Your Highness cannot begin better than by strengthening
the laws of the realm.
PEHR. But I'll never sign!
VIZIER. It is not necessary; the Administration will attend to
that. The Cabinet is adjourned. Will it please Your Highness to
lay aside his official attire and return to private life, with its
petty diversions. The Chamberlain is at Your Highness' service.
[Goes.]
[The Chamberlain removes Caliph's crown and sceptre and conducts
him to divan. Enter Dancers, Singers and Poet Laureate. The Dance.]
PEHR. What is this company?
CHAMBERLAIN. This is the Court.
PEHR. Why do they wear such short dresses? I do not like that
custom.
CHAMBERLAIN. It is the custom of the country, Your Highness.
PEHR. This at least is not politics.
CHAMBERLAIN. The first Court Singer begs that she may entertain
Your Highness with an idealistic song written by the celebrated
poet laureate, Hourglass-Link.
PEHR. Be good enough to entertain me!
SINGER. [With lute, sings.]
Then say farewell to Horaire, the march is already broken.
O army, hast thou the strength to say a farewell!
PEHR. Where's the rhyme?
POET LAUREATE. There are no rhymes in this kind of poetry.
PEHR. That's bad! Continue--
AMEER. [Aside to historian.] He's not long for this place.
SINGER. Your Highness must pardon me, but I am indisposed to-day.
PEHR. Chamberlain, is there not something in the constitution
called bastinado?
[Panic.]
CHAMBERLAIN. Assuredly--but--
PEHR.
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