Then he will the more easily crush the hill-folk in a little war. FIRST SENTRY When kings grow very mighty the stars grow very jealous. BOY I've written your poem. GIRL Oh, have you really? BOY Yes, I'll read it to you. (_He reads_) I saw a purple bird Go up against the sky And it went up and up And round about did fly. I saw it die. GIRL It doesn't scan. BOY That doesn't matter. [_Enter furtively a Spy, who crosses stage and goes out. The Sentries cease to talk._ GIRL That man frightens me. BOY He is only one of the King's spies. GIRL But I don't like the King's spies. They frighten me. BOY Come on, then, we'll run away. SENTRY (_noticing the children again_) Go away, go away! The King is coming, he will eat you. [_The Boy throws a stone at the Sentry and runs out. Enter another Spy, who crosses the stage. Enter third Spy, who notices the door. He examines it and utters an owl-like whistle. No. 2 comes back. They do not speak. Both whistle. No. 3 comes. All examine the door. Enter the King and his Chamberlain. The King wears a purple robe. The Sentries smartly transfer their spears to their left hands and return their right arms to their right sides. They then lower their spears until their points are within an inch of the ground, at the same time raising their right hands above their heads. They stand for some moments thus. Then they lower their right arms to their right sides, at the same time raising their spears. In the next motion they take their spears into their right hands and lower the butts to the floor, where they were before, the spears slanting forward a little. Both Sentries must move together precisely._ FIRST SPY (_runs forward to the King and kneels, abasing his forehead to the floor_) Something has written on the iron door. CHAMBERLAIN On the iron door! KING Some fool has done it. Who has been here since yesterday? FIRST SENTRY (_shifts his hand a little higher on his spear, brings the spear to his side and closes his heels all in one motion; he then takes one pace backward with his right foot; then he kneels on his right knee; when he has done this he speaks, but not before_) Nobody, Majesty, but a stranger from Thessaly. KING Did he touch the iron door? FIRST SENTRY No, Majesty; he tried to, but we drove him away. KING How near did he come? FIRST SENTRY Nearly to our spears, Majesty. KING What was his motive in seeking to touch the iron door? FIRST SENTRY I do not know, Majesty. KING Which way did he go? FIRST SENTRY (_pointing left_) That way, Majesty, an hour ago. [_The King whispers with one of his Spies, who stoops and examines the ground and steals away. The Sentry rises._ KING (_to his two remaining Spies_) What does this writing say? A SPY We cannot read, Majesty. KING A good spy should know everything. SECOND SPY