Eznarza:
I knew that Time would do it, for my people have learned the way of him.
King:
Is it then Time that has mocked our futile prayers? Is he then greater than God that he has laughed at our praying?
Eznarza:
We may not say that he is greater than God. Yet we prayed that our own year might not pass away. God could not save it.
King:
Yes, yes. We prayed that prayer. All men would laugh at it.
Eznarza:
The prayer was not laughable. Only he that is lord of the years is obdurate. If a man prayed for life to a furious, merciless Sultan well might the Sultan's slaves laugh. Yet it is not laughable to pray for life.