Part 86 (1/2)

_A Dungeon. A ma.s.sive door at the back leads to an endless flight of shallow steps. It is dark: Hardly any light except from one barred window high up: through this come the rays of the setting sun._

_The Sheikh is alone in one corner saying his prayers. He then lies down and goes to sleep._

_The Gaoler opens the door._

_Hajji is thrown in and chained._

_Hajji alone._ Repentance.

Curses every one.

Raves.

If only he hadn't received money that morning, he would not have been tempted to steal.

If he had not stolen, he would not have been taken to the Executioner.

If he hadn't been taken to the Executioner, he would not have been driven to kill the Sultan.

The Sheikh is the cause of all his misfortunes.

He stole his wife.

He killed his son.

Now he is killing him.

Cursed be the Sheikh!

_The Sheikh from the ”Who uses my name in vain?”

corner:_

_Hajji. Hajji recognizes him Sheikh._ What is he doing there?

Sheikh says he is condemned to prison by Sultan.

Hajji delighted.

Says this is his only consolation in his trouble.

Never a sorrow without a grain of joy.

Joy to see his enemy suffer.

He could almost feel friendly towards Sheikh, when he thinks how they will be executed together.

[Sheikh's story of the How strangely their lives have been broken coin and his interwoven.

lost son introduced They talk of the dead woman they have shared.

here. See play.

Allusions to wife were She is dead now.

cut as unnecessary to Better so. She would have been old and ugly the story.] now.

Sheikh says: ”She developed a bad temper.”

Hajji furiously: ”That was your fault.

She was the sweetest tempered creature when she was mine. You ruined her, body and soul.

You fiend you--but no matter. You will be tortured tomorrow.”

He shrieks with delight.

_Gaoler reenters with a decree and a soldier carrying some instruments of torture_.

_Gaoler. Gaoler says that it has been found that Sheikh. Sheikh did come on a pilgrimage.

Hajji. The High Priest has testified in his favor.

Soldier._ Therefore the Sultan forgives him.

He is free, but must leave the city at once and never return.

Sheikh asks Gaoler to thank Sultan. Would go-- but his limbs are too weak.

Could Gaoler send for his litter?

Gaoler says he fears Sheikh's litter gone, but could procure him a chair out of Sultan's palace used to convey the lesser women of the [Changed to a stretcher Hareem when Sultan travels.

to ”carry away the dead.” Alteration made Sheikh gives Gaoler money, when play was written.] Gaoler now turns to Hajji.