No, no! The guards flog poor slaves, but Argimenes had an angry look. The guards will be afraid when they see him look so angry and see his terrible sword. It was a huge sword, and he looked very angry. He will bring us the swords of the slave-guard. We must prostrate ourselves before him and kiss his feet or he will be angry with us too.
OLD SLAVE
Will Argimenes give me a sword?
ZARB
He will have swords for six of us if he slays the slave-guard. Yes, he will give you a sword.
SLAVE
A sword! No, no, I must not; the King would kill me if he found that I had a sword.
SECOND SLAVE (slowly, as one who develops an idea)
If the King found that I had a sword, why, then it would be an evil day for the King.
[They all look off left.