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.
God 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.