The correctness of your
professions is about to be tested. If it stands the ordeal, well; if not,
woe be unto you!"
"All this thy servants profess," replied the chief astrologer, "and all
this they can perform. Let them but learn the desire of the king, and
they stand ready to execute his pleasure."
"This day," replied the king, "while slumbering on my bed, I dreamed a
peculiar dream, and my spirit is troubled to know the vision."
"Oh, king, live forever!" replied the magicians, well pleased with the
nature of their task. "Tell thy servants the dream, and we will show thee
the interpretation thereof."
"Will ye, indeed!" answered the king, ironically. "But the thing has gone
from me. I have no distinct remembrance of the various features of the
dream. And now, as a proof that ye are able to give a correct
interpretation, I demand that ye restore to my mind the dream in all its
parts. Remember that ye are not able to impose on me a false vision. Now,
proceed with your divination, and if in this ye fail, by the gods, ye
shall be cut to pieces, and your houses shall be made a dunghill.
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