[_The second acolyte moves nearer to the tripod and beats listlessly on his great gong at about the pace of a great clock striking slowly._ FIRST PRIEST: We will importune the gods as never before. [_They heap up more herbs and spices. The smoke grows thicker and thicker. It streams upwards. They hover about it as before. At a sign the gong ceases._ The gods have spoken. KING: What is their message? FIRST PRIEST: Drink of the cup upon the Nubian's left. KING: Ah. My gods defend me. [_He seizes the cup boldly. He looks straight at the_ AMBASSADOR, _whose face remains expressionless, merely watching. He lifts the cup upon the Nubian's left a little up from the tray._ [_He glances towards the priests._ [_Suddenly he starts. He has seen a strange expression upon the face of the priest. He puts the cup down. He strides a step nearer and looks at his face._ PRIEST!--Priest!---- What is that look in your eyes? FIRST PRIEST: O King, I know not. I have given the message of the gods. [_The_ KING _continues to search out his face._ KING: I mistrust it. FIRST PRIEST: It is the message of the gods. KING: I will drink of the other cup! [_The_ KING _steps back to his place in the front of his throne where the Nubian stands beside him. He takes the cup upon the Nubian's right. He gazes at the priest. He looks round at the Ambassador, but sees nothing in that watchful, expressionless face._ [_He glances sidelong at the priest, then drinks, draining the cup at some length. He puts it down in silence. The face of the Ambassador and the whole bulk of the Nubian remain motionless._ KING: An inestimable wine! AMBASSADOR: It is the Emperor's joy. KING: Send for my Questioners. [_There are weird whistles. Two dark men run on in loin clothes._ Ask these two priests the Seven Questions. [_The_ QUESTIONERS _run nimbly up to the two priests and lead them away by the arm._ THE TWO ACOLYTES: O, O, O. Oh, oh. [_They show extreme horror. The_ AMBASSADOR _bows to the King._ KING: You do not leave us at once? AMBASSADOR: I go back to the Emperor, whom it is happiness to obey, and length of days. [_He bows and walks away. The_ HERALD _marches out, then the_ AMBASSADOR; _the_ PAGE, _the_ DWARF _and the_ NUBIAN _follow._ [_Exeunt._ [_The_ HERALD _is heard blowing upon his trumpet the same notes as when he entered, one merry bar of music._ [_The tray and two precious cups, one empty and the other full, are left glittering near the_ KING. KING (_looking at cups_): Those are rare emeralds that glisten there! Yet an evil gift. (_To the moaning acolytes._) Be silent! Your priests sinned strangely. [_The acolytes continue to moan._ [_Enter one of the_ QUESTIONERS. _He has sweat on his face and his hair has become damp and unkempt._ QUESTIONER: We have asked the Seven Questions. KING: Well? QUESTIONER: They have not answered. KING: Not answered! QUESTIONER: Neither man has confessed. KING: Oho! Do I keep Questioners that bring me no answers?