(He hides.)

(Enter Soldiers cautiously up the rocks.)

CAPTAIN.

This is the frontier pa.s.s, at any rate, Where Poland ends and Muscovy begins.

SOLDIER.

We must be close upon the tower, I know, That half way up the mountain lies ensconced.

CAPT.

How know you that?

SOL.

He told me so--the Page Who put us on the scent.

SOL. 2.

And, as I think, Will soon be here to run it down with us.

CAPT.

Meantime, our horses on these ugly rocks Useless, and worse than useless with their clatter-- Leave them behind, with one or two in charge, And softly, softly, softly.

SOLDIERS.

--There it is!

--There what?

--The tower--the fortress-- --That the tower!-- --That mouse-trap! We could pitch it down the rocks With our own hands.

--The rocks it hangs among Dwarf its proportions and conceal its strength; Larger and stronger than you think.

--No matter; No place for Poland's Prince to be shut up in.

At it at once!

CAPT.

No--no--I tell you wait-- Till those within give signal. For as yet We know not who side with us, and the fort Is strong in man and musket.

SOL.

Shame to wait For odds with such a cause at stake.

CAPT.

Because Of such a cause at stake we wait for odds-- For if not won at once, for ever lost: For any long resistance on their part Would bring Basilio's force to succour them Ere we had rescued him we come to rescue.

So softly, softly, softly, still--

A SOLDIER (discovering Fife).

Hilloa!

SOLDIERS.

--Hilloa! Here's some one skulking-- --Seize and gag him!

--Stab him at once, say I: the only way To make all sure.

--Hold, every man of you!

And down upon your knees!--Why, 'tis the Prince!

--The Prince!-- --Oh, I should know him anywhere, And anyhow disguised.

--But the Prince is chain'd.

--And of a loftier presence-- --'Tis he, I tell you; Only bewilder'd as he was before.

G.o.d save your Royal Highness! On our knees Beseech you answer us!

FIFE.

Just as you please.

Well--'tis this country's custom, I suppose, To take a poor man every now and then And set him ON the throne; just for the fun Of tumbling him again into the dirt.

And now my turn is come. 'Tis very pretty.

SOL.

His wits have been distemper'd with their drugs.

But do you ask him, Captain.

CAPT.

On my knees, And in the name of all who kneel with me, I do beseech your Highness answer to Your royal t.i.tle.

FIFE.

Still, just as you please.

In my own poor opinion of myself-- But that may all be dreaming, which it seems Is very much the fashion in this country No Polish prince at all, but a poor lad From Muscovy; where only help me back, I promise never to contest the crown Of Poland with whatever gentleman You fancy to set up.

SOLDIERS.

--From Muscovy?

--A spy then-- --Of Astolfo's-- --Spy! a spy --Hang him at once!

FIFE.

No, pray don't dream of that!

SOL.

How dared you then set yourself up for our Prince Segismund?

FIFE.

_I_ set up!--_I_ like that When 'twas yourselves be-siegesmunded me.

CAPT.

No matter--Look!--The signal from the tower.

Prince Segismund!

SOL. (from the tower).

Prince Segismund!

CAPT.

All's well. Clotaldo safe secured?--

SOL. (from the tower).

No--by ill luck, Instead of coming in, as we had look'd for, He sprang on horse at once, and off at gallop.

CAPT.

To Court, no doubt--a blunder that--And yet Perchance a blunder that may work as well As better forethought. Having no suspicion So will he carry none where his not going Were of itself suspicious. But of those Within, who side with us?

SOL.

Oh, one and all To the last man, persuaded or compell'd.