SCENE III

_The Caliph’s Diwan (Audience Hall). On the lower left side, raised by a few steps, stands the Caliph’s diwan or throne: below it, to its left, a single gold cushion, the seat of honour. At the back and to the right a lofty row of arches opens onto a terrace from which can be seen the whole city of Baghdad. To the right, benches for the dignitaries of the court. At the end of the terrace left, behind the Caliph’s throne, a great tower with a massive door which leads down into the prisons. The architecture is of the finest Arabian. The view of Baghdad is gorgeous and sun-lit._

_The young CALIPH is seen seated on his diwan, magnificently robed. By his side stands a low table with a vase, from which rises the single rose given him by MARSINAH. Now and again he takes the rose and smells it. Above him stands the Wazir ABU BAKR. Later on, he seats himself to the left of the CALIPH, in the place of honour. Behind the throne stand ARCHERS with their lances, and on its steps the GUARDS with scymitars drawn._

_THREE ELDERLY MEN in Egyptian costume kneel before the throne. Behind them stands a mummy-case with FOUR BLACK SLAVES. In the background kneel female MUSICIANS and DANCERS—eight in all._

_The CHAMBERLAIN approaches the throne and prostrates himself._

CHAMBERLAIN. O Prince of True Believers, the Ambassadors of Egypt stand before thee bearing a petition and gifts for thy gracious acceptance.

CALIPH. Display the gifts.

(_The CHAMBERLAIN takes their petition to the CALIPH. Music strikes up._)

(_The AMBASSADORS bow and sit on the bench, right. At a signal the SLAVES open the mummy-case, and an Almah (a dancer) steps out, who does a strange, peacock-like Egyptian dance, ending in a seductive posture at the feet of the throne. The FOUR SLAVES carry the mummy-case off to the right._)

CALIPH. (_Turning to the three Egyptian men._) O Wazirs of Cairo, return ye to Egypt and tell our viceroy I accept his gifts of these slave-girls and will consider his petition. (_To the CHAMBERLAIN._) See robes of honour be bestowed on the Ambassadors.

CHAMBERLAIN. Hearkening and obeying.

THE THREE AMBASSADORS. (_Bowing low and speaking together._) Allah increase thy glory, O Commander of the Faithful.

(_Conducted by the CHAMBERLAIN, who crosses to them, they withdraw._)

CALIPH. (_To the dancers and musicians._) As for ye, O damsels, this hour I grant you freedom and a purse of ten thousand dirhams to each of you. (_To an attendant._) Conduct them in all honour from the palace.

(_The ATTENDANT leads the MAIDENS off by the terrace, the Almah following them with a final appealing gesture to the CALIPH._)

ABU BAKR. (_Kneeling before the CALIPH._) O King of the Earth, may thy tutor speak to his charge of many years?

CALIPH. Speak, O my father.

ABU BAKR. Of a truth, thou committest a wrong, O my lord, in despising thus hourly the gifts of fair women. Hath Allah not created thee a man in thy manhood?

CALIPH. Seest thou this rose? ’Tis holier to me than the red rose of the Prophet! Now by its holiness do I swear to thee, to-night shall put an end to my singleness.

ABU BAKR. Thou hast found what thou seekest?

CALIPH. The while thou didst ponder over the revenues of the kingdom, I took my pleasure in thy garden. And lo! The Bestower sent what I prayed for—a sweet maid of a thousand wonders. After sundown I will ride forth to bring her home in full pomp, as she were a princess from a kingdom afar.

ABU BAKR. And who might this Chosen of the chosen be, O my lord?

CALIPH. Who? (_Smelling of the rose._) The partner of my dreams, the half of my heart, my first love and my last. (_He takes a golden bead and throws it into a cup on the table: it rings like a gong._)

(_A HERALD with a trumpet enters from the terrace._)

CALIPH. Let the diwan begin!

(_The HERALD bows, and goes out onto the terrace again._)

(_ABU BAKR moves to the left of the throne, and sits on the golden cushion._)

HERALD. (_Blows his trumpet, then speaks._) Whoso hath authority, let him come to the Caliph’s Carpet of Justice!

(_SLAVES unroll a gorgeous carpet before the throne._)

(_Stately music begins._)

(_The CHAMBERLAIN enters with a volume of the law which he brings to the throne, he then retires below the throne to the furthest left corner, behind ABU BAKR._)

(_After him follow SIX DIGNITARIES of the Household, who bow to the CALIPH, and seat themselves near the columns leading to the terrace._)

(_Crowds gather outside on the terrace behind the arches._)

(_TEN WAZIRS and KAZIS enter, making their obeisance and going to their seats at the right._)

(_Finally MANSUR arrives, followed by KAFUR and AFIFE. MANSUR crosses and bows to the CALIPH, remaining before the throne._)

(_FOUR NEGRO ARCHERS follow and place themselves between the columns at the back, drawing their scymitars and so forming a barrier to keep the crowd from entering the hall._)

(_The music ceases._)

(_The CALIPH signs and all the WAZIRS sit._)

MANSUR. O Commander of the Faithful! Would heaven thou hadst not wearied thyself by honouring thy slave with a letter. The accountings of my treasuries are ready and in full tale. They shall be at thy feet to-morrow before noon-prayer.

