They prophesied falsely in the name of the
gods.
[_Enter the_ QUESTIONERS.
FIRST QUESTIONER: The Supreme Question is asked.
[_The acolytes suddenly cease moaning._
KING: Well?
FIRST QUESTIONER: They would not answer.
KING: They would not answer the Supreme Question?
FIRST QUESTIONER: They spoke at last, but they would not answer the
question. They would not confess.
KING: What said they at last?
FIRST QUESTIONER: O, the King's Majesty, they but spake idly.
KING: What said they?
FIRST QUESTIONER: O, the King's Majesty, they said nought fitting.
KING: They muttered so that no man heard them clearly?
FIRST QUESTIONER: They spake. But it was not fitting.
KING: Did they speak of small things happening long ago?
FIRST QUESTIONER: O, the King's Majesty, it was not fitting.
KING: What said they? Speak!
FIRST QUESTIONER: The man you gave to me, O King, said: "No man that
knew the counsels of the gods, who alone see future things, would say
the gods advised King Hamaran ill when they bade him drink out of a
poisoned cup." Then I put the question straightly and he died.
KING: The gods! He said it was the gods!... And the other?
SECOND QUESTIONER: He also said the same, O the King's Majesty.
KING: Both said the same. They were questioned in different chambers?
FIRST QUESTIONER: In different chambers, O King.
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