Tharni: 

He waits here for the Queen.

Tharrabas: 

What sinister need could she have of Harlee?

Tharni: 

I know not.  You wait for the Queen, Harlee?

    [Harlee nods.]

Tharrabas: 

I would not banquet here.  Not with a Queen.

    [Harlee laughs long.]

Tharrabas: 

Our work is done.  Come.  Let us leave this place.

    [Exeunt Tharrabas and Tharni up the steps.]

    [The Queen appears with her handmaid, Ackazarpses, coming down
    the steps.  Her handmaid holds her train.  They enter the
    temple.]

Queen: 

Ah.  All is ready.

Ackazarpses: 

No, no, Illustrious Lady.  Nothing is ready.  Your raiment—­we must fasten it here [shoulder], and then the bow in your hair.

    [She begins to titivate the Queen.]

Queen: 

Ackazarpses, Ackazarpses, I cannot bear to have enemies.

Ackazarpses: 

Indeed, Illustrious Lady, it is wrong that you should have enemies.  One so delicate, so slender and withal so beautiful should never have a foe.

Queen: 

If the gods could understand they would never permit it.

Ackazarpses: 

I have poured out dark wine to them, I have offered them fat, indeed, I have often offered them savoury things.  I have said:  The Queen should not have enemies; she is too delicate, too fair.  But they will not understand.

Queen: 

If they could see my tears they would never permit such woes to be borne by one small woman.  But they only look at men and their horrible wars.  Why must men slay one another and make horrible war?

Ackazarpses: 

I blame your enemies, Illustrious Lady, more than the gods.  Why should they trouble you who are so fair and so easily hurt by their anger?  It was but a little territory you took from them.  How much better to lose a little territory than to be unmannerly and unkind.

Queen: 

O speak not of the territory.  I know naught of these things.  They say my Captains took it.  How should I know?  O why will they be my enemies?

Ackazarpses: 

You are most fair to-night, Illustrious Lady.

Queen: 

I must needs be fair to-night.

Ackazarpses: 

Indeed you are most fair.

Queen: 

A little more perfume, Ackazarpses.

Ackazarpses: 

I will tie the coloured bow more evenly.

Queen: 

O they will never look at it.  They will not know if it is orange or blue.  I shall weep if they do not look at it.  It is a pretty bow.

Ackazarpses: 

Calm yourself, lady!  They will be here soon.

Queen: 

Indeed I think they are very close to me now, for I feel myself trembling.