Listeners, he said, about the palace, who
Might to the king disclose it.

PRINCESS (surprised).
Said he that?

PAGE.
He further said, it much concerned the king;
Deeply concerned--to know of that same letter.

PRINCESS.
The king! Nay, are you sure you heard him right?
The king! Was that the very word he used?

PAGE.
It was. He called it a most perilous secret,
And warned me to be strictly on my guard,
Never with word or look to give the king
Occasion for suspicion.

PRINCESS (after a pause, with astonishment).
All agrees!
It can be nothing else--he must have heard
The tale--'tis very strange! Who could have told him,
I wonder who? The eagle eye of love
Alone could pierce so far. But tell me further--
He read the letter.

PAGE.
Which, he said, conveyed