Five Plays Part 21

It is from the stars.

CHAMBERLAIN

No, no, Majesty. Not from the stars, not from the stars. Some man has done it. Yet the thing should be interpreted. Shall I send for the prophets of the stars?

[_The King beckons to his Spies. They run up to him._

KING

Find me some prophet of the stars. (_Exeunt Spies_) I fear that we may go no more, my chamberlain, along the winding ways of unequalled Zericon, nor play dahoori with the golden b.a.l.l.s. I have thought more of my people than of the stars and more of Zericon than of windy Heaven.

CHAMBERLAIN

Believe me, Majesty, some idle man has written it and pa.s.sed by. Your spies shall find him, and then his name will be soon forgotten.

KING

Yes, yes. Perhaps you are right, though the sentries saw no one. No doubt some beggar did it.

CHAMBERLAIN

Yes, Majesty, some beggar has surely done it. But look, here come two prophets of the stars. They shall tell us that this is idle.

[_Enter two Prophets and a Boy attending them. All bow deeply to the King. The two Spies steal in again and stand at back._

KING

Some beggar has written a rhyme on the iron gate, and as the ways of rhyme are known to you I desired you, rather as poets than as prophets, to say whether there was any meaning in it.

CHAMBERLAIN

'Tis but an idle rhyme.

FIRST PROPHET (_bows again and goes up to door. He glances at the writing_)

Come hither, servant of those that serve the stars.

[_Attendant approaches._

FIRST PROPHET

Bring hither our golden cloaks, for this may be a matter for rejoicing; and bring our green cloaks also, for this may tell of young new beautiful things with which the stars will one day gladden the King; and bring our black cloaks also, for it may be a doom. (_Exit the Boy; the Prophet goes up to the door and reads solemnly_) The stars have spoken.

[_Reenter Attendant with cloaks._

KING

I tell you that some beggar has written this.

FIRST PROPHET

It is written in pure gold. (_He dons the black cloak over body and head_)

KING

What do the stars mean? What warning is it?

FIRST PROPHET

I cannot say.

KING (_to Second Prophet_)

Come you then and tell us what the warning is.

SECOND PROPHET (_goes up to the door and reads_)

The stars have spoken. (_He cloaks himself in black_)

KING

What is it? What does it mean?

SECOND PROPHET

We do not know, but it is from the stars.

CHAMBERLAIN

It is a harmless thing; there is no harm in it, Majesty. Why should not birds die?

KING

Why have the prophets covered themselves in black?

CHAMBERLAIN

They are a secret people and look for inner meanings. There is no harm in it.

KING

They have covered themselves in black.

CHAMBERLAIN

They have not spoken of any evil thing. They have not spoken of it.

KING