alarums and excursions

From a Shakespearean stage direction, indicating that soldiers should march across the stage, blowing bugles and beating drums, etc.

• "He had been well aware ever since his coming to Hathelsborough of an atmosphere of intrigue and mystery; every development that occurred seemed to thicken it. . . . It puzzled him, being still a stranger to the habits and customs of these people, to see that life in Hathelsborough went on, amidst all these alarums and excursions."
• "The various alarums and excursions in The Rock that early evening did not dent attendance at these meetings very much […]"