Chapter LVII: Act I: Scene 1

_A narrow street with stone steps leading up to a Mosque left. (Small
set.)_

_The sun is just beginning to rise._

_Asleep on a large stone which juts out from the angle of the wall C.
sits Hajji wrapped in his beggar's cloak. On the minaret of the Mosque
appears the priest, a venerable white bearded man. He calls to
prayer._ [See alterations in actual play.]

_The crowd begins to pass into the Mosque as the sun rises. Hajji
wakes up, rubs his eyes, and has a drink of water from a gourd which
he draws out from behind his seat. He begins to beg from the
passers-by._

_An Old Man (Jawan) preceded by a guide (Nasir) is carried across the
scene in a litter. He fixes his gaze on Hajji and is carried off into
the Mosque. The guide remains in the portico. Hajji follows the Old
Man on his knees to the steps of the Mosque, begging._

_As he does so a lean Beggar of a younger cast of countenance takes
Hajji's place._

_Hajji returns to his seat._

_Hajji._ Hajji curses young Beggar.
Explains young Beggar must be stranger.
Who is he that he does not know of Hajji?
He has sat on this seat for thirty years.
His father has sat there before him.
His grandfather before _him_.
Great pride in his ancestry of beggardom.

_Young Beggar. (Kasim.)_ The young Beggar tries to retaliate.
Hajji tells him to go and sit on a seat round
the corner--"where other swine have sat before
you."
He kicks the young Beggar.

_The Guide (Nasir) of the Old Man_ comes down to interfere.

_The Young Beggar (Kasim)_ sulks into a corner nursing his kick.

_Hajji._ Hajji and Guide get into conversation.

_The Guide._ (_Kasim._) Guide explains Rich Man here on a pilgrimage.
Is really a famous old Robber Chief, a Curd,
One of the Sheikhs of the desert: all of
whom were notorious and banished by late
Sultan (_Caliph_).
Sheikh old and dying.
Come to pray to Allah to restore his son to
him before he dies (if son still alive).

[_Sultan_ is used Sheikh was attacked by Sultan's troops
throughout this twenty-five years ago, and his son, then four
scenario--for which, years old, carried off.
in play, _Caliph_ is Hajji says he knows what that means.
substituted. _Caliph_ Had his wife carried off many years ago.
is correct, as being The only woman he ever loved--really loved.
Arabian. The title The Guide: "I know, Hajji, and I pity you.
_Sultan_ is of later I have a proposition to make:
origin and of Turkish I know the Sheikh will give money to charity
influence.] to save his soul just before dying.
Now if you could predict something to him,--
Say that he will find his son again,--
The Sheikh will give you money."
And for this advice Guide and Hajji are to
divide money.
Hajji agrees to this.

_Prayers are over._

_The crowd disperses coming from the Mosque.
Sheikh is carried out of the Mosque in his litter._

_Hajji._ Hajji throws himself in front of litter.
Crying out: "Listen to me.
I can see why you have come.
You are looking for some one,--your son.
You shall find him. Give me money."
Sheikh amazed at Hajji's knowledge.
Hajji says his wits have been sharpened
through grief and suffering.
"I had a wife and a son.
They were stolen by my enemy.
My son was murdered,
My wife carried off.
The swine of a beggar who sat round the
corner did it.
He is my enemy. The curse of my life."
Sheikh holds out purse, chinking it.
Hajji blesses Sheikh.
Sheikh bursts out laughing.
Reveals himself to Hajji.
He (Sheikh) is his enemy.
He ran away with Hajji's wife.

[Some of this is And became a robber under her inspiring
incorporated in the influence. One of a band of robbers that
scene with _Nasir_.] attacked the caravans.
It is their son (by Hajji's wife) that the
Sultan captured when he attacked the robbers.
Laughs at Hajji for blessing him.
Thanks him ironically.
Throws the purse and is carried off by his men.
Hajji shouts curses after him.
And kicks away the money.

