HAZAEL: 
    And what is a politician?

SHUMAKIM: 
    A statesman that has dropped his mask and cracked his sackbut. 
      Men trust him for what he is, and he never deceives them,
      because he always lies.

IZDUBHAR: 
    Why do you call me a patriot?

SHUMAKIM: 
    Because you know what is good for you; you love your country
      as you love your pelf.  You feel for the common people,—­as
      the wolf feels for the sheep.

SABALLIDIN: 
    And what am I?

SHUMAKIM: 
    A fool, master, just a plain fool; and there is hope of thee
      for that reason.  Embrace me, brother, and taste this; but
      not too much,—­it will intoxicate thee with sobriety.

[The hall has been slowly filling with courtiers and
soldiers; a crowd of people begin to come up the steps
at the rear, where they are halted by a chain guarded
by servants of the palace.  A bell tolls; the royal door
is thrown open; the aged King totters across the hall
and takes his seat on the throne with the four tall
sentinels standing behind him.  All bow down shading
their eyes with their hands.]

BENHADAD: 
    The hour of royal audience is come. 
    I’ll hear the envoys.  Are my counsellors
    At hand?  Where are the priests of Rimmon’s house?

[Gongs sound.  REZON comes in from the side, followed
by a procession of priests in black and yellow.  The
courtiers bow; the King rises; REZON takes his stand
on the steps of the throne at the left of the King.]

BENHADAD: 
    Where is my faithful servant Naaman,
    The captain of my host?

[Trumpets sound from the city.  The crowd on the steps
divide; the chain is lowered; NAAMAN enters, followed
by six soldiers.  He is dressed in chain-mail with a
silver helmet and a cloak of blue.  He uncovers, and
kneels on the steps of the throne at the King’s right.]

NAAMAN: 
                            My lord the King,
    The bearer of thy sword is here.

BENHADAD:  [Giving NAAMAN his hand, and sitting down.]
                                      Welcome,
    My strong right arm that never me failed yet! 
    I am in doubt,—­but stay thou close to me
    While I decide this cause.  Where are the envoys? 
    Let them appear and give their message.

[Enter the Assyrian envoys; one in white and the other
in red; both with the golden Bull’s head embroidered
on their robes.  They come from the right, rear, bow
slightly before the throne, and take the centre of
the hall.]

WHITE ENVOY:  [Stepping forward.]
    Greeting from Shalmaneser, Asshur’s son,
    Who rules the world from Nineveh,
    Unto Benhadad, monarch in Damascus! 
    The conquering Bull has led his army forth;
    The south has fallen before