"Dunsany, Lord - Plays of Gods and Men" - читать интересную книгу автора (Dunsany Lord)

not strictly true...

Voice-of-the-Gods:
It is written and hath been said that the gods cannot
lie.

Ichtharion:
The gods of course cannot lie, but a prophet may
sometimes utter a prophecy that is a good prophecy and
helpful to men, thereby pleasing the gods, although the
prophecy is not a true one.

Voice-of-the-Gods:
The gods speak through my mouth; my breath is my own
breath, I am human and mortal, but my voice is from the
gods and the gods cannot lie.

Ichtharion:
Is it wise in an age when the gods have lost their
power to anger powerful men for the sake of the gods?

Voice-of-the-Gods:
It *is* wise.

Ichtharion:
We are three men and you are alone with us. Will the
gods save you if we want to put you to death and slip
away with your body into the jungle?

Voice-of-the-Gods:
If you should do this thing the gods have willed it.
If they have not willed it you cannot.

Ichtharion:
We do not wish to do it. Nevertheless you will make
this prophecy -- you will go before the King and you
will say that the gods have spoken and that within
three days' time, for the sake of vengeance upon some
unknown man who is in this city, they will overthrow
all Thek unless every man is departed.

Voice-of-the-Gods:
I will not do it, for the gods cannot lie.

Ichtharion:
Has it not been the custom since unremembered time for
a prophet to have two wives?

Voice-of-the-Gods:
Most certainly. It is the law.