_Hajji. (Alone.)_ He is torn in two by the hatred for his enemy.

_Young Beggar, in And the love of the money.
corner._ What he could do with the money.

/ He could do so much for Zira (the daughter),
| The pride of his heart, the consolation of his
| old age,
| The one balm to his fatherly heart.
| But his enemy's money?
| Never.
| But Zira? Trinkets for her. Her laughter.
[This was cut | Her smile.
rehearsals, as < But the Sheikh's money--The beast who robbed
halting the action,] | him of his wife.
| Who was Zira's mother? No one. A dancing girl,
| a passing whim. The fancy of a late spring.
| But his wife--the one that the Sheikh took--
| she was everything. His joy, his pride, the
| first finding of his manhood.
| To the purse: "I'll not touch thee." (_He
\ spits at it._)

_He sees some one coming.
He quickly pockets the purse._

_The Guide reenters_

_Hajji. Guide comes to claim half of his money.
Guide. Hajji does not know anything of the bargain;
Young Beggar._ "I saw no purse."
Guide furious.
Hajji laughs at him.
He appeals to young Beggar.
Was there a purse there?
The young Beggar sides with Hajji.
Guide off, furious, vowing vengeance.
Hajji says, "Go thy way in peace."

_Hajji.
Young Beggar._ Young Beggar: "What do I get for siding with
you?"
"What?"
"I saw you pick up the purse.
I heard the agreement: you promised him half."
Hajji says the money was given him, not by the
Sheikh, but by fate.
We all have a day in life.
This is Hajji's day.
There is a future before him.
The Sheikh rose from the mud to power and
riches.
Why not Hajji?
Fortune is smiling on him at last.
He will forsake the seat he has sat on these
thirty years.
Go forth into the world.
What shall he give the Young Beggar?
His throne and his beggar's cloak.
(_He instates him in his seat and goes off._)

[Here the Priest is
introduced in the play
to heighten the effect
at the end. Also to
make him a friend of
Hajji's, as Hajji sends _Curtain_
his daughter to him at
the end of the Hareem
scene. Act III, Scene
1.]

SCENE 2

_The Bazaar._ (_Large set_)

_Shopkeeper I and Shopkeeper II lying outside of adjoining shops. They
are very friendly._

_Crowd._

_Young Sultan (Caliph) rides through the bazaar on a white donkey. His
Vizier (Abu Bakr) follows him. Also guards._

_Hajji appears._ Political discussion.

_Shopkeeper I._ Young Sultan just come through bazaar.

_Shopkeeper II._ Hajji regrets he missed seeing him.
Sultan only been Sultan ten days.
[Read _Caliph_ Nephew of old Sultan now dead.
for _Sultan._] Young Sultan brought up in a monastery,

[In the play, the Said to be a dreamer and a poet.
shopkeepers have a The real ruler said to be the Executioner,
scene of explanation A favourite of late Sultan,
before Hajj Young man, too, but very strong,
enters,--altered when Very cruel and selfish.
writing play.] Young Sultan does not see much of
Executioner (_Mansur_).
Supposed to disappear on nightly expeditions,
To get to know his people,
To have some love adventures.
Has been brought up strictly in monastery,
Has never yet, they say, tested the "charm of
his beard."

[This altered. See note Hajji listens to all this humbly,
above. In the play Hajj Sitting almost under the counter,
enters here.] Then begins to finger stuffs.
The shopkeeper is going to drive him off.
But Hajji is in earnest.
Shows his purse. He means to buy.
Clothes are forthcoming.
He selects some.
Once he has gone to the bath and the barber
he will be resplendent--as noble as the
noblest.
Hajji asks the price.
It is very high.
He begins to bargain.
Shopkeeper No. II chimes in.
Hajji pits Shopkeeper No. I against
No. II.
They quarrel.
Hajji fans the quarrel into flame.
They almost come to blows.
Hajji escapes with his clothes.

