It is not the stars, it is not the stars, Majesty, for the prophets of the stars have not interpreted it. Indeed, it was only some reveller wasting his gold.
[Meanwhile enter Chief Prophet of the stars that look on Zericon.
KING
Chief Prophet of the Stars that look on Zericon, I would have you interpret the rhyme upon yonder door.
CHIEF PROPHET (goes up to the door and reads)
It is from the stars.
KING
Interpret it and you shall have great turquoises round your neck, with opals from the mines in the frozen mountains.
CHIEF PROPHET (cloaks himself like the others in a great black cloak)
Who should wear purple in the land but a King, or who go up against the sky but he who has troubled the stars by neglecting their ancient worship? Such a one has gone up and up increasing power and wealth, such a one has soared above the crowns of those that went before him, such a one the stars have doomed, the undying ones, the illustrious. [A pause.