class="smcap">Eglantine.

My mother's martial spirit trained me up to Amazonian sports—Foremost in the chace, thrice have I pierced the monarch of our woods; and, more than once, have been where battles roar, and undismayed, beheld the mortal conflict.

Agatha.

I shou'd have been frighten'd out of my wits.

Eglantine.

By force or stratagem it may be mine to free this lady, and save my lover from a double danger.

Agatha.

But will he go, knowing this prophecy?

Eglantine.

He disregards it as an artful fable, coined by the Saracen; or else as pagan sorcery, which he, a christian knight, fears not to combat with. Come, thou, as my page, shalt follow me, and learn my purpose on the journey.

Agatha.

Me!

Enter Hugo.

Hugo.

The armour is all in Agatha's apartment, your highness. My master had taken it all off before I came.

Agatha.

But, madam, wont you go to the banquet, you purposely provided for the king and Valentine?

Eglantine.

No time for feasting now—obey my orders——We'll to the Green Knight's Camp——Away, my girl.

[Exit.

"Agatha.

"With all my heart. Its my opinion my lady is so in love, that, to save Valentine from danger, she'd follow him to the world's end.

"Hugo.

"I dare say she would, but when I am in danger nobody talks of following me.

"Agatha.

"No; that's impossible—you run so fast.

"[Exeunt."

SCENE III.—A grand Banquet under Pavilions in the Palace Gardens. (Hollogan.)

The King; and Valentine (unarmed) discovered in great state, Nobles and Ladies seated at the Banquet Tables, &c.

Orson enters, pleased at the sight, goes from one table to the other—the King orders him wine, he imitates their manner of drinking—takes another cup, is going to drink, Valentine tells him to be careful, pointing to his head, indicating that wine will intoxicate him, Orson does not understand him—a Servant entering with wine, he forces it from him, and goes off with it—the Princess's Ladies enter, much alarmed at missing her, and bring with them her cloathes.

Valentine calls for Hugo, who informs him that the Princess bribed him to let her have Valentine's armour to go to the Green Knight's camp—Valentine, goes off, followed by the King, &c. in search of Eglantine.—Orson re-enters, and from the effects of the wine, appears half intoxicated—Hugo sits down at the table, pours out a goblet of wine, when Orson suddenly takes it out of his hand, shewing him, by pointing to his head, in Valentine's manner, it is not good for him; he misses Valentine, runs anxiously about, seems to enquire of Hugo, looks under the tables, and in every place, and at last tears his hair, stamps, and throws himself on the ground—Hugo, alarmed, runs off.—Orson rises, once more looks about for Valentine, and not seeing him, goes distractedly off, leaping over the tables, and overturning all before him.

SCENE IV.—A Wood. (Richards.)

Enter Agatha, dressed as a Page.

Agatha.

There goes my lady, drest and arm'd so like Sir Valentine, that if he were to meet her, he'd think it were a second self. She bade me follow at some distance to avoid suspicion, and mislead any who might pursue her—I fear she will prove but a weak defender of the poor Lady Florimonda, who, if Sir Valentine do not quickly overtake us, must, of force, be married to the pagan sorcerer.