Part 3 (1/2)

_1st Cit._ What, you wretched popinjay of a serving man! You dare address a Greek citizen in that way? Take that, and that! [_Beats him._

_1st Court._ Draw, gentlemen! These are ruffians!

[_They fight._

_Enter_ ASANDER.

_Asan._ Put up your swords, gentlemen. Why, fellows, what is this? Is this your hospitality to your guests?

_1st Cit._ Nay, sir; but this servant of yours has been most insolent, and has abused and insulted our State and its manners. He told us that we were not men of honour; and some of us, sir, are young, and have hot blood, and, as Greek citizens of Cherson, will not bear insults.

_Asan._ Insolent upstarts, you are not worthy of our swords! Come, my Lord Megacles, heed them not. Here is their master.

_Enter_ LAMACHUS _and_ Senators.

_Lama._ We bid you heartfelt welcome, Prince, to Cherson.

That we have seemed to fail to do you honour Comes of the spite of fortune. For your highness, Taking the land at the entrance of the port, Missed what of scanty pomp our homely manners Would fain have offered; but we pray you think 'Twas an untoward accident, no more.

Welcome to Cherson, Prince!

_Asan._ Methinks, my lord, Scarce in the meanest State is it the custom To ask the presence of a n.o.ble guest With much insistance, and when he accepts The summons, and has come, to set on him With insolent dogs like these.

_Lama._ Nay, Prince, I pray you, What is it that has been?

_Asan._ Our chamberlain Was lately, in your absence, which your highness So glibly doth excuse, set on and beaten By these dogs here.

_Lama._ Nay, sir, they are not dogs, But citizens of honour; yet indeed Wanting, I fear, in that deep courtesy Which from a stranger and a guest refuses To take provoked offence. My lord, indeed I am ashamed that citizens of Cherson Should act so mean a part. Come, Prince, I pray you Forget this matter, and be sure your coming Fills me with joy. Go, tell the Lady Gycia The Prince is safe in Cherson.

_Meg._ My Lord Asander, remember what is due to yourself and Bosphorus. Remember, when this merchant's daughter comes, you _must_ not treat her as an equal. Courtesy to a woman is all very well, but rank has greater claims still, especially when you have to deal with such people as these. Now, remember, you must make _no_ obeisance at all; and if you advance to meet her more--(_Enter_ GYCIA, IRENE, MELISSA, _and_ Ladies. IRENE, _seeing_ ASANDER, _faints, and is withdrawn_, GYCIA _supporting her. Confusion._)--than one step, you are lost for ever. These are the truly important things.

_Asan._ Good Megacles, Forewarned I am forearmed.

(_Aside_) Thou fluent trickster!

Fit head of such a State! I would to Heaven I had never come!

_Re-enter_ GYCIA.

Nay, nay, I thank the saints That I have come. Who is this peerless creature?

Is this the old man's daughter?

_Lama._ Prince Asander, This is my daughter, Gycia. Of the prince Thou hast heard many a time, my daughter.

_Gycia (confused)._ Ay!--

Indeed I----

_Lama._ Come, my girl, thou art not used To fail of words.

_Asan._ Nay, sir, I pray you press her not to speak.

And yet I fain would hear her. Artemis Showed not so fair, nor with a softer charm Came Hebe's voice.

_Gycia._ Nay, sir, I did not know A soldier could thus use a courtier's tongue.

_Asan._ If being bred in courts would give me power To put my thought in words, then would I fain Be courtier for thy sake.