Part 85 (2/2)

Others_ Hajji says he is a Fakir.

He plays some tricks.

/ While doing one, addresses the Executioner

as a slave, asking him to bring a table.

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He then gets near the Sultan.

Does a trick with a sword.

Tries suddenly to stab the Sultan.

The Sultan wears a coat of mail.

The a.s.sa.s.sination has failed.

Hajji is surrounded at once.

He is to be cut to pieces.

The Sultan says ”Stay!

This man shall be made an example of.

I have heard there are rumours of sedition, and conspiracies against my person.

Therefore I wear this coat of mail.

I shall have this man burnt in my pleasure gardens tomorrow and the public shall be admitted to the spectacle.

This shall show conspirators I am in earnest; mean to uphold my uncle's policy.

Take this man away.”

Hajji appeals, he turns to the Executioner.

The Executioner says he does not know him.

Hajji says he does.

He can prove it. He was in the house of the Executioner. In his pay.

Executioner: ”The man is mad.”

The Sultan fixes Executioner with his eye.

Sultan says he will sift matter to bottom.

Hajji shall be tortured.

The truth shall be wrung from him.

[Hajj is gagged here:] ”At once?” asks the Gaoler.

Sultan: ”No--let him starve the night first.”

Tonight (_smelling the rose_) Sultan has other affairs of import to tend to.

Tomorrow (_with a meaning look_) he expects the Executioner to carry out the tortures himself.

The Executioner bows.

(_To Goaler_) ”Take the man away!”

Hajji is dragged off, screaming.

The Sultan to his Vizier: ”Oh Mesrur!

Mesrur! (Abu Bakr) When does the sun set?”

”Another half an hour, sire.”

”Half an hour! Oh, would it were that now?

Why can I not make the sun set--I--the Sultan?

Bring forward the next case.”

_Curtain._

SCENE 4

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