KING: Yet if I have sheltered this man in the holy place of my Court?
AMBASSADOR: If that be so the Emperor bids you drink out of this golden
goblet. [_He signs and it is brought on by a bent and ugly dwarf_] and
wishes you farewell.
KING: Farewell, you say?
AMBASSADOR: Farewell.
KING: What have you in the goblet?
AMBASSADOR: It is no common poison, but a thing so strange and deadly
that the serpents of Lebutharna go in fear of it. Yea travellers there
hold high a goblet of this poison, at arm's length as they go. The
serpents hide their heads for fear of it. Even so the travellers pass
the desert safely, and come to Eng-Bathai.
KING: I have not sheltered this man.
AMBASSADOR: There is no need then for this Imperial gift.
[_He throws the liquid out of the goblet through the doorway on to the
marble. A great steam goes up._
KING: Neither have I ordered that his head be sent back to Eng-Bathai.
AMBASSADOR: Alas, for so rare a wine.
[_He pours it away._
KING: I have banished him and he is safe. I have neither obeyed nor
disobeyed.
AMBASSADOR: The Emperor therefore bids you choose the gift that he
honours himself by sending to your Court.
[_He signs. Enter a massive_ NUBIAN _with two cups._
The Emperor bids you drink one of these cups.
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