Oh for one moment of oblivion! Why toss the riddle ever and forever? ’Tis solved--I know how soon! I should be busy Even as my maids who slack the drag of time By hearkening every tone and vying guesses Which bird it was that sang each note, and whether ’Twas red and whether green. Pah, what a din! Is Karna there with him? Still--all is still! ’Twas naught--I could have known. How am I altered! When other have I asked a sound its whence? I quailed at naught, I quailed not even before The glow of fire, all one to me how red It streamed at heaven, all one to me how threatening It spread its yawn of blaze; I knew a ring Of trusty watchers sightless round me set, I knew they gave the King’s beloved daughter Buckler of blood and bones. At last--a step! ’Tis they! Ha, Karna is as shrewd as valiant. Always I heard so; this day sees it proved. Not yet! Nor ever, maybe! Nay, ye gods, So hard of heart ye cannot be. My will Is never that you reach me out the hand To firm my footing on the abysm’s brink, My will is but to see who thrusts me down. The more I ply my thought the less my power To comprehend my lord. Sooth, I have heard From veriest youth that the polluted woman Is barred from life, and if through all the child It sent its shudders, now I have the ground For such a law; in my own heart I found it. She cannot live, ay and she wills it not! Has this for him alone no force, or will he Slay the Accursed stealthily in hopes Still to encloak from me his damned act? Be thanked, Eternal Ones, that too may be. If Karna then should find him flown and dead, Should find the poniard cold in his hot breast, I’ll know whose hand it was that struck him earthwards And nevermore shall ask where Gyges tarried. [_Enter_ LESBIA. LESBIA. O Queen, he comes! RHOD. I am prepared, and wait him. LESBIA. And ranged behind him like a bolt of iron A weaponed troop snaps to and locks him tight. RHOD. I can believe that Karna knows his work. LESBIA. And must it be? RHOD. Or he or I; perchance Both at a sweep. LESBIA. Oh, oh, you make me dumb! RHOD. Bid Karna now send message to the King I beg him hither for a single word. [_Exit_ LESBIA. RHOD. Now, ye of Underneath, that put no outrage In check, and yet avenge each several one, Up, up, I say! Mount guard upon this hearth! Be certain here of bloody sacrifice. [GYGES _has meanwhile entered_. GYGES. You sent to bid me to your presence, Queen. RHOD.