he merchants.

JOHN

I see.

DAOUD

But now, master, a man robs a merchant
and he is cast into prison. Now a man is
slain in the market and his son, his own son,
master, may not follow after the aggressor
and slay him and burn his house. They are
ill-content, master. No man robs the
merchants, no man slays them, and the
merchants' hearts are hardened and they oppress
all men.

JOHN

I see. They don't like good government?

DAOUD

They sigh for the old times, master.

JOHN

I see; I see. In spite of all I have done for
them, they want their old bad government
back again.

DAOUD

It is the old way, master.

JOHN

Yes, yes. And so they would rebel. Well,
we must watch. You have warned me once
again, Daoud, and I am grateful. But you
are wrong, Daoud, about the gracious lady.
You are mistaken. It is impossible. You are
mistaken, Daoud. I know it could not be.

DAOUD

I am mistaken, master. Indeed, I am
mistaken. Yet, watch. Watch, master.

JOHN

Well, I will watch.

DAOUD

And, master, if ever I come to you bearing
oars, then watch no longer, master, but follow
me through the banquet chamber and through
the room beyond it. Move as the wild deer
move when there is danger, without pausing,
without wondering, without turning round;
for in that hour, master, in that hour....

JOHN

Through the room beyond the banquet
chamber, Daoud?

DAOUD

Aye, master, following me.

JOHN

But there is no door beyond, Daoud.

DAOUD

Master, I have prepared a door.

JOHN

A door, Daoud?

DAOUD

A door none wots of, master.

JOHN

Whither does it lead?

DAOUD

To a room that you know not of, a little
room; you must stoop, master.

JOHN

O, and then?

DAOUD

To the river, master.

JOHN

The river! But there's no boat there.

DAOUD

Under the golden willow, master.

JOHN

A boat?

DAOUD

Even so, under the branches.

JOHN

Is it come to that?... No, Daoud, all
this is unnecessary. It can't come to that.

DAOUD

If ever I come before you bearing two oars,
in that hour, master, it is necessary.

JOHN

But you will not come. It will never come
to that.

DAOUD

No, master.

JOHN

A wise man can stop things before they
get as far as that.

DAOUD

They that were kings in Babylon were wise
men, master.

JOHN

Babylon! But that was thousands of
years ago.

DAOUD

Man changes not, master.

JOHN

Well, Daoud, I will trust you, and if