Part 1 (2/2)

Tell me, good father.

_King._ Wouldst thou wed, Asander, If 'twere to save the State, a Greek from Cherson?

_Asan._ From Cherson? Nay, my liege; that were too much.

A girl from out that c.o.c.katrice's den-- Take such a one to wife? I would liefer take A viper to my breast! Nay, nay, you jest, My father, for you hate this low-born crew, Grown gross by huckstering ways and sordid craft-- Ay, more than I.

_King._ It is no jest, my son.

Our good Lysimachus will tell thee all Our need and whence it comes.

_Lys._ My gracious Prince, Thus stands the case, no otherwise. Our foes Press closer year by year, our widespread plains Are ravaged, and our bare, unpeopled fields Breed scantier levies; while the treasury Stands empty, and we have not means to buy The force that might resist them. Nought but ruin, Speedy, inevitable, can await Our failing Bosphorus' unaided strength, Unless some potent rich ally should join Our weakness to her might. None other is there To which to look but Cherson; and I know, From trusty friends among them, that even now, Perchance this very day, an emba.s.sy Comes to us with design that we should sink Our old traditional hate in the new bonds Which Hymen binds together. For the girl Gycia, the daughter of old Lamachus, Their foremost man, there comes but one report-- That she is fair as good.

_Asan._ My lord, I pray you, Waste not good breath. If I must sell myself, It matters not if she be fair or foul, Angel or doubly d.a.m.ned; hating the race, Men, maidens, young and old, I would blight my life To save my country.

_King._ Thanks, my dearest son.

There spake a patriot indeed.

_Servant._ My liege, An emba.s.sy from Cherson for the King.

_Enter_ AMBa.s.sADOR, _with retinue._

_Ambas._ Sirs, I bring you a message from Lamachus, the Archon of Cherson.

_Lys._ Sirs, forsooth! Know ye not the dignity of princes, or does your republican rudeness bar you from all courtesy? I do not count myself equal to the King, nor, therefore, should you.

_King._ Nay, good Lysimachus, let him proceed.

_Ambas._ If I am blunt of speech, I beg your forgiveness. I bring to you a letter from the citizen Lamachus, which I shall read, if it be your pleasure.

_King._ Read on.

_Ambas._ ”To the King of Bosphorus, Lamachus sends greeting. We are both old. Let us forget the former enmities of our States, and make an alliance which shall protect us against the storm of barbarian invasion which Caesar is too weak to ward off. Thou hast a son, and I a daughter. Thy son is, from all report, a brave youth and worthy. My daughter is the paragon of her s.e.x. I have wealth and possessions and respect as great as if I were a sceptred King. The youth and the maid are of fitting age. Let us join their hands together, and with them those of our States, and grow strong enough to defy the barbarians, and Rome also.”

_Asan._ My liege, I am willing for this marriage. Let it be.

_King._ My son, we have not yet heard all. Read on, sir.

_Ambas._ ”There is one condition which not my will, but the jealousy of our people enforces, viz. that the Prince Asander, if he weds my daughter, shall thenceforth forswear his country, nor seek to return to it on pain of death. I pray thee, pardon the rudeness of my countrymen; but they are Greeks, and judge their freedom more than their lives.”

_Asan._ Insolent hounds!

This is too much. I will have none of them.

Take back that message.

_King._ Thou art right, my son.

I could not bear to lose thee, not to win A thousand Chersons. Let us fight alone, And see what fortune sends us.

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