LordDunsanysPegana/OfHowImbaunSpakeofDeathtotheKing
Of How Imbaun Spake of Death to the King
There trod such pestilence in Aradec that the King as he
looked abroad out of his palace saw men die. And when the
King saw death he feared that one day even the King should
die. Therefore he commanded guards to bring before him the
wisest prophet that should be found in Aradec.
Then heralds came to the temple of All the gods save One,
and cried aloud, having first commanded silence, crying:
"Rhazahan, King over Aradec, Prince by right of Ildun and
Ildaun, and Prince by conquest of Pathia, Ezek, and Azhan,
Lord of the Hills, to the High Prophet of All the gods save
One sends salutations."
Then they bore him before the King.
The King said unto the prophet: "O Prophet of All the
gods save One, shall I indeed die?"
And the prophet answered: "O King! thy people may not
rejoice for ever, and some day the King will die."
And the King answered: "This may be so, but certainly *thou* shalt die. It may be that one day I shall die,
but till then the lives of the people are in my hands."
Then guards led the prophet away.
And there arose prophets in Aradec who spake not of death
to Kings.
