{"id":1734,"date":"2013-07-13T01:36:51","date_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:36:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/?p=1734"},"modified":"2013-07-13T01:36:51","modified_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:36:51","slug":"01-the-viziers-of-bassora-act-iv-vol-03-04-collected-plays-and-stories","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/01-works-of-sri-aurobindo\/03-cwsa\/03-04-collected-plays-and-stories\/01-the-viziers-of-bassora-act-iv-vol-03-04-collected-plays-and-stories","title":{"rendered":"-01_The Viziers of Bassora – Act – IV.htm"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n\n\n
\n

 <\/td>\n

\n<\/p>\n

\n
\nAct IV<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\nBagdad.<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n
\nScene 1<\/a><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n
\nThe gardens of the Caliph’s Palace outside the Pavilion of Pleasure.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nAnice, Nureddene.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nANICE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nThis is Bagdad!<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tNUREDDENE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nBagdad the beautiful,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe city of delight. How green these gardens!<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWhat a sweet clamour pipes among the trees.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nANICE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd flowers! the flowers! Look at those violets<\/span><\/p>\n

\nDark-blue like burning sulphur! Oh, rose and myrtle<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd gillyflower and lavender; anemones<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAs red as blood! All Spring walks here in blossoms<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd strews the pictured ground.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tNUREDDENE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nDo you see the fruit,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnice? camphor and almond-apricots,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nGreen, white and purple figs and these huge grapes,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nRound rubies or quite purple-black, that ramp<\/span><\/p>\n

\nO’er wall and terrace; plums almost as smooth<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAs your own damask cheek. These balls of gold<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 117<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nAre lemons, Anice, do you think? Look, cherries,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd mid these fair pink-budded orange-blossoms<\/span><\/p>\n

\nRare glints of fruit.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

\nANICE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nThat was a blackbird whistled.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nHow the doves moan! It’s full of cooing turtles.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nOh see, the tawny bulbuls calling sweetly<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd winging! What a flutter of scarlet tails!<\/span><\/p>\n

\nIf it were dark, a thousand nightingales<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWould surely sing together. How glad I am<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThat we were driven out of Bassora!<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nNUREDDENE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd this pavilion with its crowd of windows?<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAre there not quite a hundred?<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nANICE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\nDo you see<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe candelabrum pendent from the ceiling?<\/span><\/p>\n

\nA blaze of gold!<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tNUREDDENE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nEach window has a lamp.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nNight in these gardens must be bright as day.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nTo find the master now! Here we could rest<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd ask our way to the great Caliph, Anice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nEnter Shaikh Ibrahim from behind.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nIBRAHIM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nSo, so! so, so! Cavalier servente with your bona roba! You do
\nnot know then of the Caliph’s order forbidding entry into his
\ngardens? No? I will proclaim it, then, with a palm-stick about
\nyour pretty back quarters. Will I not? Hoh! <\/span> <\/p>\n

\n
\nHe advances stealthily with stick raised.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Nureddene and Anice turn towards him; he drops<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nthe stick and remains with arm lifted.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\t\t\t<\/font>
\n<\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 119<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nNUREDDENE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nHere is a Shaikh of the gardens. Whose garden is this, friend?<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nANICE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nIs the poor man out of the use of his wits? He stares open-mouthed.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nIBRAHIM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nGlory to Allah who made you! Glory to the angel who brought
\nyou down on earth! Glory to myself who am permitted to look
\nupon you! I give glory to Allah for your beauty, O people of
\nParadise!<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tNUREDDENE<\/font> (smiling<\/i>)<\/span><\/p>\n

\nRather give glory to Him because he has given thee a fine old age
\nand this long silvery beard. But are we permitted in this garden?
\nThe gate was not bolted.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nIBRAHIM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nThis garden? My garden? Yes, my son; yes, my daughter. It is the
\nfairer for your feet; never before did such flowers bloom there.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nNUREDDENE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nWhat, is it thine? And this pavilion?<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nIBRAHIM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nAll mine, my son. By the grace of Allah to a poor sinful old
\nman. ‘Tis by His election, my son, and divine ordination and
\nsanctification, and a little by the power of my prostrations and
\nlustrations which I neglect not, neither morning nor noon nor
\nevening nor at any of the intervals by the law commanded.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nNUREDDENE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nWhen did you buy or lay it out, old father?<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nIBRAHIM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nA grand-aunt left it to me. Wonder not, for she was indeed aunt’s
\ngrandmother to a cousin of the sister-in-law of the Caliph.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 119<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/font>
\n<\/p>\n

\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

\nNUREDDENE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nOh then indeed! she had the right divine to be wealthy. But I
\ntrust thou hast good doctrinal justification for inheriting after
\nher?<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nIBRAHIM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nI would not accept the Caliphate by any other. O my son, hanker
\nnot unlawfully after perishable earthly goods; for, verily, they are
\na snare and verily, verily, they entrap the feet of the soul as it
\ntoileth over the straight rough road to Heaven.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

\nANICE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nBut, old father, are you rich and go so poorly robed? Were I
\nmistress of such a garden, I would float about it in damask
\nand crimson and velvet; silk and satin should be my meanest
\napparel.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nI<\/span><\/font>BRAHIM<\/font><\/span> (aside<\/i>)<\/span><\/p>\n

