"Therefore, Dagon, we must have all the military leaders with us," said
Hiram.
"We can."
"And the nomarchs."
"We can have them too."
"And the heir," continued Hiram.
"But if Thou alone urge him to war with Assyria, that is nothing. A man, like a harp, has many strings, and to play on them fingers are needed, while thou, Dagon, art only one finger."
"But I cannot tear myself into ten parts."
"Thou mayst be like one hand which has five fingers. Thou must so act that no one may suspect that Thou art for war, but every cook in the heir's kitchen must want war, every barber of his must want war, all the bath men, and litter-bearers, scribes, officers, charioteers must want war with Assyria; the heir should hear war from morning till night, and even when he is sleeping."
"That will be done."
"But dost Thou know his mistresses?" asked Hiram.