SLAVE.
But all deformed with fear.

GUeLISTANE.
Some business?

SHALNASS (to her).
None,
But serving thee.

[He puts out his hand to close the clasp at
her neck, but fails.]

GUeLISTANE.
Forbear!

SHALNASS (puts his hand to his eye).
A little vein
Burst in my eye. I must behold thee dance,
To make the blood recede.

GUeLISTANE.
A strange idea.

SHALNASS.
Come, for my sake.

GUeLISTANE.
Why, then I must put up
My hair.

SHALNASS.
Then put it up. I cannot live
While thou delayest.

[GUeLISTANE goes up the stairs.]
(To the slave.)

Lead her here to me.
Say only this: the one she seeks awaits her.
Mark that: the one she seeks; no more.

[He walks up and down; exit slave.]

No being is so simple; no, I cannot
Believe there are such fools. Highwaymen, bosh!
He sent her here, and all that contradicts it
Is simply lies.
I little thought that she would come tonight,
But gold draws all this out of nothingness.
I'll keep her if she pleases me: her husband
Shall never see her face again. With fetters
Of linked gold I'll deck her pretty ankles.
I'll keep them both and make them both so tame
That they will swing like parrots in one ring.

[The slave leads SOBEIDE up the stairs. She is
agitated, her eyes staring, her hair disheveled,
the strings of pearls torn off. She no longer
wears her veil.]

SHALNASS.
O that my son might die for very wrath!
Well, well, and how she trembles and dissembles.

[He motions the slave out.]

SOBEIDE (looks at him fearfully).
Art thou Shalnassar?

SHALNASS.
Yes. And has thy husband--

SOBEIDE.
My husband? Knowst thou that? Why, did I not
Just now ... was it not just this very night?...
What?... or dost tho