Voice-of-the-Gods: 

If you should do this thing the gods have willed it.  If they have not willed it you cannot.

Ichtharion: 

We do not wish to do it.  Nevertheless you will make this prophecy—­you will go before the King and you will say that the gods have spoken and that within three days’ time, for the sake of vengeance upon some unknown man who is in this city, they will overthrow all Thek unless every man is departed.

Voice-of-the-Gods: 

I will not do it, for the gods cannot lie.

Ichtharion: 

Has it not been the custom since unremembered time for a prophet to have two wives?

Voice-of-the-Gods: 

Most certainly.  It is the law.

    [Ichtharion holds up three fingers.]

What!

Ichtharion: 

Three.

Voice-of-the-Gods: 

Do not betray me.  It was long ago.

Ichtharion: 

You will be allowed to serve the gods no more if men know this.  The gods will not protect you in this matter for you have offended also against the gods.

Voice-of-the-Gods: 

It is worse that the gods should lie.  Do not betray me.

Ichtharion: 

I go to tell the others what I know.

Voice-of-the-Gods: 

I will make the false prophecy.

Ichtharion: 

Ah.  You have chosen wisely.

Voice-of-the-Gods: 

When the gods punish me who make them lie, they will know what punishment to give to you.

Ichtharion: 

The gods will not punish us.  It is long ago that the gods used to punish men.

Voice-of-the-Gods: 

The gods will punish us.

Act II

    [Same scene.]

    [Same day.]

King Karnos:  [pointing off L.]

Look at them now, are they not beautiful?  They catch the last rays of the lingering sun.  Can you say that the orchids are not beautiful now?

Ichtharion: 

Your majesty, we were wrong, they are most beautiful.  They tower up from the jungle to take the sun.  They are like the diadem of some jubilant king.

King Karnos: 

Ah.  Now you have come to love the beauty of Thek.

Ichtharion: 

Yes, yes, your Majesty, I see it now.  I would live in this city always.

King Karnos: 

Yes, we will live here always.  There is no city lovelier than Thek.  Am
I not right?

Ludibras: 

Your Majesty, no city is like it.

King Karnos: 

Ah.  I am always right.

Tharmia: 

How beautiful is Thek.

Arolind: 

Yes, it is like a god.

    [Three notes are stricken on a sonorous gong.]

Whispers:  [on]

There has been a prophecy.  There has been a prophecy.

King Karnos: