Plays of Gods and Men | Page 3

have killed a beast. All four of the men are bringing it on two
branches.
Arolind: [bored]
What kind of beast is it?
Tharmia:
I do not know. It seems to have barbed horns.
Carolyx:
We must go and meet them.
[The song is loud and joyous.]
[Exeunt by the way that the Sentries went.]
[Enter Sentries.]
1st Sentry:

Whatever it is has passed away again for they were smiling.
2nd Sentry:
They feared that their husbands were lost and now they return in safety.
1st Sentry:
You do not know, for you do not understand women.
2nd Sentry:
I understand them quite as well as you.
1st Sentry:
That is what I say. You do not understand them. I do not understand
them.
2nd Sentry:
......Oh. [A pause.]
1st Sentry:
We shall never leave Thek now.
2nd Sentry:
Why shall we never leave it?
1st Sentry:
Did you not hear how glad they were when they sang the hunting song?
They say a wild dog does not turn from the trail, they will go on
hunting now.
2nd Sentry:
But will the King stay here?
1st Sentry:
He only does what Ichtharion and Ludibras persuade him. He does not
listen to the Queen.
2nd Sentry:
The Queen is mad.
1st Sentry:
She is not mad but she has a curious sickness, she is always frightened
though there is nothing to fear.
2nd Sentry:
That would be a dreadful sickness; one would fear that the roof might
fall on one from above or the earth break in pieces beneath. I would
rather be mad than to fear things like that.
1st Sentry: [looking straight before him]
Hush.
[Enter King and retinue. He sits on the throne. Enter from other side

Ichtharion, Ludibras, and Harpagas, each with his wife beside him,
hand in hand. Each couple bows before the King, still hand in hand;
then they seat themselves. The King nods once to each couple.]
King: [To Tharmia]
Well, your Sincerity, I trust that you are glad to have come to Thek.
Tharmia:
Very glad, your Majesty.
King: [To Arolind]
This is pleasanter, is it not, than Barbul-el-Sharnak?
Arolind:
Far pleasanter, your Majesty.
King:
And you, princely lady Carolyx, find all that you need in Thek?
Carolyx: More than all, your Majesty.
King: [To Harpagas]
Then we can stay here long, can we not?
Harpagas:
There are reasons of State why that were dangerous.
King:
Reasons of State? Why should we not stay here?
Harpagas:
Your Majesty, there is a legend in the World, that he who is greatest in
the city of Barbul-el-Sharnak is the greatest in the world.
King:
I had not heard that legend.
Harpagas:
Your Majesty, little legends do not hive in the sacred ears of kings;
nevertheless they hum among lesser men from generation to
generation.
King:
I will not go for a legend to Barbul-el-Sharnak.
Harpagas:
Your Majesty, it is very dangerous....
King: [To Ladies]
We will discuss things of State which little interest your Sincerities.
Tharmia: [rising]
Your Majesty, we are ignorant of these things.

[Exeunt.]
King: [To Ichtharion and Ludibras]
We will rest from things of State for awhile, shall we not? We will be
happy, (shall we not?) in this ancient beautiful palace.
Ludibras:
If your Majesty commands, we must obey.
King:
But is not Thek most beautiful? Are not the jungle orchids a wonder
and a glory?
Ludibras:
They have been thought so, your Majesty; they were pretty in
Barbul-el-Sharnak where they were rare.
King:
But when the sun comes over them in the morning, when the dew is on
them still; are they not glorious then? Indeed, they are very glorious.
Ludibras:
I think they would be glorious if they were blue, and there were fewer
of them.
King:
I do not think so. But you, Ichtharion, you think the city beautiful?
Ichtharion:
Yes, your Majesty.
King:
Ah. I am glad you love it. It is to me adorable.
Ichtharion:
I do not love it, your Majesty. I hate it very much. I know it is beautiful
because your Majesty has said so.
Ludibras:
This city is dangerously unhealthy, your Majesty.
Harpagas:
It is dangerous to be absent from Barbul-el-Sharnak.
Ichtharion:
We implore your Majesty to return to the centre of the world.
King:
I will not go again to Barbul-el-Sharnak.
[Exeunt King with attendants. Ichtharion, Ludibras and Harpagas
remain.]

[Enter Arolind and Carolyx; each goes up to her husband, very
affectionate.]
Arolind:
And you talked to the King?
Ludibras:
Yes.
Arolind:
You told him he must go back to Barbul-el-Sharnak at once?
Ludibras:
Well, I----
Arolind:
When does he start?
Ludibras:
He did not say he will start.
Arolind:
What?
Carolyx:
We are not going?
[Arolind and Carolyx weep and step away from their husbands.]
Ludibras:
But we spoke to the King.
Arolind: