R. My consort!

BRIDE. [Indifferently.] The Administration had three candidates for you:
The Vizier's choice fell upon me because my father threatened you with a
tariff treaty.

PEHR. The administration's candidate--tariff treaties--what does that
signify?

BRIDE. Politics require that princes shall sacrifice their personal
considerations for the good of the people.

PEHR. Politics require--But does the good of the people require any
princes?

BRIDE. I don't know--but it's done once for all, and now you are my
husband. Have the goodness to be happy, or you will be miserable.

PEHR. Are you happy?

BRIDE. I am nothing.

PEHR. Do you love me?

BRIDE. No, certainly not! And you me?

PEHR. No!

BRIDE. You love your Lisa?

PEHR. And you your--

BRIDE. Ali.

PEHR. O misery and lamentation!

BRIDE. Calm yourself a moment--One moment, while they come in and
congratulate us. The bridal procession is waiting without. Silence! They
are nearing; stand at my side!

PEHR. Must I go forth again, and jest?

BRIDE. Obey me, for I'm a wise woman! When they go I shall tell you my
plan. Here they come! Look pleasant, husband, else they will say that I
made you unhappy.

PEHR. Dear old father, how right you were! Black is black and can
never be white. [Pehr and bride seat themselves on divan and assume a
sentimental attitude.]

[Enter Singers, Dancers, Chamberlain, Ameer, Royal Historian, Vizier.]

_Chorus of women sing_:
Joyous the loving hearts
That bleed from cupid's darts!
Ye nightingales and ye roses sing,
Noble halls and courtyards ring!
The Caliph's court rejoices
And echoes love's true voices.

[Pehr and bride hide their agitation.]

VIZIER. Caliph, a happy people, whom you find assembled here, at the
foot of the throne, rejoice as they see happiness, like a sun, beam in
your eyes to shine on the white rose which long hath sought the tall
oak's trunk to lean upon; a happy people, youthful princess, rejoice in
your good fortune and hope that your tree may have off-shoots with fresh
rose buds, which, at some future day, may spread joy and bliss, like a
spring rain, over land and kingdom!

[Pehr leaps up and draws his sword, bride attempts in vain to calm him.]

PEHR. Hell and Damnation! You grand vizier of lies! and you, dressed
up adventurers, are you my people! Are these hired maidens, with their
venal tricks, my people who pay taxes to us that we may