wer is his and descends to his son's son
after him.

JOHN

Well, doesn't it in the East?

DAOUD

Not if he does not watch, master; in the
night and the day, and in the twilight
between the day and the night, and in the dawn
between the night and the day.

JOHN

I thought you had pretty long dynasties
in these parts, and pretty lazy ones.

DAOUD

Master, he that was mightiest of those that
were kings in Babylon had a secret door
prepared in an inner chamber, which led to a
little room, the smallest in the palace, whose
back door opened secretly to the river, even
to great Euphrates, where a small boat waited
all the days of his reign.

JOHN

Did he really now? Well, he was taking no
chances. Did he have to use it?

DAOUD

No, master. Such boats are never used.
Those that watch like that do not need to
seek them, and the others, they would never
be able to reach the river in time, even though
the boat were there.

JOHN

I shouldn't like to have to live like that.
Why, a river runs by the back of this palace.
I suppose palaces usually are on rivers. I'm
glad I don't have to keep a boat there.

DAOUD

No, master.

JOHN

Well, what is it you are worrying about?
Who is it you are afraid of?

DAOUD

Hafiz el Alcolahn.

JOHN

O, Hafiz. I have no fears of Hafiz. Lately
I ordered my spies to watch him no longer.
Why does he hate me?

DAOUD

Because, most excellent master, you slew
Hussein.

JOHN

Slew Hussein? What is that to do with
him? May I not slay whom I please?

DAOUD

Even so, master. Even so. But he was
Hussein's enemy.

JOHN

His enemy, eh?

DAOUD

For years he had dreamed of the joy of
killing Hussein.

JOHN

Well, he should have done it before I came.
We don't hang over things and brood over
them for years where I come from. If a
thing's to be done, it's done.

DAOUD

Even so, master. Hafiz had laid his plans
for years. He would have killed him and got
his substance; and then, when the hour drew
near, you came, and Hussein died, swiftly,
not as Hafiz would have had him die; and
lo! thou art the lord of the pass, and Hafiz is
no more than a beetle that runs about in the
dirt.

JOHN

Well, so you fear Hafiz?

DAOUD

Not for himself, master. Nay, I fear not
Hafiz. But, master, hast thou seen when the
thunder is coming, but no rumble is heard
and the sky is scarce yet black, how little
winds run in the grass and sigh and die; and
the flowe