Hud. Which Excellency? They are thick as hops.
Dor. The Governor of Peonia.
Hud. In time and tune.
We'll see him here.
[Exit Dorkinski]
A pawn of mine who'd push
Beyond his square, and I must humor him
'Neath meditative thumb.
[Enter Megario]
Hud. Welcome, Megario.
Meg. I've travelled far
To press your hand.
Hud. We made appointment here,
Knowing your visit to Assaria touched
Nothing of state or office.
Meg. [Accepting his cue] Nothing, sir. [Looks about him]
I thought I left the springtide in my rear,
Three thousand miles or so, but here it greets me.
Hud. A gimcrack of my daughter's. She would freak
With sun and time. My toyshop has no walls.
I juggle too with seasons, climates, zones,
But in the open where there's warrior room,
And startled Fate may spring against my will,
Giving an edge to mastery when I wrest
The whip from Nature, turn it on herself,
And set her elemental slaves to filch
Her gold for me. That, friend, is play.
Meg. For gods
And not as thief, but as divinity,
You take from crouching Nature.