courage; you who can devise all things, and dare all things; help me,
help me; on my knees I do beseech you, take up this trying cause of
foul oppression, and for the sake of all you love and reverence, your
creed, your country, and perchance your friend, let your great genius,
like some solemn angel, haste to the rescue of the sweet Iduna, and
save her, save her!"

"Some thoughts like these were rising in my mind when first I spoke,"
replied Iskander. "This is a better cue, far more beseeming princes
than boyish tears, and all the outward misery of woe, a tattered
garment and dishevelled locks. Come, Nicaeus, we have to struggle with
a mighty fortune. Let us be firm as Fate itself."



CHAPTER 8


Immediately after his interview with Nicaeus, Iskander summoned some of
the chief citizens of Croia to the citadel, and submitting to them his
arrangements for the administration of Epirus, announced the necessity
of his instant departure for a short interval; and the same evening,
ere the moon had risen, himself and the Prince of Athens quitted the
city, and proceeded in the direction of Adrianople. They travelled
with great rapidity until they reached a small town upon the frontiers,
where they halted for one day. Here, in the Bazaar, Iskander purchased
for himself the dress of an Armenian physician. In his long dark
robes, and large round cap of black wool, his face and hands stained,
and his beard and mustachios shaven, it seemed impossible that be could
be recognised. Nicaeus was habited as his page, in a dress of coarse