Plays of Near & Far

by Lord Dunsany

[They show extreme horror. The Ambassador bows to the King.

King: You do not leave us at once?

Ambassador: I go back to the Emperor, whom it is happiness to obey, and length of days.

[He bows and walks away. The Herald marches out, then the Ambassador; the Page, the Dwarf and the Nubian follow.

[Exeunt.

[The Herald is heard blowing upon his trumpet the same notes as when he entered, one merry bar of music.

[The tray and two precious cups, one empty and the other full, are left glittering near the King.

King (looking at cups): Those are rare emeralds that glisten there! Yet an evil gift. (To the moaning acolytes.) Be silent! Your priests sinned strangely.

[The acolytes continue to moan.

[Enter one of the Questioners. He has sweat on his face and his hair has become damp and unkempt.