did, madam.