CALIPH. It is well.

(_MANSUR bows and goes to his seat right, in front of the other WAZIRS._)

(_There is a murmur of conversation among the WAZIRS._)

(_The CALIPH throws the bead into the cup a second time._)

HERALD. (_Blows his trumpet again._) Whoso hath grievance, let him come to the Caliph’s Carpet of Justice!

CHAMBERLAIN. (_At the foot of the throne, left, stepping forward and unrolling a roll._) In the name of the Judge of Judges, peace and silence. (_The crowd ceases murmuring._) The first case: Jawan the highwayman. By command of the Wazir Mansur.

MANSUR. (_Rising._) O Gracious Sovereign! The mighty Monarch that forewent thee, did banish all robbers from Baghdad both by writ and proclamation. Yet this one is come to flaunt it in the white sunlight as though the word of our beloved lord had been vain as a rain-shower in the sea. Hence ordered I the outlaw before thee.

(_JAWAN approaches from the terrace, right, supported by TWO ARCHERS._)

CALIPH. Canst thou not walk without aid?

JAWAN. (_Kneeling and bowing._) O Commander of the Faithful, Allah hath smitten my limbs with a curse. Thou seest my hours are numbered. I came not to Baghdad with evil intent. I came to pray for salvation at the tombs of the saints, hoping that my gift of alms would somewhat wipe out mine offending.

CALIPH. Thou hast given money to the poor?

JAWAN. Send to the high priest of the cathedral-mosque. I seek refuge in him and his knowledge of my charities.

CALIPH. By all the laws of the realm thy life is forfeit. Yet ’tis written “Better a generous sinner than a stingy saint.” Go one of you to the high priest. (_To one of the KAZIS._) Kazi Shimas, thou. Inquire into this. (_To JAWAN._) An thou sayest sooth, repentance and alms have won for thee the kerchief of pardon. (_Gesture with handkerchief._)

(_One of the WAZIRS rises, bows, and goes off through the arch right._)

JAWAN. Thy sentence is just as the scales of judgment day!

CALIPH. Nay, hear me out. Till word be brought, thou shalt to prison.

JAWAN. Prison?

CALIPH. A short penance for thy long list of sins. Take him away.

JAWAN. Allah preserve and prosper His regent on earth! (_JAWAN bows to the CALIPH and is led off into the prison-tower._)

CALIPH. What is there to follow?

CHAMBERLAIN. (_Consulting his list._) The case of a Moorish juggler. By command of the Wazir Mansur.

MANSUR. (_Rising._) O Prince of True Believers. This Moorman is a most marvellous wizard. Yet by his very excellence has he roused the jealousy of our native fellows of his craft, who would drive him out of the city. Hence doth he come to kneel to thee for protection.

CALIPH. Baghdad never yet grudged hospitality to the stranger of worth. Bring hither the Moor.

CHAMBERLAIN. The Moor!

(_An ATTENDANT echoes the Chamberlain’s call and voices are heard without repeating: “The Moor! The Moor!”_)

(_HAJJ enters from the right through the columns. On his shoulders like a pair of scales, he balances a pole, the two bird cages at either end,—his magic cloth in his hand._)

HAJJ. (_Coming forward and kneeling._) O Light of Islam—here lies thy slave between thy hands!

CALIPH. Art thou this famous Moorish magician?

HAJJ. O King, I am as famous as I am Moorish, as Moorish as I am magician.

CALIPH. An thou prove thy repute, thou shalt remain unmolested within our walls.

HAJJ. Try me and be thy judgment my doom.

CALIPH. Allah granteth thee this. Begin.

(_HAJJ bows to the CALIPH, slips off his cloak and waves his magic cloth in a circle._)

HAJJ.

Round is the sky! Round is the eye! Round is nought! Round is wrought!

(_Throwing the cloth over his shoulder mysteriously._)

By Iblis curst; By devils worst; By every name:— Flame, fire, flame!

(_He produces a bowl of flaming fire from his cloth._)

CALIPH. (_Coming down the steps a little._) Allah! Good.

(_HAJJ sets the bowl on the floor._)

(_The CROWD murmurs approval._)

HAJJ. (_Pointing to the bird-cages._) O King of glorious degree and never ending! Look thou next on these two cages; one harbouring a fair bird of maiden whiteness; the other a bird black as the royal banner of thy house. Now even as yon flame of fire, so doth the flame of longing scorch the hearts of these hapless lovers, caged apart. Say me then, shall I invoke a kindlier lot upon the two, bringing them breast to breast?

