(_A Dramatic Scene, with Suggestions from Shakspeare._)
SCENE.--_A British Quay._ _Enter_ The Visible Prince (_like the_ King
_and his companions in "Love's Labour's Lost"_) _"in Russian habits"
but bearing a true British face_, not _masked_. _To him enters the
most loyal and loving of his subjects and sage counsellors_, Mr.
Punch.
_Mr. Punch_ (_joyously_). "All hail the pleasantest Prince upon the earth!"
_Prince_ (_gaily._) "Behaviour, what wert thou, till this man show'd thee?"
_Mr. Punch._ Well capped, my Prince!
_Prince._ Be you the same, good friend!
"Your bonnet to its right use; 'tis for the head,"
(As _Hamlet_ said), and "'tis indifferent cold."
_Mr. Punch._ "It is a nipping and an eager air"--
As not unusual in our Isle's December!
_Prince._ "The air bites shrewdly; it is very cold."
I feel it, _Punch_, through all my Russian sables,
Though I'm from Muscovy.
_Mr. Punch._ What met you there, Sir?
_Prince_ (_promptly_). "NOTHING BUT PEACE, AND GENTLE VISITATION!"
_Mr. Punch_ (_applauding_). Most aptly quoted, Sir! The happiest "lift,"
From him the ever applicable bard,
I've met this many a moon.
_Prince._ Glad to be back
To English shores--and you--for all the love
I leave behind, and all the cold I come to.
_Mr. Punch._ Not in our hearts, my Prince, not in our hearts!
_Prince._ Nay, that I'll swear. Witness your presence here,
This chilling day. "How many weary steps
Of many weary miles you have o'ergone!"
_Mr. Punch._ "We number nothing that we spend for you:
Our duty is so rich, so infinite,
That we may do it still without account."
When you "vouchsafe the sunshine of your face."
_Prince_ (_laughing_). _Punch_, know you _all_ the Swan?
_Mr. Punch._ E'en as the Swan
Knows all his _Punch_, which is his favourite reading
In the Elysian Fields; and one good turn
Deserves another! But, my ALBERT EDWARD,
"What did the Russian whisper in your ear?"
_Prince._ _Punchius_, "He swore that he did hold me dear
As precious eyesight, and did value me
Above this world; adding thereto, moreover,
That he would ever live our England's lover."
_Mr. Punch._ "God give thee joy of him! The noble TSAR
Most honourably will uphold his word"
As I doubt not. I'm happy o' your visit.
"But what, Sir, purpose they to visit us?"
_Prince._ "They do, they do, and all apparel'd thus
Like Muscovites, or Russians, as I dress.
Their purpose is to parle, to court, to dance.
And every one his love-feat will advance."
_Mr. Punch._ As _you_ have done, my Prince, at sorrow's flood
Taking the tide of frank affection, like
A skilled and trusty pilot. Such a Prince,
Good faith, is worth a dozen diplomats
And many full-armed legions.
_Prince._ May it prove so!
_Mr. Punch._ Well, let them come! "Disguis'd like Muscovites"
(As _Rosaline_ said) we'll know them still as friends;
And they'll find here, as you there found, my Prince,
"NOTHING BUT PEACE, AND GENTLE VISITATION!!!"[*]
[_Exeunt together._
[Footnote *: _Love's Labour's Lost_, Act V., Scene 2.]
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