Title:  Plays of Gods and Men

Author:  Lord Dunsany

[Note:  this edition was prepared from the 1917 Unwin edition.  Later us editions had many minor changes and an additional page of dialogue in “The Laughter of the Gods".]

Preface

Lest any idle person might think that I have had time to write plays during the last few years I may mention that the first act of The Tents of the Arabs was written on September 3rd, and the second act on September 8th, 1910.

The first and second acts of The Laughter of the Gods were written on January 29th, and the third act on February 2nd and 3rd, 1911. A Night at an Inn was written on January 17th, 1912, and The Queen’s Enemies on April 19, 20, 21, 24, 28, 29, 1913.

Dunsany, Captain
Royal Inniskilling Fusileers.

The Laughter of the Gods

A Tragedy in Three Acts

Dramatis Personae

King Karnos
Voice-of-the-Gods (a prophet)
Ichtharion
Ludibras
Harpagas
First Sentry
Second Sentry
One of the Camel Guard
An Executioner
The Queen
Tharmia (wife of Ichtharion)
Arolind (wife of Ludibras)
Carolyx (wife of Harpagas)
Attendants

Act I

Time:  About the time of the decadence in Babylon.

Scene:  The jungle city of Thek in the reign of King Karnos.

Tharmia: 

You know that my lineage is almost divine.

Arolind: 

My father’s sword was so terrible that he had to hide it with a cloak.

Tharmia: 

He probably did that because there were no jewels in the scabbard.

Arolind: 

There were emeralds in it that outstared the sea.

* * * * * * * *

Tharmia: 

Now I must leave you here and go down among the shops for I have not changed my hair since we came to Thek.

Ichtharion: 

Have you not brought that from Barbul-el-Sharnak?

Tharmia: 

It was not necessary.  The King would not take his court where they could not obtain necessities.

Arolind: 

May I go with your Sincerity?

Tharmia: 

Indeed, Princely Lady, I shall be glad of your company.

Arolind: 

[To Ludibras] I wish to see the other palaces in Thek, [To Tharmia] then we can go on beyond the walls to see what princes live in the neighbourhood.

Tharmia: 

It will be delightful.

    [Exeunt Tharmia and Arolind]

Ichtharion: 

Well, we are here in Thek.

Ludibras: 

How lucky we are that the King has come to Thek.  I feared he would never come.

Ichtharion: 

It is a most fair city.

Ludibras: 

When he tarried year after year in monstrous Barbul-el-Sharnak, I feared that I would see the sun rise never more in the windy glorious country.  I feared we should live always in Barbul-el-Sharnak and be buried among houses.