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.
POLITICIAN: It is so long since any dared to do it that the Emperor
mocks at kings. If your Majesty disobeyed him the Emperor would
tremble.
KING: Ah.
POLITICIAN: The Emperor would say, "There is a great king. He defies
me." And he would tremble strangely.
KING: Yet--if----
POLITICIAN: The Emperor would fear you.
KING: I would fain be a great king--yet----
POLITICIAN: You would win honour in his eyes.
KING: Yet is the Emperor terrible in his wrath. He was terrible in his
wrath in the olden time.
POLITICIAN: The Emperor is old.
KING: This is a great affront that he places upon a king, to demand a
man who has come to sanctuary in that part of my Court called holy.
POLITICIAN: It is a great affront.
[_Enter the_ SEEKER. _He abases himself._
SEEKER: O King, I have come with my spear, seeking for one that fled the
Emperor and has found sanctuary in your Court in that part called holy.
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