_(Long silence which is supposed, to last many hours and during which the stage remains empty._ _(Enter from the left the STANDARD BEARER on horseback with the SUBALTERNS and the Escort. The FIRST SUBALTERN mounts upon a rock._ THE STANDARD BEARER: What do you see? THE SUBALTERN: Nothing. The mountain shuts off the view on this side. THE SECOND SUBALTERN: Why is it that the King did not take his standard with him? THE STANDARD BEARER: I do not know for till to-day I always stood at his side, when, at the crisis of the battle, he mounted on his horse, Holding the banner on which is shown the black and terrible eagle That soars towards the sun with the corpse of a man in his talons. And the sun one does not see, but all the banner is of the color of gold. But to-day he bade me remain behind at the place that commands the deep defile And wait till he returned or gave the signal. THE FIRST SUBALTERN: The standard hangs without movement upon its staff. THE STANDARD BEARER: And we also remain motionless at this threshold of the world. By what a path we have come, rising out of the West like a bird! O young man new to the army, Assuredly you will see the King of the world reigning, but you have not seen what we have seen! Terror and bewilderment march before him, and, as if they did not know how to use them, Armies lay down their arms upon the ground. He has appeared in the midst of cowards, He has rushed among the multitudes like a lion attacking a drove of pigs! And they have arisen against him like the sea, and they have subsided and lapped the dust at his feet. And now we appear at the door, confronting ancient Asia! _(Gust of wind. Confused clamor in the distance._ THE FIRST SUBALTERN: Do you hear? THE SECOND SUBALTERN: At this very moment the battle is being fought. _(Pause._ And what are we going to do now? THE STANDARD BEARER: First for a long time We must march across the level plain. THE FIRST SUBALTERN: And then they say we shall come upon a mountain So high that it touches heaven, and out of heaven itself Four rivers, as white as milk, descend to earth. And passing on we shall behold again The sea, like a brimming cup. A land of gold is there and its fragrance alone is so sweet That it seems as if the soul were drawn from the body as in a dream And in the exultation of the woman who conceives. The monkeys hide in flowering trees and the sand has the scent of olives And the submarine volcanoes appear like sunken lotus flowers and like fountains of gushing wine! THE STANDARD BEARER: All's one! My will is to do the will of the King and to take my stand at his side Holding the Standard, and such is my portion of the earth. Assuredly it is just that we should adore like a god one who commands with wisdom. His heart is profound and he has been given the knowledge of how to rule. Thus his power increases, image of boldness divine and of justice that cannot be moved,