Page:The Elizabethan stage (Volume 3).pdf/71

 We shall much disgrace, With four or five most vile and ragged foils, Right ill disposed in brawl ridiculous, The name of Agincourt.

The actual fighting tended to be sketchy and symbolical. There were alarums and excursions, much beating of drums and blowing of trumpets. But the stage was often only on the outskirts of the main battle. It served for a duel of protagonists, or for a flight and pursuit of stragglers; and when all was over a triumphant train marched across it. There may be a succession of 'excursions' of this kind, in which the stage may be supposed, if you like, to stand for different parts of a battle-field. Battle scenes have little need for background; the inn at St. Albans in Henry VI is an exception due to the fulfilment of an oracular prophecy. A more natural indication of milieu is a tent, and battle scenes merge into camp scenes, in which the tents are sometimes elaborate pavilions, with doors and even locks to the doors. Seats and tables may be available, and the action is clearly sometimes within an opened tent. Two opposing

cf. p. 51, n. 8 (Locrine).]in her bed'; 1 Troilus]*
 * [Footnote: *sus, i. 417, 'this wood; where in ambushment lie'. For a river