\nShe has a voice like a blackbird’s! O angel Gabriel, increase this
\nunto me. I will not quarrel with thee though all Houridom break
\nloose on my garden; for their gates thou hast a little opened.
\n(aloud<\/i>) Fie, my daughter! I take refuge with Allah. I am a poor
\nsinful old man on the brink of the grave, what should I do with
\nrobes and coloured raiment? But they would hang well on thee.
\nPraise the Lord who has given thee hips like the moon and a
\nwaist indeed! a small, seizable waist, Allah forgive me!<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

\nANICE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nWe are weary, old father; we hunger and thirst.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nIBRAHIM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nOh, my son! Oh, my daughter! you put me to shame. Come in,
\ncome in; this my pavilion is yours and there is within it plenty of
\nfood and drink, \u2014  such innocent things now as sherbet and pure `
\nkind water. But as for wine, that accursed thing, it is forbidden
\nby the Prophet, whose name is a benediction. Come in, come in.
\nAllah curse him that giveth not to the guest and the stranger.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 120<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/font>
\n<\/p>\n

\n

<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nNUREDDENE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nIt is indeed thine? we may enter?<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nIBRAHIM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nAllah! Allah! its floor yearns for thy beauty and for the fair feet
\nof thy sister. If there were youth now instead of poor venerable 
\nme, would one not kiss the marble wherever her fair small feet
\nwill touch it? But I praise Allah that I am an old man with my
\nthoughts turned to chastity and holiness.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tNUREDDENE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nCome, Anice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nI<\/span><\/font><\/font><\/font><\/font>BRAHIM<\/font><\/span> (walking behind them<\/i>)<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAllah! Allah! she is a gazelle that springeth. Allah! Allah! the
\nswan in my lake waddleth less perfectly. She is as a willow when
\nthe wind swayeth it. Allah! Allah!<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Exeunt to the pavilion.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 121<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/font>
\n<\/p>\n

\n

<\/font><\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\n
\nScene 2<\/a><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

\n
\nThe Pavilion of Pleasure.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Anice, Nureddene, Shaikh Ibrahim on couches, by a table set with dishes.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tNUREDDENE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nThese kabobs are indeed good, and the conserves look sweet
\nand the fruit very glossy. But will you sit and eat nothing?<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nIBRAHIM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nVerily, my son, I have eaten at midday. Allah forbid me from
\ngluttony!<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nANICE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nOld father, you discourage our stomachs. You shall eat a morsel
\nfrom my fingers or I will say you use me hardly.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nIBRAHIM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nNo, no, no, no. Ah well, from your fingers, from your small
\nslim rosy fingers. Allah! Only a bit, only a morsel; verily, verily!
\nAllah! surely thy fingers are sweeter than honey. I could eat them
\nwith kisses.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nANICE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\nWhat, old father, you grow young?<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nIBRAHIM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nOh, now, now, now! ‘Twas a foolish jest unworthy of my grey
\nhairs. I take refuge with Allah! A foolish jest.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nNUREDDENE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nBut, my aged host, it is dry eating without wine. Have you never
\na flagon in all this palace? It is a blot, a blot on its fair perfection.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 122<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/font>
\n<\/p>\n

\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

\nIBRAHIM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nI take refuge with Allah. Wine! for sixteen years I have not
\ntouched the evil thing. When I was young indeed! ah well, when
\nI was young. But ’tis forbidden. What saith Ibn Batata? That
\nwine worketh transmogrification. And Ibrahim Alhashhash bin
\nFuzfuz bin Bierbiloon al Sandilani of Bassora, he rateth wine
\nsorely and averreth that the red glint of it is the shine of the
\nred fires of Hell, its sweetness kisseth damnation and the cool-
\nness of it in the throat causeth bifurcation. Ay, verily, the great
\nAlhashhash.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nANICE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nWho are these learned doctors you speak of, old father? I have
\nread all the books, but never heard of them.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nIBRAHIM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nOh, thou hast read? These are very distant and mystic Sufis, very
\nrare doctors. Their books are known only to the adepts.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nANICE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nWhat a learned old man art thou, Shaikh Ibrahim! Now Allah
\nsave the soul of the great Alhashhash!<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nIBRAHIM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nHm! ‘Tis so. Wine! Verily, the Prophet hath cursed grower and
\npresser, buyer and seller, carrier and drinker. I take refuge with
\nAllah from the curse of the Prophet.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nNUREDDENE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nHast thou not even one old ass among all thy belongings? And
\nif an old ass is cursed, is it thou who art cursed?<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nIBRAHIM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nHm! My son, what is thy parable?<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tNUREDDENE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nI will show you a trick to cheat the devil. Give three denars
\nof mine to a neighbour’s servant with a dirham or two for his<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 123<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/font>
\n<\/p>\n

\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

\ntrouble, let him buy the wine and clap it on an old ass, and let
\nthe old ass bring it here. So art thou neither grower nor presser, 
\nseller nor buyer, carrier nor drinker, and if any be damned, it is
\nan old ass that is damned. What saith the great Alhashhash?<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nIBRAHIM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nHm! Well, I will do it. (aside<\/i>) Now I need not let them know
\nthat there is wine galore in my cupboards, Allah forgive me!<\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nExit.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\nNUREDDENE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nHe is the very gem of hypocrites.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nANICE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe fitter to laugh at. Dear my lord, be merry<\/span><\/p>\n

