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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 11283 ***
+
+Title: Plays of Gods and Men
+
+Author: Lord Dunsany
+
+[Note: this edition was prepared from the 1917 Unwin edition. Later
+US editions had many minor changes and an additional page of dialogue
+in "The Laughter of the Gods".]
+
+Preface
+
+Lest any idle person might think that I have had time to write plays
+during the last few years I may mention that the first act of _The
+Tents of the Arabs_ was written on September 3rd, and the second act on
+September 8th, 1910.
+
+The first and second acts of _The Laughter of the Gods_ were written on
+January 29th, and the third act on February 2nd and 3rd, 1911. _A Night
+at an Inn_ was written on January 17th, 1912, and _The Queen's Enemies_
+on April 19, 20, 21, 24, 28, 29, 1913.
+
+                                         Dunsany, Captain
+                                         Royal Inniskilling Fusileers.
+
+The Laughter of the Gods
+
+A Tragedy in Three Acts
+
+Dramatis Personæ
+
+King Karnos
+Voice-of-the-Gods (a prophet)
+Ichtharion
+Ludibras
+Harpagas
+First Sentry
+Second Sentry
+One of the Camel Guard
+An Executioner
+The Queen
+Tharmia (wife of Ichtharion)
+Arolind (wife of Ludibras)
+Carolyx (wife of Harpagas)
+Attendants
+
+Act I
+
+Time: About the time of the decadence in Babylon.
+
+Scene: The jungle city of Thek in the reign of King Karnos.
+
+Tharmia:
+
+You know that my lineage is almost divine.
+
+Arolind:
+
+My father's sword was so terrible that he had to hide it with a cloak.
+
+Tharmia:
+
+He probably did that because there were no jewels in the scabbard.
+
+Arolind:
+
+There were emeralds in it that outstared the sea.
+
+*       *       *       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Tharmia:
+
+Now I must leave you here and go down among the shops for I have not
+changed my hair since we came to Thek.
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+Have you not brought that from Barbul-el-Sharnak?
+
+Tharmia:
+
+It was not necessary. The King would not take his court where they
+could not obtain necessities.
+
+Arolind:
+
+May I go with your Sincerity?
+
+Tharmia:
+
+Indeed, Princely Lady, I shall be glad of your company.
+
+Arolind:
+
+[To Ludibras] I wish to see the other palaces in Thek, [To Tharmia]
+then we can go on beyond the walls to see what princes live in the
+neighbourhood.
+
+Tharmia:
+
+It will be delightful.
+
+    [Exeunt Tharmia and Arolind]
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+Well, we are here in Thek.
+
+Ludibras:
+
+How lucky we are that the King has come to Thek. I feared he would
+never come.
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+It is a most fair city.
+
+Ludibras:
+
+When he tarried year after year in monstrous Barbul-el-Sharnak, I
+feared that I would see the sun rise never more in the windy glorious
+country. I feared we should live always in Barbul-el-Sharnak and be
+buried among houses.
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+It is mountainous with houses: there are no flowers there. I wonder how
+the winds come into it.
+
+Ludibras:
+
+Ah. Do you know that it is I that brought him here at last? I gave him
+orchids from a far country. At last he noticed them. "Those are good
+flowers," said he. "They come from Thek," I said. "Thek is purple with
+them. It seems purple far out on the sand to the camel men." Then...
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+No, it was not you brought him. He saw a butterfly once in
+Barbul-el-Sharnak. There had not been one there for seven years. It
+was lucky for us that it lived; I used to send for hundreds, but they
+all died but that one when they came to Barbul-el-Sharnak. The King
+saw it.
+
+Ludibras:
+
+It was since then that he noticed my purple orchids.
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+Something changed in his mind when he saw the butterfly. He became
+quite different. He would not have noticed a flower but for that.
+
+Ludibras:
+
+He came to Thek in order to see the orchids.
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+Come, come. We are here. Nothing else matters.
+
+Ludibras:
+
+Yes, we are here. How beautiful are the orchids.
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+What a beautiful thing the air is in the morning. I stand up very early
+and breathe it from my casement; not in order to nourish my body, you
+understand, but because it is the wild, sweet air of Thek.
+
+Ludibras:
+
+Yes, it is wonderful rising up in the morning. It seems all fresh from
+the fields.
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+It took us two days to ride out of Bar-el-Sharnak. Do you remember how
+men stared at our camels? No one had gone away from the city for years.
+
+Ludibras:
+
+I think it is not easy to leave a great city. It seems to grow thicker
+around you, and you forget the fields.
+
+Ichtharion: [looking off]
+
+The jungle is like a sea lying there below us. The orchids that blaze
+on it are like Tyrian ships, all rich with purple of that wonderful
+fish; they have even dyed their sails with it.
+
+Ludibras:
+
+They are not like ships because they do not move. They are like... They
+are like no tangible thing in all the world. They are like faint,
+beautiful songs of an unseen singer; they are like temptations to some
+unknown sin. They make me think of the tigers that slip through the
+gloom below them.
+
+    [Enter Harpagas and a Noble of the Court, with spears and leather
+    belts.]
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+Where are you going?
+
+Harpagas:
+
+We are going hunting.
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+Hunting! How beautiful!
+
+Harpagas:
+
+A little street goes down from the palace door; the other end of it
+touches the very jungle.
+
+Ludibras:
+
+O, heavenly city of Thek.
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+Have you ever before gone hunting?
+
+Harpagas:
+
+No; I have dreamed of it. In Barbul-el-Sharnak I nearly forgot my
+dream.
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+Man was not made for cities. I did not know this once.
+
+Ludibras:
+
+I will come with you.
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+I will come with you, too. We will go down by the little street, and
+there will be the jungle. I will fetch a spear as we go.
+
+Ludibras:
+
+What shall we hunt in the jungle?
+
+Harpagas:
+
+They say there are kroot and abbax; and tigers, some say, have been
+heard of.
+
+Noble:
+
+We must never go back to Barbul-el-Sharnak again.
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+You may rely on us.
+
+Ludibras:
+
+We shall keep the King in Thek.
+
+    [Exeunt, leaving two sentries standing beside the throne.]
+
+1st Sentry:
+
+They are all very glad to be in Thek. I, too, am glad.
+
+2nd Sentry:
+
+It is a very little city. Two hundred of these cities would not build
+Barbul-el-Sharnak.
+
+1st Sentry:
+
+No. But it is a finer palace, and Barbul-el-Sharnak is the centre of
+the world; men have drawn together there.
+
+2nd Sentry:
+
+I did not know there was a palace like this outside Barbul-el-Sharnak.
+
+1st Sentry:
+
+It was built in the days of the forefathers. They built palaces in
+those days.
+
+2nd Sentry:
+
+They must be in the jungle by now. It is quite close. How glad they
+were to go.
+
+1st Sentry:
+
+Yes, they were glad. Men do not hunt for tigers in Barbul-el-Sharnak.
+
+    [Enter Tharmia and Arolind weeping.]
+
+Tharmia:
+
+O it is terrible.
+
+Arolind:
+
+O! O! O!
+
+1st Sentry: [To 2nd Sentry]
+
+Something has happened.
+
+    [Enter Carolyx.]
+
+Carolyx:
+
+What is it, princely ladies?
+
+[To Sentries] Go. Go away.
+
+    [Exeunt Sentries.]
+
+What has happened?
+
+Tharmia:
+
+O. We went down a little street.
+
+Carolyx:
+
+Yes. Yes.
+
+Arolind:
+
+The main street of the city.
+
+    [Both weep quietly.]
+
+Carolyx:
+
+Yes? Yes? Yes?
+
+Tharmia:
+
+It ends in the jungle.
+
+Carolyx:
+
+You went into the jungle! There must be tigers there.
+
+Tharmia:
+
+No.
+
+Arolind:
+
+No.
+
+Carolyx:
+
+What did you do?
+
+Tharmia:
+
+We came back.
+
+Carolyx: [in a voice of anguish]
+
+What did you see in the street?
+
+Tharmia:
+
+Nothing.
+
+Arolind:
+
+Nothing.
+
+Carolyx:
+
+Nothing?
+
+Tharmia:
+
+There are no shops.
+
+Arolind:
+
+We cannot buy new hair.
+
+Tharmia:
+
+We cannot buy [sobs] gold-dust to put upon our hair.
+
+Arolind:
+
+There are no [sobs] neighbouring princes.
+
+    [Carolyx bursts bitterly into tears and continues to weep.]
+
+Tharmia:
+
+Barbul-el-Sharnak, Barbul-el-Sharnak. O why did the King leave
+Barbul-el-Sharnak?
+
+Arolind:
+
+Barbul-el-Sharnak. Its streets were all of agate.
+
+Tharmia:
+
+And there were shops where one bought beautiful hair.
+
+Carolyx:
+
+The King must go at once.
+
+Tharmia: [calmer now.]
+
+He shall go tomorrow. My husband shall speak to him.
+
+Arolind:
+
+Perhaps my husband might have more influence.
+
+Tharmia and Arolind:
+
+My husband brought him here.
+
+Tharmia:
+
+What!
+
+Arolind:
+
+Nothing. What did you say?
+
+Tharmia:
+
+I said nothing. I thought you spoke.
+
+Carolyx:
+
+It may be better for my husband to persuade him, for he was ever
+opposed to his coming to Thek.
+
+Tharmia: [To Arolind]
+
+He could have but little influence with His Majesty since the King
+_has_ come to Thek.
+
+Arolind:
+
+No. It will be better for our husbands to arrange it.
+
+Carolyx:
+
+I myself have some influence with the Queen.
+
+Tharmia:
+
+It is of no use. Her nerves are all a-quiver. She weeps if you speak
+with her. If you argue a matter with her she cries aloud and maidens
+must come and fan her and put scent on her hands.
+
+Arolind:
+
+She never leaves her chamber and the King would not listen to her.
+
+Tharmia:
+
+Hark, they are coming back. They are singing a hunting song.... why,
+they have killed a beast. All four of the men are bringing it on two
+branches.
+
+Arolind: [bored]
+
+What kind of beast is it?
+
+Tharmia:
+
+I do not know. It seems to have barbed horns.
+
+Carolyx:
+
+We must go and meet them.
+
+    [The song is loud and joyous.]
+
+    [Exeunt by the way that the Sentries went.]
+
+    [Enter Sentries.]
+
+1st Sentry:
+
+Whatever it is has passed away again for they were smiling.
+
+2nd Sentry:
+
+They feared that their husbands were lost and now they return in
+safety.
+
+1st Sentry:
+
+You do not know, for you do not understand women.
+
+2nd Sentry:
+
+I understand them quite as well as you.
+
+1st Sentry:
+
+That is what I say. You do not understand them. I do not understand
+them.
+
+2nd Sentry:
+
+......Oh. [A pause.]
+
+1st Sentry:
+
+We shall never leave Thek now.
+
+2nd Sentry:
+
+Why shall we never leave it?
+
+1st Sentry:
+
+Did you not hear how glad they were when they sang the hunting song?
+They say a wild dog does not turn from the trail, they will go on
+hunting now.
+
+2nd Sentry:
+
+But will the King stay here?
+
+1st Sentry:
+
+He only does what Ichtharion and Ludibras persuade him. He does not
+listen to the Queen.
+
+2nd Sentry:
+
+The Queen is mad.
+
+1st Sentry:
+
+She is not mad but she has a curious sickness, she is always frightened
+though there is nothing to fear.
+
+2nd Sentry:
+
+That would be a dreadful sickness; one would fear that the roof might
+fall on one from above or the earth break in pieces beneath. I would
+rather be mad than to fear things like that.
+
+1st Sentry: [looking straight before him]
+
+Hush.
+
+    [Enter King and retinue. He sits on the throne. Enter from
+    other side Ichtharion, Ludibras, and Harpagas, each with his
+    wife beside him, hand in hand. Each couple bows before the
+    King, still hand in hand; then they seat themselves. The King
+    nods once to each couple.]
+
+King: [To Tharmia]
+
+Well, your Sincerity, I trust that you are glad to have come to Thek.
+
+Tharmia:
+
+Very glad, your Majesty.
+
+King: [To Arolind]
+
+This is pleasanter, is it not, than Barbul-el-Sharnak?
+
+Arolind:
+
+Far pleasanter, your Majesty.
+
+King:
+
+And you, princely lady Carolyx, find all that you need in Thek?
+
+Carolyx: More than all, your Majesty.
+
+King: [To Harpagas]
+
+Then we can stay here long, can we not?
+
+Harpagas:
+
+There are reasons of State why that were dangerous.
+
+King:
+
+Reasons of State? Why should we not stay here?
+
+Harpagas:
+
+Your Majesty, there is a legend in the World, that he who is greatest
+in the city of Barbul-el-Sharnak is the greatest in the world.
+
+King:
+
+I had not heard that legend.
+
+Harpagas:
+
+Your Majesty, little legends do not hive in the sacred ears of kings;
+nevertheless they hum among lesser men from generation to generation.
+
+King:
+
+I will not go for a legend to Barbul-el-Sharnak.
+
+Harpagas:
+
+Your Majesty, it is very dangerous....
+
+King: [To Ladies]
+
+We will discuss things of State which little interest your Sincerities.
+
+Tharmia: [rising]
+
+Your Majesty, we are ignorant of these things.
+
+    [Exeunt.]
+
+King: [To Ichtharion and Ludibras]
+
+We will rest from things of State for awhile, shall we not? We will be
+happy, (shall we not?) in this ancient beautiful palace.
+
+Ludibras:
+
+If your Majesty commands, we must obey.
+
+King:
+
+But is not Thek most beautiful? Are not the jungle orchids a wonder and
+a glory?
+
+Ludibras:
+
+They have been thought so, your Majesty; they were pretty in
+Barbul-el-Sharnak where they were rare.
+
+King:
+
+But when the sun comes over them in the morning, when the dew is on
+them still; are they not glorious then? Indeed, they are very glorious.
+
+Ludibras:
+
+I think they would be glorious if they were blue, and there were fewer
+of them.
+
+King:
+
+I do not think so. But you, Ichtharion, you think the city beautiful?
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+Yes, your Majesty.
+
+King:
+
+Ah. I am glad you love it. It is to me adorable.
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+I do not love it, your Majesty. I hate it very much. I know it is
+beautiful because your Majesty has said so.
+
+Ludibras:
+
+This city is dangerously unhealthy, your Majesty.
+
+Harpagas:
+
+It is dangerous to be absent from Barbul-el-Sharnak.
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+We implore your Majesty to return to the centre of the world.
+
+King:
+
+I will not go again to Barbul-el-Sharnak.
+
+    [Exeunt King with attendants. Ichtharion, Ludibras and Harpagas
+    remain.]
+
+    [Enter Arolind and Carolyx; each goes up to her husband, very
+    affectionate.]
+
+Arolind:
+
+And you talked to the King?
+
+Ludibras:
+
+Yes.
+
+Arolind:
+
+You told him he must go back to Barbul-el-Sharnak at once?
+
+Ludibras:
+
+Well, I----
+
+Arolind:
+
+When does he start?
+
+Ludibras:
+
+He did not say he will start.
+
+Arolind:
+
+What?
+
+Carolyx:
+
+We are not going?
+
+    [Arolind and Carolyx weep and step away from their husbands.]
+
+Ludibras:
+
+But we spoke to the King.
+
+Arolind:
+
+O, we must stay and die here.
+
+Ludibras:
+
+But we did what we could.
+
+Arolind:
+
+O, I shall be buried in Thek.
+
+Ludibras:
+
+I can do no more.
+
+Arolind:
+
+My clothes are torn, my hair is old. I am in rags.
+
+Ludibras:
+
+I am sure you are beautifully dressed.
+
+Arolind: [full height]
+
+Beautifully dressed! Of course I am beautifully dressed! But who is
+there to see me? I am alone in the jungle, and here I shall be buried.
+
+Ludibras:
+
+But----
+
+Arolind:
+
+Oh, will you not leave me alone? Is nothing sacred to you? Not even my
+grief?
+
+    [Exeunt Arolind and Carolyx.]
+
+Harpagas: [To Ludibras]
+
+What are we to do?
+
+Ludibras:
+
+All women are alike.
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+I do not allow my wife to speak to me like that.
+
+    [Exeunt Harpagas and Ludibras.]
+
+I hope Tharmia will not weep; it is very distressing to see a woman in
+tears.
+
+    [Enter Tharmia.]
