JEHU. You mean, in battle? 
MICAIAH. By violence. 
JORAM. That means in battle, surely. 
MICAIAH. Not necessarily. 
JEHU. How else, then, man? 
MICAIAH. I do not know. Perhaps by treachery. 
JEHU. We will protect the King from treachery. 
JORAM (to MICAIAH). Except such treachery as men like you Think in their hearts and utter in big words, Trying to wreck the State. 
AHAB. Did I not say That he would utter evil about me? 
JORAM. These fellows need a bit within their jaws. 
MICAIAH. My Prince, no bit can stop the telling truth. 
PROPHET. What do you know of truth, idolater? 
MICAIAH. Nothing. I know that certain things are true. 
JEHU. Fine talk, to keep the army lingering. 
AHAB. Have you some other vision to reveal? 
MICAIAH. A sort of vision. 
PROPHET. Ay, a sort of vision. There is one way of vision, only one, Vouchsafed to men, you false one, with false gods. 
AHAB. What is this vision? Will it lighten me? 
MICAIAH. It is of you and of the prophet tribe. 
PROPHET. Some blasphemy. Take heed to what he says. 
MICAIAH. In the dark night I saw this other thing: I saw the Lord in heaven on his throne, With all the host of heaven standing by him. He said, “Who shall persuade King Ahab to go up And die at Ramoth-Gilead?” They discussed it. At last a spirit said, “I will persuade him.” The Lord said, “How?” The spirit said, “I will go forth and be A lying spirit in his prophets' mouths.” And the Lord said, “Thou shalt. Go forth and do so.” Behold the Lord hath put a lying spirit Into thy prophets' mouths, and spoken evil Not good to you. 
PROPHET. You think God’s truth has passed from me to you. When did it pass, and how? 
MICAIAH. You will know that When you shall go into an inner chamber To hide yourself. 
AHAB. Carry this fellow to the Governor, And have him into prison in the dark, And let his bread and drink be bitterness Until I come in peace. 
MICAIAH. If you return at all In peace, the spirit has not spoken by me. Hearken, O people, every one of you. 
AHAB. Have him away. 
MICAIAH. Which story is the likelier to be true, Mine, which when told brings prison, or this fellow’s Which earns the King’s reward? The truth is dangerous. 
JORAM. You’ll find this dangerous. Away with him! (He is dragged out.) 
JEHU. That shows how close your enemies can come. Even to your very court. 
JORAM. He should be silenced. 
AHAB. He is a gallant fellow, without judgment. But he presumes too much, 

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