Go you to the land of Ithara and tell them that I am free. And do you go to the army on the frontier. Offer them death, or the right arm of the throne to be melted and divided amongst them all. Let them choose. (_The armed slaves go to the throne and stand on each side of it, loquitur_) Majesty, ascend your throne. (_King Argimenes, standing with his face toward the audience, lifts the sword slowly, lying on both his hands, a little above his head, then looking up at it, loquitur_) Praise to the unknown warrior and to all gods that bless him. (_He ascends the throne. Zarb prostrates himself at the foot of it and remains prostrated for the rest of the Act, muttering at intervals "Majesty." An armed slave enters dragging the King's Overseer. King Argimenes sternly watches him. He is dragged before the Throne. He still has the roll of parchment in his hand. For some moments King Argimenes does not speak. Then pointing at the parchment_) What have you there? THE KING'S OVERSEER (_kneeling_) It is a plan of the great garden, Majesty. It was to have been a wonder to the world. (_Unfolds it_) KING ARGIMENES (_grimly_) Show me the place that I digged for three years. (_The King's Overseer shows it with trembling hands; the parchment shakes visibly_) Let there be built there a temple to an Unknown Warrior. And let this sword be laid on its altar evermore, that the ghost of that Warrior wandering by night (if men do walk by night from across the grave) may see his sword again. And let slaves be allowed to pray there and those that are oppressed; nevertheless the noble and the mighty shall not fail to repair there too, that the Unknown Warrior shall not lack due reverence. [_Enter, running, a Man of the household of King Darniak. He starts and stares aghast on seeing King Argimenes._ KING ARGIMENES Who are you? MAN I am the servant of the King's dog. KING ARGIMENES Why do you come here? MAN The King's dog is dead. KING ARGIMENES AND HIS MEN (_savagely and hungrily_) Bones! KING ARGIMENES (_remembering suddenly what has happened and where he is_) Let him be buried with the late King. ZARB (_in a voice of protest_) Majesty! CURTAIN THE GLITTERING GATE PERSONS JIM, _lately a burglar_ } BILL, _lately a burglar_ } _Both dead_ _Scene: A Lonely Place._ _Time: The present._ THE GLITTERING GATE _The Lonely Place is strewn with large black rocks and uncorked beer-bottles, the latter in great profusion. At back is a wall of granite built of great slabs, and in it the Gate of Heaven. The door is of gold._ _Below the Lonely Place is an abyss hung with stars._