[Far off is heard that merry bar of music blown by the Ambassador's Herald on his horn.]
Is it too late?
There it stands yet with its green emeralds winking.
[He clutches it and looks down into it.
How like to wine it is, which is full of dreams. It is silent and dreamy like the gods, whose dreams we are.
Only a moment in their deathless minds: then the dream passes.
[He lifts up his arm and drinks it seated upon his throne with his head back and the great cup before his face. The audience begin to wonder when he will put it down. Still he remains in the attitude of a drinker. The acolytes begin to peer eagerly. Still he remains upright with the great cup to his lips. The acolytes patter away and the King is left alone.
[Enter the King's Politician hurriedly. He goes up to the King and seizes his right arm and tries to drag the cup away from his lips, but the King is rigid and his arm cannot be moved. He steps back lifting up his hands.
Politician: Oh-h!
[Exit. You hear him announcing solemnly