SCENE 1

_A narrow street with stone steps leading up to a Mosque left. (Small set.)_

_The sun is just beginning to rise._

_Asleep on a large stone which juts out from the angle of the wall C. sits Hajji wrapped in his beggar's cloak. On the minaret of the Mosque appears the priest, a venerable white bearded man. He calls to prayer._ [See alterations in actual play.]

_The crowd begins to pass into the Mosque as the sun rises. Hajji wakes up, rubs his eyes, and has a drink of water from a gourd which he draws out from behind his seat. He begins to beg from the passers-by._

_An Old Man (Jawan) preceded by a guide (Nasir) is carried across the scene in a litter. He fixes his gaze on Hajji and is carried off into the Mosque. The guide remains in the portico. Hajji follows the Old Man on his knees to the steps of the Mosque, begging._

_As he does so a lean Beggar of a younger cast of countenance takes Hajji's place._

_Hajji returns to his seat._

_Hajji._ Hajji curses young Beggar. Explains young Beggar must be stranger. Who is he that he does not know of Hajji? He has sat on this seat for thirty years. His father has sat there before him. His grandfather before _him_. Great pride in his ancestry of beggardom.

_Young Beggar. (Kasim.)_ The young Beggar tries to retaliate. Hajji tells him to go and sit on a seat round the corner--"where other swine have sat before you." He kicks the young Beggar.

_The Guide (Nasir) of the Old Man_ comes down to interfere.

_The Young Beggar (Kasim)_ sulks into a corner nursing his kick.

_Hajji._ Hajji and Guide get into conversation.

_The Guide._ (_Kasim._) Guide explains Rich Man here on a pilgrimage. Is really a famous old Robber Chief, a Curd, One of the Sheikhs of the desert: all of whom were notorious and banished by late Sultan (_Caliph_). Sheikh old and dying. Come to pray to Allah to restore his son to him before he dies (if son still alive).

[_Sultan_ is used Sheikh was attacked by Sultan's troops throughout this twenty-five years ago, and his son, then four scenario--for which, years old, carried off. in play, _Caliph_ is Hajji says he knows what that means. substituted. _Caliph_ Had his wife carried off many years ago. is correct, as being The only woman he ever loved--really loved. Arabian. The title The Guide: "I know, Hajji, and I pity you. _Sultan_ is of later I have a proposition to make: origin and of Turkish I know the Sheikh will give money to charity influence.] to save his soul just before dying. Now if you could predict something to him,-- Say that he will find his son again,-- The Sheikh will give you money." And for this advice Guide and Hajji are to divide money. Hajji agrees to this.

_Prayers are over._

_The crowd disperses coming from the Mosque. Sheikh is carried out of the Mosque in his litter._

_Hajji._ Hajji throws himself in front of litter. Crying out: "Listen to me. I can see why you have come. You are looking for some one,--your son. You shall find him. Give me money." Sheikh amazed at Hajji's knowledge. Hajji says his wits have been sharpened through grief and suffering. "I had a wife and a son. They were stolen by my enemy. My son was murdered, My wife carried off. The swine of a beggar who sat round the corner did it. He is my enemy. The curse of my life." Sheikh holds out purse, chinking it. Hajji blesses Sheikh. Sheikh bursts out laughing. Reveals himself to Hajji. He (Sheikh) is his enemy. He ran away with Hajji's wife.

[Some of this is And became a robber under her inspiring incorporated in the influence. One of a band of robbers that scene with _Nasir_.] attacked the caravans. It is their son (by Hajji's wife) that the Sultan captured when he attacked the robbers. Laughs at Hajji for blessing him. Thanks him ironically. Throws the purse and is carried off by his men. Hajji shouts curses after him. And kicks away the money.

_Hajji. (Alone.)_ He is torn in two by the hatred for his enemy.

_Young Beggar, in And the love of the money. corner._ What he could do with the money.

/ He could do so much for Zira (the daughter), | The pride of his heart, the consolation of his | old age, | The one balm to his fatherly heart. | But his enemy's money? | Never. | But Zira? Trinkets for her. Her laughter. [This was cut | Her smile. rehearsals, as < But the Sheikh's money--The beast who robbed halting the action,] | him of his wife. | Who was Zira's mother? No one. A dancing girl, | a passing whim. The fancy of a late spring. | But his wife--the one that the Sheikh took-- | she was everything. His joy, his pride, the | first finding of his manhood. | To the purse: "I'll not touch thee." (_He \ spits at it._)

_He sees some one coming. He quickly pockets the purse._

_The Guide reenters_

_Hajji. Guide comes to claim half of his money. Guide. Hajji does not know anything of the bargain; Young Beggar._ "I saw no purse." Guide furious. Hajji laughs at him. He appeals to young Beggar. Was there a purse there? The young Beggar sides with Hajji. Guide off, furious, vowing vengeance. Hajji says, "Go thy way in peace."

_Hajji. Young Beggar._ Young Beggar: "What do I get for siding with you?" "What?" "I saw you pick up the purse. I heard the agreement: you promised him half." Hajji says the money was given him, not by the Sheikh, but by fate. We all have a day in life. This is Hajji's day. There is a future before him. The Sheikh rose from the mud to power and riches. Why not Hajji? Fortune is smiling on him at last. He will forsake the seat he has sat on these thirty years. Go forth into the world. What shall he give the Young Beggar? His throne and his beggar's cloak. (_He instates him in his seat and goes off._)

[Here the Priest is introduced in the play to heighten the effect at the end. Also to make him a friend of Hajji's, as Hajji sends _Curtain_ his daughter to him at the end of the Hareem scene. Act III, Scene 1.]