SCENE 2

_The Bazaar._ (_Large set_)

_Shopkeeper I and Shopkeeper II lying outside of adjoining shops. They are very friendly._

_Crowd._

_Young Sultan (Caliph) rides through the bazaar on a white donkey. His Vizier (Abu Bakr) follows him. Also guards._

_Hajji appears._ Political discussion.

_Shopkeeper I._ Young Sultan just come through bazaar.

_Shopkeeper II._ Hajji regrets he missed seeing him. Sultan only been Sultan ten days. [Read _Caliph_ Nephew of old Sultan now dead. for _Sultan._] Young Sultan brought up in a monastery,

[In the play, the Said to be a dreamer and a poet. shopkeepers have a The real ruler said to be the Executioner, scene of explanation A favourite of late Sultan, before Hajj Young man, too, but very strong, enters,--altered when Very cruel and selfish. writing play.] Young Sultan does not see much of Executioner (_Mansur_). Supposed to disappear on nightly expeditions, To get to know his people, To have some love adventures. Has been brought up strictly in monastery, Has never yet, they say, tested the "charm of his beard."

[This altered. See note Hajji listens to all this humbly, above. In the play Hajj Sitting almost under the counter, enters here.] Then begins to finger stuffs. The shopkeeper is going to drive him off. But Hajji is in earnest. Shows his purse. He means to buy. Clothes are forthcoming. He selects some. Once he has gone to the bath and the barber he will be resplendent--as noble as the noblest. Hajji asks the price. It is very high. He begins to bargain. Shopkeeper No. II chimes in. Hajji pits Shopkeeper No. I against No. II. They quarrel. Hajji fans the quarrel into flame. They almost come to blows. Hajji escapes with his clothes.

_Shopkeeper No. I. The shopkeepers notice his escape. and They combine at once against the common enemy. Shopkeeper No. II_ Shopkeeper I will go for the guard, And have Hajji followed and caught. Shopkeeper II to meet him at the Executioner's to witness against Hajji.

[Here Nasir the Guide is introduced to give away Hajj. This was done when the play was revised for production.] _Curtain_