—and I wore the crown with the sapphires and the big emerald in it, and the foreign prince said that I looked very sweet.
[The King, who has been smiling at Atharlia, gives a gracious nod to the Prophet when he hears him stop speaking. When the Queens see the King nod graciously, they applaud the Prophet by idly clapping their hands.
THIRD QUEEN
Do ask him to make us another prophecy, Majesty! He is so interesting. He looks so clever.
THE KING
Prophesy unto us.
THE PROPHET
Thine armies camped upon thy mountainous borders descry no enemy in the plains afar. And within thy gates lurks he for whom thy sentinels seek upon lonely guarded frontiers. There is a fear upon me and a boding. Even yet there is time, even yet; but little time. And my mind is dark with trouble for thy kingdom.
QUEEN CAHAFRA (to Queen Thragolind)
I do not like the way he does his hair.