PHŒBE. Father! Has no reprieve arrived...

PHŒBE. Father! Has no reprieve arrived for the poor gentleman?

Meryll. No, my lass; but there’s one hope yet. Thy brother Leonard, who, as a reward for his valour in saving his standard and cutting his way through fifty foes who would have hanged him, has been appointed a Yeoman of the Guard, will arrive today; and as he comes straight from Windsor, where the Court is, it may be – it may be – that he will bring the expected reprieve with him.

PHŒBE. Oh, that he may!

MERYLL. Amen to that! For the Colonel twice saved my life, and I’d give the rest of my life to save his! And wilt thou not be glad to welcome thy brave brother, with the fame of whose exploits all England is a-ringing?

PHŒBE. Aye, truly, if he brings the reprieve.

MERYLL. And not otherwise?

PHŒBE. Well, he’s a brave fellow indeed, and I love brave men.

MERYLL. All brave men?

PHŒBE. Most of them, I verily believe! But I hope Leonard will not be too strict with me – they say he is a very dragon of virtue and circumspection! Now, my dear old father is kindness itself, and –

MERYLL. And leaves thee pretty well to thine own ways, eh? Well, I’ve no fears for thee; thou hast a feather-brain, but thou’rt a good lass.

PHŒBE. Yes, that’s all very well, but if Leonard is going to tell me that I may not do this and I may not do that, and I must not talk to this one, or walk with that one, but go through the world with my lips pursed up and my eyes cast down, like a poor nun who has renounced mankind – why, as I have not renounced mankind, and don’t mean to renounce mankind, I won’t have it – there!

MERYLL. Nay, he’ll not check thee more than is good for thee, Phœbe! He’s a brave fellow, and bravest among brave fellows, and yet it seems but yesterday that he robbed the Lieutenant’s orchard.

SONG – SERGEANT MERYLL.

A laughing boy but yesterday,

A merry urchin blithe and gay,

Whose joyous shout

Came ringing out

Unchecked by care or sorrow.

Today a warrior all sunbrown,

When deeds of soldierly renown

Are all the boast of London town,

A veteran tomorrow!

When at my Leonard's deeds sublime,

A soldier’s pulse beats double time,

And grave hearts thrill

As brave hearts will

At tales of martial glory.

I burn with flush of pride and joy,

A pride unbittered by alloy,

To find my boy – my darling boy –

The theme of song and story!