[_N.B.--Said "Place" is reported to be a good twelve feet deep BEFORE you come to the mud._ ]
(_A Dramatic Scene, with Suggestions from Shakspeare._)
SCENE.--_A British Quay._ _Enter_ The Visible Prince (_like the_ King _and his companions in "Love's Labour's Lost"_) _"in Russian habits" but bearing a true British face_, not _masked_. _To him enters the most loyal and loving of his subjects and sage counsellors_, Mr. Punch.
_Mr. Punch_ (_joyously_). "All hail the pleasantest Prince upon the earth!" _Prince_ (_gaily._) "Behaviour, what wert thou, till this man show'd thee?" _Mr. Punch._ Well capped, my Prince! _Prince._ Be you the same, good friend! "Your bonnet to its right use; 'tis for the head," (As _Hamlet_ said), and "'tis indifferent cold." _Mr. Punch._ "It is a nipping and an eager air"-- As not unusual in our Isle's December! _Prince._ "The air bites shrewdly; it is very cold." I feel it, _Punch_, through all my Russian sables, Though I'm from Muscovy. _Mr. Punch._ What met you there, Sir? _Prince_ (_promptly_). "NOTHING BUT PEACE, AND GENTLE VISITATION!" _Mr. Punch_ (_applauding_). Most aptly quoted, Sir! The happiest "lift," From him the ever applicable bard, I've met this many a moon. _Prince._ Glad to be back To English shores--and you--for all the love I leave behind, and all the cold I come to. _Mr. Punch._ Not in our hearts, my Prince, not in our hearts! _Prince._ Nay, that I'll swear. Witness your presence here, This chilling day. "How many weary steps Of many weary miles you have o'ergone!" _Mr. Punch._ "We number nothing that we spend for you: Our duty is so rich, so infinite, That we may do it still without account." When you "vouchsafe the sunshine of your face." _Prince_ (_laughing_). _Punch_, know you _all_ the Swan? _Mr. Punch._ E'en as the Swan Knows all his _Punch_, which is his favourite reading In the Elysian Fields; and one good turn Deserves another! But, my ALBERT EDWARD, "What did the Russian whisper in your ear?" _Prince._ _Punchius_, "He swore that he did hold me dear As precious eyesight, and did value me Above this world; adding thereto, moreover, That he would ever live our England's lover." _Mr. Punch._ "God give thee joy of him! The noble TSAR Most honourably will uphold his word" As I doubt not. I'm happy o' your visit. "But what, Sir, purpose they to visit us?" _Prince._ "They do, they do, and all apparel'd thus Like Muscovites, or Russians, as I dress. Their purpose is to parle, to court, to dance. And every one his love-feat will advance." _Mr. Punch._ As _you_ have done, my Prince, at sorrow's flood Taking the tide of frank affection, like A skilled and trusty pilot. Such a Prince, Good faith, is worth a dozen diplomats And many full-armed legions. _Prince._ May it prove so! _Mr. Punch._ Well, let them come! "Disguis'd like Muscovites" (As _Rosaline_ said) we'll know them still as friends; And they'll find here, as you there found, my Prince, "NOTHING BUT PEACE, AND GENTLE VISITATION!!!"[*]