SCENE II

The private apartment within the pavilion. A bed. Fine furniture.

A window with a view on the garden.

(Enter Ha.s.sAN followed by his SLAVES.)

Ha.s.sAN In that apartment, therefore, I shall receive guests.

But in this apartment, whom?

ALDER Such ladies, Master, as you desire to honour.

Ha.s.sAN Yes, yes. I must visit the market and see.

(Staring at the floor, with a start) Wulluhi, what is that?

TAMARISK The carpet, Master.

Ha.s.sAN One of the wonderful new carpets of Ispahan. A hunting scene.

The Prince. His followers. Leopards and stags and three tigers, and an elephant--his head only. O amazing carpet.

And everywhere great scarlet flowers, very stiff and fine.

O exquisite carpet. I have never seen so bright as scarlet.

(With a sudden earnestness) Tell me. You were his slaves...?

ALDER Master?

Ha.s.sAN Well, well, we will not talk of it. How clearly that fountain sounds outside with its little splash!

ALDER I pray you, Master, the Caliph said you should particularly observe this mirror with the carven frame.

Ha.s.sAN (Looking at himself) By the Prophet, what a Phoenix I have become!

Provided I do not stumble on my sword.

WILLOW The Caliph hoped you should not fail to remark this exquisitely upholstered couch.

JUNIPER The Caliph hopes you would admire these toilet requisites in alabaster.

TAMARISK The Caliph hopes you will make good use of this very slender whip for our correction.

Ha.s.sAN A whip? For your correction, O slaves of charm? Am I the man to spoil good almond paste with streaks of cochineal?

ALDER Thou art pleased, O my Master?

Ha.s.sAN Pleased? Look at the acacia tapping at my window; one night it will come in softly and fling its moonlit blossom at my feet. But this is no place for a man to live alone. Without a doubt I must visit the market.

They have Circa.s.sians; I have always wanted a Circa.s.sian. She must be very young.... I have not finished the excellencies of the room.

These three chests, what do they contain?

ALDER This chest, O Master, contains your new robes. One of them is embroidered with red carnations and silver bells.

Ha.s.sAN Was there ever generosity like this!

WILLOW This chest, O master, contains curtains, hangings, and cushions for the sofa. One of the cushions is embellished with fifteen peac.o.c.ks.

Ha.s.sAN Fifteen peac.o.c.ks! And all those peac.o.c.ks dumb!

JUNIPER This chest O master, contains fresh linen for your bed.

All marked with your name.

Ha.s.sAN Marked with my name! And what have you to say, Tamarisk?

TAMARISK That bed...

Ha.s.sAN That bed is not a chest. But doubtless it also contains fresh linen marked with my name.

TAMARISK (Tremulous) That bed contains a most beautiful lady.

Ha.s.sAN (Jumping) What?

TAMARISK A most beautiful lady. She said she must see you, and gave me ten dinars.

YASMIN (As Ha.s.sAN tears aside the curtains of the bed) Ha.s.san!

(She is dressed in a cloak and veiled.)

Ha.s.sAN What voice?

YASMIN Ha.s.san. (She unveils.)

Ha.s.sAN Thou!

YASMIN I came: I hid: I waited.

Ha.s.sAN Why?

YASMIN Why does a woman hide in the bed of a man?

Ha.s.sAN (Furiously) You dared! Stay here, slaves.

Will you leave me at this moment, you fools who let this women in?

(To YASMIN) You dared?

YASMIN What is there a beautiful woman dare not dare?

Ha.s.sAN But your impudence is vile. Out of it! Get you back to Selim.

YASMIN I have left Selim.