\nTonight, if only for tonight. Let care<\/span><\/p>\n

\nExpect tomorrow.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tNUREDDENE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nYou are happy, Anice?<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nANICE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nI feel as if I could do nothing else<\/span><\/p>\n

\nBut laugh through life’s remainder. You’re safe, safe<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd that grim devil baffled. Oh, you’re safe!<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tNUREDDENE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nIt was a breathless voyage up the river.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nI think a price is on my head. Perhaps<\/span><\/p>\n

\nOur helpers suffer.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nANICE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nBut you are safe, my joy,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nMy darling.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nShe goes to him and kisses and clings about him.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 124<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/font>
\n<\/p>\n

\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

\nNUREDDENE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnice, your eyes are full of tears!<\/span><\/p>\n

\nYou are quite overwrought.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

\nANICE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nLet only you be safe<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd all the world beside entirely perish.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nMy love! my master!<\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nShe again embraces and kisses him<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nrepeatedly. Shaikh Ibrahim returns<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nwith the wine and glasses in a tray.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\nIBRAHIM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nAllah! Allah! Allah!<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nANICE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nWhere’s that old sober learning?<\/span><\/p>\n

\nI want to dance, to laugh, to outriot riot.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nOh, here he is.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tNUREDDENE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nWhat a quick ass was this, Shaikh Ibrahim!<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nIBRAHIM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nNo, no, the wine-shop is near, very near. Allah forgive us, ours 
\nis an evil city, this Bagdad; it is full of winebibbers and gluttons
\nand liars.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tNUREDDENE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nDost thou ever lie, Shaikh Ibrahim?<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nIBRAHIM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nAllah forbid! Above all sins I abhor lying and liars. O my son, 
\nkeep thy young lips from vain babbling and unnecessary lying. 
\nIt is of the unpardonable sins, it is the way to Jahannam. But I
\npray thee what is this young lady to thee, my son?<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 125<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/font>
\n<\/p>\n

\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

\nNUREDDENE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nShe is my slave-girl.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nIBRAHIM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nAh, ah! thy slave-girl? Ah, ah! a slave-girl! ah!<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nANICE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nDrink, my lord.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tNUREDDENE<\/font> (drinking<\/i>)<\/span><\/p>\n

\nBy the Lord, but I am sleepy. I will even rest my head in thy
\nsweet lap for a moment.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nHe lies down.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\nIBRAHIM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nAllah! Allah! What, he sleeps?<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nANICE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nFast. That is the trick he always serves me. After the first cup he
\ndozes off and leaves me quite sad and lonely.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nIBRAHIM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nWhy, why, why, little one! Thou art not alone and why shouldst
\nthou be sad? I am here, \u2014  old Shaikh Ibrahim; I am here.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nANICE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nI will not be sad, if you will drink with me.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nIBRAHIM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nFie, fie, fie!<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nANICE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nBy my head and eyes!<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nIBRAHIM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nWell, well, well! Alas, ’tis a sin, ’tis a sin, ’tis a sin. (drinks<\/i>) Verily,
\nverily.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 126<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/font>
\n<\/p>\n

\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

\nANICE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnother.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nIBRAHIM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nNo, no, no.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nANICE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nBy my head and eyes!<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nIBRAHIM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nWell, well, well, well! ‘Tis a grievous sin, Allah forgive me!<\/span><\/p>\n

\n(drinks<\/i>)<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

\nANICE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nJust one more.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nIBRAHIM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nDoes he sleep? Now if it were the wine of thy lips, little one!<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

\nANICE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nOld father, old father! Is this thy sanctity and the chastity of
\nthee and thy averseness to frivolity? To flirt with light-minded
\nyoung hussies like me! Where is thy sanctification? Where is
\nthy justification? Where is thy predestination? O mystic, thou
\nart bifurked with an evil bifurcation. Woe’s me for the great
\nAlhashhash!<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nIBRAHIM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nNo, no, no.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nANICE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nArt thou such a hypocrite? Shaikh Ibrahim! Shaikh Ibrahim!<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nIBRAHIM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nNo, no, no! A fatherly jest! a little little jest! (drinks<\/i>)<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n


\n<\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 127<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

\nNUREDDENE<\/font> (starting up<\/i>)<\/span><\/p>\n

\nShaikh Ibrahim, thou drinkest?<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nIBRAHIM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nOh! ah! ‘Twas thy slave-girl forced me. Verily, verily!<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tNUREDDENE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnice! Anice! Why wilt thou pester him? Wilt thou pluck down
\nhis old soul from heaven? Fie! draw the wine this side of the
\ntable. I pledge you, my heart.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nANICE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nTo you, my dear one.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tNUREDDENE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nYou have drunk half your cup only; so, again; to Shaikh Ibrahim
\nand his learned sobriety!<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

\nANICE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nTo the shade of the great Alhashhash!<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nIBRAHIM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nFie on you! What cursed unneighbourly manners are these, to
\ndrink in my face and never pass the bowl?<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nANICE <\/font>
\n
\nAND
\n<\/font><\/span>
\nNUREDDENE<\/font> (together<\/i>)<\/span><\/p>\n

