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 me failed yet!
I am in doubt,--but stay thou close to me
While I decide this cause. Where are the envoys?
Let them appear and give their message.

[Enter the Assyrian envoys; one in white and the other
in red; both with the golden Bull's head embroidered
on their robes. They come from the right, rear, bow
slightly before the throne, and take the centre of
the hall.]

WHITE ENVOY: [Stepping forward.]
Greeting from Shalmaneser, Asshur's son,
Who rules the world from Nineveh,
Unto Benhadad, monarch in Damascus!
The conquering Bull has led his army forth;
The south has fallen before him, and the west
His feet have trodden; Hamath is laid waste;
He pauses at your gate, invincible,--
To offer peace. The princes of your court,
The priests of Rimmon's house, and you, the King,
If you pay homage to your Overlord,
Shall rest secure, and flourish as our friends.
Assyria sends to you this gilded yoke;
Receive it as the sign of proffered peace.

[He lays a yoke on the steps of the throne.]

BENHADAD:
What of the city? Said your king no word
Of our Damascus, and the many folk
That do inhabit her and make her great?
What of the soldiers who have fought for us?

WHITE ENVOY:
Of these my royal master did not speak.

BENHADAD:
Strange silence! Must we give them up to him?
Is this the price at which he offers us
The yoke of peace? What if we do refuse?

RED ENVOY: [Stepping forward.]
Then ruthless war! War to the uttermost.
No quarter, no compassion, no escape!
The Bull will gore and trample in his fury
Nobles and priests and king,--none shall be spared!
Before the throne we lay our second gift;
This bloody horn, the symbol of red war.

[He lays a long bull's horn, stained with blood, on
the steps of the throne.]

WHITE ENVOY:
Our message is delivered. We return
Unto our master. He will wait three days
To know