+
+Do not be unhappy, do not be at all unhappy. But I have been unable to
+persuade the King to return to Barbul-el-Sharnak. You will be happy
+here after a little while.
+
+Tharmia: [breaks into loud laughter]
+
+_You_ are the King's adviser. Ha-ha-ha! _You_ are the Grand High
+Vizier of the Court. Ha-ha-ha. _You_ are the warder of the golden wand.
+Ha-ha-ha O, go and throw biscuits to the King's dog.
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+What!
+
+Tharmia:
+
+Throw little ginger biscuits to the King's dog. Perhaps he will obey
+you. Perhaps you will have some influence with the King's dog if you
+feed him with little biscuits. You----
+
+    [Laughs and exits. Ichtharion sits with his miserable head in his
+    hands.]
+
+    [Reenter Ludibras and Harpagas.]
+
+Ludibras:
+
+Has her Sincerity, the princely Lady Tharmia, been speaking with you?
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+She spoke a few words.
+
+    [Ludibras and Harpagas sigh.]
+
+We must leave Thek. We must depart from Thek.
+
+Ludibras:
+
+What, without the King?
+
+Harpagas:
+
+No.
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+No. They would say in Barbul-el-Sharnak "these were once at Court," and
+men that we have flogged would spit in our faces.
+
+Ludibras:
+
+Who can command a King?
+
+Harpagas:
+
+Only the gods.
+
+Ludibras:
+
+The gods? There are no gods now. We have been civilised over three
+thousand years. The gods that nursed our infancy are dead, or gone to
+nurse younger nations.
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+I refuse the listen to---- O, the sentries are gone. No, the gods are
+no use to us; they were driven away by the decadence.
+
+Harpagas:
+
+We are not in the decadence here. Barbul-el-Sharnak is in a different
+age. The city of Thek is scarcely civilised.
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+But everybody lives in Barbul-el-Sharnak.
+
+Harpagas:
+
+The gods----
+
+Ludibras:
+
+The old prophet is coming.
+
+Harpagas:
+
+He believes as much in the gods as you or I do.
+
+Ludibras:
+
+Yes, but we must not speak as though we knew that.
+
+    [Voice-of-the-Gods (a prophet) walks across the stage.]
+
+Ichtharion, Ludibras, and Harpagas: [rising]
+
+The gods are good.
+
+Voice-of-the-Gods:
+
+They are benignant. [exit]
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+Listen! Let him prophesy to the King. Let him bid the King go hence
+lest they smite the city.
+
+Ludibras:
+
+Can we make him do it?
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+I think we can make him do it.
+
+Harpagas:
+
+The King is more highly civilised even than we are. He will not care
+for the gods.
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+He cannot ignore them; the gods crowned his forefather and if there are
+no gods who made him King?
+
+Ludibras:
+
+Why, that is true. He must obey a prophecy.
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+If the King disobeys the gods the people will tear him asunder, whether
+the gods created the people or the people created the gods.
+
+    [Harpagas slips out after the Prophet.]
+
+Ludibras:
+
+If the King discovers this we shall be painfully tortured.
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+How can the King discover it?
+
+Ludibras:
+
+He knows that there are no gods.
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+No man knows that of a certainty.
+
+Ludibras:
+
+But if there are----!
+
+    [Enter Prophet with Harpagas. Ichtharion quickly sends Ludibras and
+    Harpagas away.]
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+There is a delicate matter concerning the King.
+
+Voice-of-the-Gods:
+
+Then I can help you little for I only serve the gods.
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+It also concerns the gods.
+
+Voice-of-the-Gods:
+
+Ah. Then I hearken.
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+This city is for the King, whose body is fragile, a very unhealthy
+city. Moreover, there is no work here that a King can profitably do.
+Also it is dangerous for Barbul-el-Sharnak to be long without a King,
+lest----
+
+Voice-of-the-Gods:
+
+Does this concern the gods?
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+In this respect it does concern the gods--that if the gods knew this
+they would warn the King by inspiring you to make a prophecy. As they
+do not know this----
+
+Voice-of-the-Gods:
+
+The gods know all things.
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+The gods do not know things that are not true. This is not strictly
+true----
+
+Voice-of-the-Gods:
+
+It is written and hath been said that the gods cannot lie.
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+The gods of course cannot lie, but a prophet may sometimes utter a
+prophecy that is a good prophecy and helpful to men, thereby pleasing
+the gods, although the prophecy is not a true one.
+
+Voice-of-the-Gods:
+
+The gods speak through my mouth; my breath is my own breath, I am human
+and mortal, but my voice is from the gods and the gods cannot lie.
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+Is it wise in an age when the gods have lost their power to anger
+powerful men for the sake of the gods?
+
+Voice-of-the-Gods:
+
+It _is_ wise.
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+We are three men and you are alone with us. Will the gods save you if
+we want to put you to death and slip away with your body into the
+jungle?
+
+Voice-of-the-Gods:
+
+If you should do this thing the gods have willed it. If they have not
+willed it you cannot.
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+We do not wish to do it. Nevertheless you will make this prophecy--you
+will go before the King and you will say that the gods have spoken and
+that within three days' time, for the sake of vengeance upon some
+unknown man who is in this city, they will overthrow all Thek unless
+every man is departed.
+
+Voice-of-the-Gods:
+
+I will not do it, for the gods cannot lie.
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+Has it not been the custom since unremembered time for a prophet to
+have two wives?
+
+Voice-of-the-Gods:
+
+Most certainly. It is the law.
+
+    [Ichtharion holds up three fingers.]
+
+What!
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+Three.
+
+Voice-of-the-Gods:
+
+Do not betray me. It was long ago.
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+You will be allowed to serve the gods no more if men know this. The
+gods will not protect you in this matter for you have offended also
+against the gods.
+
+Voice-of-the-Gods:
+
+It is worse that the gods should lie. Do not betray me.
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+I go to tell the others what I know.
+
+Voice-of-the-Gods:
+
+I will make the false prophecy.
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+Ah. You have chosen wisely.
+
+Voice-of-the-Gods:
+
+When the gods punish me who make them lie, they will know what
+punishment to give to you.
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+The gods will not punish us. It is long ago that the gods used to
+punish men.
+
+Voice-of-the-Gods:
+
+The gods will punish us.
+
+Act II
+
+    [Same scene.]
+
+    [Same day.]
+
+King Karnos: [pointing off L.]
+
+Look at them now, are they not beautiful? They catch the last rays of
+the lingering sun. Can you say that the orchids are not beautiful now?
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+Your majesty, we were wrong, they are most beautiful. They tower up
+from the jungle to take the sun. They are like the diadem of some
+jubilant king.
+
+King Karnos:
+
+Ah. Now you have come to love the beauty of Thek.
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+Yes, yes, your Majesty, I see it now. I would live in this city always.
+
+King Karnos:
+
+Yes, we will live here always. There is no city lovelier than Thek. Am
+I not right?
+
+Ludibras:
+
+Your Majesty, no city is like it.
+
+King Karnos:
+
+Ah. I am always right.
+
+Tharmia:
+
+How beautiful is Thek.
+
+Arolind:
+
+Yes, it is like a god.
+
+    [Three notes are stricken on a sonorous gong.]
+
+Whispers: [on]
+
+There has been a prophecy. There has been a prophecy.
+
+King Karnos:
+
+Ah! there has been a prophecy. Bring in the prophet. [Exit attendant.]
+
+    [Enter mournfully with dejected head and walking very slowly
+     Voice-of-the-Gods.]
+
+King Karnos:
+
+You have made a prophecy.
+
+Voice-of-the-Gods:
+
+I have made a prophecy.
+
+King Karnos:
+
+I would hear that prophecy. [A pause.]
+
+Voice-of-the-Gods:
+
+Your Majesty, the gods in three days' time----
+
+King Karnos:
+
+Stop! Is it not usual to begin with certain words? [A pause.]
+
+Voice-of-the-Gods:
+
+It is written and hath been said... that the gods cannot lie.
+
+King Karnos:
+
+That is right.
+
+Voice-of-the-Gods:
+
+That the gods cannot lie.
+
+King Karnos:
+
+Yes. Yes.
+
+Voice-of-the-Gods:
+
+In three days' time the gods will destroy this city for vengeance upon
+some man, unless all men desert it.
+
+King Karnos:
+
+The gods will destroy Thek!
+
+Voice-of-the-Gods:
+
+Yes.
+
+King Karnos:
+
+When will this happen?
+
+Voice-of-the-Gods:
+
+It must be in three days' time.
+
+King Karnos:
+
+How will it happen?
+
+Voice-of-the-Gods:
+
+Why. It will happen.
+
+King Karnos:
+
+How?
+
+Voice-of-the-Gods:
+
+Why... there will be a sound... as the riving of wood... a sound as of
+thunder coming up from the ground. A cleft will run like a mouse across
+the floor. There will be a red light, and then no light at all, and in
+the darkness Thek shall tumble in.
+
+    [The King sits in deep thought. Exit Prophet slowly; he begins to
+    weep, then casts his cloak over his face. He stretches out his arms
+    to grope his way and is led by the hand. The King sits thinking.]
+
+Tharmia:
+
+Save us, your Majesty.
+
+Arolind:
+
+Save us.
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+We must fly, your Majesty.
+
+Ludibras:
+
+We must escape swiftly.
+
+    [The King sits still in silence. He lifts a stick on his
+    right to beat a little silver bell; but puts it down again. At
+    last he lifts it up and strikes the bell. An Attendant
+    enters.]
+
+King Karnos:
+
+Bring back that prophet. [Attendant bows and exits.]
+
+    [The King looks thoughtful. The rest have a frightened
+    look. Re-enter Prophet.]
+
+King Karnos:
+
+When the gods prophesy rain in the season of rain, or the death of an
+old man, we believe them. But when the gods prophesy something
+incredible and ridiculous, such as happens not nowadays, and hath not
+been heard of since the fall of Bleth, then our credulity is overtaxed.
+It is possible that a man should lie; it is not possible that the gods
+should destroy a city nowadays.
+
+Voice-of-the-Gods:
+
+O King, have mercy.
+
+King Karnos:
+
+What, would you be sent safe away while your King is destroyed by the
+gods?
+
+Voice-of-the-Gods:
+
+No, no, your Majesty. I would stay in the city, your Majesty. But if
+the gods do not destroy the city, if the gods have misled me.
+
+King Karnos:
+
+If the gods have misled you they have chosen your doom. Why ask for
+mercy from me?
+
+Voice-of-the-Gods:
+
+If the gods have misled me, and punish me no further, I ask mercy from
+you, O King.
+
+King Karnos:
+
+If the gods have misled you, let the gods protect you from my
+executioner.
+
+1st Sentry: [Laughs aside to 2nd Sentry]
+
+Very witty.
+
+2nd Sentry:
+
+Yes, yes. [Laughs too.]
+
+King Karnos:
+
+If the doom fall not at sunset, why then the executioner----
+
+Voice-of-the-Gods:
+
+Your Majesty!
+
+King Karnos:
+
+No more! No doubt the gods will destroy the whole city at sunset.
+
+    [The sentries titter. The Prophet is led away.]
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+Your Majesty! Is it safe to kill a prophet, even for any guilt? Will
+not the people----
+
+King Karnos:
+
+Not while he is a prophet; but if he has prophesied falsely his death
+is due to the gods. The people once even burned a prophet themselves
+because he had taken three wives.
+
+Ichtharion: [Aside to Ludibras]
+
+It is most unfortunate, but what can we do?
+
+Ludibras: [Aside to Ichtharion]
+
+He will not be killed if he betray us instead.
+
+Ichtharion: [Aside]
+
+Why... that is true.
+
+    [All are whispering.]
+
+King Karnos:
+
+Why do you whisper?
+
+Tharmia:
+
+Your Majesty, we fear that the gods will destroy us all and...
+
+King Karnos:
+
+You do not fear it?
+
+    [Dead silence. A plaintive lament off. Enter the Queen. Her
+    face is pale as paper.]
+
+Queen: [loq.]
+
+O your Majesty. Your Majesty. I have heard the lutanist, I have heard
+the lutanist.
+
+King Karnos:
+
+She means the lute that is heard by those about to die.
+
+Queen:
+
+I have heard Gog-Owza, the lutanist, playing his lute. And I shall die,
+O I shall die.
+
+King Karnos:
+
+No. No. No. You have not heard Gog-Owza. Send for her maidens, send for
+the Queen's maidens.
+
+Queen:
+
+I have heard Gog-Owza playing, and I shall die.
+
+King Karnos:
+
+Hark. Why, I hear it too. That is not Gog-Owza, it is only a man with a
+lute; I hear it too.
+
+Queen:
+
+O the King hears it too. The King will die. The great King will die. My
+child will be desolate for the King will die. Mourn, people of the
+jungle. Mourn, citizens of Thek. And thou, O Barbul-el-Sharnak, O
+metropolitan city, mourn thou in the midst of the nations, for the
+great King will die.
+
+King Karnos:
+
+No. No. No. [To oldest present.] Listen you. Do you not hear it?
+
+The Oldest:
+
+Yes, your Majesty.
+
+King Karnos:
+
+You see it is a real lute. That is no spirit playing.
+
+Queen:
+
+O but he is old; in a few days he will die; it is Gog-Owza, and the
+King will die.
+
+King Karnos:
+
+No, no, it is only a man. Look out of the window there. [To any Young
+Man.]
+
+The Young Man:
+
+It is dark, your Majesty, and I cannot see.
+
+Queen:
+
+It is the spirit Gog-Owza.
+
+The Young Man:
+
+I can hear the music clearly.
+
+King Karnos:
+
+He is young.
+
+Queen:
+
+The young are always in danger; they go about among swords. He will die
+too and the great King and I. In a few days we will be buried.
+
+King Karnos:
+
+Let us all listen; we cannot all die in a few days' time.
+
+Tharmia:
+
+I hear it clearly.
+
+Queen:
+
+Women are blossoms in the hand of Death. They are often close to Death.
+She will die too.
+
+All:
+
+I hear it. I hear it. And I. And I. And I. It is only a man with a
+lute.
+
+Queen: [pacified]
+
+I should like to see him, then I should know for certain.
+
+    [She looks out of the casement.]
+
+No, it is too dark.
+
+King Karnos:
+
+We will call the man if you wish it.
+
+Queen:
+
+Yes, I shall be easy then, and then I shall sleep.
+
+    [King instructs Attendants to enquire without. Queen at window still.]
+
+King Karnos:
+
+It is some man down by the river playing his lute. I am told that
+sometimes a man will play all night.
+
+Tharmia: [Aside]
+
+That's their amusement here.
+
+Arolind: [Aside]
+
+Well, really, its almost all the music we get.
+
+Tharmia: [Aside]
+
+It really is.
+
+Arolind: [Aside]
+
+O how I cry for the golden Hall of Song in Barbul-el-Sharnak. I think
+it would almost hold the city of Thek.
+
+    [Re-enter Attendant]
+
+Attendant:
+
+It is only a common lute, your Majesty. All hear it except one man.
+
+King Karnos:
+
+All except one, did you say? Ah, thank you.
+
+    [To Queen at window.]
+
+It is only a common lute.
+
+Queen:
+
+One man did not hear it. Who was he? Where is he? Why didn't he?
+
+Attendant:
+
+He was riding back again to Barbul-el-Sharnak. He was just starting. He
+said he did not hear it.
+
+Queen:
+
+Oh, send for him here.
+
+Attendant:
+
+He is gone, your Majesty.
+
+Queen:
+
+Overtake him quick. Overtake him.
+
+    [Exit Attendant.]
+
+Tharmia: [Aside to Arolind]
+
+I wish that I were going back to Barbul-el-Sharnak.
+
+Arolind:
+
+O to be again at the centre of the world!
+
+Tharmia:
+
+Were we not talking of the golden hall?
+
+Arolind:
+
+Ah, yes. How lovely it was! How beautiful it was when the King was
+there and strange musicians came from the heathen lands with huge
+plumes in their hair, and played on instruments that we did not know.
+
+Tharmia:
+
+The Queen was better then. The music eased her.
+
+Arolind:
+
+This lute player is making her quite mad.
+
+Tharmia:
+
+Well. Well. No wonder. He has a mournful sound. Listen!
+
+Arolind:
+
+Do not let us listen. It makes me feel cold.
+
+Tharmia:
+
+He cannot play like Nagra or dear Trehannion. It is because we have
+heard Trehannion that we do not like to listen.
