Learn to respect a royal messenger. Ay, it has been a hot day’s work today.

JEZEBEL
If you be from the King, tell us your story.

PASHUR
Ay, I am from the King. That is God’s truth. And I have ridden out, and fought, and ridden back to this city, and the whole world sways as from the falling shoulders of a horse.

ROSE-FLOWER
So the King lives! Thank God!

PASHUR
Yes, the King lives. And give God praise because of victory.

JEZEBEL
I give God praise.

PASHUR
Queen, it has been a day. Think for a moment what this day has been. We marched this morning with our banners waving, with the prophets raving, and the trumpets blowing, with the charioteers of the King of Judah, and the spears of the King, a thousand men. We came to Ramoth when they least expected, while they slept the noontide and thought it peace. There we paid back upon the Syrians a little of what we owed, by God.JEZEBEL. You mean, they did not know that there was war? 
PASHUR. They knew it well enough before we ended. You see these blackened ashes mixed with blood, That is what Ramoth and her people are. The King gave order you should see the work. You see, ashes and blood; by God, I love them. But that is not the message that I bring. I bring a message about good King Ahab, Who rode into the battle in his chariot Against the chariots of Syria. Keep yourselves quiet, Syrians, while I tell. There was a man, who shall be nameless, Who shall be blameless, or praised aloud, He with an arrow shot King Ahab Beneath the arm in the armour joint. 
JEZEBEL. He was behind the King, then, when he shot. 
PASHUR. He wished his work to be successful, lady. 
JEZEBEL. So the King died? 
PASHUR. The Queen knows everything. He did not die at once, but bled to death, Down in the shadow of the willow trees. His blood dripped from his chariot; the dogs licked it, Even as the Teshbon prophet did foretell. 
ROSE-FLOWER. Let us mourn for the King, for the cedar fallen, For the eagle fallen from heaven, for the burnt-out fire. 
MOON-BLOSSOM. For the light that shone and is dark, for the word spoken. For the strength unknit, for the crown brought to the mire. 
JEZEBEL. My King is dead! I knew that he was dead. Have you declared this news to any yet? 
PASHUR. Not yet. 
JEZEBEL. Then go; declare it to the priests, That they may now declare 

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