d wane, and bitterest frown,
Conceived from discontent, usurped its place.
Alas! Am I to be the pliant tool
To work a policy from chaos born?
And on its failure, if perchance it fails,
Will I too meet the cold and icy stare?
_Enter Halstrom; speaks:_
My Liege, thy self-communion I would halt
And usher to thy presence men of weight
Who would discourse upon some pregnant facts
Which may perchance to thee be quite unknown.
_Francos:_ Good Halstrom, tell me of their every mien.
_(anxiously)_
Didst thou in judgment fair, within their eyes
Spy greedy look as if on plunder bent?
If so, 'twere best preoccupation plead.
_Halstrom:_ I think, my Liege, 'twere safe to give them ear
So that offense may rankle not their minds.
_Francos:_ Ha, thinkst thou so? Then hail them to my court.
But stay! Wisdom doth hint that in each ear
A caution should be breathed that concise speech
Were best, for pressing matters constant urge.
_Halstrom:_ Thy words are uttered but to be obeyed.
That time is precious I will firm impart. _(Retires
and ushers the visitors in.)_
Most honored Sire, these gentlement would speak
On matters of great import to the state.
_Francos:_ Welcome, sweet Gentlement, I greet thee well,
And wait the import of the words ye bring.
I beg thee speedily the burden ease
From off thy overladen minds, that we
May then in converse wise consider well
The various phases of a matter new.
_Gentleman:_ Your Honor!--Please excuse the term, as I
From pleading long before the bar have thus
Familiar with this title grown, and so
From 'tween my lips the word did careless slip.
_Francos (earnestly):_
But honored Sir, I fain would ask what bar
It wast before which thou didst earnest plead?
_Gentlemen:_ Ha! Ha! Methinks a subtle humor finds
Its home within the mind of him who rules.
But in all truth the point were taken well,
For Caesar, rumor saith, disdains the cup
Which doth inebriate and thus befool
The mind of him who at it tarries long.
But Sire, the business which doth urge us here
Is of