ian gave me this morning for a cure. It
sobers me amazingly! I know you all, my lords: any fool would know
you. You, master, are a statesman; and you are a politician; and
you are a patriot.

RAKHAZ:
Am I a statesman? I felt something of the kind about me. But what
is a statesman?

SHUMAKIM:
A politician that is stuffed with big words; a fat man in a mask;
one that plays a solemn tune on a sackbut full o' wind.

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 crosses the hall slowly 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 of my brother king,
The Son of Asshur. Are my counsellors
At hand? Where are the priests of Rimmon's House?

[_Gongs sound. REZON comes in from the rear, 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 failed me yet!
I am in dou