With song and laughter,--you shall know in time.

[Exeunt KHAMMA and NUBTA, laughing. TSARPI descends the steps.]

TSARPI:

My guest is late; but he will surely come!

Hunger and thirst will bring him to my feet.

The man who burns to drain the cup of love,--

The priest whose greed of glory never fails,--

Both, both have need of me, and he will come.

And I,--what do I need? Why everything

That helps my beauty to a higher throne;