VOICES OF LAMENTATION (growing fainter and fainter off)
Illuriel is fallen, Illuriel is fallen. Illuriel, Illuriel, Illuriel. Is fallen. Is fallen. (The song of the low-born ceases suddenly. Then voices of the slaves in the slave-fields chanting very loudly) Illuriel is fallen, is fallen, is fallen. Illuriel is fallen and broken asunder. Illuriel is fallen, fallen, fallen.
[Clamor of fighting is heard, the clash of swords, and voices, and now and then the name of Illuriel.
THE IDOL-GUARD (kneeling over a fragment of Illuriel)
Illuriel is broken. They have overthrown Illuriel. They have done great harm to the courses of the stars. The moon will be turned to blackness or fall and forsake the nights. The sun will rise no more. They do not know how they have wrecked the world.
[Reënter King Argimenes and his men.
KING ARGIMENES (in the doorway)
Go you to the land of Ithara and tell them that I am free. And do you go to the army on the frontier. Offer them death, or the right arm of the throne to be melted and divided amongst them all. Let them choose. (The armed slaves go to the throne and stand on each side of it, loquitur) Majesty, ascend your throne. (King Argimenes, standing with his face toward the audience, lifts the sword slowly, lying on both his hands, a little above his head, then looking up at it, loquitur) Praise to the unknown warrior and to all gods that bless him. (He ascends the throne. Zarb prostrates himself at the foot of it and remains prostrated for the rest of the Act, muttering at intervals "Majesty." An armed slave enters dragging the King's Overseer. King Argimenes sternly watches him. He is dragged before the Throne. He still has the roll of parchment in his hand. For some moments King Argimenes does not speak. Then pointing at the parchment) What have you there?
THE KING'S OVERSEER (kneeling)
It is a plan of the great garden, Majesty. It was to have been a wonder to the world. (Unfolds it)