Ambassador: One is a wine scarcely less rare, scarcely less jubilant in the wits of man, than that which alas is lost.
[He glances towards the spot where he threw the other.
King: And the other?
Ambassador: Who may say? It is the most treasured secret that the Emperor's poisoners guard.
King: I will send for my butlers that are wise in wine and they shall smell the cups.
Ambassador: Alas, but the Emperor's poisoners have added so wine-like a flavour to their most secret draught, that no man may tell by this means which is their work and which that inestimable wine.
King: I will send for my tasters and they shall taste of the cups.
Ambassador: Alas, so great a risk may not be run.
King: Risks are the duty of a king's tasters.
Ambassador: If they chanced to taste of the treasure of the Emperor's poisoners—well. But if they, or any man of common birth, were to taste of the wine that the Emperor sends only to kings, and even to kings but rarely, that were an affront to the Emperor's ancient wine that could not be permitted.