1st Cit. Nay, sir; but this servant of yours has been most insolent, and has abused and insulted our State and its manners. He told us that we were not men of honour; and some of us, sir, are young, and have hot blood, and, as Greek citizens of Cherson, will not bear insults.

Asan. Insolent upstarts, you are not worthy of our swords! Come, my Lord Megacles, heed them not. Here is their master.

Enter Lamachus and Senators.

Lamachus

Lama. We bid you heartfelt welcome, Prince, to Cherson.

That we have seemed to fail to do you honour

Comes of the spite of fortune. For your highness,

39

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Taking the land at the entrance of the port,

Missed what of scanty pomp our homely manners

Would fain have offered; but we pray you think

'Twas an untoward accident, no more.

Welcome to Cherson, Prince!

Asan.

Methinks, my lord,

Scarce in the meanest State is it the custom

To ask the presence of a noble guest

With much insistance, and when he accepts

The summons, and has come, to set on him

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