I like not the seditious race of Pushkins,

Nor must I trust in Shuisky, obsequious,

But bold and wily -

(Enter SHUISKY.) Prince, I must speak with thee.

But thou thyself, it seems, hast business with me,

And I would listen first to thee.

SHUISKY. Yea, sire;

It is my duty to convey to thee

Grave news.

TSAR. I listen.

SHUISKY. (Sotto voce, pointing to FEODOR.)

But, sire -

TSAR. The tsarevich

May learn whate'er Prince Shuisky knoweth. Speak.

SHUISKY. My liege, from Lithuania there have come

Tidings to us -

TSAR. Are they not those same tidings

Which yestereve a courier bore to Pushkin?

SHUISKY. Nothing is hidden from him! - Sire, I thought

Thou knew'st not yet this secret.

TSAR. Let not that

Trouble thee, prince; I fain would scrutinise

Thy information; else we shall not learn

The actual truth.

SHUISKY. I know this only, Sire;

In Cracow a pretender hath appeared;

The king and nobles back him.

TSAR. What say they?

And who is this pretender?

SHUISKY. I know not.

TSAR. But wherein is he dangerous?

SHUISKY. Verily

Thy state, my liege, is firm; by graciousness,

Zeal, bounty, thou hast won the filial love

Of all thy slaves; but thou thyself dost know