Artaban answered:  “It has been shown to me and to my three companions among the Magi—­Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar.  We have searched the ancient tablets of Chaldea and computed the time.  It falls in this year.  We have studied the sky, and in the spring of the year we saw two of the greatest stars draw near together in the sign of the Fish, which is the house of the Hebrews.  We also saw a new star there, which shone for one night and then vanished.  Now again the two great planets are meeting.  This night is their conjunction.  My three brothers are watching at the ancient temple of the Seven Spheres, at Borsippa, in Babylonia, and I am watching here.  If the star shines again, they will wait ten days for me at the temple, and then we will set out together for Jerusalem, to see and worship the promised one who shall be born King of Israel.  I believe the sign will come.  I have made ready for the journey.  I have sold my house and my possessions, and bought these three jewels—­a sapphire, a ruby, and a pearl—­to carry them as tribute to the King.  And I ask you to go with me on the pilgrimage, that we may have joy together in finding the Prince who is worthy to be served.”

While he was speaking he thrust his hand into the inmost fold of his girdle and drew out three great gems—­one blue as a fragment of the night sky, one redder than a ray of sunrise, and one as pure as the peak of a snow mountain at twilight—­and laid them on the outspread linen scrolls before him.

But his friends looked on with strange and alien eyes.  A veil of doubt and mistrust came over their faces, like a fog creeping up from the marshes to hide the hills.  They glanced at each other with looks of wonder and pity, as those who have listened to incredible sayings, the story of a wild vision, or the proposal of an impossible enterprise.

At last Tigranes said:  “Artaban, this is a vain dream.  It comes from too much looking upon the stars and the cherishing of lofty thoughts.  It would be wiser to spend the time in gathering money for the new fire-temple at Chala.  No king will ever rise from the broken race of Israel, and no end will ever come to the eternal strife of light and darkness.  He who looks for it is a chaser of shadows.  Farewell.”

And another said:  “Artaban, I have no knowledge of these things, and my office as guardian of the royal treasure binds me here.  The quest is not for me.  But if thou must follow it, fare thee well.”

And another said:  “In my house there sleeps a new bride, and I cannot leave her nor take her with me on this strange journey.  This quest is not for me.  But may thy steps be prospered wherever thou goest.  So, farewell.”

And another said:  “I am ill and unfit for hardship, but there is a man among my servants whom I will send with thee when thou goest, to bring me word how thou farest.”