Meg. His friends
Are friends of power. How else could he elude
The thousand eyes in search?
Hud. [Musing] Treason at court?...
Meg. We'll mouse LeVal to 's cranny, do not doubt.
Then we shall ask Assaria's great seal
For his delivery to Goldusan.
Hud. That is assured you.
Meg. But your minister,
Sir Borduc, warns——
Hud. Ha! Warns?
Meg. He urges that
The extraditing power is at pause,
Blocked by the people's will.
Hud. I've given my word,—
A word that mobbish din ne'er added to,
Nor yet stripped of one letter that I chose
Should spell authority. You ask for more?
Meg. Pardon, your majesty! It is enough,
Beyond all stretch of need.
Hud. I call to mind
That Borduc waits,—and primed for tongue-work too.
The princess will content your Excellency?