But woe to him who
misuses it! He is the world's greatest criminal, for he makes a
caricature of Our Blessed Lord! Farewell, King! thy crown awaits
thee! [Disappears.]
PEHR. Oh, my queen!
CURTAIN.
ACT FOUR
SCENE ONE.
Interior of a palace in Oriental style. To right a throne, before
it a table, with royal regalia; to left a divan, pillows arranged
on floor in a semi-circle.
At rise of curtain The Ameer discovered lying on floor writing on a
paper scroll.
[Enter Chamberlain of the Caliph.]
CHAMBERLAIN. Is that the young Caliph's genealogical chart?
AMEER. Yes, Chamberlain.
CHAMBERLAIN. It certainly looks very imposing. Whom leave you given
him as progenitor?
AMEER. Caliph Omar, of course.
CHAMBERLAIN. I think that Haroun-al-Raschid would have been better.
AMEER. He was certainly more popular--but in that case our gracious
sovereign would not be related to the ancient house.
CHAMBERLAIN. Very true. Will you be ready soon? We expect him at
any moment.
AMEER. Has your Excellency seen the new caliph?
CHAMBERLAIN. Yes; he looks like all the rest--It is only the
genealogical tree that separates him from us.
AMEER. Yes, the genealogical tree!
CHAMBERLAIN. [Examines ancestral chart again.] You have got an
awful width to it!
AMEER. I had to put in a bastard line; it looks so flourishing on
paper, and gives to the race a semblance of strength, which is
always flattering.
CHAMBERLAIN. [Laughs.] What will the Caliph Omar say to this?
[Enter Court Mullah.
Pages:
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60