BELZANOR. By Apis, Persian, thy gods are good to thee.

THE PERSIAN. Try yet again, O captain. Double or quits!

BELZANOR. No more. I am not in the vein.

THE SENTINEL (poising his javelin as he peers over the wall).
Stand. Who goes there?

They all start, listening. A strange voice replies from without.

VOICE. The bearer of evil tidings.

BELZANOR (calling to the sentry). Pass him.

THE SENTINEL. (grounding his javelin). Draw near, O bearer of
evil tidings.

BELZANOR (pocketing the dice and picking up his spear). Let us
receive this man with honor. He bears evil tidings.

The guardsmen seize their spears and gather about the gate,
leaving a way through for the new comer.

PERSIAN (rising from his knee). Are evil tidings, then,
honorable?

BELZANOR. O barbarous Persian, hear my instruction. In Egypt the
bearer of good tidings is sacrificed to the gods as a thank