\nShaikh Ibrahim! Shaikh Ibrahim! Shaikh Ibrahim!<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nIBRAHIM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nNever cry out at me. You are a Hour and she is a Houri come
\ndown from Heaven to ensnare my soul. Let it be ensnared!
\n‘Tis not worth one beam from under your eyelids. Hour, I will
\nembrace thee; I will kiss thee, Houri.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nNUREDDENE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nEmbrace not, Shaikh Ibrahim, neither kiss, for thy mouth
\nsmelleth evilly of that accursed thing, wine. I am woeful for the
\nmystic Alhashhash.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 128<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nANICE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nArt thou transmogrified, O Sufi, O adept, O disciple of Ibn
\nBatata?<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nIBRAHIM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nLaugh, laugh! laughter is on your beauty like the sunlight on
\nthe fair minarets of Mazinderan the beautiful. Give me a cup.
\n(drinks<\/i>) You are sinners and I will sin with you. I will sin hard,
\nmy beauties. (drinks<\/i>)<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nANICE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nCome now, I will sing to you, if you will give me a lute. I am a
\nrare singer, Shaikh Ibrahim.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nI<\/span><\/font>BRAHIM<\/font><\/span> (drinks<\/i>)<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThere is a lute in yonder corner. Sing, sing, and it may be I will
\nanswer thee. (drinks<\/i>)<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nANICE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nBut wait, wait. To sing in this meagreness of light! Candles,
\ncandles!<\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nShe lights the eighty candles of the great candelabrum.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\nIBRAHIM<\/font> (drinks<\/i>)<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAllah! it lights thee up, my slave-girl, my jewel. (drinks<\/i>)<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nNUREDDENE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nDrink not so fast, Shaikh Ibrahim, but get up and light the lamps
\nin the windows.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nI<\/span><\/font><\/font>BRAHIM<\/font><\/span> (drinks<\/i>)<\/span><\/p>\n

\nSin not thou by troubling the coolness of wine in my throat.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nLight them, light them but not more than two.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Nureddene goes out lighting the lamps<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\none by one and returns in the same way.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Meanwhile Shaikh Ibrahim drinks.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 129<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nIBRAHIM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nAllah! hast thou lit them all?<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nANICE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nShaikh Ibrahim, drunkenness sees but double, and dost thou
\nsee eighty-four? Thou art far gone in thy cups, O adept, O Ibn
\nBatatist.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nIBRAHIM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nI am not yet so drunk as that. You are bold youths to light them
\nall.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nNUREDDENE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nWhom fearest thou? Is not the pavilion thine?<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nIBRAHIM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nSurely mine; but the Caliph dwells near and he will be angry at
\nthe glare of so much light.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tNUREDDENE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nTruly, he is a great Caliph.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nIBRAHIM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nGreat enough, great enough. There might have been greater, if
\nFate had willed it. But ’tis the decree of Allah. Some He raiseth
\nto be Caliphs and some He turneth into gardeners. (drinks<\/i>)<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nANICE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nI have found a lute.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tNUREDDENE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nGive it me. Hear me improvise, Old Sobriety. (sings<\/i>)<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nSaw you Shaikh Ibrahim, the grave old man?<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAllah! Allah! I saw him drunk and drinking.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWhat was he doing when the dance began?<\/span><\/p>\n

\nHe was winking; verily, verily, he was winking.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 130<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nIBRAHIM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nFie! what cobbler’s poetry is this? But thou hast a touch. Let me
\nhear thee rather.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

\nANICE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nI have a song for you. (sings<\/i>)<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nWhite as winter is my beard, <\/span> <\/p>\n

\nAll my face with wrinkles weird,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nYet I drink.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nHell-fire? judgment? who’s afraid?<\/span><\/p>\n

\nIbrahim would kiss a maid<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAs soon as think.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nIBRAHIM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nAllah! Allah! Nightingale! nightingale!<\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nCurtain<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 131<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

<\/font><\/font> <\/p>\n

\n
\nScene 3<\/a><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n
\nThe Gardens, outside the Pavilion.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Haroun, Mesrour.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nHAROUN<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nSee, Mesrour, the Pavilion’s all alight.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n‘Tis as I said. Where is the Barmeky?<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nMESROUR<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe Vizier comes, my lord.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Enter Jaafar.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\nJAAFAR<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nPeace be with thee,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nCommander of the Faithful.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nHAROUN<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nWhere is peace,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThou faithless and usurping Vizier? Hast thou<\/span><\/p>\n

\nFilched my Bagdad out of my hands, thou rebel,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd told me nothing?<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nJAAFAR<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nWhat words are these, O Caliph?<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nHAROUN<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nWhat mean these lights then? Does another Caliph<\/span><\/p>\n

\nHold revel in my Palace of all Pleasure,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWhile Haroun lives and holds the sword?<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nJAAFAR<\/font> (to himself <\/i>)<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWhat Djinn<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 132<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nPlays me this antic?<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nHAROUN<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nI am waiting, Vizier.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nJAAFAR<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nShaikh Ibrahim, my lord, petitioned me,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nOn circumcision of his child, for use<\/span><\/p>\n

\nOf the pavilion. Lord, it had escaped<\/span><\/p>\n

\nMy memory; I now remember it.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nHAROUN<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nDoubly thou erredst, Jaafar; for thou gavest him<\/span><\/p>\n

\nNo money, which was the significance<\/span><\/p>\n

\nOf his request, neither wouldst suffer me<\/span><\/p>\n

\nTo help my servant. We will enter, Vizier,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd hear the grave Faqeers discoursing there<\/span><\/p>\n

