Ahasuerus
You are a jester, not a bard. Your cap
And bells, or else Death wins his throw with you.
Meheuman, call the poet of the court,
The great Ahafid. Let him celebrate
This feast in song. This rhyming fool presumes
Too much upon the patience of the king.
Smerdis
Your majesty, I did but rhyme because
Ahafid's dead.
Ahasuerus
Ahafid dead? What caused
His death?
Smerdis
[Aside.]
A broken heart. [Aloud.] He broke his harp
And died of grief. [Aside again.] The good gray poet could
Remember real kings.
Ahasuerus