I set some store by the way in which the three lines about Zarabardes are recited, though it is hard to explain in writing a matter of rhythm. But the heartlessness of it can be indicated by a clear pronunciation of the syllables, as though the people that utter these words had long been drilled in a formula. The third play, "Cheezo," tells of one of those rare occasions when it is permissible for an artist, and may be a duty, to leave his wider art in order to attack a definite evil. And the invention of "great new foods" is often a huge evil. "Cheezo" is a play of Right and Wrong, and Wrong triumphs. Were not this particular Wrong triumphing at this particular date I should not have thought it a duty to attack it, and were it easily defeated it would not have been worth attacking. I have seen it acted with a Stage Curate, rather weak and a little comic; obviously such a man could be no match for Sladder. Hippanthigh should be of stronger stuff than that: he is defeated because that particular evil is, as I have said, defeating its enemies at present. Nor could there be any drama in a contest between the brutal Sladder and a Stage Curate; for the spark that we call humour, by whose light we see much of life, comes as it were of two flints, and not of a flint and cheese. The three little plays that follow I will leave to speak for themselves, as ultimately all plays have to do. DUNSANY CONTENTS PAGE THE COMPROMISE OF THE KING OF THE GOLDEN ISLES 1 THE FLIGHT OF THE QUEEN 21 CHEEZO 65 A GOOD BARGAIN 103 IF SHAKESPEARE LIVED TO-DAY 117 FAME AND THE POET 135 THE COMPROMISE OF THE KING OF THE GOLDEN ISLES _DRAMATIS PERSONÆ_ THE KING OF THE GOLDEN ISLES: KING HAMARAN. THE KING'S POLITICIAN. THE AMBASSADOR OF THE EMPEROR. THE EMPEROR'S SEEKER. TWO PRIESTS OF THE ORDER OF THE SUN. THE KING'S QUESTIONERS. THE AMBASSADOR'S NUBIAN. THE HERALD OF THE AMBASSADOR. THE EMPEROR'S DWARF. THE DEPUTY CUP-BEARER. THE KING'S DOOM-BEARER. THE KING'S POLITICIAN: A man has fled from the Emperor, and has taken refuge in your Majesty's Court in that part of it called holy. THE KING: We must give him up to the Emperor. POLITICIAN: To-day a spearsman came running from Eng-Bathai seeking the man who fled. He carries the barbed spear of one of the Emperor's seekers. KING: We must give him up. POLITICIAN: Moreover he has an edict from the Emperor demanding that the head of the man who fled be sent back to Eng-Bathai. KING: Let it be sent. POLITICIAN: Yet your Majesty is no vassal of the Emperor, who dwells at Eng-Bathai. KING: We may not disobey the Imperial edict. POLITICIAN: Yet---- KING: None hath dared to do it.