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King Argimenes And The Unknown Warrior

by Edward John Dunsany

Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Myth
Setting: Fantasy
Format of Original Source: Play
Recommended Adaptation Length: 30 Minutes

Candidate for Adaptation? Not Likely

EXCERPT:

[Still the wine-song. A faint sound as of swords.

A VOICE CRYING

To the armory! To the armory! Reinforce! The Slaves have come to the armory. Ah! mercy! (For awhile there is silence)

KING ARGIMENES (in the doorway)

Go you to the slave-fields. Say that the palace-guard is dead and that we have taken the armory. Ten of you, hold the armory till our men come from the slave-fields. (He comes into the hall with his slaves armed with swords) Throw down Illuriel.

THE IDOL-GUARD

You must take my life before you touch my god.

A SLAVE

We only want your pike.

[All attack him; they seize his sword and bind his hands behind him. They all pull down Illuriel, the dark-green idol, who breaks into seven pieces.

KING ARGIMENES

Illuriel is fallen and broken asunder.

ZARB (with some awe)

Immortal Illuriel is dead at last.

KING ARGIMENES

My god was broken into three pieces, but Illuriel is broken into seven. The fortunes of Darniak will prevail over mine no longer. (A slave breaks off a golden arm from the throne) Come, we will arm all the slaves. (Exeunt)

KING DARNIAK (enters with Retinue)

My throne is broken. Illuriel is turned against me.

AN ATTENDANT

Illuriel is fallen.

ALL (with King Darniak)

Illuriel is fallen, is fallen. (Some drop their spears)

KING DARNIAK (to the Idol-Guard)

What envious god or sacrilegious man has dared to do this thing?


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