+
+Arolind:
+
+I do not like to listen because I feel cold.
+
+Tharmia:
+
+We feel cold because the Queen has opened the casement.
+
+King Karnos: [To Attendant]
+
+Find the man that is playing the lute and give him this and let him
+cease to play upon his lute.
+
+    [Exit Attendant]
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+Hark! He is playing still.
+
+King Karnos:
+
+Yes, we all hear him; it is only a man.
+
+    [To another or same Attendant]
+
+Let him stop playing.
+
+Attendant:
+
+Yes, your Majesty. [Exit]
+
+    [Enter an Attendant with another]
+
+Attendant:
+
+This is the man that does not hear the lute.
+
+King Karnos:
+
+Ah. You are deaf, then, are you not?
+
+Man:
+
+No, your Majesty.
+
+King Karnos:
+
+You hear me clearly?
+
+Man:
+
+Yes, your Majesty.
+
+King Karnos:
+
+Listen! ...Now you hear the lute?
+
+Man:
+
+No, your Majesty.
+
+King Karnos:
+
+Who sent you to Barbul-el-Sharnak?
+
+Man:
+
+The captain of the camel-guard sent me, your Majesty.
+
+King Karnos:
+
+Then go and never return. You are deaf and also a fool. [To himself]
+The Queen will not sleep. [To Another] Bring music, bring music
+quickly. [Muttering] The Queen will not sleep.
+
+    [The man bows low and departs. He says farewell to a sentry.
+    The Queen leans from the casement muttering. Music heard off.]
+
+Queen:
+
+Ah, that is earthly music, but of that other tune I have a fear.
+
+King Karnos:
+
+We have all heard it. Comfort yourself. Calm yourself.
+
+Queen:
+
+One man does not hear it.
+
+King Karnos:
+
+But he has gone away. We all hear it now.
+
+Queen:
+
+I wish that I could see him.
+
+King Karnos:
+
+A man is a small thing and the night very large and full of wonders.
+You may well not see him.
+
+Queen:
+
+I should like to see him. Why cannot I see him?
+
+King Karnos:
+
+I have sent the camel-guard to search for him and to stop him playing
+his lute.
+
+    [To Ichtharion]
+
+Do not let the Queen know about this prophecy. She would think... I do
+not know what she would think.
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+No, your Majesty.
+
+King Karnos:
+
+The Queen has a very special fear of the gods.
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+Yes, your Majesty.
+
+Queen:
+
+You speak of me?
+
+King Karnos:
+
+O no. We speak of the gods.
+
+    [The earthly music ceases.]
+
+Queen:
+
+O do not speak of the gods. The gods are very terrible; all the dooms
+that shall ever be come forth from the gods. In misty windings of the
+wandering hills they forge the future even as on an anvil. The future
+frightens me.
+
+King Karnos:
+
+Call the Queen's maidens. Send quickly for her maidens. Do not let the
+future frighten you.
+
+Queen:
+
+Men laugh at the gods; they often laugh at the gods. I am more sure
+that the gods laugh too. It is dreadful to think of the laughter of the
+gods. O the lute! the lute! How clearly I hear the lute. But you all
+hear it? Do you not? You swear that you all hear it?
+
+King Karnos:
+
+Yes, yes. We all hear the lute. It is only a man playing.
+
+Queen:
+
+I wish I could see him. Then I should know that he was only a man and
+not Gog-Owza, most terrible of the gods. I should be able to sleep
+then.
+
+King Karnos: [Soothingly]
+
+Yes, yes.
+
+    [Enter Attendant]
+
+Here comes the man that I have sent to find him. You have found the
+lute player. Tell the queen that you have found the lute player.
+
+Attendant:
+
+The camel-guard have searched, your Majesty, and cannot find any man
+that is playing a lute.
+
+    [Curtain]
+
+Act III
+
+    [Three days elapse.]
+
+Tharmia:
+
+We have done too much. We have done too much. Our husbands will be put
+to death. The prophet will betray them and they will be put to death.
+
+Arolind:
+
+O what shall we do?
+
+Tharmia:
+
+It would have been better for us to have been clothed with rags than to
+bring our husbands to death by what we have done.
+
+Arolind:
+
+We have done much and we have angered a king, and (who knows!) we may
+have angered even the gods.
+
+Tharmia:
+
+Even the gods! We are become like Helen. When my mother was a child she
+saw her once. She says she was the quietest and gentlest of creatures
+and wished only to be loved, and yet because of her there was a war for
+four or five years at Troy, and the city was burned which had
+remarkable towers; and some of the gods of the Greeks took her side, my
+mother says, and some she says were against her, and they quarrelled
+upon Olympus where they live, and all because of Helen.
+
+Arolind:
+
+O don't, don't. It frightens me. I only want to be prettily dressed and
+see my husband happy.
+
+Tharmia:
+
+Have you seen the prophet?
+
+Arolind:
+
+Oh yes, I have seen him. He walks about the palace. He is free but
+cannot escape.
+
+Tharmia:
+
+What does he look like? Has he a frightened look?
+
+Arolind:
+
+He mutters as he walks. Sometimes he weeps; and then he puts his cloak
+over his face.
+
+Tharmia:
+
+I fear that he will betray them.
+
+Arolind:
+
+I do not trust a prophet. He is the go-between of gods and men. They
+are so far apart. How can he be true to both?
+
+Tharmia:
+
+This prophet is false to the gods. It is a hateful thing for a prophet
+to prophesy falsely.
+
+    [Prophet walks across hanging his head and muttering.]
+
+Prophet:
+
+The gods have spoken a lie. The gods have spoken a lie. Can all their
+vengeance ever atone for this?
+
+Tharmia:
+
+He spoke of vengeance.
+
+Arolind:
+
+O he will betray them.
+
+    [They weep. Enter the Queen.]
+
+Queen:
+
+Why do you weep? Ah, you are going to die. You heard the death-lute.
+You do well to weep.
+
+Tharmia:
+
+No, your Majesty. It is the man that has played for the last three
+days. We all heard him.
+
+Queen:
+
+Three days. Yes, it is three days. Gog-Owza plays no longer than three
+days. Gog-Owza grows weary then. He has given his message and he will
+go away.
+
+Tharmia:
+
+We have all heard him, your Majesty, except the deaf young man that
+went back to Barbul-el-Sharnak. We hear him now.
+
+Queen: Yes! But nobody has seen him yet. My maidens have searched for
+him but they have not found him.
+
+Tharmia:
+
+Your Majesty, my husband heard him, and Ludibras, and while they live
+we know there is nothing to fear. If the King grew angry with them--
+because of any idle story that some jealous man might tell--some
+criminal wishing to postpone his punishment--if the King were to grow
+angry with them they would open their veins; they would never survive
+his anger. Then we should all of us say, "Perhaps it was Gog-Owza that
+Ichtharion or Ludibras heard."
+
+Queen:
+
+The King will never grow angry with Ichtharion or Ludibras.
+
+Tharmia:
+
+Your Majesty would not sleep if the King grew angry with them.
+
+Queen:
+
+Oh, no. I should not sleep; it would be terrible.
+
+Tharmia:
+
+Your Majesty would be wakeful all night long and cry.
+
+Queen:
+
+Oh, yes. I should not sleep; I should cry all night. [Exit]
+
+Arolind:
+
+She has no influence with the King.
+
+Tharmia:
+
+No. But he hates to hear her cry all night.
+
+    [Enter Ichtharion]
+
+I am sure that the prophet will betray you. But we have spoken to the
+Queen. We have told her it would be dreadful if the King were to grow
+angry with you, and she things she will cry all night if he is angry.
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+Poor frightened brain! How strong are little fancies! She should be a
+beautiful Queen. But she goes about white and crying, in fear of the
+gods. The gods, that are no more than shadows in the moonlight. Man's
+fear rises weird and large in all this mystery and makes a shadow of
+himself upon the ground and Man jumps and says "the gods." Why they are
+less than shadows; we have seen shadows, we have not seen the gods.
+
+Tharmia:
+
+O do not speak like that. There used to be gods. They overthrew Bleth
+dreadfully. And if they still live on in the dark of the hills, why,
+they might hear your words.
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+Why! you grow frightened, too. Do not be frightened. We will go and
+speak with the prophet, while you follow the Queen; be much with her,
+and do not let her forget that she will cry if the King should be angry
+with us.
+
+Arolind:
+
+I am almost afraid when I am with the Queen; I do not like to be with
+her.
+
+Tharmia:
+
+She could not hurt us; she is afraid of all things.
+
+Arolind:
+
+She makes me have huge fears of prodigious things.
+
+    [Exeunt Tharmia and Arolind.]
+
+    [Enter Ludibras.]
+
+Ludibras:
+
+The prophet is coming this way.
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+Sit down. We must speak with him. He will betray us.
+
+Ludibras:
+
+Why should the prophet betray us?
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+Because the guilt of the false prophecy is not his guilt; it is ours;
+and the King may spare him if he tells him that. Again, he mutters of
+vengeance as he walks; many have told me.
+
+Ludibras:
+
+The King will not spare him even if he betrays us. It was he that spoke
+the false prophecy to the King.
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+The King does not in his heart believe in the gods. It is for cheating
+him that the prophet is to die. But if he knows we had planned it----
+
+Ludibras:
+
+What can we say to the prophet?
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+Why, we can say nothing. But we can learn what he will do from what he
+says to us.
+
+Ludibras:
+
+Here he is. We must remember everything that he says.
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+Watch his eyes.
+
+    [Enter the Prophet, his eyes concealed by his cloak.]
+
+Ichtharion and Ludibras:
+
+The gods are good.
+
+Voice-of-the-Gods:
+
+They are benignant.
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+I am much to blame. I am very much to blame.
+
+Ludibras:
+
+We trust that the King will relent.
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+He often relents at sunset; he looks out over the orchids in the
+evening. They are very beautiful then, and if he is angry his anger
+passes away just when the cool breeze comes at the set of sun.
+
+Ludibras:
+
+He is sure to relent at sunset.
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+Do not be angry. I am indeed to blame. Do not be angry.
+
+Voice-of-the-Gods:
+
+I do not wish the King to relent at sunset.
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+Do not be unhappy.
+
+Voice-of-the-Gods:
+
+I say to you that I have betrayed the gods.
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+Listen to me. Do not be so unhappy. There are no gods. Everybody knows
+that there are no gods. The King knows it.
+
+Voice-of-the-Gods:
+
+You have heard their prophet lie and believe that the gods are dead?
+
+Ludibras:
+
+There are indeed no gods. It is well known.
+
+Voice-of-the-Gods:
+
+There are gods, and they have a vengeance even for you. Listen and I
+will tell you what it shall be. Aye and for you also... Listen!... No,
+no, they are silent in the gloom of the hills. They have not spoken to
+me since I lied.
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+You are right; the gods will punish us. It is natural that they should
+not speak just now; but they will certainly punish us. It is not
+therefore necessary for any man to avenge himself upon us, even though
+there were any cause.
+
+Voice-of-the-Gods:
+
+It is not necessary.
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+Indeed, it might even further anger the gods if a man should be before
+them to punish us.
+
+Voice-of-the-Gods:
+
+The gods are very swift; no man outruns them.
+
+Ludibras:
+
+A man would be rash to attempt to.
+
+Voice-of-the-Gods:
+
+The sun is falling low. I will leave you now, for I have ever loved the
+sun at evening. I go to watch it drop through the gilded clouds, and
+make a wonder of familiar things. After the sunset, night, and after an
+evil deed, the vengeance of the gods. [Exit R.]
+
+Ludibras: [with contemptuous wonder]
+
+He really believes in the gods.
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+He is as mad as the Queen; we must humour his madness if we ever see
+him more. I think that all will be well.
+
+    [An executioner steals after the Prophet; he is dressed in
+    crimson satin to the knees; he wears a leather belt and
+    carries the axe of his trade.]
+
+Ludibras:
+
+His voice was angry as he went away. I fear he may yet betray us.
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+It is not likely. He thinks that the gods will punish us.
+
+Ludibras:
+
+How long will he think so? The Queen's fancies change thrice an hour.
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+The executioner keeps very close to him now. He comes closer every
+hour. There is not much time for him to change his fancies.
+
+Ludibras:
+
+He has the will to betray us if that fancy leaves him.
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+The executioner is very eager for him. He invented a new stroke lately,
+but he has not had a man since we came to Thek.
+
+Ludibras:
+
+I do not like an eager executioner--the King sees him and it makes him
+think...
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+Look how low the sun is; he has no time to betray us. The King is not
+yet here.
+
+Ludibras:
+
+He is coming.
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+But the prophet is not here.
+
+Ludibras:
+
+No, he is not yet come.
+
+    [Enter the King.]
+
+King Karnos:
+
+The Queen's maidens have persuaded her that there is nothing to fear.
+They are quite excellent; they shall dance before me. The Queen will
+sleep; they are quite excellent. Ah, Ichtharion. Come to me,
+Ichtharion.
+
+Ludibras:
+
+Why does the King send for you?
+
+King Karnos:
+
+You were wrong, Ichtharion.
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+Your Majesty!
+
+    [Ludibras watches.]
+
+King Karnos:
+
+You were wrong to think that Thek is not very lovely.
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+Yes, I was wrong and I am much to blame.
+
+King Karnos:
+
+Yes, it is very beautiful at evening. I will watch them go down over
+the orchids. I will never see Barbul-el-Sharnak any more. I will sit
+and watch the sun go down on the orchids till it is gone and all their
+colours fade.
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+It is very beautiful now. How still it is! I have never seen so still a
+sunset before.
+
+King Karnos:
+
+It is like a picture done by a dying painter, full of a beautiful
+colour. Even if all these orchids died to-night yet their beauty is an
+indestructible memory.
+
+Ludibras: [Aside to Ichtharion]
+
+The prophet is coming this way.
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+Your Majesty, the prophet walks about in the palace, and the
+executioner is close behind him. If the Queen saw him and the
+executioner would it not trouble her? Were it not better that he should
+be killed at once? Shall I whistle for the executioner?
+
+King Karnos:
+
+Not now. I said at sunset.
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+Your Majesty, it is merciful to kill a man before the set of the sun.
+For it is natural in a man to love the sun. But to see it set and to
+know that it will not come again is even a second death. It would be
+merciful to kill him now.
+
+King Karnos:
+
+I have said--at sunset. It were unjust to kill him before his prophecy
+is proven false.
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+But, your Majesty, we know that it is false. He also knows it.
+
+King Karnos:
+
+He shall die at sunset.
+
+Ludibras:
+
+Your Majesty, the prophet will pray for life if he is not killed now.
+It would be pity to grant it.
+
+King Karnos:
+
+Is not a King's word death? I have said he shall die at sunset.
+
+    [Enter Prophet. The Executioner creeps along close behind him.]
+
+Voice-of-the-Gods:
+
+O the gods are about to have lied. The gods will have lied. I have
+prophesied falsely and the gods will have lied. My death cannot atone
+for it nor the punishment of others.
+
+    [Ichtharion and Ludibras start.]
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+He will betray us yet.
+
+Voice-of-the-Gods:
+
+O why did you let your voice come through my lips? O why did you allow
+your voice to lie? For centuries it has been said from city to city,
+"The gods cannot lie." The nomads have known it out upon the plains.
+The mountaineers have known it near the dawn. That is all over now. O
+King, let me die at once. For I have prophesied falsely and at sunset
+the gods will lie.
+
+King Karnos:
+
+It is not sunset yet. No doubt you have spoken truly.
+
+    [Enter Queen.]
+
+How well the Queen looks. Her maidens are quite excellent.
+
+Ludibras: [To Ichtharion]
+
+There is something a little dreadful in seeing the Queen so calm. She
+is like a windless sunset in the Winter before a hurricane comes and
+the snow swirls up before it over the world.
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+I do not like calm sunsets; they make me think that something is going
+to happen. Yes, the Queen is very quiet; she will sleep to-night.
+
+Queen:
+
+I am not frightened any longer. All the wild fancies of my brain have
+left it. I have often troubled you with little fears. Now they are all
+at rest and I am afraid no longer.
+
+King Karnos:
+
+That is good; I am very glad. You will sleep tonight.
+
+Queen:
+
+Sleep. Why--yes, I shall sleep. O yes, we shall all sleep.
+
+King Karnos:
+
+Your maidens have told you that there is nothing to fear.
