Be silent and attend to me. I do not know this city. I have travelled from far, having somewhat exhausted the city of Ackara.
SLAG
My master was three times knocked down and injured by carriages there, once he was killed and seven times beaten and robbed, and every time he was generously compensated. He had nine diseases, many of them mortal--
AGMAR
Be silent, Slag.--Have you any thieves among the calling here?
ULF
We have a few that we call thieves here, master, but they would scarcely seem thieves to you. They are not good thieves.
AGMAR
I shall need the best thief you have.
[_Enter two citizens richly clad, Illanaun and Oorander._
ILLANAUN
Therefore we will send galleons to Ardaspes.
OORANDER
Right to Ardaspes through the silver gates.
[_Agmar transfers the thick handle of his long staff to his left armpit, he droops on to it and it supports his weight; he is upright no longer. His right arm hangs limp and useless. He hobbles up to the citizens imploring alms._
ILLANAUN
I am sorry. I cannot help you. There have been too many beggars here and we must decline alms for the good of the town.
AGMAR (_sitting down and weeping_)
I have come from far.
[_Illanaun presently returns and gives Agmar a coin. Exit Illanaun.
Agmar, erect again, walks back to the others._
AGMAR
We shall need fine raiment; let the thief start at once. Let it rather be green raiment.
BEGGAR
I will go and fetch the thief. (_Exit_)
ULF
We will dress ourselves as lords and impose upon the city.
OOGNO
Yes, yes; we will say we are amba.s.sadors from a far land.
ULF
And there will be good eating.
SLAG (_in an undertone to Ulf_)
But you do not know my master. Now that you have suggested that we shall go as lords, he will make a better suggestion. He will suggest that we should go as kings.
ULF
Beggars as kings!
SLAG
Ay. You do not know my master.
ULF (_to Agmar_)
What do you bid us do?
AGMAR
You shall first come by the fine raiment in the manner I have mentioned.
ULF
And what then, master?
AGMAR
Why, then we shall go as G.o.ds.
BEGGARS
As G.o.ds!
AGMAR
As G.o.ds. Know you the land through which I have lately come in my wanderings? Marma, where the G.o.ds are carved from green stone in the mountains. They sit all seven of them against the hills. They sit there motionless and travellers worship them.
ULF