Politician: To-day a spearsman came running from Eng-Bathai seeking the man who fled. He carries the barbed spear of one of the Emperor's seekers.
King: We must give him up.
Politician: Moreover he has an edict from the Emperor demanding that the head of the man who fled be sent back to Eng-Bathai.
King: Let it be sent.
Politician: Yet your Majesty is no vassal of the Emperor, who dwells at Eng-Bathai.
King: We may not disobey the Imperial edict.
Politician: Yet——
King: None hath dared to do it.
Politician: It is so long since any dared to do it that the Emperor mocks at kings. If your Majesty disobeyed him the Emperor would tremble.
King: Ah.