CALIPH. (_Who during the speech has come down from his throne; eagerly._) Is’t easily done?

HAJJ. Most easily. (_He waves his magic cloth with his left hand and quickly draws his dagger with his right._) As easily, O my lord, as this! (_He gives the CALIPH a violent thrust._)

CALIPH. (_Sinking backwards on the steps of the throne._) Awah!

ABU BAKR. (_Throwing himself between HAJJ and the CALIPH._) O villain! O hound! Seize him! Pinion him!

(_HAJJ is surrounded in an instant by the GUARD. Indescribable confusion ensues. The WAZIRS start from their seats. The crowd breaks through the guards. All shout and try to get at HAJJ. Cries such as these are heard_: “Tear out his eyes!” “Rip out his heart!” “O son of Satan!” “Crucify him over the city gate!” “Scorch his eyes to blindness!” “Chop off his accursed fingers!” “Cut out his tongue!” “Into the flames with him!” “O dog!” “O hell hound!” “O son of perdition!” “Down with him!” “Down!”)

ABU BAKR. (_Bending over the CALIPH._) How is’t with thee?

CALIPH. (_Recovering himself and mounting the throne._) Silence! Silence! (_He throws the bead into the cup._)

CALIPH. Silence! (_Comparative silence._) Touch not the man. Touch him not, I say.—I am safe! Allah hath shielded me by the grace of my coat of mail. (_He displays it._)

(_Gradually absolute silence is restored._)

MANSUR. (_With unction._) Praise Eternal to the Preserver of our King.

ALL. “Praise to the Preserver!” “Amin!” “A thousand years to the Caliph!” “Life forever to Abdallah” etc.

(_The cup is struck again. All regain their respective places._)

(_HAJJ is brought forward, held by FOUR BLACK ARCHERS. His whole appearance is dishevelled. He looks deathly pale._)

(_Outside the day begins to wane._)

CALIPH. Why didst thou this?

HAJJ. (_After a moment._) I know not. The crime was foredoomed me by Fate.

CALIPH. Before the whole world, in the place of places, in front of my palace, there shall thy soul be stripped from thee, shred by shred. Into the Prison of Wrath with him.

HAJJ. Nay, hear me! Hear me! I was tempted beyond measure.

CALIPH. How’s this? Who tempted thee?

HAJJ. I have sworn silence.

CALIPH. By my holy office of Imam, I absolve thee of thine oath. Speak.

HAJJ. (_Half looking round at MANSUR._) I—cannot.

CALIPH. The key of torture shall soon unlock thy lips.

HAJJ. Torture! Nay, by the Pardoner, since thou dost absolve me, there sits he who tempted me! The Wazir Mansur.

ALL. (_In amazement._) “Mansur?” “The Wazir?” “He?” “What says he?”

CALIPH. Mansur?

MANSUR. (_Rises, glibly._) The man’s be-devilled, O my lord. Bewitched by fiends. I know him not.

HAJJ. Know me not? I have shared my salt with him. He swore to make my daughter his bride, would I but end thy days. Kafur, Afife! Bear ye witness!

CALIPH. (_With surprise to MANSUR._) How’s this? He calls thy men by name?

MANSUR. What of that? Mayhap the villain has frequented my halls in search of some favour. Nay, now I look on him—true. I’ve done the dog a kindness. He came indeed to offer me his daughter, and I accepted of her. Yet not for myself, O King, but to serve my scavenger blackamoors.

HAJJ. (_With a cry of horror, trying to throw himself on MANSUR._) Ah!

(_The ARCHERS restrain him, he struggles madly._)

CALIPH. (_Calling out at once._) Silence him!

(_One of the Archers from behind slips a black cloth over HAJJ’S mouth._)

(_The sky is lighted with the blaze of sunset._)

MANSUR. Yet though the drab be now in my harim, by the Koran I swear, O King, even as this day ends red so shall she end red this day.

CALIPH. This matter is too full for the crowded course of the Diwan. I shall examine into it apart—after sundown. No! (_He takes up the rose half unconsciously._) Not after sundown. To-morrow. (_With a significant look._) O Mansur, fail thou me not. Thy words do far from hush my doubts in thee.

MANSUR. Hearkening and obedience.

CALIPH. I shall sit in my scarlet of anger. Let the executioner be notified. Off with the wretch. Not a crust, not a drop to him. No hospitality shall bind us. He shall be made a warning to all, the blackest death in Islam! Away!

(_HAJJ is dragged off through the prison-door, impotent and bound._)

(_A general murmur among the crowd._)

(_The CALIPH puts down the rose and throws the bead into the cup._)

(_Silence._)

CALIPH. What case have we to come?

CHAMBERLAIN. (_Taking up the list._) The case of Kabirah, the widow.

(_The little old woman of the Bazaar appears and totters forward, kneeling before the throne._)

[CURTAIN]