CHAMBERLAIN. It is the custom of the country, Your Highness.
PEHR. This at least is not politics.
CHAMBERLAIN. The first Court Singer begs that she may entertain Your Highness with an idealistic song written by the celebrated poet laureate, Hourglass-Link.
PEHR. Be good enough to entertain me!
SINGER. [With lute, sings.]
Then say farewell to Horaire, the march is already broken.
O army, hast thou the strength to say a farewell!
PEHR. Where's the rhyme?
POET LAUREATE. There are no rhymes in this kind of poetry.
PEHR. That's bad! Continue—
AMEER. [Aside to historian.] He's not long for this place.