-11_The Viziers of Bassora Act-3 Sc-2.htm

SCENE II

The same.
Anice-Aljalice, Nureddene.

ANICE-ALJALICE

And they all left?

NUREDDENE

Cafoor crept down and heard
The clamorous creditors; and they all left.
Ghaneem’s dear mother’s sick; for my sweet love
Only he came, leaving her sad bedside;

Friend Ayoob’s uncle leaves today for Mecca:

In Cafoor’s house there is a burial toward;

Zeb’s father, Omar’s brother, Hussan’s wife
Are piteously struck down. There never was
So sudden an epidemic witnessed yet
In Bassora, and all with various ailments.

ANICE-ALJALICE

This is their friendship!

NUREDDENE

We will not judge so harshly.
It may be that a generous kindly shame
Or half-remorseful delicacy had pricked them.
I’ve sent Harkoos to each of them in turn
For loans to help me. We shall see. Who’s here ?

Enter Ajebe.

Ajebe, you have come back, you only? Yes,
You were my friend and checked me always. Man
Is not ignoble, but has angel soarings,
Howe’er the nether devil plucks him down.
Still we have souls nor is the mould quite broken
Of that original and faultless plan
Which Adam spoilt.

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AJEBE

I am your ruin’s author.
If you have still a sword, use it upon me.

NUREDDENE

What’s this?

AJEBE

Incited by the Vizier, promised
Greatness, I in my turn incited these
To hurry you to ruin. Will you slay me ?

NUREDDENE (after a silence)

Return and tell the Vizier that work’s done.
Be great with him.

AJEBE

Are you entirely ruined ?

NUREDDENE

Doubt not your work’s well done; you can assure
The uncle. Came you back for that ?

AJEBE

If all I have, —

NUREDDENE

No more! return alive.

AJEBE

You punish home.

Exit.

NUREDDENE

The eunuch lingers.

Enter Harkoos.

Well, sir, your success?

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HARKOOS

I went first to Ayoob. He has had losses, very suddenly, and is dolorous that he cannot help you.

NUREDDENE

Ghaneem ?

HARKOOS

Has broken his leg for the present and cannot see anyone for a long fortnight.

NUREDDENE

Cafoor?

HARKOOS

Has gone into the country — upstairs.

NUREDDENE

Zeb?

HARKOOS

Wept sobbingly. Every time I mentioned money, he drowned the subject in tears. I might have reached his purse at last but I cannot swim.

NUREDDENE

Omar?

HARKOOS

Will burn his books sooner than lend you money.

NUREDDENE

Did all fail me?

HARKOOS

Some had dry eyes and some wet, but none a purse.

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NUREDDENE

Go.

Exit Harkoos.

What next? Shall I, like him of Athens, change
And hate my kind ? Then should I hate myself,
Who ne’er had known their faults, if my own sins
Pursued me not like most unnatural hounds
Into their screened and evil parts of nature.
God made them; what He made, is doubtless good.

ANICE-ALJALICE

You still have me.

NUREDDENE

That’s much.

ANICE-ALJALICE

No, everything.

NUREDDENE

‘Tis true, and I shall feel it soon.

ANICE-ALJALICE

My jewels
And dresses will fill up quite half the void.

NUREDDENE

Shall I take back my gifts ?

ANICE-ALJALICE

If they are mine,

I choose to sell them.

NUREDDENE

Do it, I forgot;

Let Cafoor have the vase I promised him.
Come, Anice. I will ask Murad for help.

Exeunt.

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