+
+Queen:
+
+Nothing to fear? No, no more little fears to trouble me.
+
+King Karnos:
+
+They have told you there is nothing at all to fear. Indeed there is
+nothing.
+
+Queen:
+
+No more little fears. There is one great fear.
+
+King Karnos:
+
+A great fear! Why, what is it?
+
+Queen:
+
+I must not say. For you have often soothed me when I was frightened,
+and it were not well for me to trouble you at the last.
+
+King Karnos:
+
+What is your fear? Shall I send again for your maidens?
+
+Queen:
+
+No, it is not my fear. It is all men's fear if they knew.
+
+King Karnos: [glancing round]
+
+Ah, you have seen my man in red. I will send him away. I will----
+
+Queen:
+
+No, no. My fear is not earthly. I am not afraid of little things any
+more.
+
+King Karnos:
+
+Why, what is it then?
+
+Queen:
+
+I do not quite know. But you know how I have ever feared the gods. The
+gods are going to do some dreadful thing.
+
+King Karnos:
+
+Believe me; the gods do nothing nowadays.
+
+Queen:
+
+You have indeed been very good to me. It seems a little while since the
+camels came to Argun-Zeerith by the iris marshes, the camels with the
+gold-hung palanquin, and the bells above their heads, high up in the
+air, the silver bridal bells. It seems a very little while ago. I did
+not know how swift the end would come.
+
+King Karnos:
+
+What end? To whom is the end coming?
+
+Queen:
+
+Do not be troubled. We should not let Fate trouble us. The World and
+its daily cares, ah, they are frightful: but Fate--I smile at Fate.
+Fate cannot hurt us if we smile at it.
+
+King Karnos:
+
+What end do you say is coming?
+
+Queen:
+
+I do not know. Something that has been shall soon be no more.
+
+King Karnos:
+
+No, no. Look upon Thek. It is built of rock and our palace is all of
+marble. Time has not scratched it with six centuries. Six tearing
+centuries with all their claws. We are throned on gold and founded upon
+marble. Death will some day find me, indeed, but I am young. Sire after
+sire of mine has died in Barbul-el-Sharnak or in Thek, but has left our
+dynasty laughing sheer in the face of Time from over these age-old
+walls.
+
+Queen:
+
+Say farewell to me now, lest something happen.
+
+King Karnos:
+
+No, no, we will not say unhappy things.
+
+Executioner:
+
+The sun has set.
+
+King Karnos:
+
+Not yet. The jungle hides it. It is not yet set. Look at the beautiful
+light upon the orchids. For how long they have flashed their purple on
+the gleaming walls of Thek. For how long they will flash there on our
+immortal palace, immortal in marble and immortal in song. Ah, how the
+colour changes.
+
+    [To the Executioner]
+
+The sun is set. Take him away.
+
+    [To the Queen]
+
+It is _he_ whose end you foresaw.
+
+    [The Executioner grips the Prophet by the arm.]
+
+Voice-of-the-Gods:
+
+The gods have lied!
+
+King Karnos:
+
+The jungle is sinking! It has fallen into the earth!
+
+    [The Queen smiles a little, holding his hand.]
+
+The city is falling in! The houses are rolling towards us!
+
+    [Thunder off.]
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+They are coming up like a wave and darkness is coming with them.
+
+    [Loud and prolonged thunder. Flashes of red light and then
+    total darkness. A little light comes back, showing recumbent
+    figures, shattered pillars and rocks of white marble.]
+
+    [The Prophet's back is broken, but he raises the fore-part of
+    his body for a moment.]
+
+Voice-of-the-Gods: [triumphantly]
+
+They have not lied!
+
+Ichtharion:
+
+O, I am killed.
+
+    [Laughter heard off.]
+
+Someone is laughing. Laughing even in Thek! Why, the whole city is
+shattered.
+
+    [The laughter grows demoniac.]
+
+What is that dreadful sound?
+
+Voice-of-the-Gods:
+
+It is the laughter of the gods that cannot lie, going back to their
+hills.
+
+    [He dies.]
+
+    [Curtain]
+
+The Queen's Enemies
+
+Dramatis Personæ
+
+The Queen
+Ackazárpses (her handmaid)
+Prince Rhádamandáspes
+Prince Zophérnes
+The Priest of Horus
+The King of the Four Countries
+The Twin Dukes of Ethiopia
+Tharni, Tharrabas, Harlee (Slaves)
+Slaves.
+
+Scene: An underground temple in Egypt.
+
+Time: The Sixth Dynasty.
+
+    [The Curtain rises on darkness in both parts of the stage. Two
+    Slaves appear with tapers on the steps. As they go down the
+    steps, they light the torches that are clamped against the
+    wall, with their tapers. Afterwards when they come to the
+    temple they light the torches there till they are all lit. The
+    two Slaves are Tharni and Tharrabas.]
+
+Tharrabas:
+
+Is it much further, Tharni?
+
+Tharni:
+
+I think not, Tharrabas.
+
+Tharrabas:
+
+A dank and terrible place.
+
+Tharni:
+
+It is not much further.
+
+Tharrabas:
+
+Why does the Queen banquet in so fearful a place?
+
+Tharni:
+
+I know not. She banquets with her enemies.
+
+Tharrabas:
+
+In the land from which I was taken we do not banquet with our enemies.
+
+Tharni:
+
+No? The Queen will banquet with her enemies.
+
+Tharrabas:
+
+Why? Know you why?
+
+Tharni:
+
+It is the way of the Queen.
+
+    [Silence.]
+
+Tharrabas:
+
+The door, Tharni, we have come to the door!
+
+Tharni:
+
+Yes, that's the Temple.
+
+Tharrabas:
+
+Surely a grim place.
+
+Tharni:
+
+The banquet is prepared. We light these torches, that is all.
+
+Tharrabas:
+
+Unto whom is it holy?
+
+Tharni:
+
+They say to the Nile once. I know not to whom it is holy now.
+
+Tharrabas:
+
+So Nile has left it?
+
+Tharni:
+
+They say they worship him in this place no longer.
+
+Tharrabas:
+
+And if I were holy Nile I also would stay up there [pointing] in the
+sunlight.
+
+    [He suddenly sees the huge misshapen bulk of Harlee.]
+
+Oh-h-h!
+
+Harlee:
+
+Urh
+
+Tharni:
+
+Why, it's Harlee.
+
+Tharrabas:
+
+I thought you were some fearful, evil god.
+
+    [Harlee laughs. He remains leaning on his great iron bar.]
+
+Tharni:
+
+He waits here for the Queen.
+
+Tharrabas:
+
+What sinister need could she have of Harlee?
+
+Tharni:
+
+I know not. You wait for the Queen, Harlee?
+
+    [Harlee nods.]
+
+Tharrabas:
+
+I would not banquet here. Not with a Queen.
+
+    [Harlee laughs long.]
+
+Tharrabas:
+
+Our work is done. Come. Let us leave this place.
+
+    [Exeunt Tharrabas and Tharni up the steps.]
+
+    [The Queen appears with her handmaid, Ackazárpses, coming down
+    the steps. Her handmaid holds her train. They enter the
+    temple.]
+
+Queen:
+
+Ah. All is ready.
+
+Ackazárpses:
+
+No, no, Illustrious Lady. Nothing is ready. Your raiment--we must
+fasten it here [shoulder], and then the bow in your hair.
+
+    [She begins to titivate the Queen.]
+
+Queen:
+
+Ackazárpses, Ackazárpses, I cannot _bear_ to have enemies.
+
+Ackazárpses:
+
+Indeed, Illustrious Lady, it is wrong that you should have enemies.
+One so delicate, so slender and withal so beautiful should never have
+a foe.
+
+Queen:
+
+If the gods could understand they would never permit it.
+
+Ackazárpses:
+
+I have poured out dark wine to them, I have offered them fat, indeed, I
+have often offered them savoury things. I have said: The Queen should
+not have enemies; she is too delicate, too fair. But they will not
+understand.
+
+Queen:
+
+If they could see my tears they would never permit such woes to be
+borne by one small woman. But they only look at men and their horrible
+wars. Why must men slay one another and make horrible war?
+
+Ackazárpses:
+
+I blame your enemies, Illustrious Lady, more than the gods. Why should
+they trouble you who are so fair and so easily hurt by their anger? It
+was but a little territory you took from them. How much better to lose
+a little territory than to be unmannerly and unkind.
+
+Queen:
+
+O speak not of the territory. I know naught of these things. They say
+my Captains took it. How should I know? O why will they be my enemies?
+
+Ackazárpses:
+
+You are most fair to-night, Illustrious Lady.
+
+Queen:
+
+I must needs be fair to-night.
+
+Ackazárpses:
+
+Indeed you are most fair.
+
+Queen:
+
+A little more perfume, Ackazárpses.
+
+Ackazárpses:
+
+I will tie the coloured bow more evenly.
+
+Queen:
+
+O they will never look at it. They will not know if it is orange or
+blue. I shall weep if they do not look at it. It is a pretty bow.
+
+Ackazárpses:
+
+Calm yourself, lady! They will be here soon.
+
+Queen:
+
+Indeed I think they are very close to me now, for I feel myself
+trembling.
+
+Ackazárpses:
+
+You must not tremble, Illustrious Lady; you must not tremble.
+
+Queen:
+
+They are such terrible men, Ackazárpses.
+
+Ackazárpses:
+
+But you must not tremble, for your raiment is now perfect; yet if you
+tremble, alas! who may say how it will hang?
+
+Queen:
+
+They are such huge, terrible men.
+
+Ackazárpses:
+
+O the raiment, the raiment; you must not, you must not!
+
+Queen:
+
+O I cannot bear it. I cannot bear it. There is Rhádamandáspes, that
+huge, fierce soldier, and the terrible Priest of Horus, and... and...
+O I cannot see them, I cannot see them.
+
+Ackazárpses:
+
+Lady, you have invited them.
+
+Queen:
+
+O say I am ill, say I am sick of a fever.
+
+Quick, quick, say I have some swift fever and cannot see them.
+
+Ackazárpses:
+
+Illustrious Lady----
+
+Queen:
+
+Quick, for I cannot bear it.
+
+    [Exit Ackazárpses.]
+
+Queen:
+
+O, I cannot bear to have enemies.
+
+Ackazárpses:
+
+Lady, they are here.
+
+Queen:
+
+O what shall we do?... Set this bow higher upon my head so that it
+must be seen. [Ackazárpses does so.] The pretty bow.
+
+    [She continues to look in a hand mirror. A Slave descends the
+    stairs. Then Rhádamandáspes and Zophérnes. Rhádamandáspes and
+    Zophérnes stop; the Slave stops lower down.]
+
+Zophérnes:
+
+For the last time, Rhádamandáspes, consider. Even yet we may turn
+back.
+
+Rhádamandáspes:
+
+She had no guards outside nor was there any hiding place for them.
+There was the empty plain and the Nile only.
+
+Zophérnes:
+
+Who knows what she may have in this dark temple?
+
+Rhádamandáspes:
+
+It is small and the stairway narrow; our friends are close behind us.
+We could hold these steps with our swords against all her men.
+
+Zophérnes:
+
+True. They are narrow steps. Yet... Rhádamandáspes, I do not fear man
+or god or even woman, yet when I saw the letter this woman sent
+bidding us banquet with her I felt that it was not well that we should
+come.
+
+Rhádamandáspes:
+
+She said that she would love us though we were her enemies.
+
+Zophérnes:
+
+It is not natural to love one's enemies.
+
+Rhádamandáspes:
+
+She is much swayed by whims. They sway her as the winds in spring sway
+flowers--this way and that. This is one of her whims.
+
+Zophérnes:
+
+I do not trust her whims.
+
+Rhádamandáspes:
+
+They name you Zophérnes, giver of good counsel, therefore I will turn
+back because you counsel it, though I would fain go down and banquet
+with this little playful lady.
+
+    [They turn and mount.]
+
+Zophérnes:
+
+Believe me, Rhádamandáspes, it is better. I think that if you had gone
+down these steps we scarcely should have seen the sky again.
+
+Rhádamandáspes:
+
+Well, well, we turn back, though I would fain have humoured the
+Queen's whim. But look. The others come. We cannot turn back. There
+comes the Priest of Horus; we must go to the banquet now.
+
+Zophérnes:
+
+So be it.
+
+    [They descend.]
+
+Rhádamandáspes:
+
+We will be circumspect. If she has men in there we return at once.
+
+Zophérnes:
+
+So be it.
+
+    [The Slave opens the door.]
+
+Slave:
+
+The Princes Rhádamandáspes and Zophérnes.
+
+Queen:
+
+Welcome, Illustrious Princes.
+
+Rhádamandáspes:
+
+Greeting.
+
+Queen:
+
+O you have brought your sword!
+
+Rhádamandáspes:
+
+I have brought my sword.
+
+Queen:
+
+O but it is so terrible, your great sword.
+
+Zophérnes:
+
+We always carry our swords.
+
+Queen:
+
+O but you do not need them. If you have come to kill me your great
+hands are enough. But why do you bring your swords?
+
+Rhádamandáspes:
+
+Illustrious Lady, we do not come to kill you.
+
+Queen:
+
+To your post, Harlee.
+
+Zophérnes:
+
+What are this Harlee and his post?
+
+Ackazárpses:
+
+Do not tremble, Illustrious Lady, indeed you must not tremble.
+
+Queen:
+
+He is but a fisherman; he lives upon the Nile. He nets fish; indeed he
+is nothing.
+
+Zophérnes:
+
+For what is your great bar of iron, Slave?
+
+    [Harlee opens his mouth showing that he is tongueless. Exit.]
+
+Rhádamandáspes:
+
+Ugh! They have burned out his tongue.
+
+Zophérnes:
+
+He goes on secret errands.
+
+    [Enter Second Slave.]
+
+Second Slave:
+
+The Priest of Horus.
+
+Queen:
+
+Welcome, holy companion of the gods.
+
+Priest of Horus:
+
+Greeting.
+
+Third Slave:
+
+The King of the Four Countries.
+
+    [She and he make obeisance.]
+
+Fourth Slave:
+
+The Twin Dukes of Ethiopia.
+
+King of the Four Countries:
+
+We are all met.
+
+Priest of Horus:
+
+All that have warred against her Captains.
+
+Queen:
+
+O speak not of my Captains. It troubles me to hear of violent men. But
+you have been my enemies, and I cannot bear to have enemies. Therefore
+I have asked you to banquet with me.
+
+Priest of Horus:
+
+And we have come.
+
+Queen:
+
+O look not so sternly at me. I cannot bear to have enemies. When I
+have enemies I do not sleep. Is it not so, Ackazárpses?
+
+Ackazárpses:
+
+Indeed, the Illustrious Lady has suffered much.
+
+Queen:
+
+O Ackazárpses, why should I have enemies?
+
+Ackazárpses:
+
+After to-night you will sleep, Illustrious Lady.
+
+Queen:
+
+Why, yes, for we shall all be friends; shall we not, princes? Let us
+be seated.
+
+Rhádamandáspes:
+
+[To Zophérnes.] There is no other doorway. That is well.
+
+Zophérnes:
+
+Why, no, there is not. Yet what is that great hole that is full of
+darkness?
+
+Rhádamandáspes:
+
+Only one man at a time could come that way. We are safe from man or
+beast. Nothing could enter that way for our swords.
+
+Queen:
+
+I pray you be seated.
+
+    [They seat themselves cautiously, she standing watching them.]
+
+Zophérnes:
+
+There are no servitors.
+
+Queen:
+
+Are there not viands before you, Prince Zophérnes, or are there too
+few fruits that you should blame me?
+
+Zophérnes:
+
+I do not blame you.
+
+Queen:
+
+I fear you blame me with your fierce eyes.
+
+Zophérnes:
+
+I do not blame you.
+
+Queen:
+
+O my enemies, I would have you kind to me. And indeed there are no
+servitors, for I know what evil things you think of me----
+
+A Duke of Ethiopia:
+
+No, Queen, indeed we think no evil of you.
+
+Queen:
+
+Ah, but you think terrible things.
+
+Priest of Horus:
+
+We think no evil of you, Illustrious Lady.
+
+Queen:
+
+I feared that if I had servitors you would think... you would say,
+"This wicked Queen, our enemy, will bid them attack us while we
+feast."
+
+    [First Duke of Ethiopia furtively hands food to his Slave
+    standing behind him, who tastes it.]
