'Tis not the king but age that makes him groan.
I mean this age, the age in which we live.
[Meheuman and Biztha exeunt on the opposite side of stage, as Ahafid enters more stooped, and singing.]
Ahafid
[Sings.]
A country but no king,
An empire but no throne,
An upstart wears the signet ring,
My harp has lost its tone.
I can no longer sing great Persia's praise.
Smerdis
The trouble isn't with the harp, the country, king, nor throne;
Nor that an upstart wears the ring: Ahafid's voice is gone.
Ahafid
What say you, Smerdis?
Smerdis