Believe me, Rhadamandaspes, it is better.  I think that if you had gone down these steps we scarcely should have seen the sky again.

Rhadamandaspes: 

Well, well, we turn back, though I would fain have humoured the Queen’s whim.  But look.  The others come.  We cannot turn back.  There comes the Priest of Horus; we must go to the banquet now.

Zophernes: 

So be it.

    [They descend.]

Rhadamandaspes: 

We will be circumspect.  If she has men in there we return at once.

Zophernes: 

So be it.

    [The Slave opens the door.]

Slave: 

The Princes Rhadamandaspes and Zophernes.

Queen: 

Welcome, Illustrious Princes.

Rhadamandaspes: 

Greeting.

Queen: 

O you have brought your sword!

Rhadamandaspes: 

I have brought my sword.

Queen: 

O but it is so terrible, your great sword.

Zophernes: 

We always carry our swords.

Queen: 

O but you do not need them.  If you have come to kill me your great hands are enough.  But why do you bring your swords?

Rhadamandaspes: 

Illustrious Lady, we do not come to kill you.

Queen: 

To your post, Harlee.

Zophernes: 

What are this Harlee and his post?

Ackazarpses: 

Do not tremble, Illustrious Lady, indeed you must not tremble.

Queen: 

He is but a fisherman; he lives upon the Nile.  He nets fish; indeed he is nothing.

Zophernes: 

For what is your great bar of iron, Slave?

    [Harlee opens his mouth showing that he is tongueless.  Exit.]

Rhadamandaspes: 

Ugh!  They have burned out his tongue.

Zophernes: 

He goes on secret errands.

    [Enter Second Slave.]

Second Slave: 

The Priest of Horus.

Queen: 

Welcome, holy companion of the gods.

Priest of Horus: 

Greeting.

Third Slave: 

The King of the Four Countries.

    [She and he make obeisance.]

Fourth Slave: 

The Twin Dukes of Ethiopia.

King of the Four Countries: 

We are all met.

Priest of Horus: 

All that have warred against her Captains.

Queen: 

O speak not of my Captains.  It troubles me to hear of violent men.  But you have been my enemies, and I cannot bear to have enemies.  Therefore I have asked you to banquet with me.

Priest of Horus: 

And we have come.

Queen: 

O look not so sternly at me.  I cannot bear to have enemies.  When I have enemies I do not sleep.  Is it not so, Ackazarpses?

Ackazarpses: