| The palace. King Abipa sits on his throne in full regalia; the
Olori sits beside him with wrapper tied a little over her breast. She puts
on heavy beads making her look gracefully. The Ologbo shows up in
an-over-sized kicker and what looks like a waistcoat, which reveals his
muscles. He trots up to the king and stands at his back. Second later, he
starts to blow his instrument. |
| KING ABIPA: |
Man, give me peace of mind. (angrily) |
| (Ologbo
stops) |
| OLORI: |
My Lord, he who has enough to pay my bride price, my master. They'll
soon be here. |
| KING ABIPA: |
How soon is soon? |
| OLORI: |
Where one is heading isn't far but the branches are numerous. Kids of
nowadays are snails. Slow walkers. That's what they are. |
| KING ABIPA: |
Not just that, the messengers are spoilt brats. Imagine the length of
time wasted. |
| OLOGBO; |
My lord, my master, the sole Authority in this land, second to the gods?
may be they got held up? I mean? (Strongly) look now? (Enter three
messengers. Amongst them, the herbalist who walks like someone suffering
from acute rheumatic pains. They prostrate before the King) |
| KING ABIPA: |
What happened? Just to
dress up, it took you so long. You went away like the life of the woman
dye-maker? |
| 1ST MESSENGER: |
Kabiyesi, sorry that it took us so long. The journey to that deserted
place isn't easy. It takes days. We were were actually equipping
ourselves. |
| KING ABIPA: |
Well said. Naturally, one has to be notified. And I want us in Oyo before my father showers his
vexation on us all. |
| (Babalawo
puts down the clay pot he's carrying with some concoctions inside. He
holds some dry-leaves cautiously in his left hand.) |
| BABALAWO: |
This is it. Everything is set. We shall do it as they used to do, so
that it'll be as it has always been. (Shakes his left hand) These leaves
were carefully selected. If anyone falls off, that's the end. The gods
have permitted me to go to Oyo even all the demonic forces all over this
land support the idea. |
| KING ABIPA: |
(Smiling) That?s good. |
| OLORI: |
That?s the real you and we trust you. |
| BABALAWO: |
We shall go and come back. When a boat sails round the world, it comes
back to the harbour. |
| KING ABIPA: |
(still beaming) My head will be with you. The spirits of our progenitors
will be with you. May you go and come back full of joy. |
| 2ND MESSENGER: |
When we go, we shall come
back and meet you on your father?s throne. |
| OTHERS: |
Amen. |
|
(The
messengers cluster together with the Babalawo. The Babalawo begins to
chant.) |
|
When we go? we shall come back |
|
The vulture never? dies young |
|
It reaches old age. |
|
We shall go hitch free |
|
Come back without hindrance |
|
A goat goes strolling |
|
And comes back home |
|
Likewise a sheep |
|
She remembers home |
|
We shall go and come back. |
| (As he
recites, they walk slowly toward the palace exit. The king, Olori and
Ologbo look admiringly. The messengers wave back as they walk off-stage.) |
