My Lord, the Earl of Rochdale!

_Gay_. Give you joy!

_Hold_. All happiness, my lord!

_Simp_. Long life and health unto your lordship!

_Gay_. Come!
We'll drink to his lordship's health! 'Tis two o'clock,
We'll e'en carouse till midnight! Health, my lord!

_Hold_. My lord, much joy to you!

_Simp_. All good to your lordship!

_Wal_. Give something to the dead!

_Gay_. Give what?

_Wal_. Respect!
He has made the living! First to him that's gone,
Say "Peace!"--and then with decency to revels!

_Gay_. What means the knave by revels?

_Wal_. Knave?

_Gay_. Ay, knave!

_Wal_. Go to! Thou'rt flushed with wine!

_Gay_. Thou sayest false!
Though didst thou need a proof thou speakest true,
I'd give thee one. Thou seest but one lord here,
And I see two!

_Wal_. Reflect'st thou on my shape?
Thou art a villain!

_Gay_. [Starting up.] Ha!

_Wal_. A coward, too!
Draw!

[Drawing his sword.]

_Gay_. Only mark him! how he struts about!
How laughs his straight sword at his noble back.

_Wal_. Does it? It cuffs thee for a liar then!

[Strikes GAYLOVE with his sword.]

_Gay_. A blow!

_Wal_. Another, lest you doubt the first!

_Gay_. His blood on his own head! I'm for you, sir!

[Draws.]

_Clif_. Hold, sir! This quarrel's mine!

[Coming forward and drawing.]

_Wal_. No man shall fight for me, sir!

_Clif_. By your leave,
Your patience, pray! My lord, for so I learn
Behoves me to accost you--for your own sake
Draw off your friend!

_Wal_. Not till we have a bout, sir!

_Clif_. My lord, your happy fortune ill you greet!
Ill greet it those who love you--greeting thus
The herald of it!

_Wal_. Sir, what's that to you?
Let go my sleeve!

_Clif_. My lord, if blood be shed
On the fair dawn of your prosperity,
Look not to see the brightness of its day.
'Twill be o'ercast throughout!

_Gay_. My lord, I'm struck!

_Clif_. You gave the first blow, and the hardest one!
Look, sir; if swords you needs must measure, I'm
Your mate, not he!

_Wal_. I'm mate for any man!

_Clif_. Draw off your friend, my lord, for your own sake!

_Wilf_. Come, Gaylove! let's have another room.

_Gay_. With all my heart, since 'tis your lordship's will.

_Wilf_. That's right! Put up! Come, friends!

[WILFORD and Friends go out.]

_Wal_. I'll follow him!
Why do you hold me? 'Tis not courteous of you!
Think'st thou I fear them? Fear! I rate them but
As