At the entrance of Tressilian both started from their musing, and
made him welcome--the younger, in particular, with great appearance of
animation and cordiality.
"Thou art welcome, Tressilian," said the youth. "Thy philosophy stole
thee from us when this household had objects of ambition to offer; it
is an honest philosophy, since it returns thee to us when there are only
dangers to be shared."
"Is my lord, then, so greatly indisposed?" said Tressilian.
"We fear the very worst," answered the elder gentleman, "and by the
worst practice."
"Fie," replied Tressilian, "my Lord of Leicester is honourable."
"What doth he with such attendants, then, as he hath about him?" said
the younger gallant. "The man who raises the devil may be honest, but he
is answerable for the mischief which the fiend does, for all that."
"And is this all of you, my mates," inquired Tressilian, "that are about
my lord in his utmost straits?"
"No, no," replied the elder gentleman, "there are Tracy, Markham, and
several more; but we keep watch here by two at once, and some are weary
and are sleeping in the gallery above."
"And some," said the young man, "are gone down to the Dock yonder at
Deptford, to look out such a hull; as they may purchase by clubbing
their broken fortunes; and as soon as all is over, we will lay our noble
lord in a noble green grave, have a blow at those who have hurried him
thither, if opportunity suits, and then sail for the Indies with heavy
hearts and light purses."
"It may be," said Tressilian, "that I will embrace the same purpose, so
soon as I have settled some business at court."
"Thou business at court!" they both exclaimed at once, "and thou make
the Indian voyage!"
"Why, Tressilian," said the younger man, "art thou not wedded, and
beyond these flaws of fortune, that drive folks out to sea when their
bark bears fairest for the haven?--What has become of the lovely
Indamira that was to match my Amoret for truth and beauty?"
"Speak not of her!" said Tressilian, averting his face.
"Ay, stands it so with you?" said the youth, taking his hand very
affectionately; "then, fear not I will again touch the green wound.
But it is strange as well as sad news. Are none of our fair and merry
fellowship to escape shipwreck of fortune and happiness in this sudden
tempest? I had hoped thou wert in harbour, at least, my dear Edmund. But
truly says another dear friend of thy name, 'What man that sees the ever whirling wheel
Of Chance, the which all mortal things doth sway,
But that thereby doth find and plainly feel,
How Mutability in them doth play
Her cruel sports to many men's decay.'"