ot indeed.

_Servant._ My liege,
An embassy from Cherson for the King.

_Enter_ AMBASSADOR, _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 sex. 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.

_Lys._ Good my liege,
Be not too hasty. (_To_ Ambassador) Sir, the King has heard
The message which you bring, and presently
Will send a fitting answer.

[_Exit_ Ambassador.

Nay, my liege,
I beg your patience. That these fellows make
Their friendship difficult is true; but think
How great the value of it, and r