GRISELDA 133 



Enter MAJORDOMO, c., with two large bouquets, which he places in 

 front of the two thrones on the table. 



Gris. Those flowers, sir, make a fair show 



Major. They will please 



Gris. But let them stand more apart, so that the Marquis 

 and his bride may see their guests. (MAJORDOMO walks away.) 

 You hear me, sir ? 



Major. Hearing is not heeding. If you will serve in my 

 household, Madam Grisyld, learn to spare me your advice when 

 I ask none. 



Gris. My lord will be ill pleased if he finds the flowers there. 

 I know his liking, and he commanded me 



Major. No more words, I pray. I command here, and none 

 but I. You scurvy loons, why have you displaced those chairs ? 



Bar. and Rich. The lady gave us orders, John. 



Major. The lady! Orders! Why, look you, what a pitiful 

 thing it is to be a fool. Now, I will set the whole hall in a roar 

 telling of you three ; how the cast-off country wench gave orders, 

 and how the two big foolish knaves did as they were bid and 

 called her lady ! 



Gris. Sir, you mistake ; my authority, though small, is real ; 

 given by the Marquis. I but do his pleasure. 



Major. The Marquis takes small pleasure in you. His 



pleasure is to take a young wife, and use the old one for a 



serving-wench. He's a merry fellow the Marquis, and he sends 



you here to make us merry. That's his pleasure. Ha ! ha ! ha ! 



[The servants gather round and laugh. The MARQUIS enters 



unseen at the back, c., with TANCRED, FILOMENE, and 



suite ; they pause. 



Gris. We lose time. The tables are not furnished, and 

 guests will be here immediately. Let us do the work. 



Major. To it, wench, to it. Do thou work, we'll look on and 

 admire ; but let those flowers be, else thine ears shall tingle for it. 



Serg. Shame! 



Major. What, old tosspot ! wilt thou meddle ? Hast thou 

 still the humour to play the bully for thy lass ? 



Serg. When my watch is out, my staff shall play the bully 

 on thy back, an' I be cashiered for't. 



