FIRST SENTRY
Because if a doom from the stars fall suddenly on a king it swallows up his people and all things round about him, and his palace falls and the walls of his city and citadel, and the apes come in from the woods and the large beasts from the desert, so that you would not say that a king had been there at all.
SECOND SENTRY
But why should a doom from the stars fall on the King?
FIRST SENTRY
Because he seldom placates them.
SECOND SENTRY
Ah! I have heard that said of him.
FIRST SENTRY
Who are the stars that a man should scorn them? Should they that rule the thunder, the plague and the earthquake withhold these things save for much prayer? Always ambassadors are with the King, and his commanders, come in from distant lands, prefects of cities and makers of the laws, but never the priests of the stars.