Then the crowd took up the word, and cried:
“He blasphemeth—he blasphemeth against the prophet!”
But the king and the chiefs who hated Morven, because of his power with the people, rushed into the crowd; and the crowd were irresolute, nor knew they how to act, for never yet had they rebelled against their chiefs, and they feared alike the prophet and the king.
And Siror cried:
“Summon Darvan to us, for he bath watched the steps of Morven, and he shall lift the veil from my people’s eyes.”
Then three of the swift of foot started forth to the house of Darvan.
And Morven cried out with a loud voice:
“Hark! thus saith the star who, now riding through yonder cloud breaks forth upon my eyes—‘For the lie that the elder hath uttered against my servant, the curse of the stars shall fall upon him.’ Seek, and as ye find him, so may ye find ever the foes of Morven and the gods.”
A chill and an icy fear fell over the crowd, and even the cheek of Siror grew pale; and Morven, erect and dark above the waving torches, stood motionless with folded arms.
And hark—far and fast came on the war-steeds of the wave—the people heard them marching to the land, and tossing their white manes in the roaring wind.