human
One day the King resolved to re-establish the worship called of Orpheus, to the great joy of his friends. He clothed himself as Bacchus, though per Bacco he looked more like Silenus (if the painters of his day did not make him more ugly than he was, which in those days was not the custom of Court painters). His escort was a troop of noble ladies clothed in forest branches and none too leafy: and one summer evening under the full moon off they went singing to the mountains. After they had danced their fill and sinned God knows what sins, the moon set and back they swooped on the city in a sort of make-believe battle line; and there at the gates was the army of Alsander mumming in Greek tunics waiting to receive their amorous attack. But at that very hour a different host was approaching Alsander--forgotten barbarians from Ulmreich--and the two hosts met. And that is all--and that has been all for the glory and power of Alsander,
gpt
But Alsander is independent still.
human
An independence handed her as a gift by Ulmreich and Gantha, her two great neighbours, is not much worth having. The day one of them is strong enough to seize us from the other, we shall go. Or if that international commission really sits, it is as good as death to our little nation. We shall never more be able to raise our heads--and chiefly through the fault of King Basilandron.
gpt
But much might be done now, objected Norman, with a certain breeziness.
human
Why should Alsander have to wait for an international commission before getting her streets paved? Look at my boots.
gpt
I would rather look at your eyes than at your feet, young Englishman. As for Alsander, she cannot be clean while she is corrupt. That would be hypocrisy, and we have never sunk so low as that. But in Bermondsey the streets are excellently paved. And, by God! Alsander, in all its poverty and decay, is not so vile a place as Bermondsey, nor are its people so brutal or so blind as yours.
human
We have no sun, said Norman.
gpt
But come, you have been in England, you are a wonderful old man. Tell me your story now that you have told the story of Basilandron.
human
I cannot tell my story, said the old man, shaking as if with sorrow.
gpt
My tragedy is so little when I think of the tragedy of my people that I can only say--Alas for Alsander!
human
You, sir, are a great patriot,
gpt
I, sir, am a very old man,
human
I understand now, said Norman,
gpt
As to that point, I can only assure you, my lord, that there is no hope for the King's sanity. It is pure degeneration of race.
human
Then I inquired why the heir to the throne was not installed in his place. No one seemed to like to talk of that subject. But it appears she is a girl living somewhere in Ulmreich, very young, and as mad as the King.
gpt
I do not think the young lady in question, whom I once had the honour of meeting, is exactly mad, said the beggar.
human
A little wild, one might say, and her guardians are wise enough to let her do as she pleases. I expect our illustrious Regent has been spreading that fable.
gpt
You mean Duke Vorza? I understand he is virtually despot of Alsander now. I have heard a great deal of grumbling against him, but nothing very definite, though I have heard some people say that the King is not really so mad as his physician and the Regent pretend.
human
Duke Vorza, said the beggar,
gpt
But no one seems to have seen him for years,
human
I have, but few others,
gpt
There's something terrible about a King whom his people seem never to have seen,
human
Listen to me, said the old man in a low and dramatic whisper.
gpt
I may not be quite what I seem, as you surmise, and I may have powers even you do not suspect. Would you like to see the King of Alsander and discover for yourself how terrible he is?
human
Do you mean to say he is here? exclaimed Norman.
gpt
Is it not true that he is in Europe--and do the people really not know where he is?
human
Did you not hear that he was expected back?
gpt
There was a queer rumour, now I come to think of it, said Norman, thinking of his talks with Pedro the cobbler and others,
human
Well, he has returned, not cured, and that is all,
gpt
I seem to recognize your voice, he said.
human
Surely I have met you before?
gpt
Don't you remember, my lord, the old tramp you met in Gantha, who told you all about the beauties of Alsander?
human
Why, that eloquent old fellow, was it you? It was you, then, persuaded me to come to this country. I have much to thank you for: it is a wonderful country indeed. But it was dark on the road that night and I could hardly see you. So you are he. But you were not talking Alsandrian but English.
gpt
I have wandered, and you have learnt Alsandrian.
human
Yes. I found the little book you left in my pocket. But tell me, who are you? Of course, I cannot believe you to be a beggar. Enough of these mysterious tricks. You are a man of eloquence and learning. You must be a person of diplomatic importance, if you can really show me the mad King of Alsander.
gpt
You shall really see him as I promised, said the old man, and making a trumpet of his hands he called out
human
Yohann! Yohann!