\nOf venerable things. The Shaikh’s devout<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd much affects their reverend company.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWe too shall profit by that holy talk<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWhich arms us against sin and helps to heaven.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nJ<\/span><\/font>AAFAR<\/font><\/span> (to himself <\/i>)<\/span><\/p>\n

\nHelps to the plague! (aloud<\/i>) Commander of the Faithful,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nYour mighty presence will disturb their peace<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWith awe or quell their free unhampered spirits.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nHAROUN<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nAt least I’ld see them.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nMESROUR<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nFrom this tower, my lord,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWe can look straight into the whole pavilion.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nHAROUN<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nMesrour, well thought of!<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 133<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nJ<\/span><\/font>AAFAR<\/font><\/span> (aside, to Mesrour<\/i>)<\/span><\/p>\n

\nA blister spoil thy tongue!<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nM<\/span><\/font>ESROUR<\/font><\/span> (aside, to Jaafar<\/i>)<\/span><\/p>\n

\nI’ll head you, Jaafar.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nH<\/span><\/font>AROUN<\/font><\/span> (listening<\/i>)<\/span><\/p>\n

\nIs not that a lute?<\/span><\/p>\n

\nA lute at such a grave and reverend meeting!<\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nShaikh Ibrahim sings within.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\nChink-a-chunk-a-chink!<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWe will kiss and drink,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd be merry, O very very merry.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nFor your eyes are bright<\/span><\/p>\n

\nEven by candle light<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd your lips as red as the red round cherry.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nHAROUN<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nNow by the Prophet! by my great forefathers!<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

He rushes into the tower followed by Mesrour.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\nJAAFAR<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nMay the devil fly away with Shaikh Ibrahim and drop him upon
\na hill of burning brimstone!<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

He follows the Caliph, who now appears with<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nMesrour on the platform of the tower.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\nHAROUN<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nHo, Jaafar, see this godly ceremony<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThou gav’st permission for, and these fair Faqeers.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nJAAFAR<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nShaikh Ibrahim has utterly deceived me.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nHAROUN<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe aged hypocrite! Who are this pair<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 134<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nOf heavenly faces? Was there then such beauty<\/span><\/p>\n

\nIn my Bagdad, yet Haroun’s eyes defrauded<\/span><\/p>\n

\nOf seeing it?<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nJAAFAR<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe girl takes up the lute.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nHAROUN<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nNow if she play and sing divinely, Jaafar,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nYou shall be hanged alone for your offence,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nIf badly, all you four shall swing together.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nJAAFAR<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nI hope she will play vilely.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nHAROUN<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nWherefore, Jaafar?<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nJAAFAR<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nI ever loved good company, my lord,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd would not tread my final road alone.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nHAROUN<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nNo, when thou goest that road, my faithful servant,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWell do I hope that we shall walk together.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

\nANICE <\/font>(within<\/i>)<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Song<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\nKing of my heart, wilt thou adore me,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nCall me goddess, call me thine?<\/span><\/p>\n

\nI too will bow myself before thee<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAs in a shrine.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nTill we with mutual adoration<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd holy earth-defeating passion<\/span><\/p>\n

\nDo really grow divine.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n


\n<\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 135<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

\nHAROUN<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe mighty Artist shows his delicate cunning<\/span><\/p>\n

\nUtterly in this fair creature. I will talk<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWith the rare couple.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nJAAFAR<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nNot in your own dread person,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nOr fear will make them dumb.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nHAROUN<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nI’ll go disguised.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAre there not voices by the river, Jaafar?<\/span><\/p>\n

\nFishermen, I would wager. My commands<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAre well obeyed in my Bagdad, O Vizier!<\/span><\/p>\n

\nBut I have seen too much beauty and cannot now<\/span><\/p>\n

\nRemember to be angry. Come, descend.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

As they descend, enter Kareem.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\nKAREEM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nHere’s a fine fat haul! O my jumpers! my little beauties! O your
\nfine white bellies! What a joke, to catch the Caliph’s own fish
\nand sell them to him at thrice their value!<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nHAROUN<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nWho art thou?<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nKAREEM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nO Lord, ’tis the Caliph himself! I am a dead fisherman. (falling flat<\/i>) O Commander of the Faithful! Alas, I am an honest fisherman.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nHAROUN<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nDost thou lament thy honesty?<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWhat fish hast thou?<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nKAREEM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nOnly a few whitebait and one or two minnows. Poor thin rogues,
\nall of them! They are not fit for the Caliph’s honourable stomach.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n


\n<\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 136<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

\nHAROUN<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nShow me thy basket, man.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAre these thy whitebait and thy two thin minnows?<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nKAREEM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nAlas, sir, ’tis because I am honest.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nHAROUN<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nGive me thy fish.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nKAREEM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nHere they are, here they are, my lord!<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nHAROUN<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nOut! the whole basket, fellow.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nDo I eat live fish, you thrust them in my face?<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd now exchange thy outer dress with me.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nKAREEM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nMy dress? Well, you may have it; I am liberal as well as honest.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nBut ’tis a good gabardine; I pray you, be careful of it.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nHAROUN<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nWoe to thee, fellow! What’s this filthiness<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThou callst a garment?<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nKAREEM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nO sir, when you have worn it ten days, the filth will come easy
\nto you and, as one may say, natural. And ’tis honest filth; it will
\nkeep you warm in winter.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nHAROUN<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nWhat, shall I wear thy gabardine so long?<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nKAREEM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nCommander of the Faithful! since you are about to leave
\nkingcraft and follow an honest living for the good of your soul,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n


