Anonymous

“ Your crooked ways have brought you to the Straits. Proserpine. But, Thetis, why of me this sad suspicion?—
I but performed a conscientious mission. Thetis. When interest and duty coincide,
'Tis well to know for what they are allied. Proserpine. Have you not scann'd with care each narrow pinch,—
Jealously watch'd my every onward inch
In Turkey? Thetis. ⁠Prudence thus to watch compels,
That Turkish inches don't mean Dardanelles. Prosperine. I don't know why I should be "sat upon." Thetis. ”

“ Thetis. A Tartar true—on coming to the scratch! Proserpine. To benefit the Slav is all I seek. Thetis. The greater reason I support the Greek. Hebe. Are these to rank the Goddesses among? Minerva. No. it's decided that they're still too young
Children are apt to be too loud and pert
At dinner; so they come in at dessert
(If they are good) to have some cake and wine.—
And, come! reflect upon it, Proserpine,
I think you'll own, on looking at it twice,
Your've cut your protégée too large a slice.— Juno. Then, Bessarabia,—it's a shabby trick
The pocket of a close ally to pick. Proserpine. ”

“ Thetis. They're on the spot in case of mischief brewing. Proserpine. Had I been Isis I'd have kept them out. Thetis. Tis not your fault she fail'd to, I've no doubt. Proserpine. Gallipoli,—why do you keep them there? Thetis. Why do your people prowl around Bulair? Proserpine. Why do you want six millions, ready money? Thetis. You are the last who ought to think that funny. Proserfine. When will your fleets receive the word to go? Thetis. When do you hope to quit San Stefano? Proserfine. I did the work; I mean to have my way. Thetis. Nobody asked you:—I must have my say. Proserpine. ”

“ Well,—she has fought, and she has gained the day;—
Let Kars and Bessarabia be her pay;
In other hands she leaves the Stygian plain,
So Juno need not fear for her domain,— Juno Yes, but she may be up to her old tricks;—
She has the Poles,—then why come near the Styx? Minerva. You must not let it come within her clutch.
Then,—Thetis' interests she does not touch.
Nile's fertile vale she does not take,— Thetis. ⁠She can't. Minvera. Nor holds poor Isis's boats in pledge,— Thetis. ⁠She shan't. Minerva. Stamboul she enters not, although so nigh,— Thetis. ”

“ This work was published in 1878 and is anonymous or pseudonymous due to unknown authorship. It is in the public domain in the United States as well as countries and areas where the copyright terms of anonymous or pseudonymous works are 144 years or less since publication. ”