Rhodope, greeting! But know you who I am? A carpet-gallant, A kingly ninth-of-man, forsooth a measurer Of ells but not of swords, who is to blame That Herakles’ twelve deeds have not long since Found four-and-twenty other feats and greater For overmatch. If you will not believe ’t Why only ask Alcaeus--old curmudgeon! You know him not? Nor I, before to-day. And know you how I use to make men happy? I speak thus:--“Come, young man, here is a seed! Now plant it in the earth and sprinkle o’er The spot with water; do it day by day And be assured that when your hair is frosty You’ll have a meal of cherries for your pains. What? ‘Sweet or sour?’--You’ll not find out till then!” I give you Agron as my guarantee Worthy Alcaeus names him worthy friend, His perfect peer, but not so white of beard. RHOD. Your mood is merry. KAN. Ay, and wherefore not? ’Tis true Alcaeus, outright in rebellion, Will make against me soon as e’er I venture To show myself to him as thus to you, Bedecked, I mean, with the new diadem. Agron will deign me succour, and for thanks I’m merely forced to swear--be not astounded At such a lamblike heart--to keep my garb For aye unaltered, and a sword to carry Whose mere unsheathing drains my utmost strength. RHOD. Where did you gain this knowledge? KAN. Through no spy, Nor yet the more through any false-heart friend, But from themselves, direct from their own mouths. RHOD. You’re pleased to mock my questioning. KAN. No, no! I speak in utter earnest. I stood by While they set nails a-grubbing at the tables, Digging their whetted teeth in their own lips As though ’twere game and not their very flesh, And took the oath which sure enough they’ll hold. It makes a Bar of God here in a fashion-- One hacks at me, the other wards the blow, And Diké passes verdict if she can. RHOD. You must have eavesdropped, then; I’ll not believe ’t. If I come in a place all unexpected I make a warning noise that I be marked, And what should be unheard be left unsaid. And you--no, no--that is no kingly act. KAN. Why, surely not--but _that_ you’d ne’er unriddle. You see this ring? How do you rate its worth? RHOD. How can I tell from whom it comes? KAN. From Gyges. RHOD. You’ll think it past all rating then. KAN. It is; And yet you dream not why. Then hear the marvel-- If any put it on it makes him viewless. RHOD. Viewless? KAN. Just now I tried it for myself. “Nay, no more climbing, Hero! Only birdlings Go hiding in the leafage!”[1] RHOD. Lesbia! KAN.