\n<\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 137<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

\nyou may wear worse than an honest fisherman’s gabardine. ‘Tis
\na good craft and an honourable.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nHAROUN<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nOff with thee. In my dress thou’lt find a purse<\/span><\/p>\n

\nCrammed full of golden pieces. It is thine.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nKAREEM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nGlory to Allah! This comes of being honest.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nExit.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\nJ<\/span><\/font>AAFAR<\/font><\/span> (coming up<\/i>)<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWho’s this? Ho, Kareem! wherefore here tonight?<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe Caliph’s in the garden. You’ll be thrashed<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd very soundly, fisher.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nHAROUN<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nJaafar, ’tis I.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nJAAFAR<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe Caliph!<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nHAROUN<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nNow to fry these fish and enter.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nJAAFAR<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nGive them to me. I am a wondrous cook.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nHAROUN<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nNo, by the Prophet! My two lovely friends<\/span><\/p>\n

\nShall eat a Caliph’s cookery tonight.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nExeunt.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 138<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\t\t\t<\/font><\/font>
\n <\/p>\n

\n
\nScene 4<\/a><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n
\nInside the Pavilion.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Nureddene, Anice, Shaikh Ibrahim.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nNUREDDENE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nShaikh Ibrahim, verily, thou art drunk.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nIBRAHIM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nAlas, alas, my dear son, my own young friend! I am damned,
\nverily, verily, I am damned. Ah, my sweet lovely young father!
\nAh, my pious learned white-bearded mother! That they could see their son now, their pretty little son! But they are in their
\ngraves; they are in their cold, cold, cold graves.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nNUREDDENE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nOh, thou art most pathetically drunk. Sing, Anice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nO<\/span>UTSIDE<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

\nFish! fish! sweet fried fish!<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tANICE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nFish! Shaikh Ibrahim, Shaikh Ibrahim! hearest thou? We have a
\ncraving for fish.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tIBRAHIM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n‘Tis Satan in thy little stomach who calleth hungrily for sweet
\nfried fish. Silence, thou preposterous devil!<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tANICE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nFie, Shaikh, is my stomach outside me, under the window? Call
\nhim in.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 139<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nIBRAHIM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nHo! ho! come in, Satan! come in, thou brimstone fisherman. Let
\nus see thy long tail.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nEnter Haroun.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\nANICE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nWhat fish have you, good fisherman?<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tHAROUN<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nI have very honest good fish, my sweet lady, and I have fried
\nthem for you with my own hand. These fish, \u2014  why, all I can
\nsay of them is, they are fish. But they are well fried.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tNUREDDENE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nSet them on a plate. What wilt thou have for them?<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tHAROUN<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nWhy, for such faces as you have, I will honestly ask nothing.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tNUREDDENE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nThen wilt thou dishonestly ask for a trifle more than they are
\nworth. Swallow me these denars.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tHAROUN<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nNow Allah give thee a beard! for thou art a generous youth.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tANICE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nFie, fisherman, what a losing blessing is this, to kill the thing for
\nwhich thou blessest him! If Allah give him a beard, he will be
\nno longer a youth, and for the generosity, it will be Allah’s.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tHAROUN<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nArt thou as witty as beautiful?<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tANICE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nBy Allah, that am I. I tell thee very modestly that there is not my
\nequal from China to Frangistan.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 140<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nHAROUN<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nThou sayest no more than truth.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nNUREDDENE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nWhat is your name, fisherman?<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nHAROUN<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nI call myself Kareem and, in all honesty, when I fish, ’tis for the
\nCaliph.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nIBRAHIM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nWho talks of the Caliph? Dost thou speak of the Caliph Haroun
\nor the Caliph Ibrahim?<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nHAROUN<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nI speak of the <\/i>Caliph, Haroun the Just, the great and only
\nCaliph.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nIBRAHIM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nOh, Haroun? He is fit only to be a gardener, a poor witless
\nfellow without brains to dress himself with, yet Allah hath made
\nhim Caliph. While there are others \u2014  but ’tis no use talking. A
\nvery profligate tyrant, this Haroun! He has debauched half the
\nwomen in Bagdad and will debauch the other half, if they let
\nhim live. Besides, he cuts off a man’s head when the nose on it
\ndoes not please him. A very pestilence of a tyrant!<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nHAROUN<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nNow Allah save him!<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nIBRAHIM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nNay, let Allah save his soul if He will and if ’tis worth saving;
\nbut I fear me ’twill be a tough job for Allah. If it were not
\nfor my constant rebukes and admonitions and predications and
\npestrigiddi \u2014  prestigidgidi \u2014  what the plague! pestidigitations;
\nand some slaps and cuffs, of which I pray you speak very low, he<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

<\/font>
\n<\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 141<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/font>
\n<\/p>\n

\n

\nwould be worse even than he is. Well, well, even Allah blunders;
\nverily, verily!<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nANICE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nWilt thou be Caliph, Shaikh Ibrahim?<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nIBRAHIM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nYes, my jewel, and thou shalt be my Zobeidah. And we will
\ntipple, beauty, we will tipple.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nHAROUN<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd Haroun?<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nIBRAHIM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nI will be generous and make him my under-kitchen-gardener’s
\nsecond vice-sub-under-assistant. I would gladly give him a higher
\npost, but, verily, he is not fit.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nHAROUN
\n<\/font>
\n(laughing<\/i>)<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWhat an old treasonous rogue art thou, Shaikh Ibrahim!<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nIBRAHIM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nWhat? who? Thou art not Satan, but Kareem the fisherman?<\/span><\/p>\n

