ZARB They beat me because I spoke to him without making obeisance. He was coming dancing alone over the slave-fields and I spoke to him. He was a friendly great dog, and I spoke to him and patted his head, and did not make obeisance.
KING ARGIMENES And they saw you do it?
ZARB Yes, the slave-guard saw me. They came and seized me at once and bound my arms. The great dog wanted me to speak to him again, but I was hurried away.
KING ARGIMENES You should have made obeisance.
ZARB The great dog seemed so friendly that I forgot he was the King's great dog.
KING ARGIMENES But tell me more. Was he hurt, or is it a sickness?
ZARB They say that it is a sickness.
KING ARGIMENES Ah. Then he will grow thin if he does not die soon. If it had been a hurt!—but we should not complain. I complain more often than you do because I had not learned to submit while I was yet young.
ZARB If your beautiful memories do not please you, you should hope more. I wish I had your memories. I should not trouble to hope then. It is very hard to hope.
KING ARGIMENES There will be nothing more to hope for when we have eaten the King's dog.