Carpenter. Citizens, what means this?       

         (Boys whistle, throw stones, set on dogs; citizens stand and gape, people come running up, others walk quietly to and fro, others play all sorts of pranks, shout and huzza.)       

         Others. Freedom and privilege! Privilege and freedom!       

         [Enter Egmont, with followers.       

         Egmont. Peace! Peace! good people. What is the matter? Peace, I say! Separate them.       

         Carpenter. My good lord, you come like an angel from heaven. Hush! See you nothing? Count Egmont! Honour to Count Egmont!       

         Egmont. Here, too! What are you about? Burgher against burgher! Does not even the neighbourhood of our royal mistress oppose a barrier to this frenzy? Disperse yourselves, and go about your business. 'Tis a bad sign when you thus keep holiday on working days. How did the disturbance begin?       

         (The tumult gradually subsides, and the people gather around Egmont.)       

         Carpenter. They are fighting about their privileges.       

         Egmont. Which they will forfeit through their own folly,—and who are you? You seem honest people.       

         Carpenter. 'Tis our wish to be so.       

         Egmont. Your calling?       

         Carpenter. A Carpenter, and master of the guild.       

         Egmont. And you?       

         Soest. A shopkeeper.       

         Egmont. And you?       

         Jetter. A tailor.       

         Egmont. I remember, you were employed upon the liveries of my people. Your name is Jetter.       

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