SIMON

I stay here. I am set here to watch. An angel charged me to—

[Shouts of "The Emperor!" very near. The music grows louder still. Cheers behind the hangings]

POLORUS

[Pushing him back frantically] But you're blocking up the passage-way. It is forbidden. Surely you don't want to offend the Emperor.

SIMON

[Idiotically] Not unnecessarily.

PISO

Well, then—