Plays of Gods and Men | Page 5

that is a good prophecy and helpful to men, thereby pleasing
the gods, although the prophecy is not a true one.
Voice-of-the-Gods:
The gods speak through my mouth; my breath is my own breath, I am
human and mortal, but my voice is from the gods and the gods cannot
lie.
Ichtharion:
Is it wise in an age when the gods have lost their power to anger
powerful men for the sake of the gods?
Voice-of-the-Gods:

It is wise.
Ichtharion:
We are three men and you are alone with us. Will the gods save you if
we want to put you to death and slip away with your body into the
jungle?
Voice-of-the-Gods:
If you should do this thing the gods have willed it. If they have not
willed it you cannot.
Ichtharion:
We do not wish to do it. Nevertheless you will make this
prophecy--you will go before the King and you will say that the gods
have spoken and that within three days' time, for the sake of vengeance
upon some unknown man who is in this city, they will overthrow all
Thek unless every man is departed.
Voice-of-the-Gods:
I will not do it, for the gods cannot lie.
Ichtharion:
Has it not been the custom since unremembered time for a prophet to
have two wives?
Voice-of-the-Gods:
Most certainly. It is the law.
[Ichtharion holds up three fingers.]
What!
Ichtharion:

Three.
Voice-of-the-Gods:
Do not betray me. It was long ago.
Ichtharion:
You will be allowed to serve the gods no more if men know this. The
gods will not protect you in this matter for you have offended also
against the gods.
Voice-of-the-Gods:
It is worse that the gods should lie. Do not betray me.
Ichtharion:
I go to tell the others what I know.
Voice-of-the-Gods:
I will make the false prophecy.
Ichtharion:
Ah. You have chosen wisely.
Voice-of-the-Gods:
When the gods punish me who make them lie, they will know what
punishment to give to you.
Ichtharion:
The gods will not punish us. It is long ago that the gods used to punish
men.
Voice-of-the-Gods:

The gods will punish us.
Act II
[Same scene.]
[Same day.]
King Karnos: [pointing off L.]
Look at them now, are they not beautiful? They catch the last rays of
the lingering sun. Can you say that the orchids are not beautiful now?
Ichtharion:
Your majesty, we were wrong, they are most beautiful. They tower up
from the jungle to take the sun. They are like the diadem of some
jubilant king.
King Karnos:
Ah. Now you have come to love the beauty of Thek.
Ichtharion:
Yes, yes, your Majesty, I see it now. I would live in this city always.
King Karnos:
Yes, we will live here always. There is no city lovelier than Thek. Am I
not right?
Ludibras:
Your Majesty, no city is like it.
King Karnos:
Ah. I am always right.

Tharmia:
How beautiful is Thek.
Arolind:
Yes, it is like a god.
[Three notes are stricken on a sonorous gong.]
Whispers: [on]
There has been a prophecy. There has been a prophecy.
King Karnos:
Ah! there has been a prophecy. Bring in the prophet. [Exit attendant.]
[Enter mournfully with dejected head and walking very slowly
Voice-of-the-Gods.]
King Karnos:
You have made a prophecy.
Voice-of-the-Gods:
I have made a prophecy.
King Karnos:
I would hear that prophecy. [A pause.]
Voice-of-the-Gods:
Your Majesty, the gods in three days' time----
King Karnos:
Stop! Is it not usual to begin with certain words? [A pause.]

Voice-of-the-Gods:
It is written and hath been said... that the gods cannot lie.
King Karnos:
That is right.
Voice-of-the-Gods:
That the gods cannot lie.
King Karnos:
Yes. Yes.
Voice-of-the-Gods:
In three days' time the gods will destroy this city for vengeance upon
some man, unless all men desert it.
King Karnos:
The gods will destroy Thek!
Voice-of-the-Gods:
Yes.
King Karnos:
When will this happen?
Voice-of-the-Gods:
It must be in three days' time.
King Karnos:
How will it happen?

Voice-of-the-Gods:
Why. It will happen.
King Karnos:
How?
Voice-of-the-Gods:
Why... there will be a sound... as the riving of wood... a sound as of
thunder coming up from the ground. A cleft will run like a mouse
across the floor. There will be a red light, and then no light at all, and in
the darkness Thek shall tumble in.
[The King sits in deep thought. Exit Prophet slowly; he begins to weep,
then casts his cloak over his face. He stretches out his arms to grope his
way and is led by the hand. The King sits thinking.]
Tharmia:
Save us, your Majesty.
Arolind:
Save us.
Ichtharion:
We must fly, your Majesty.
Ludibras:
We must escape swiftly.
[The King sits still in silence. He lifts a stick on his right to beat a little
silver bell; but puts it down again. At last