+
+Though you do not know how I dread the sight of blood, and indeed I
+would never bid them do such a thing. The sight of blood is shocking.
+
+Priest of Horus:
+
+We trust you, Illustrious Lady.
+
+    [He does the same with his Slave.]
+
+Queen:
+
+And for miles around this temple and all along this river I have said,
+"Let there be no man." I have commanded and there are not. Will you
+not trust me now?
+
+    [Zophérnes does the same and all the guests, one by one.]
+
+Priest of Horus:
+
+Indeed, we trust you.
+
+Queen:
+
+And you, Prince Zophérnes, with your fierce eyes that so frighten me,
+will you not trust me?
+
+Zophérnes:
+
+O Queen, it is part of the art of war to be well prepared when in an
+enemy's country, and we have been so long at war with your Captains
+that we perforce remember some of the art. It is not that we do not
+trust you.
+
+Queen:
+
+I am all alone with my handmaid and none will trust me! O Ackazárpses,
+I am frightened: what if my enemies should slay me and carry me up,
+and cast my body into the lonely Nile.
+
+Ackazárpses:
+
+No, no, Illustrious Lady. They will not harm you. They do not know how
+their fierce looks distress you. They do not know how delicate you
+are.
+
+Priest of Horus: [to Ackazárpses]
+
+Indeed we trust the Queen and none would harm her.
+
+    [Ackazárpses soothes the Queen.]
+
+Rhádamandáspes: [to Zophérnes]
+
+I think we do wrong to doubt her, seeing she is alone.
+
+Zophérnes: [to Rhádamandáspes]
+
+Yet I would that the banquet were over.
+
+Queen: [to Ackazárpses and the Priest of Horus, but audible to all]
+
+Yet they do not eat the food that I set before them.
+
+Duke of Ethiopia:
+
+In Ethiopia when we feast with queens it is our custom not to eat at
+once but to await the Queen till she has eaten.
+
+Queen: [Eats.]
+
+Behold then, I have eaten.
+
+    [She looks at the Priest of Horus.]
+
+Priest of Horus:
+
+It has been the custom of all that held my office, from the time when
+there went on earth the children of the Moon, never to eat till the
+food is dedicate, by our sacred signs, to the gods. [He begins to wave
+his hands over the food.]
+
+Queen:
+
+The King of the Four Countries does not eat. And you, Prince
+Rhádamandáspes, you have given royal wine unto your slave.
+
+Rhádamandáspes:
+
+O Queen, it is the custom of our dynasty... and has indeed long been
+so,... as many say,... that the noble should not feast till the base
+have feasted, reminding us that our bodies even as the humble bodies
+of the base----
+
+Queen:
+
+Why do you thus watch your slave, Prince Rhádamandáspes?
+
+Rhádamandáspes:
+
+Even to remind myself that I have done as our dynasty doth.
+
+Queen:
+
+Alas for me, Ackazárpses, they will not feast with me, but mock me
+because I am little and alone. O I shall not sleep to-night, I shall
+not sleep. [She weeps.]
+
+Ackazárpses:
+
+Yes, yes, Illustrious Lady, you shall sleep. Be patient and all shall
+be well and you will sleep.
+
+Rhádamandáspes:
+
+But Queen, Queen, we are about to eat.
+
+Duke of Ethiopia:
+
+Yes, yes, indeed we do not mock you.
+
+King of Four Countries:
+
+We do not mock you, Queen.
+
+Priest of Horus:
+
+They do not mean to mock you.
+
+Queen:
+
+They... give my food to slaves.
+
+Priest of Horus:
+
+That was a mistake.
+
+Queen:
+
+It was... no mistake.
+
+Priest of Horus:
+
+The slaves were hungry.
+
+Queen: [still weeping]
+
+They believe I would poison them.
+
+Priest of Horus:
+
+No, no, Illustrious Lady, they do not believe _that_.
+
+Queen:
+
+They believe I would poison them.
+
+Ackazárpses: [comforting her]
+
+O hush, hush. They do not mean to be so cruel.
+
+Priest of Horus:
+
+They do not believe you would poison them. But they do not know if the
+meat was killed with a poisonous arrow or if an asp may have
+inadvertently bitten the fruit. These things may happen, but they do
+not believe you would poison them.
+
+Queen:
+
+They believe I would poison them.
+
+Rhádamandáspes:
+
+No; Queen, see, we eat.
+
+    [They hastily whisper to slaves.]
+
+1st Duke of Ethiopia:
+
+We eat your viands, Queen.
+
+2nd Duke of Ethiopia:
+
+We drink your wine.
+
+King of Four Countries:
+
+We eat your good pomegranates and Egyptian grapes.
+
+Zophérnes:
+
+We eat.
+
+    [They all eat.]
+
+Priest of Horus: [smiling affably]
+
+I _too_ eat of your excellent banquet, O Queen.
+
+    [He peels a fruit slowly, glancing constantly at the others.
+    Meanwhile the catches in the Queen's breath grow fewer, she
+    begins to dry her eyes.]
+
+Ackazárpses: [in her ear]
+
+They eat.
+
+    [Ackazárpses lifts her head and watches them.]
+
+Queen:
+
+Perhaps the wine is poisoned.
+
+Priest of Horus:
+
+No, no, Illustrious Lady.
+
+Queen:
+
+Perhaps the grape was cut by a poisoned arrow.
+
+Priest of Horus:
+
+But indeed... indeed...
+
+    [Queen drinks from his cup.]
+
+Queen:
+
+Will you not drink my wine?
+
+Priest of Horus:
+
+I drink to our continued friendship.
+
+    [He drinks.]
+
+A Duke of Ethiopia:
+
+Our continued friendship!
+
+Priest of Horus:
+
+There has been no true enmity. We misunderstood the Queen's armies.
+
+Rhádamandáspes: [to Zophérnes]
+
+We have wronged the Queen. The wine's not poisoned. Let us drink to
+her.
+
+Zophérnes:
+
+So be it.
+
+Rhádamandáspes:
+
+We drink to you, Queen.
+
+Zophérnes:
+
+We drink.
+
+Queen:
+
+The flagon, Ackazárpses.
+
+    [Ackazárpses brings it. The Queen pours it into her cup.]
+
+Fill up your goblets from the flagon, princes. [She drinks.]
+
+Rhádamandáspes:
+
+We wronged you, Queen. It is a blessed wine.
+
+Queen:
+
+It is an ancient wine and grew in Lesbos, looking from Mytelene to the
+South. Ships brought it overseas and up this river to gladden the
+hearts of man in holy Egypt. But to me it brings no joy.
+
+Duke of Ethiopia:
+
+It is a happy wine, Queen.
+
+Queen:
+
+I have been thought a poisoner.
+
+Priest of Horus:
+
+Indeed, none has thought that, Illustrious Lady.
+
+Queen:
+
+You have all thought it.
+
+Rhádamandáspes:
+
+We ask your pardon, Queen.
+
+King of Four Countries:
+
+We ask your pardon.
+
+Duke of Ethiopia:
+
+Indeed we erred.
+
+Zophérnes: [rising]
+
+We have eaten your fruits and drunk your wine; and we have asked your
+pardon. Let us now depart in amity.
+
+Queen:
+
+No, no! No, no! You must not go! I shall say... "They are my enemies
+still," and I shall not sleep. I that cannot bear to have enemies.
+
+Zophérnes:
+
+Let us depart in all amity.
+
+Queen:
+
+O will you not feast with me?
+
+Zophérnes:
+
+We have feasted.
+
+Rhádamandáspes:
+
+No, no, Zophérnes. Do you not see? The Queen takes it to heart.
+
+    [Zophérnes sits down.]
+
+Queen:
+
+O feast with me a little longer and make merry, and be my enemies no
+more. Rhádamandáspes, there is some country eastwards towards Assyria,
+is there not? I do not know its name--a country which your dynasty
+claims of me...
+
+Zophérnes:
+
+Ha!
+
+Rhádamandáspes: [resignedly]
+
+We have lost it.
+
+Queen:
+
+...and for whose sake you are my enemy and your fierce uncle, Prince
+Zophérnes.
+
+Rhádamandáspes:
+
+We fought somewhat with your armies, Queen. But indeed it was but to
+practise the military art.
+
+Queen:
+
+I will call my Captains to me. I will call them down from their high
+places and reprove them and bid them give the country back to you that
+lies eastwards towards Assyria. Only you shall tarry here at the feast
+and forget you ever were my enemies... forget...
+
+Rhádamandáspes:
+
+Queen...! Queen...! It was my mother's country as a child.
+
+Queen:
+
+You will not leave me alone then here to-night.
+
+Rhádamandáspes:
+
+No, most royal lady.
+
+Queen: [to King of Four Countries who appears about to depart]
+
+And in the matter of the merchant men that trade amongst the isles,
+they shall offer spices at _your_ feet, not at mine, and the men of
+the isles shall offer goats to _your_ gods.
+
+King of Four Countries:
+
+Most generous Queen... indeed...
+
+Queen:
+
+But you will not leave my banquet and go unfriendly away.
+
+King of Four Countries:
+
+No, Queen... [He drinks.]
+
+Queen: [she looks at the Twin Dukes amiably]
+
+All Ethiopia shall be yours, down to the unknown kingdoms of the
+beasts.
+
+1st Duke of Ethiopia:
+
+Queen.
+
+2nd Duke of Ethiopia:
+
+Queen. We drink to the glory of your throne.
+
+Queen:
+
+Stay then and feast with me. For not to have enemies is the beggar's
+joy; and I have looked from windows long and long, envying those that
+go their way in rags. Stay with me, dukes and princes.
+
+Priest of Horus:
+
+Illustrious Lady, the generosity of your royal heart has given the
+gods much joy.
+
+Queen: [smiles at him.]
+
+Thank you.
+
+Priest of Horus:
+
+Er... in the matter of the tribute due to Horus from all the people of
+Egypt...
+
+Queen:
+
+It is yours.
+
+Priest of Horus:
+
+Illustrious Lady.
+
+Queen:
+
+I will take none of it. Use it how you will.
+
+Priest of Horus:
+
+The gratitude of Horus shall shine on you. My little Ackazárpses, how
+happy you are in having so royal a mistress.
+
+    [His arm is round Ackazárpses' waist: she smiles at him.]
+
+Queen: [rising]
+
+Princes and gentlemen, let us drink to the future.
+
+Priest of Horus: [starting suddenly]
+
+Ah-h-h!
+
+Queen:
+
+Something has troubled you, holy companion of the gods?
+
+Priest of Horus:
+
+No, nothing. Sometimes the spirit of prophecy comes on me. It comes
+not often. It seemed to come then. I thought that one of the gods
+spoke to me clearly.
+
+Queen:
+
+What said he?
+
+Priest of Horus:
+
+I thought he said... speaking here [right ear] or just behind me...
+Drink not to the Future. But it was nothing.
+
+Queen:
+
+Will you drink then to the past?
+
+Priest of Horus:
+
+O no, Illustrious Lady, for we forget the past; your good wine has
+made us forget the past and its quarrels.
+
+Ackazárpses:
+
+Will you not drink to the present?
+
+Priest of Horus:
+
+Ah, the present! The present that places me by so lovely a lady. I
+drink to the present.
+
+Queen: [to the others]
+
+And we, we will drink to the future, and to forgetting--to the
+forgetting of our enemies.
+
+    [All drink; good temper comes on all. The banquet begins "to
+    go well."]
+
+Queen:
+
+Ackazárpses, they are all merry now.
+
+Ackazárpses:
+
+They are all merry.
+
+Queen:
+
+They are telling Ethiopian tales.
+
+1st Duke of Ethiopia:
+
+...for when Winter comes the pigmies at once put themselves in
+readiness for war and having chosen a place for battle wait there for
+some days, so that the cranes when they arrive find their enemy
+already arrayed. And at first they preen themselves and do not give
+battle, but when they are fully rested after their great journey they
+attack the pigmies with indescribably fury so that many are slain, but
+the pigmies...
+
+Queen: [taking her by the wrist]
+
+Ackazárpses! Come!
+
+    [The Queen rises.]
+
+Zophérnes:
+
+Queen, you do not leave us?
+
+Queen:
+
+For a little while, Prince Zophérnes.
+
+Zophérnes:
+
+For what purpose?
+
+Queen:
+
+I go to pray to a very secret god.
+
+Zophérnes:
+
+What is his name?
+
+Queen:
+
+His name is secret like his deeds.
+
+    [She goes to door. Silence falls. All watch her. She and
+    Ackazárpses slip out. For a moment silence. Then all draw their
+    wide swords and lay them before them on the table.]
+
+Zophérnes:
+
+To the door, slaves. Let no man enter.
+
+1st Duke of Ethiopia:
+
+She cannot mean to harm us!
+
+    [A Slave comes back from door and abases himself. Loq.]
+
+Slave:
+
+The door is bolted.
+
+Rhádamandáspes:
+
+It is easily broken with our swords.
+
+Zophérnes:
+
+No harm can come to us while we guard the entrances.
+
+    [Meanwhile the Queen has gone up the stairs. She beats with a fan
+    on the wall thrice. The great grating lifts outwards and upwards
+    very slowly.]
+
+Zophérnes: [to the Two Dukes]
+
+Quick, to the great hole.
+
+Stand on each side of it with your swords.
+
+    [They lift their swords over the hole.]
+
+Slay whatever enters.
+
+Queen:
+
+    [on the step, kneeling, her two arms stretched upwards]
+
+O holy Nile! Ancient Egyptian river! O blessed Nile!
+
+When I was a little child I played beside you, picking mauve flowers.
+I threw you down the sweet Egyptian flowers. It is the little Queen
+that calls to you, Nile. The little Queen that cannot bear to have
+enemies.
+
+Hear me, O Nile.
+
+Men speak of other rivers. But I do not hearken to fools. There is
+only Nile. It is the little child that prays to you who used to pick
+mauve flowers.
+
+Hear me, O Nile.
+
+I have prepared a sacrifice to god. Men speak of other gods: there is
+only Nile. I have prepared a sacrifice of wine--the Lesbian wine from
+fairy Mitylene--to mingle with your waters till you are drunken and go
+singing to the sea from the Abyssinian hills.
+
+O Nile, hear me.
+
+Fruits also I have made ready, all the sweet juices of the earth; and
+the meat of beasts also.
+
+Hear me, O Nile: for it is not the meat of beasts only. I have slaves
+for you and princes and a King. There has been no such sacrifice. Come
+down, O Nile, from the sunlight. O ancient Egyptian river!
+
+The sacrifice is ready. O Nile, hear me.
+
+Duke of Ethiopia:
+
+No one comes.
+
+Queen: [beats again with her fan]
+
+Harlee, Harlee, let in the water upon the princes and gentlemen.
+
+    [A green torrent descends from the great hole. Green gauzes
+    rise from the floor; the torches hiss out. The temple is flooded.
+    The water from under the doors rises up the steps, the torches
+    hiss out one by one. The water, finding its own level, just
+    touches the end of the Queen's skirt and stops. She withdraws the
+    skirt with catlike haste from the water.]
+
+Queen:
+
+O Ackazárpses! Are all my enemies gone?
+
+Ackazárpses:
+
+Illustrious Lady, the Nile has taken them all.
+
+Queen: [with intense devotion]
+
+That holy river.
+
+Ackazárpses:
+
+Illustrious Lady, will you sleep to-night?
+
+Queen:
+
+Yes. I shall sleep sweetly.
+
+    [curtain]
+
+The Tents of the Arabs
+
+Dramatis Personæ
+
+The King
+Bel-Narb, Aoob (camel-drivers)
+The Chamberlain
+Zabra (a notable)
+Eznarza (a gypsy of the desert)
+
+Scene: Outside the gate of the city of Thalanna.
+
+Time: Uncertain.
+
+Act I
+
+Bel-Narb:
+
+By evening we shall be in the desert again.
+
+Aoob:
+
+Yes.
+
+Bel-Narb:
+
+Then no more city for us for many weeks.
+
+Aoob:
+
+Ah!
+
+Bel-Narb:
+
+We shall see the lights come out, looking back from the camel-track;
+that is the last we shall see of it.
+
+Aoob:
+
+We shall be in the desert then.
+
+Bel-Narb:
+
+The old angry desert.
+
+Aoob:
+
+How cunningly the Desert hides his wells. You would say he had an
+enmity with man. He does not welcome you as the cities do.
+
+Bel-Narb:
+
+He _has_ an enmity. I hate the desert.
+
+Aoob:
+
+I think there is nothing in the world so beautiful as cities.
+
+Bel-Narb:
+
+Cities are beautiful things.
+
+Aoob:
+
+I think they are loveliest a little after dawn when night falls off
+from the houses. They draw it away from them slowly and let it fall
+like a cloak and stand quite naked in their beauty to shine in some
+broad river; and the light comes up and kisses them on the forehead. I
+think they are loveliest then. The voices of men and women begin to
+arise in the streets, scarce audible, one by one, till a slow loud
+murmur arises and all the voices are one. I often think the city
+speaks to me then: she says in that voice of hers, "Aoob, Aoob, who
+one of these days shall die, I am not earthly, I have been always, I
+shall not die."
+
+Bel-Narb:
+
+I do not think that cities are loveliest at dawn. We can see dawn in
+the desert any day. I think they are loveliest just when the sun is
+set and a dusk steals along the narrower streets, a kind of mystery in
+which we can see cloaked figures and yet not quite discern whose
+figures they be. And just when it would be dark, and out in the desert
+there would be nothing to see but a black horizon and a black sky on
+top of it, just then the swinging lanterns are lighted up and lights
+come out in windows one by one and all the colours of the raiments
+change. Then a woman perhaps will slip from a little door and go away
+up the street into the night, and a man perhaps will steal by with a
+dagger for some old quarrel's sake, and Skarmi will light up his house
+to sell brandy all night long, and men will sit on benches outside his
+door playing skabash by the glare of a small green lantern, while they
+light great bubbling pipes and smoke nargroob. O, it is all very good
+to watch. And I like to think as I smoke and see these things that
+somewhere, far away, the desert has put up a huge red cloud like a
+wing so that all the Arabs know that next day the Siroc will blow, the
+accursed breath of Eblis the father of Satan.
+
+Aoob:
+
+Yes, it is pleasant to think of the Siroc when one is safe in a city,
+but I do not like to think about it now, for before the day is out we
+will be taking pilgrims to Mecca, and who ever prophesied or knew by
+wit what the desert had in store? Going into the desert is like
+throwing bone after bone to a dog, some he will catch and some of them
+he will drop. He may catch our bones, or we may go by and come to
+gleaming Mecca. O-ho, I would I were a merchant with a little booth in
+a frequented street to sit all day and barter.
+
+Bel-Narb:
+
+Aye, it is easier to cheat some lord coming to buy silk and ornaments
+in a city than to cheat death in the desert. Oh, the desert, the
+desert, I love the beautiful cities and I hate the desert.
+
+Aoob: [pointing off L]
+
+Who is that?
+
+Bel-Narb:
+
+What? There by the desert's edge where the camels are?
+
+Aoob:
+
+Yes, who is it?
+
+Bel-Narb:
+
+He is staring across the desert the way that the camels go. They say
+that the King goes down to the edge of the desert and often stares
+across it. He stands there for a long time of an evening looking
+towards Mecca.
+
+Aoob:
+
+Of what use is it to the King to look towards Mecca? He cannot go to
+Mecca. He cannot go into the desert for one day. Messengers would run
+after him and cry his name and bring him back to the council-hall or
+to the chamber of judgments. If they could not find him their heads
+would be struck off and put high up upon some windy roof: the judges
+would point at them and say, "They see better there!"
+
+Bel-Narb:
+
+No, the King cannot go away into the desert. If God were to make me
+King I would go down to the edge of the desert once, and I would shake
+the sand out of my turban and out of my beard and then I would never
+look at the desert again. Greedy and parched old parent of thousands
+of devils! He might cover the wells with sand, and blow with his
+Siroc, year after year and century after century, and never earn one
+of my curses--if God made me King.
+
+Aoob:
+
+They say you are like the King.
+
+Bel-Narb:
+
+Yes, I _am_ like the King. Because his father disguised himself as a
+camel-driver and came through our villages. I often say to myself,
+"God is just. And if I could disguise myself as the King and drive him
+out to be a camel-driver, that would please God for He is just."
+
+Aoob:
+
+If you did this God would say, "Look at Bel-Narb, whom I made to be a
+camel-driver and who has forgotten this." And then he would forget
+you, Bel-Narb.
+
+Bel-Narb:
+
+Who knows what God would say?
+
+Aoob:
+
+Who knows? His ways are wonderful.
+
+Bel-Narb:
+
+I would not do this thing, Aoob. I would not do it. It is only what I
+say to myself as I smoke, or at night out in the desert. I say to
+myself, "Bel-Narb is King in Thalanna." And then I say, "Chamberlain,
+bring Skarmi here with his brandy and his lanterns and boards to play
+skabash, and let all the town come and drink before the palace and
+magnify my name."
+
+Pilgrims: [calling off L.]
+
+Bel-Narb! Bel-Narb! Child of two dogs. Come and untether your camels.
+Come and start for holy Mecca.
+
+Bel-Narb:
+
+A curse on the desert.
+
+Aoob:
+
+The camels are rising. The caravan starts for Mecca. Farewell,
+beautiful city.
+
+    [Pilgrims' voices off: "Bel-Narb! Bel-Narb!"]
+
+Bel-Narb:
+
+I come, children of sin.
+
+    [Exeunt Bel-Narb and Aoob.]
+
+    [The King enters through the great door crowned. He sits upon the
+    step.]
+
+King:
+
+A crown should not be worn upon the head. A sceptre should not be
+carried in Kings' hands. But a crown should be wrought into a golden
+chain, and a sceptre driven stake-wise into the ground so that a King
+may be chained to it by the ankle. Then he would know that he might
+not stray away into the beautiful desert and might never see the palm
+trees by the wells. O Thalanna, Thalanna, how I hate this city with
+its narrow, narrow ways, and evening after evening drunken men playing
+skabash in the scandalous gambling house of that old scoundrel Skarmi.
+O that I might marry the child of some unkingly house that generation
+to generation had never known a city, and that we might ride from here
+down the long track through the desert, always we two alone till we
+came to the tents of the Arabs. And the crown--some foolish, greedy
+man should be given it to his sorrow. And all this may not be, for a
+King is yet a King.
+
+    [Enter Chamberlain through door.]
+
+Chamberlain:
+
+Your Majesty!
+
+King:
+
+Well, my lord Chamberlain, have you _more_ work for me to do?
+
+Chamberlain:
+
+Yes, there is much to do.
+
+King:
+
+I had hoped for freedom this evening, for the faces of the camels are
+towards Mecca, and I would see the caravans move off into the desert
+where I may not go.
+
+Chamberlain:
+
+There is very much for your Majesty to do. Iktra has revolted.
+
+King:
+
+Where is Iktra?
+
+Chamberlain:
+
+It is a little country tributary to your Majesty, beyond Zebdarlon, up
+among the hills.
+
+King:
+
+Almost, had it not been for this, almost I had asked you to let me go
+away among the camel-drivers to golden Mecca. I have done the work of
+a King now for five years and listened to my councilors, and all the
+while the desert called to me; he said, "Come to the tents of my
+children, to the tents of my children!" And all the while I dwelt
+among these walls.
+
+Chamberlain:
+
+If your majesty left the city now----
+
+King:
+
+I will not, we must raise an army to punish the men of Iktra.
+
+Chamberlain:
+
+Your Majesty will appoint the commanders by name. A tribe of your
+Majesty's fighting men must be summoned from Agrarva and another from
+Coloono, the jungle city, as well as one from Mirsk. This must be done
+by warrants sealed by your hand. Your Majesty's advisers await you in
+the council-hall.
+
+King:
+
+The sun is very low. Why have the caravans not started yet?
+
+Chamberlain:
+
+I do not know. And then your Majesty----
+
+King: [laying his hand on the Chamberlain's arm]
+
+Look, look! It is the shadows of the camels moving towards Mecca. How
+silently they slip over the ground, beautiful shadows. Soon they are
+out in the desert flat on the golden sands. And then the sun will set
+and they will be one with night.
+
+Chamberlain:
+
+If your Majesty has time for such things there are the camels
+themselves.
+
+King:
+
+No, no, I do not wish to watch the camels. They can never take me out
+to the beautiful desert to be free forever from cities. Here I must
+stay to do the work of a King. Only my dreams can go, and the shadows
+of the camels carry them, to find peace by the tents of the Arabs.
+
+Chamberlain:
+
+Will your Majesty now come to the council-hall?
+
+King:
+
+Yes, yes, I come.
+
+    [Voices off: "Ho-_Yo!_ Ho-_Yay!_ ...Ho-_Yo!_ Ho-_Yay!_"]
+
+Now the whole caravan has started. Hark to the drivers of the
+baggage-camels. They will run behind them for the first ten miles, and
+tomorrow they will mount them. They will be out of sight of Thalanna
+then, and the desert will lie all round them with sunlight falling on
+its golden smiles. And a new look will come into their faces. I am
+sure that the desert whispers to them by night saying, "Be at peace,
+my children, at peace, my children."
+
+    [Meanwhile the Chamberlain has opened the door for the King and
+    is waiting there bowing, with his hand resolutely on the opened
+    door.]
+
+Chamberlain:
+
+Your Majesty will come to the council-hall?
+
+King:
+
+Yes, I will come. Had it not been for Iktra I might have gone away and
+lived in the golden desert for a year, and seen holy Mecca.
+
+Chamberlain:
+
+Perhaps your Majesty might have gone had it not been for Iktra.
+
+King:
+
+My curse upon Iktra! [He goes through the doorway.]
+
+    [As they stand in doorway enter Zabra R.]
+
+Zabra:
+
+Your Majesty.
+
+King:
+
+O-ho. More work for an unhappy King.
+
+Zabra:
+
+Iktra is pacified.
+
+King:
+
+Is pacified?
+
+Zabra:
+
+It happened suddenly. The men of Iktra met with a few of your Majesty's
+fighting men and an arrow chanced to kill the leader of the revolt, and
+therefore the mob fled away although they were many, and they have all
+cried for three hours, "Great is the King!"
+
+King:
+
+I will even yet see Mecca and the dreamed-of tents of the Arabs. I
+will go down now into the golden sands, I----
+
+Chamberlain:
+
+Your Majesty----
+
+King:
+
+In a few years I will return to you.
+
+Chamberlain:
+
+Your Majesty, it cannot be. We could not govern the people for more
+than a year. They would say, "The King is dead, the King----"
+
+King:
+
+Then I will return in a year. In one year only.
+
+Chamberlain:
+
+It is a long time, your Majesty.
+
+King:
+
+I will return at noon a year from to-day.
+
+Chamberlain:
+
+But, your Majesty, a princess is being sent for from Tharba.
+
+King:
+
+I thought one was coming from Karshish.
+
+Chamberlain:
+
+It has been thought more advisable that your Majesty should wed in
+Tharba. The passes across the mountains belong to the King of Tharba
+and he has great traffic with Sharan and the Isles.
+
+King:
+
+Let it be as you will.
+
+Chamberlain:
+
+But, your Majesty, the ambassadors start this week; the princess will
+be here in three months' time.
+
+King:
+
+Let her come in a year and a day.
+
+Chamberlain:
+
+Your Majesty!
+
+King:
+
+Farewell, I am in haste. I go to make ready for the desert. [Exit
+through door still speaking.] The olden, golden mother of happy men.
+
+Chamberlain: [to Zabra]
+
+One from whom God had not withheld all wisdom would not have given
+that message to our crazy young King.
+
+Zabra:
+
+But it must be known. Many things might happen if it were not known at
+once.
+
+Chamberlain:
+
+I knew it this morning. He is off to the desert now.
+
+Zabra:
+
+That is evil indeed; but we can lure him back.
+
+Chamberlain:
+
+Perhaps not for many days.
+
+Zabra:
+
+The King's favour is like gold.
+
+Chamberlain:
+
+It is like much gold. Who are the Arabs that the King's favour should
+be cast among them? The walls of their houses are canvas. Even the
+common snail has a finer wall to his house.
+
+Zabra:
+
+O, it is most evil. Alas that I told him this! We shall be poor men.
+
+Chamberlain:
+
+No one will give us gold for many days.
+
+Zabra:
+
+Yet you will govern Thalanna while he is away. You can increase the
+taxes of the merchants and the tribute of the men that till the
+fields.
+
+Chamberlain:
+
+They will only pay taxes and tribute to the King, who gives of his
+bounty to just and upright men when he is in Thalanna. But while he is
+away the surfeit of his wealth will go to unjust men and to men whose
+beards are unclean and who fear not God.
+
+Zabra:
+
+We shall indeed be poor.
+
+Chamberlain:
+
+A little gold perhaps from evil-doers for justice. Or a little money
+to decide the dispute of some righteous wealthy man; but no more till
+the King returns, whom God prosper.
+
+Zabra:
+
+God increase him. Will you yet try to detain him?
+
+Chamberlain:
+
+No. When he comes by with his retinue and escort I will walk beside
+his horse and tell him that a progress through the desert will well
+impress the Arabs with his splendour and turn their hearts towards
+him. And I will speak privily to some captain at the rear of the
+escort and he shall afterwards speak to the chief commander that he
+may lose the camel-track in a few days' time and take the King and his
+followers to wander in the desert and so return by chance to Thalanna
+again. And it may yet be well with us. We will wait here till they
+come by.
+
+Zabra:
+
+Will the chief commander do this thing certainly?
+
+Chamberlain:
+
+Yes, he will be one Thakbar, a poor man and a righteous.
+
+Zabra:
+
+But if he be not Thakbar but some greedy man who demands more gold
+than we would give to Thakbar?
+
+Chamberlain:
+
+Why, then we must give him even what he demands, and God will punish
+his greed.
+
+Zabra:
+
+He must come past us here.
+
+Chamberlain:
+
+Yes, he must come this way. He will summon the cavalry from the Saloia
+Samang.
+
+Zabra:
+
+It will be nearly dark before they can come.
+
+Chamberlain:
+
+No, he is in great haste. He will pass before sunset. He will make
+them mount at once.
+
+Zabra: [looking off R.]
+
+I do not see stir at the Saloia.
+
+Chamberlain: [looking, too] No--no. I do not see. He will _make_ a
+stir.
+
+    [As they look a man comes through the doorway wearing a coarse
+    brown cloak which falls over his forehead. Exit furtively L.]
+
+What man is that? He has gone down to the camels.
+
+Zabra:
+
+He has given a piece of money to one of the camel-drivers.
+
+Chamberlain:
+
+See, he has mounted.
+
+Zabra:
+
+Can it have been the King!
+
+    [Voice off L. "Ho-Yo! Ho-Yay!"]
+
+Chamberlain:
+
+It is only some camel-driver going into the desert. How glad his voice
+sounds.
+
+Zabra:
+
+The Siroc will swallow him.
+
+Chamberlain:
+
+What--if it _were_ the King!
+
+Zabra:
+
+Why, if it were the King we should starve for a year.
+
+    [One year elapses between the first and second acts.]
+
+Act II
+
+    [The same scene.]
+
+    [The King, wrapped in a camel-driver's cloak, sits by Eznarza, a
+    gypsy of the desert.]
+
+King:
+
+Now I have known the desert and dwelt in the tents of the Arabs.
+
+Eznarza:
+
+There is no land like the desert and like the Arabs no people.
+
+King:
+
+It is all over and done; I return to the walls of my fathers.
+
+Eznarza:
+
+Time cannot put it away; I go back to the desert that nursed me.
+
+King:
+
+Did you think in those days on the sands, or among the tents in the
+mornings, that my year would ever end, and I be brought away by
+strength of my word to the prisoning of a palace?
+
+Eznarza:
+
+I knew that Time would do it, for my people have learned the way of
+him.
+
+King:
+
+Is it then Time that has mocked our futile prayers? Is he then greater
+than God that he has laughed at our praying?
+
+Eznarza:
+
+We may not say that he is greater than God. Yet we prayed that our own
+year might not pass away. God could not save it.
+
+King:
+
+Yes, yes. We prayed that prayer. All men would laugh at it.
+
+Eznarza:
+
+The prayer was not laughable. Only he that is lord of the years is
+obdurate. If a man prayed for life to a furious, merciless Sultan well
+might the Sultan's slaves laugh. Yet it is not laughable to pray for
+life.
+
+King:
+
+Yes, we are slaves of Time. To-morrow brings the princess who comes
+from Tharba. We must bow our heads.