\nDidst thou say I was drunk, thou supplier of naughty houses?<\/span><\/p>\n

\nVerily, I will tug thee by the beard, for thou liest. Verily, verily!<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nNUREDDENE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nShaikh Ibrahim! Shaikh Ibrahim!<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nIBRAHIM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nNay, if thou art the angel Gabriel and forbiddest me, let be; but<\/span><\/p>\n

\nI hate lying and liars.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nNUREDDENE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nFisherman, is thy need here over?<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 142<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nHAROUN<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nI pray you, let me hear this young lady sing; for indeed ’twas the
\nsweet voice of her made me fry fish for you.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nNUREDDENE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nOblige the good fellow, Anice; he has a royal face for his fishing.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nIBRAHIM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nSing! ’tis I will sing: there is no voice like mine in Bagdad. (sings<\/i>)<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nWhen I was a young man,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nI’d a very good plan;<\/span><\/p>\n

\nEvery maid that I met,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nIn my lap I would set,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWhat mattered her age or her colour?<\/span><\/p>\n

\nBut now I am old<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd the girls, they grow cold<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd my heartstrings, they ache<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAt the faces they make,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd my dancing is turned into dolour.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nA very sweet song! a very sad song! Our sweetest songs are those
\nthat tell of saddest thought. ‘Tis just, ’tis just. Ah me! well-a-day!
\nVerily, verily!<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nANICE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nI pray you, Shaikh Ibrahim, be quiet. I would sing.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nIBRAHIM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nSing, my jewel, sing, my gazelle, sing, my lady of kisses. Verily,
\nI would rise up and buss thee, could I but find my legs. I know
\nnot why they have taken them from me.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nANICE <\/font>(sings<\/i>)<\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nSong<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\nHeart of mine, O heart impatient,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThou must learn to wait and weep.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 143<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nWherefore wouldst thou go on beating<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWhen I bade thee hush and sleep?<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThou who wert of life so fain,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nDidst thou know not, life was pain?<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nHAROUN<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nO voice of angels! Who art thou, young man,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd who this sweet-voiced wonder? Let me hear;<\/span><\/p>\n

\nTell me thy story.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nNUREDDENE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nI am a man chastised<\/span><\/p>\n

\nFor my own errors, yet unjustly. Justice<\/span><\/p>\n

\nI seek from the great Caliph. Leave us, fisherman.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nHAROUN<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nTell me thy story. Walk apart with me.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nIt may be I can help thee.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nNUREDDENE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nLeave us, I pray thee.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThou, a poor fisherman!<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nHAROUN<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nI vow I’ll help thee.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nNUREDDENE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nArt thou the Caliph?<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nHAROUN<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nIf I were, by chance?<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nNUREDDENE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nIf thou art as pressing with the fish as me,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThere’s a good angler.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nExit with Haroun.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 144<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nANICE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nWill you not have some of this fish, Shaikh Ibrahim? ‘Tis a sweet
\nfish.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nIBRAHIM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nIndeed thou art a sweet fish, but somewhat overdone. Thou
\nhast four lovely eyes and two noses wonderfully fine with just
\nthe right little curve at the end; ’tis a hook to hang my heart
\nupon. But, verily, there are two of them and I know not what
\nto do with the other; I have only one heart, beauty. O Allah,
\nThou hast darkened my brain with wine, and wilt Thou damn
\nme afterwards?<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

\nANICE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nNay, if thou wilt misuse my nose for a peg, I have done with
\nthee. My heart misgives me strangely.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Enter Nureddene.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\nNUREDDENE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nHe’s writing out a letter.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

\nANICE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nSurely, my lord,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThis is no ordinary fisherman.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nIf ’twere the Caliph?<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nNUREDDENE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe old drunkard knew him<\/span><\/p>\n

\nFor Kareem and a fisherman. Dear Anice,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nLet not our dreams delude us. Life is harsh,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nDull-tinted, not so kindly as our wishes,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nNor half so beautiful.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nEnter Haroun.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\nHAROUN<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nHe is not fit<\/span><\/p>\n

\nTo be a King.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 145<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nNUREDDENE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nNor ever was. ‘Tis late.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nHAROUN<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nGiv’st thou no gift at parting?<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nNUREDDENE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nYou’re a fisher! (opens his purse<\/i>)<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nHAROUN<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nNothing more valuable?<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nANICE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nWilt take this ring?<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nHAROUN<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nNo; give me what I ask.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nNUREDDENE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nYes, by the Prophet,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nBecause thou hast a face.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nHAROUN<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nGive me thy slave-girl.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nThere is a silence.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\nNUREDDENE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nThou hast entrapped me, fisherman.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nANICE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nIs it a jest?<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nHAROUN<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nThou sworest by the Prophet, youth.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nNUREDDENE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nTell me,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 146<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/font>
\n<\/p>\n

\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

\nIs it for ransom? I have nothing left<\/span><\/p>\n

\nIn all the world but her and these few pieces.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nHAROUN<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nShe pleases me.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nANICE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nO wretch!<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nNUREDDENE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnother time<\/span><\/p>\n

