No More Learning

)

Dealings with Lithuania? What means this?
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?