+
+Eznarza:
+
+My people say that Time lives in the desert. He lies there in the sun.
+
+King:
+
+No, no, not in the desert. Nothing alters there.
+
+Eznarza:
+
+My people say that the desert is his country. He smites not his own
+country, my people say. But he overwhelms all other lands of the
+world.
+
+King:
+
+Yes, the desert is always the same, even the littlest rocks of it.
+
+Eznarza:
+
+They say that he loves the Sphinx and does not harm her. They say that
+he does not dare to harm the Sphinx. She has borne him many gods whom
+the infidels worship.
+
+King:
+
+Their father is more terrible than all the false gods.
+
+Eznarza:
+
+O, that he had but spared our little year.
+
+King:
+
+He destroys all things utterly.
+
+Eznarza:
+
+There is a little child of man that is mightier than he, and who saves
+the world from Time.
+
+King:
+
+Who is this little child that is mightier than Time? Is it Love that
+is mightier?
+
+Eznarza:
+
+No, not Love.
+
+King:
+
+If he conquers even Love then none are mightier.
+
+Eznarza:
+
+He scares Love away with weak white hairs and with wrinkles. Poor
+little Love, poor Love, Time scares him away.
+
+King:
+
+What is this child of man that can conquer Time and that is braver
+than Love?
+
+Eznarza:
+
+Even Memory.
+
+King:
+
+Yes. I will call to him when the wind is from the desert and the
+locusts are beaten against my obdurate walls. I will call to him more
+when I cannot see the desert and cannot hear the wind of it.
+
+Eznarza:
+
+He shall bring back our year to us that Time cannot destroy. Time
+cannot slaughter it if Memory says no. It is reprieved, though
+banished. We shall often see it though a little far off and all its
+hours and days shall dance to us and go by one by one and come back
+and dance again.
+
+King:
+
+Why, that is true. They shall come back to us. I had thought that they
+that work miracles whether in Heaven or Earth were unable to do one
+thing. I thought that they could not bring back days again when once
+they had fallen into the hands of Time.
+
+Eznarza:
+
+It is a trick that Memory can do. He comes up softly in the town or
+the desert, wherever a few men are, like the strange dark conjurors
+who sing to snakes, and he does his trick before them, and does it
+again and again.
+
+King:
+
+We will often make him bring the old days back when you are gone to
+your people and I am miserably wedded to the princess coming from
+Tharba.
+
+Eznarza:
+
+They will come with sand on their feet from the golden, beautiful
+desert; they will come with a long-gone sunset each one over his head.
+Their lips will laugh with the olden evening voices.
+
+King:
+
+It is nearly noon. It is nearly noon. It is nearly noon.
+
+Eznarza:
+
+Why, we part then.
+
+King:
+
+O, come into the city and be Queen there. I will send its princess
+back again to Tharba. You shall be Queen in Thalanna.
+
+Eznarza:
+
+I go now back to my people. You will wed the princess from Tharba on
+the morrow. You have said it. I have said it.
+
+King:
+
+O, that I had not given my word to return.
+
+Eznarza:
+
+A King's word is like a King's crown and a King's sceptre and a King's
+throne. It is in fact a foolish thing, like a city.
+
+King:
+
+I cannot break my word. But you can be Queen in Thalanna.
+
+Eznarza:
+
+Thalanna will not have a gypsy for a Queen.
+
+King:
+
+I will make Thalanna have her for a Queen.
+
+Eznarza:
+
+You cannot make a gypsy live for a year in a city.
+
+King:
+
+I knew of a gypsy that lived once in a city.
+
+Eznarza:
+
+Not such a gypsy as I... come back to the tents of the Arabs.
+
+King:
+
+I cannot. I gave my word.
+
+Eznarza:
+
+Kings have broken their words.
+
+King:
+
+Not such a King as I.
+
+Eznarza:
+
+We have only that little child of man whose name is Memory.
+
+King:
+
+Come. He shall bring back to us, before we part, one of those days
+that were banished.
+
+Eznarza:
+
+Let it be the first day. The day we met by the well when the camels
+came to El-Lolith.
+
+King:
+
+Our year lacked some few days. For my year began here. The camels were
+some days out.
+
+Eznarza:
+
+You were riding a little wide of the caravan, upon the side of the
+sunset. Your camel was swinging on with easy strides. But you were
+tired.
+
+King:
+
+You had come to the well for water. At first I could see your eyes,
+then the stars came out, and it grew dark and I only saw your shape,
+and there was a little light about your hair: I do not know if it was
+the light of the stars, I only knew that it shone.
+
+Eznarza:
+
+And then you spoke to me about the camels.
+
+King:
+
+Then I heard your voice. You did not say the things you would say now.
+
+Eznarza:
+
+Of course I did not.
+
+King:
+
+You did not say things in the same way even.
+
+Eznarza:
+
+How the hours come dancing back!
+
+King:
+
+No, no. Only their shadows. We went together then to Holy Mecca. We
+dwelt alone in tents in the golden desert. We heard the wild free day
+sing sings in his freedom, we heard the beautiful night wind. Nothing
+remains of our year but desolate shadows. Memory whips them and they
+will not dance.
+
+    [Eznarza does not answer.]
+
+We made our farewells where the desert was. The city shall not hear
+them.
+
+    [Eznarza covers her face. The King rises softly and walks up the
+    steps. Enter L. the Chamberlain and Zabra, only noticing each
+    other.]
+
+Chamberlain:
+
+He will come. He will come.
+
+Zabra:
+
+But it is noon now. Our fatness has left us. Our enemies mock at us.
+If he do not come God has forgotten us and our friends will pity us!
+
+    [Enter Bel-Narb and Aoob.]
+
+Chamberlain:
+
+If he is alive he will come.
+
+Zabra:
+
+I fear that it is past noon.
+
+Chamberlain:
+
+Then he is dead or robbers have waylaid him.
+
+    [Chamberlain and Zabra put dust upon their heads.]
+
+Bel-Narb: [To Aoob.]
+
+God is just!
+
+    [To Chamberlain and Zabra.]
+
+I am the King!
+
+    [The King's hand is on the door. When Bel-Narb says this he goes
+    down the steps again and sits beside the gypsy. She raises her
+    head from her hands and looks at him fixedly. He watches Bel-Narb,
+    and the Chamberlain and Zabra. He partially covers his face Arab
+    fashion.]
+
+Chamberlain:
+
+Are you indeed the King?
+
+Bel-Narb:
+
+I am the King.
+
+Chamberlain:
+
+Your Majesty has altered much since a year ago.
+
+Bel-Narb:
+
+Men alter in the desert. And alter much.
+
+Aoob:
+
+Indeed, your Excellency, he is the King. When the King went into the
+desert disguised I fed his camel. Indeed he is the King.
+
+Zabra:
+
+He is the King. I know the King when I see him.
+
+Chamberlain:
+
+You have seen the King seldom.
+
+Zabra:
+
+I have often seen the King.
+
+Bel-Narb:
+
+Yes, we have often met, often and often.
+
+Chamberlain:
+
+If some one could recognize your Majesty, some one besides this man
+who came with you, then we should all be certain.
+
+Bel-Narb:
+
+There is no need of it. I am the King.
+
+    [The King rises and stretches out his hand palm downwards.]
+
+King:
+
+In holy Mecca, in green-roofed Mecca of the many gates, we knew him
+for the King.
+
+Bel-Narb:
+
+Yes, that is true. I saw this man in Mecca.
+
+Chamberlain: [Bowing low.]
+
+Pardon, your Majesty. The desert had altered you.
+
+Zabra:
+
+I knew your Majesty.
+
+Aoob:
+
+As well as I do.
+
+Bel-Narb: [Pointing to the King.]
+
+Let this man be rewarded suitably. Give him some post in the palace.
+
+Chamberlain:
+
+Yes, your Majesty.
+
+King:
+
+I am a camel-driver and we go back to our camels.
+
+Chamberlain:
+
+As you wish.
+
+    [Exeunt Bel-Narb, Aoob, Chamberlain and Zabra through door.]
+
+Eznarza:
+
+You have done wisely, wisely, and the reward of wisdom is happiness.
+
+King:
+
+They have their king now. But we will turn again to the tents of the
+Arabs.
+
+Eznarza:
+
+They are foolish people.
+
+King:
+
+They have found a foolish King.
+
+Eznarza:
+
+It is a foolish man that would choose to dwell among walls.
+
+King:
+
+Some are born kings, but this man has chosen to be one.
+
+Eznarza:
+
+Come, let us leave them.
+
+King:
+
+We will go back again.
+
+Eznarza:
+
+Come back to the tents of my people.
+
+King:
+
+We will dwell a little apart in a dear brown tent of our own.
+
+Eznarza:
+
+We shall hear the sand again, whispering low to the dawn wind.
+
+King:
+
+We shall hear the nomads stirring in their camps far off because it is
+dawn.
+
+Eznarza:
+
+The jackals will patter past us slipping back to the hills.
+
+King:
+
+When at evening the sun is set we shall weep for no day that is gone.
+
+Eznarza:
+
+I will raise up my head of a night time against the sky, and the old,
+old, unbought stars shall twinkle through my hair, and we shall not
+envy any of the diademmed queens of the world.
+
+CURTAIN
+
+A Night at an Inn
+
+Dramatis Personæ
+
+A. E. Scott-Fortescue (the Toff,  dilapidated gentleman)
+William Jones (Bill)
+Albert Thomas
+Jacob Smith (Sniggers) (All Merchant Sailors.)
+1st Priest of Klesh
+2nd Priest of Klesh
+3rd Priest of Klesh
+Klesh
+
+    [The Curtain rises on a room in an inn.]
+
+    [Sniggers and Bill are talking. The Toff is reading a paper.
+    Albert sits a little apart.]
+
+Sniggers:
+
+What's his idea, I wonder?
+
+Bill:
+
+I don't know.
+
+Sniggers:
+
+And how much longer will he keep us here?
+
+Bill:
+
+We've been here three days.
+
+Sniggers:
+
+And 'aven't seen a soul.
+
+Bill:
+
+And a pretty penny it cost us when he rented the pub.
+
+Sniggers:
+
+'Ow long did 'e rent the pub for?
+
+Bill:
+
+You never know with him.
+
+Sniggers:
+
+It's lonely enough.
+
+Bill:
+
+'Ow long did you rent the pub for, Toffy?
+
+    [The Toff continues to read a sporting paper; he takes no notice
+    of what is said.]
+
+Sniggers:
+
+'E's _such_ a toff.
+
+Bill:
+
+Yet 'e's clever, no mistake.
+
+Sniggers:
+
+Those clever ones are the beggars to make a muddle. Their plans are
+clever enough, but they don't work, and then they make a mess of
+things much worse than you or me.
+
+Bill:
+
+Ah
+
+Sniggers:
+
+I don't like this place.
+
+Bill:
+
+Why not?
+
+Sniggers:
+
+I don't like the looks of it.
+
+Bill:
+
+He's keeping us here because those niggers can't find us. The three
+heathen priests what was looking for us so. But we want to go and sell
+our ruby soon.
+
+Albert:
+
+There's no sense in it.
+
+Bill:
+
+Why not, Albert?
+
+Albert:
+
+Because I gave those black devils the slip in Hull.
+
+Bill:
+
+You give 'em the slip, Albert?
+
+Albert:
+
+The slip, all three of them. The fellows with the gold spots on their
+foreheads. I had the ruby then, and I give them the slip in Hull.
+
+Bill:
+
+How did you do it, Albert?
+
+Albert:
+
+I had the ruby and they were following me....
+
+Bill:
+
+Who told them you had the ruby? You didn't show it?
+
+Albert:
+
+No.... But they kind of know.
+
+Sniggers:
+
+They kind of know, Albert?
+
+Albert:
+
+Yes, they know if you've got it. Well, they sort of mouched after me,
+and I tells a policeman and he says, O they were only three poor
+niggers and they wouldn't hurt me. Ugh! When I thought of what they
+did in Malta to poor old Jim.
+
+Bill:
+
+Yes, and to George in Bombay before we started.
+
+Sniggers:
+
+Ugh!
+
+Bill:
+
+Why didn't you give 'em in charge?
+
+Albert:
+
+What about the ruby, Bill?
+
+Bill:
+
+Ah!
+
+Albert:
+
+Well, I did better than that. I walks up and down through Hull. I
+walks slow enough. And then I turns a corner and I runs. I never sees
+a corner but I turns it. But sometimes I let a corner pass just to
+fool them. I twists about like a hare. Then I sits down and waits. No
+priests.
+
+Sniggers:
+
+What?
+
+Albert:
+
+No heathen black devils with gold spots on their face. I give 'em the
+slip.
+
+Bill:
+
+Well done, Albert.
+
+Sniggers: [after a sigh of content]
+
+Why didn't you tell us?
+
+Albert:
+
+'Cause 'e won't let you speak. 'E's got 'is plans and 'e thinks we're
+silly folk. Things must be done 'is way. And all the time I've give
+'em the slip. Might 'ave 'ad one of them crooked knives in him before
+now but for me who give 'em the slip in Hull.
+
+Bill:
+
+Well done, Albert.
+
+Sniggers:
+
+Do you hear that, Toffy? Albert has give 'em the slip.
+
+The Toff:
+
+Yes, I hear.
+
+Sniggers:
+
+Well, what do you say to that?
+
+The Toff:
+
+O... Well done, Albert.
+
+Albert:
+
+And what a' you going to do?
+
+The Toff:
+
+Going to wait.
+
+Albert:
+
+Don't seem to know what 'e's waiting for.
+
+Sniggers:
+
+It's a nasty place.
+
+Albert:
+
+It's getting silly, Bill. Our money's gone and we want to sell the
+ruby. Let's get on to a town.
+
+Bill:
+
+But 'e won't come.
+
+Albert:
+
+Then we'll leave him.
+
+Sniggers:
+
+We'll be all right if we keep away from Hull.
+
+Albert:
+
+We'll go to London.
+
+Bill:
+
+But 'e must 'ave 'is share.
+
+Sniggers:
+
+All right. Only let's go. [to the Toff] We're going, do you hear? Give
+us the ruby.
+
+The Toff:
+
+Certainly.
+
+    [He gives them a ruby from his waistcoat pocket: it is the size
+    of a small hen's egg.]
+
+    [He goes on reading his paper.]
+
+Albert:
+
+Come on, Sniggers.
+
+    [Exeunt Albert and Sniggers.]
+
+Bill:
+
+Good-bye, old man. We'll give you your fair share, but there's nothing
+to do here, no girls, no halls, and we must sell the ruby.
+
+The Toff:
+
+I'm not a fool, Bill.
+
+Bill:
+
+No, no, of course not. Of course you ain't, and you've helped us a
+lot. Good-bye. You'll say good-bye?
+
+The Toff:
+
+Oh, yes. Good-bye.
+
+    [Still reads paper. Exit Bill.]
+
+    [The Toff puts a revolver on the table beside him and goes on
+    with his paper.]
+
+Sniggers: [Out of breath.]
+
+We've come back, Toffy.
+
+The Toff:
+
+So you have.
+
+Albert:
+
+Toffy--How did they get here?
+
+The Toff:
+
+They walked, of course.
+
+Albert:
+
+But it's eighty miles.
+
+Sniggers:
+
+Did you know they were here, Toffy?
+
+The Toff:
+
+Expected them about now.
+
+Albert:
+
+Eighty miles.
+
+Bill:
+
+Toffy, old man--what are we to do?
+
+The Toff:
+
+Ask Albert.
+
+Bill:
+
+If they can do things like this there's no one can save us but you,
+Toffy--I always knew you were a clever one. We won't be fools any
+more. We'll obey you, Toffy.
+
+The Toff:
+
+You're brave enough and strong enough. There isn't many that would
+steal a ruby eye out of an idol's head, and such an idol as that was
+to look at, and on such a night. You're brave enough, Bill. But you're
+all three of you fools. Jim would have none of my plans and where's
+Jim? And George. What did they do to him?
+
+Sniggers:
+
+Don't, Toffy!
+
+The Toff:
+
+Well, then, your strength is no use to you. You want cleverness; or
+they'll have you the way that they had George and Jim.
+
+All:
+
+Ugh!
+
+The Toff:
+
+Those black priests would follow you round the world in circles, year
+after year, till they got the idol's eye. And if we died with it
+they'd follow our grandchildren. That fool thinks he can escape men
+like that by running round three streets in the town of Hull.