\nI would have slain thee. But now I feel ’tis God<\/span><\/p>\n

\nHas snared my feet with dire calamities,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd have no courage.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nHAROUN<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nDost thou give her to me?<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nNUREDDENE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nTake her, if Heaven will let thee. Angel of God,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAvenging angel, wert thou lying in wait for me<\/span><\/p>\n

\nIn Bagdad?<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

\nANICE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nLeave me not, O leave me not.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nIt is a jest, it must, it shall be a jest.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nGod will not suffer it.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nHAROUN<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nI mean thee well.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

\nANICE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nThy doing’s damnable. O man, O man,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nArt thou a devil straight from Hell, or art thou<\/span><\/p>\n

\nA tool of Almuene’s to torture us?<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWill you leave me, my lord, and never kiss?<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 147<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/font>
\n<\/p>\n

\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

\nNUREDDENE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nThou art his; I cannot touch thee.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nHAROUN<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nKiss her once.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nNUREDDENE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nTempt me not; if my lips grow near to hers,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThou canst not live. Farewell.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nHAROUN<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nWhere art thou bound?<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nNUREDDENE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nTo Bassora.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nHAROUN<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nThat is, to death?<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nNUREDDENE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nEven so.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nHAROUN<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nYet take this letter with thee to the Sultan.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nNUREDDENE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nMan, what have I to do with thee or letters?<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nHAROUN<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nHear me, fair youth. Thy love is sacred to me<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd will be safe as in her father’s house.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nTake thou this letter. Though I seem a fisherman,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nI was the Caliph’s friend and schoolfellow,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nHis cousin of Bassora’s too, and it may help thee.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nNUREDDENE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nI know not who thou art, nor if this scrap<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 148<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/font>
\n<\/p>\n

\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

\nOf paper has the power thou babblest of,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd do not greatly care. Life without her<\/span><\/p>\n

\nIs not to be thought of. Yet thou giv’st me something<\/span><\/p>\n

\nI’ld once have dared call hope. She will be safe?<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nHAROUN<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nAs my own child, or as the Caliph’s.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nNUREDDENE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nI’ll go play<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAt pitch and toss with death in Bassora.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nExit.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\nIBRAHIM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nKareem, thou evil fisherman, thou unjust seller, thou dishonest
\ndicer, thou beastly womanizer! hast thou given me stinking fish
\nnot worth a dirham and thinkest to take away my slave-girl?
\nVerily, I will tug thy beard for her.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nHe seizes Haroun by the beard.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\nH<\/span><\/font>AROUN<\/font><\/span> (throwing him off <\/i>)<\/span><\/p>\n

\nOut! Hither to me, Vizier Jaafar. (Enter Jaafar<\/i>.) Hast thou my
\nrobe?<\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nHe changes his dress.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\nJAAFAR<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nHow dost thou, Shaikh Ibrahim? Fie, thou smellest of that evil
\nthing, even the accursed creature, wine.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nIBRAHIM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nO Satan, Satan, dost thou come to me in the guise of Jaafar,
\nthe Persian, the Shiah, the accursed favourer of Gnosticism and
\nheresies, the evil and bibulous Vizier? Avaunt, and return not
\nsave with a less damnable face. O thou inconsiderate fiend!<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nHAROUN<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nDamsel, lift up thy head. I am the Caliph.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 149<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nANICE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nWhat does it matter who you are? My heart, my heart!<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nHAROUN<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nThou art bewildered. Rise! I am the Caliph<\/span><\/p>\n

\nMen call the Just. Thou art as safe with me<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAs my own daughter. I have sent thy lord<\/span><\/p>\n

\nTo be a king in Bassora, and thee<\/span><\/p>\n

\nI will send after him with precious robes,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nFair slave-girls, noble gifts. Possess thy heart<\/span><\/p>\n

\nOnce more, be glad.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nANICE<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nO just and mighty Caliph!<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nHAROUN<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nShaikh Ibrahim.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nIBRAHIM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nVerily, I think thou art the Caliph, and, verily, I think I am
\ndrunk.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nHAROUN<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nVerily, thou  hast told the truth twice, and it is a wonder. But
\nverily, verily, thou shalt be punished. Thou hast been kind to
\nthe boy and his sweetheart, therefore I will not take from thee
\nthy life or thy post in the gardens, and I will forgive thee for 
\ntugging the beard of the Lord’s anointed. But thy hypocrisies
\nand blasphemies are too rank to be forgiven. Jaafar, have a man
\nwith him constantly and wine before his eyes; but if he drink
\nso much as a thimbleful, let it be poured by gallons into his
\nstomach. Have in beautiful women constantly before him and if
\nhe once raise his eyes above their anklets, shave him clean and
\nsell him into the most severe and Puritan house in Bagdad. Nay,
\nI will reform thee, old sinner.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 150<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nIBRAHIM<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nOh, her lips! her sweet lips!<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nJAAFAR<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nYou speak to a drunken man, my lord.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nHAROUN<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nTomorrow bring him before me when he’s sober.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Exeunt.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 151<\/span><\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t<\/font><\/font><\/font>
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/td>\n

\n

 <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

<\/font><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  Act IV   Bagdad.   Scene 1   The gardens of the Caliph’s Palace outside the Pavilion of Pleasure. Anice, Nureddene.   ANICE This…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[39],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1734","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-03-04-collected-plays-and-stories","wpcat-39-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1734","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1734"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1734\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1734"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1734"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1734"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}