TSAR. And what is this

Which makes a winding pattern here?

FEODOR. That is

The Volga.

TSAR. Very good! Here's the sweet fruit

Of learning. One can view as from the clouds

Our whole dominion at a glance; its frontiers,

Its towns, its rivers. Learn, my son; 'tis science

Which gives to us an abstract of the events

Of our swift-flowing life. Some day, perchance

Soon, all the lands which thou so cunningly

Today hast drawn on paper, all will come

Under thy hand. Learn, therefore; and more smoothly,

More clearly wilt thou take, my son, upon thee

The cares of state.

(SEMYON Godunov enters.) But there comes Godunov

Bringing reports to me. (To KSENIA.) Go to thy chamber

Dearest; farewell, my child; God comfort thee.

(Exeunt KSENIA and NURSE.) What news hast thou for me, Semyon Nikitich?

SEMYON G. Today at dawn the butler of Prince Shuisky

And Pushkin's servant brought me information.

TSAR. Well?

SEMYON G. In the first place Pushkin's man deposed

That yestermorn came to his house from Cracow

A courier, who within an hour was sent

Without a letter back.

TSAR. Arrest the courier.

SEMYON G. Some are already sent to overtake him.

TSAR. And what of Shuisky?

SEMYON G. Last night he entertained

His friends; the Buturlins, both Miloslavskys,

And Saltikov, with Pushkin and some others.

They parted late. Pushkin alone remained

Closeted with his host and talked with him

A long time more.

TSAR. For Shuisky send forthwith.

SEMYON G. Sire, he is here already.

TSAR. Call him hither.

(Exit SEMYON Godunov.) Dealings with Lithuania? What means this?