Ambassador: Only one craftsman in the City of Smiths ever discerned a difference. The Emperor killed him, and now no one knows.
King: The potions also are alike.
Ambassador: Strangely alike. [The King hesitates.] The Emperor bids you choose his gift and drink.
King: The Emperor has poisoned the cups!
Ambassador: You greatly wrong the Emperor. Only one cup is poisoned.
King: You say that one is poisoned?
Ambassador: Only one, O King! Who may say which?
King: And what if I refuse to do this thing?
Ambassador: There are tortures that the Emperor never names. They are not spoken of where the Emperor is. Yet the Emperor makes a sign and they are accomplished. He makes the sign with a certain one of his fingers.
King (half to himself): How wonderfully they have the look of wine.