What was he talking about?

QUEEN OXARA

He was talking about the armies on the frontier.

QUEEN ATHARLIA

Ah! That reminds me of that young captain in the Purple Guard. They say that he loves Linoora.

QUEEN OXARA

Oh, Thearkos! Linoora probably said that.

[_When the Queens come to the doorway they halt on each side of it.

Then they turn facing one another. Then the King leaves his throne and pa.s.ses between them into the Chamber of Banquets, each couple courtseying low to him as he pa.s.ses. The Queens follow, then the attendants. There rises the wine-song, the chant of the n.o.bles, drowning the chant of the low-born. Only the Idol-Guard remains behind, still kneeling beside Illuriel._

THE IDOL-GUARD

I do not like those things the Prophet said--It would be terrible if they were true--It would be very terrible if they were false, for he prophesies in the name of Illuriel--Ah! They are singing the wine-song, the chant of the n.o.bles. The Queens are singing. How merry they are!--I should like to be a n.o.ble and sit and look at the Queens. (_He joins in the song_)

THE VOICE OF A SENTINEL

Guard, turn out. (_The wine-song still continues_)

THE VOICE OF ONE HAVING AUTHORITY

Turn out the guard there! Wake up, you accursed pigs!

[_Still the wine-song. A faint sound as of swords._

A VOICE CRYING

To the armory! To the armory! Reinforce! The Slaves have come to the armory. Ah! mercy! (_For awhile there is silence_)

KING ARGIMENES (_in the doorway_)

Go you to the slave-fields. Say that the palace-guard is dead and that we have taken the armory. Ten of you, hold the armory till our men come from the slave-fields. (_He comes into the hall with his slaves armed with swords_) Throw down Illuriel.

THE IDOL-GUARD

You must take my life before you touch my G.o.d.

A SLAVE

We only want your pike.

[_All attack him; they seize his sword and bind his hands behind him.

They all pull down Illuriel, the dark-green idol, who breaks into seven pieces._

KING ARGIMENES

Illuriel is fallen and broken asunder.

ZARB (_with some awe_)

Immortal Illuriel is dead at last.

KING ARGIMENES

My G.o.d was broken into three pieces, but Illuriel is broken into seven.

The fortunes of Darniak will prevail over mine no longer. (_A slave breaks off a golden arm from the throne_) Come, we will arm all the slaves. (_Exeunt_)

KING DARNIAK (_enters with Retinue_)

My throne is broken. Illuriel is turned against me.

AN ATTENDANT

Illuriel is fallen.

ALL (_with King Darniak_)

Illuriel is fallen, is fallen. (_Some drop their spears_)

KING DARNIAK (_to the Idol-Guard_)

What envious G.o.d or sacrilegious man has dared to do this thing?

THE IDOL-GUARD

Illuriel is fallen.

KING DARNIAK

Have men been here?

THE IDOL-GUARD

Is fallen.

KING DARNIAK

What way did they go?

THE IDOL-GUARD

Illuriel is fallen.