That so begins? No, no, my destiny
Would try me. What should mean to him this woman?
This is not love, it is but lust, a thing
That men find needful to their lives. He comes,

(In feverish haste.)

And he will cast this from him with a word
And laugh at me. Arise, my recollections,
For now I need you or shall never need you!
Woe, woe, that I must call you in this hour!
Will not one loving glance return to me?
One unambiguous word? Ah, words and glances,
Deceitful woof of air. A heavy heart
Would cling to you, and ye are rent like cobwebs.
Away, fond recollection! My old life
Today is cast behind me, and I stand
Upon a sphere that rolls I know not whither.

(With increasing agitation.)

Ganem will come to me, and his first word
Will rend the noose that tightens on my throat.
He comes, will take me in his arms--all dripping
With fear and horror, stead of oils and perfumes,--
I'll say no word, I'll hang upon his neck
And drink the words he speaks. For his first word,
The very first will lull all fears to sleep ...
He'll smile all doubt away ... and put to flight ...
But if he fail?... I will not think it, will not!

[GANEM comes up the stairs.]

SOBEIDE (cries out).

Ganem!

[She runs to him, feels his hair, his face,
falls before him, presses her head against
him, at once laughing and weeping convulsively.]

I'm here, Oh take me, take me, hold me fast!
Be good to me, thou knowst not all as yet.
I cannot yet ... How lookest thou upon me?

[She stands up again, steps back, and looks
at him in fearful suspense.]

GANEM (stands motionless before her.)
Thou!

SOBEIDE (in breathless haste).
I belong to thee, am thine, my Ganem!
Ask me not now how this has come to pass:
This is the centre of a labyrinth,
But now we stand here. Wilt thou not behold me!
He gave me freedom, he himself, my husband ...
Why does thy countenance show such a change?

GANEM.
No cause. Come hither, they m