SCENE II
The same.
Anice-Aljalice, Nureddene.
ANICE-ALJALICE
And they all left?
NUREDDENE
Cafoor crept down and heard
The clamorous creditors; and they all left.
Ghaneem's dear mother's sick; for my sweet love
Only he came, leaving her sad bedside;
Friend Ayoob's uncle leaves today for Mecca:
In Cafoor's house there is a burial toward;
Zeb's father, Omar's brother, Hussan's wife
Are piteously struck down. There never was
So sudden an epidemic witnessed yet
In Bassora, and all with various ailments.
ANICE-ALJALICE
This is their friendship!
NUREDDENE
We will not judge so harshly.
It may be that a generous kindly shame
Or half-remorseful delicacy had pricked them.
I've sent Harkoos to each of them in turn
For loans to help me. We shall see. Who's here ?
Enter Ajebe.
Ajebe, you have come back, you only? Yes,
You were my friend and checked me always. Man
Is not ignoble, but has angel soarings,
Howe'er the nether devil plucks him down.
Still we have souls nor is the mould quite broken
Of that original and faultless plan
Which Adam spoilt.
Page – 643
AJEBE
I am your ruin's author.
If you have still a sword, use it upon me.
NUREDDENE
What's this?
AJEBE
Incited by the Vizier, promised
Greatness, I in my turn incited these
To hurry you to ruin. Will you slay me ?
NUREDDENE
(after a silence)
Return and tell the Vizier that work's done.
Be great with him.
AJEBE
Are you entirely ruined ?
NUREDDENE
Doubt not your work's well done; you can assure
The uncle. Came you back for that ?
AJEBE
If all I have, —
NUREDDENE
No more! return alive.
AJEBE
You punish home.
Exit.
NUREDDENE
The eunuch lingers.
Enter Harkoos.
Well, sir, your success?
Page – 644
HARKOOS
I went first to Ayoob. He has had losses, very suddenly, and is
dolorous that he cannot help you.
NUREDDENE
Ghaneem ?
HARKOOS
Has broken his leg for the present and cannot see anyone for a
long fortnight.
NUREDDENE
Cafoor?
HARKOOS
Has gone into the country — upstairs.
NUREDDENE
Zeb?
HARKOOS
Wept sobbingly. Every time I mentioned money, he drowned the
subject in tears. I might have reached his purse at last but I cannot swim.
NUREDDENE
Omar?
HARKOOS
Will burn his books sooner than lend you money.
NUREDDENE
Did all fail me?
HARKOOS
Some had dry eyes and some wet, but none a purse.
Page – 645
NUREDDENE
Go.
Exit Harkoos.
What next? Shall I, like him of Athens, change
And hate my kind ? Then should I hate myself,
Who ne'er had known their faults, if my own sins
Pursued me not like most unnatural hounds
Into their screened and evil parts of nature.
God made them; what He made, is doubtless good.
ANICE-ALJALICE
You still have me.
NUREDDENE
That's much.
ANICE-ALJALICE
No, everything.
NUREDDENE
'Tis true, and I shall feel it soon.
ANICE-ALJALICE
My jewels
And dresses will fill up quite half the void.
NUREDDENE
Shall I take back my gifts ?
ANICE-ALJALICE
If they are mine,
I choose to sell them.
NUREDDENE
Do it, I forgot;
Let Cafoor have the vase I promised him.
Come, Anice. I will ask Murad for help.
Exeunt.
Page – 646