+
+Albert:
+
+God's truth, _you_ 'aven't escaped them, because they're _'ere_.
+
+The Toff:
+
+So I supposed.
+
+Albert:
+
+You _supposed_?
+
+The Toff:
+
+Yes, I believe there's no announcement in the Society papers. But I
+took this country seat especially to receive them. There's plenty of
+room if you dig; it is pleasantly situated and what is most important
+it is in a very quiet neighbourhood. So I am at home to them this
+afternoon.
+
+Bill:
+
+Well, you're a deep one.
+
+The Toff:
+
+And remember you've only my wits between you and death, and don't put
+your futile plans against those of an educated gentleman.
+
+Albert:
+
+If you're a gentleman, why don't you go about among gentlemen instead
+of the likes of us?
+
+The Toff:
+
+Because I was too clever for them as I am too clever for you.
+
+Albert:
+
+Too clever for them?
+
+The Toff:
+
+I never lost a game of cards in my life.
+
+Bill:
+
+You never lost a game?
+
+The Toff:
+
+Not when there was money on it.
+
+Bill:
+
+Well, well.
+
+The Toff:
+
+Have a game of poker?
+
+All:
+
+No, thanks.
+
+The Toff:
+
+Then do as you're told.
+
+Bill:
+
+All right, Toffy.
+
+Sniggers:
+
+I saw something just then. Hadn't we better draw the curtains?
+
+The Toff:
+
+No.
+
+Sniggers:
+
+What?
+
+The Toff:
+
+Don't draw the curtains.
+
+Sniggers:
+
+O all right.
+
+Bill:
+
+But Toffy, they can see us. One doesn't let the enemy do that. I don't
+see why....
+
+The Toff:
+
+No, of course you don't.
+
+Bill:
+
+O all right, Toffy.
+
+    [All begin to pull out revolvers.]
+
+The Toff: [putting his own away]
+
+No revolvers, please.
+
+Albert:
+
+Why not?
+
+The Toff:
+
+Because I don't want any noise at my party. We might get guests that
+hadn't been invited. _Knives_ are a different matter.
+
+    [All draw knives. The Toff signs to them not to draw them yet.
+    Toffy has already taken back his ruby.]
+
+Bill:
+
+I think they're coming, Toffy.
+
+The Toff:
+
+Not yet.
+
+Albert:
+
+When will they come?
+
+The Toff:
+
+When I am quite ready to receive them. Not before.
+
+Sniggers:
+
+I should like to get this over.
+
+The Toff:
+
+Should you? Then we'll have them now.
+
+Sniggers:
+
+Now?
+
+The Toff:
+
+Yes. Listen to me. You shall do as you see me do. You will all pretend
+to go out. I'll show you how. I've got the ruby. When they see me
+alone they will come for their idol's eye.
+
+Bill:
+
+How can they tell like this which one of us has it?
+
+The Toff:
+
+I confess I don't know, but they seem to.
+
+Sniggers:
+
+What will you do when they come in?
+
+The Toff:
+
+I shall do nothing.
+
+Sniggers:
+
+What?
+
+The Toff:
+
+They will creep up behind me. Then my friends, Sniggers and Bill and
+Albert, who gave them the slip, will do what they can.
+
+Bill:
+
+All right, Toffy. Trust us.
+
+The Toff:
+
+If you're a little slow you will see enacted the cheerful spectacle
+that accompanied the demise of Jim.
+
+Sniggers:
+
+Don't, Toffy. We'll be there all right.
+
+The Toff:
+
+Very well. Now watch me.
+
+    [He goes past the windows to the inner door R.; he opens it
+    inwards. Then under cover of the open door he slips down on his
+    knee and closes it, remaining on the inside, appearing to have
+    gone out. He signs to the others who understand. Then he appears
+    to re-enter in the same manner.]
+
+Now, I shall sit with my back to the door. You go out one by one so
+far as our friends can make out. Crouch very low to be on the safe
+side. They mustn't see you through the window.
+
+    [Bill makes his sham exit.]
+
+The Toff:
+
+Remember, no revolvers. The police are, I believe, proverbially
+inquisitive.
+
+    [The other two follow Bill. All three are now crouching inside
+    the door R. The Toff puts the ruby beside him on the table. He
+    lights a cigarette.]
+
+    [The door in back opens so slowly that you can hardly say at what
+    moment it began. The Toff picks up his paper.]
+
+    [A Native of India wriggles along the floor ever so slowly,
+    seeking cover from chairs. He moves L. where the Toff is. The
+    three sailors are R. Sniggers and Albert lean forward. Bill's arm
+    keeps them back. An armchair had better conceal them from the
+    Indian. The black Priest nears the Toff.]
+
+    [Bill watches to see if any more are coming. Then he leaps
+    forward alone (he has taken his boots off) and knifes the
+    Priest.]
+
+    [The Priest tries to shout but Bill's left hand is over his mouth.]
+
+    [The Toff continues to read his sporting paper. He never looks round.]
+
+Bill: [sotto voce]
+
+There's only one, Toffy. What shall we do?
+
+The Toff: [without turning his head]
+
+Only one?
+
+Bill:
+
+Yes.
+
+The Toff:
+
+Wait a moment. Let me think.
+
+    [Still apparently absorbed in his paper.]
+
+Ah, yes. You go back, Bill. We must attract another guest. Now are you
+ready?
+
+Bill:
+
+Yes.
+
+The Toff:
+
+All right. You shall now see my demise at my Yorkshire residence. You
+must receive guests for me.
+
+    [He leaps up in full view of the window, flings up both arms and
+    falls on to the floor near the dead Priest.]
+
+Now be ready.
+
+    [His eyes close.]
+
+    [There is a long pause. Again the door opens, very very slowly.
+    Another Priest creeps in. He has three golden spots upon his
+    forehead. He looks round, then he creeps up to his companion and
+    turns him over and looks inside each of his clenched hands. Then
+    he looks at the recumbent Toff. Then he creeps towards him. Bill
+    slips after him and knifes him like the other with his left hand
+    over his mouth.]
+
+Bill: [sotto voce]
+
+We've only got two, Toffy.
+
+The Toff:
+
+Still another.
+
+Bill:
+
+What'll we do?
+
+The Toff: [sitting up]
+
+Hum.
+
+Bill:
+
+This is the best way, much.
+
+The Toff:
+
+Out of the question. Never play the same game twice.
+
+Bill:
+
+Why not, Toffy?
+
+The Toff:
+
+Doesn't work if you do.
+
+Bill:
+
+Well?
+
+The Toff:
+
+I have it, Albert. You will now walk into the room. I showed you how
+to do it.
+
+Albert:
+
+Yes.
+
+The Toff:
+
+Just run over here and have a fight at this window with these two men.
+
+Albert:
+
+But they're----
+
+The Toff:
+
+Yes, they're dead, my perspicuous Albert. But Bill and I are going to
+resuscitate them.----. Come on.
+
+    [Bill picks up a body under the arms.]
+
+That's right, Bill. [Does the same.] Come and help us, Sniggers----
+[Sniggers comes] Keep low, keep low. Wave their arms about, Sniggers.
+Don't show yourself. Now, Albert, over you go. Our Albert is slain.
+Back you get, Bill. Back, Sniggers. Still, Albert. Mustn't move when
+he comes. Not a muscle.
+
+    [A Face appears at the window and stays for some time. Then the
+    door opens and looking craftily round the third Priest enters. He
+    looks at his companions' bodies and turns round. He suspects
+    something. He takes up one of the knives and with a knife in each
+    hand he puts his back to the wall. He looks to the left and
+    right.]
+
+The Toff:
+
+Come on, Bill.
+
+    [The Priest rushes to the door. The Toff knifes the last Priest
+    from behind.]
+
+The Toff:
+
+A good day's work, my friends.
+
+Bill:
+
+Well done, Toffy. Oh, you are a deep one.
+
+Albert:
+
+A deep one if ever there was one.
+
+Sniggers:
+
+There ain't any more, Bill, are there?
+
+The Toff:
+
+No more in the world, my friend.
+
+Bill:
+
+Aye, that's all there are. There were only three in the temple. Three
+priests and their beastly idol.
+
+Albert:
+
+What is it worth, Toffy? Is it worth a thousand pounds?
+
+The Toff:
+
+It's worth all they've got in the shop. Worth just whatever we like to
+ask for it.
+
+Albert:
+
+Then we're millionaires, now.
+
+The Toff:
+
+Yes, and what is more important, we no longer have any heirs.
+
+Bill:
+
+We'll have to sell it now.
+
+Albert:
+
+That won't be easy. It's a pity it isn't small and we had half a
+dozen. Hadn't the idol any other on him?
+
+Bill:
+
+No, he was green jade all over and only had this one eye. He had it in
+the middle of his forehead, and was a long sight uglier than anything
+else in the world.
+
+Sniggers:
+
+I'm sure we ought all to be very grateful to Toffy.
+
+Bill:
+
+And indeed we ought.
+
+Albert:
+
+If it hadn't 'ave been for him----
+
+Bill:
+
+Yes, if it hadn't 'a' been for old Toffy....
+
+Sniggers:
+
+He's a deep one.
+
+The Toff:
+
+Well, you see, I just have a knack of foreseeing things.
+
+Sniggers:
+
+I should think you did.
+
+Bill:
+
+Why, I don't suppose anything happens that our Toff doesn't foresee.
+Does it, Toffy?
+
+The Toff:
+
+Well, I don't think it does, Bill. I don't think it often does.
+
+Bill:
+
+Life is no more than just a game of cards to our old Toff.
+
+The Toff:
+
+Well, we've taken these fellows' trick.
+
+Sniggers: [going to the window]
+
+It wouldn't do for any one to see them.
+
+The Toff:
+
+O nobody will come this way. We're all alone on a moor.
+
+Bill:
+
+Where will we put them?
+
+The Toff:
+
+Bury them in the cellar, but there's no hurry.
+
+Bill:
+
+And what then, Toffy?
+
+The Toff:
+
+Why, then we'll go to London and upset the ruby business. We'll have
+really come through this job very nicely.
+
+Bill:
+
+I think the first thing we ought to do is give a little supper to old
+Toffy. We'll bury these fellows to-night.
+
+Albert:
+
+Yes, let's.
+
+Sniggers:
+
+The very thing.
+
+Bill:
+
+And we'll all drink his health.
+
+Albert:
+
+Good old Toffy.
+
+Sniggers:
+
+He ought to have been a general or a premier.
+
+    [They get bottles from cupboard, etc.]
+
+The Toff:
+
+Well, we've earned our bit of a supper.
+
+    [They sit down.]
+
+Bill: [Glass in hand.]
+
+Here's to old Toffy who guessed everything.
+
+Albert and Sniggers:
+
+Good old Toffy.
+
+Bill:
+
+Toffy who saved our lives and made our fortunes.
+
+Albert and Sniggers:
+
+Hear. Hear.
+
+The Toff:
+
+And here's to Bill who saved me twice to-night.
+
+Bill:
+
+Couldn't have done it but for your cleverness, Toffy.
+
+Sniggers:
+
+Hear, hear. Hear, hear.
+
+Albert:
+
+He foresees everything.
+
+Bill:
+
+A speech, Toffy. A speech from our general.
+
+All:
+
+Yes, a speech.
+
+Sniggers:
+
+A speech.
+
+The Toff:
+
+Well, get me some water. This whiskey's too much for my head, and I
+must keep it clear till our friends are safe in the cellar.
+
+Bill:
+
+Water. Yes, of course. Get him some water, Sniggers.
+
+Sniggers:
+
+We don't use water here. Where shall I get it?
+
+Bill:
+
+Outside in the garden.
+
+    [Exit Sniggers.]
+
+Albert:
+
+Here's to fortune. [They all drink.]
+
+Bill:
+
+Here's to Albert Thomas, Esquire. [He drinks.]
+
+The Toff:
+
+Albert Thomas, Esquire. [He drinks.]
+
+Albert:
+
+And William Jones Esquire.
+
+The Toff:
+
+Albert Jones, Esquire. [The Toff and Albert drink.]
+
+    [Re-enter Sniggers terrified.]
+
+The Toff:
+
+Hullo, here's Jacob Smith Esquire, J.P., alias Sniggers, back again.
+
+Sniggers:
+
+Toffy, I've been thinking about my share in that ruby. I don't want
+it, Toffy, I don't want it.
+
+The Toff:
+
+Nonsense, Sniggers, nonsense.
+
+Sniggers:
+
+You shall have it, Toffy, you shall have it yourself, only say
+Sniggers has no share in this 'ere ruby. Say it, Toffy, say it.
+
+Bill:
+
+Want to turn informer, Sniggers?
+
+Sniggers:
+
+No, no. Only I don't want the ruby, Toffy....
+
+The Toff:
+
+No more nonsense, Sniggers, we're all in together in this, if one hangs
+we all hang; but they won't outwit me. Besides, it's not a hanging
+affair, they had their knives.
+
+Sniggers:
+
+Toffy, Toffy, I've always treated you fair, Toffy. I was always one to
+say, Give Toffy a chance. Take back my share, Toffy.
+
+The Toff:
+
+What's the matter? What are you driving at?
+
+Sniggers:
+
+Take it back, Toffy.
+
+The Toff:
+
+Answer me; what are you up to?
+
+Sniggers:
+
+I don't want my share any more.
+
+Bill:
+
+Have you seen the police?
+
+    [Albert pulls out his knife.]
+
+The Toff:
+
+No, no knives, Albert.
+
+Albert:
+
+What then?
+
+The Toff:
+
+The honest truth in open court, barring the ruby. We were attacked.
+
+Sniggers:
+
+There's no police.
+
+The Toff:
+
+Well, then, what's the matter?
+
+Bill:
+
+Out with it.
+
+Sniggers:
+
+I swear to God...
+
+Albert:
+
+Well?
+
+The Toff:
+
+Don't interrupt.
+
+Sniggers:
+
+I swear I saw something _what I didn't like._
+
+The Toff:
+
+What you didn't like?
+
+Sniggers: [In tears.]
+
+O Toffy, Toffy, take it back. Take my share. Say you take it.
+
+The Toff:
+
+What has he seen?
+
+    [Dead silence only broken by Sniggers' sobs. Then stony steps
+    are heard.]
+
+    [Enter a hideous Idol. It is blind and gropes its way. It gropes
+    its way to the ruby and picks it up and screws it into a socket
+    in the forehead.]
+
+    [Sniggers still weeps softly; the rest stare in horror. The Idol
+    steps out, not groping. Its steps move off then stops.]
+
+The Toff:
+
+O great heavens!
+
+Albert: [In a childish, plaintive voice.]
+
+What is it, Toffy?
+
+Bill:
+
+Albert, it is that obscene idol [in a whisper] come from India.
+
+Albert:
+
+It is gone.
+
+Bill:
+
+It has taken its eye.
+
+Sniggers:
+
+We are saved.
+
+Off, a Voice: [With outlandish accent.]
+
+Meestaire William Jones, Able Seaman.
+
+    [The Toff has never spoken, never moved. He only gazes stupidly
+    in horror.]
+
+Bill:
+
+Albert, Albert, what is this?
+
+    [He rises and walks out. One moan is heard. Sniggers goes to
+    window. He falls back sickly.]
+
+Albert: [In a whisper.]
+
+What has happened?
+
+Sniggers:
+
+I have seen it. I have seen it. O I have seen it. [He returns to
+table.]
+
+The Toff: [Laying his hand very gently on Sniggers' arm, speaking
+softly and winningly.]
+
+What was it, Sniggers?
+
+Sniggers:
+
+I have seen it.
+
+Albert:
+
+What?
+
+Sniggers:
+
+O.
+
+Voice:
+
+Meestaire Albert Thomas, Able Seaman.
+
+Albert:
+
+Must I go, Toffy? Toffy, must I go?
+
+Sniggers: [Clutching him.]
+
+Don't move.
+
+Albert: [Going.]
+
+Toffy, Toffy. [Exit.]
+
+Voice:
+
+Meestaire Jacob Smith, Able Seaman.
+
+Sniggers:
+
+I can't go, Toffy. I can't go. I can't do it.
+
+    [He goes.]
+
+Voice:
+
+Meestaire Arnold Everett Scott-Fortescue, late Esquire, Able Seaman.
+
+The Toff:
+
+I did not foresee it. [Exit.]
+
+CURTAIN.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Plays of Gods and Men, by Lord Dunsany
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 11283 ***