Bridle you your tongue. When did His Majesty the King say this? To whom?

It is well known he said it openly.

To you?

No.

Then to whom? To one of these? You are all silent. Yet the King has seen No other man, since his return to Shemer, Except Prince Joram; therefore what you say Is false in fact, seditious being said. Ashobal, what was offered for the vineyard?

A better vineyard; then, that being refused, Three vineyards, each one better, in full bearing, Two of red grapes and one of white, O Queen.

And he refused?

He did.

And do you still?

Yes.

Why?

Because the vineyards that he offered Aren’t his to offer.

But they are, good Naboth. They are the King’s.

Does the King work them, then?

Yes, they are worked at his command. How else?

His sweat does not fall on them.

It has done so. He with his own hands worked those vineyards, Naboth, Before his father, Omri, became King, As you well know.

I’ll have no slave-tilled vineyard.

Men cannot live without the work of others; You yourself do not. Did you make that robe, Those shoes, that pouch? But we are wandering. Let me, the Queen, make offer for your vineyards. I offer the King’s vineyards as before, And with them, the three marrowy olive-groves Which Shemer planted.

Shemer! And what 

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