om
To ask the presence of a noble 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