A POLITICAL CONFERENCE.
Scene—The interior of a classic Country Villa. Present—An aged, illustrious, but retired, Statesman and Leader, engaged now in thrumming a lyre. To him enter his youthful successor, with certain scrolls.
Senex (eagerly). My dear Primula! So glad you have come! The very man I wished to see. Be seated.
Juvenis (depositing scrolls). A thousand thanks. Delighted to see you looking so well, my dear Gladstonius.
Senex (cheerily). Never better, thank the gods!—and the ocularius!
[Twangles nimbly.
Juvenis. Ah! Cincinnatus, in retirement, pleased himself with the plough; your recreation was wont to be the axe or the banjo; now I perceive it is the—harp!
Senex (sharply). Not at all, Primula, not at all. This is not a harp!
[Plays and sings.
Poscimur. Si quid vacui sub umbra
Lusimus tecum, quod et hunc in annum
Vivat et plures, age, dic Latinum,
Barbite, carmen.