_Shopkeeper No. I. The shopkeepers notice his escape.
and They combine at once against the common enemy.
Shopkeeper No. II_ Shopkeeper I will go for the guard,
And have Hajji followed and caught.
Shopkeeper II to meet him at the Executioner's
to witness against Hajji.

[Here Nasir the Guide
is introduced to give
away Hajj. This was
done when the play was
revised for
production.] _Curtain_

SCENE 3

(_For "Zira" read "Marsinah."_)

_Zira's home. Small courtyard of a poor house. On right side a large
gate backing to street. Fountain in courtyard._

_Old Woman. Old woman is spinning.
Zira, the daughter Zira is lazily hanging her hand into fountain.
of Hajji._ (She works instead.)

[_Marsinah works._ This Old Woman reprimands her for not working.
was altered when She has changed in last three days.
writing play, because Zira, who hides her wools, says her thread has
of Arabian embroidery given out.
frame seen in the Old Woman will go to bazaar for thread.
Museum of Tunis.] Locks door carefully, going out.

_Zira springs up and goes to the casement in Courtyard and
then, plucking a rose, throws it out. She then unlocks
casement and goes back to the fountain._

_Young Sultan appears in simple clothes, climbing in._

_Zira. Love scene.
Young Sultan._ His madness to come at daytime.
Since he saw her first three nights ago from
neighboring roof-tops cannot rest.
She asks who he is.
He is so different from her father.
His hands so beautiful.
He has love scene,
In which they exchange rhymed couplets
In Arabian Nights fashion.
He puts a question (line one and two rhyming)
She caps it (line three not rhyming, but line
four rhyming with one and two).
The girl is witty but natural.
This charms the Sultan beyond measure.
All the women he has had presented to him are
so stupid.
She says: '"All the women'!" Who is he?
He says a simple scribe--brought up in a
monastery. His uncle wishes him to marry.
He has never loved before,
Till meeting Zira.
They embrace.
_Noise of key in gate._ They hear noise.
They separate--He will come back after sundown
to see her. She gives him a rose. Then he will
tell her something which will surprise her.
He escapes through the window.
_Zira back to fountain, (to her work)._

_Old Woman reenters breathless._

_Old Woman. Old Woman says Zira's father is coming.
Zira._ Thing he has never done during daytime.
Luckily she saw him as she returned from
bazaar.
He was coming out of Public Bath,
Beautifully dressed.
They pretend to be busy working.
_Noise of key._

_Hajji arrives, dressed in good clothes, curls trimmed and beard
combed._

_Hajji. Greetings.
Zira. Zira admires her father.
Old Woman._ Old Woman sent off to get meal ready.

_Hajji. Hajji has great plans for his daughter.
Zira._ His affection for her profound.
He plans for her future.
She is very charming to him,
As she naturally wishes to hide her love
affair, and get into his good graces.
She takes out her guitar.
Begins to sing to him.
He sways before her admiringly on his knees.
Says she is beautiful.

[This altered in the Her mother was not beautiful,
writing of play.] Not like his wife that he loved
Not like his son now dead.
But she is more beautiful than all,
The light of his eyes.
She laughs and sings.
He claps his hands in ecstasy
He has great ambitions for her.
_A knock on the door._
Zira is sent by her father into the inner
house.
The Old Woman comes out of house and
says it will be some pedlar at door.
She opens.

_The Officer of the Guard and Guard enter with the Shopkeeper I_

_Hajji. Shopkeeper accuses Hajji of stealing
Shopkeeper. garments he has on.
Officer._ Hajji denies it.
Shopkeeper will have him taken before the
Executioner (_Mansur_).
Hajji protests.
He is taken off in spite of his assurances
that the Shopkeeper is a madman.

[Re-introduction of
Nasir, saying, "I saw
no purse!" Change made
during rehearsals] _Curtain_

SCENE 4

_Hall in Executioner's House (large set). A colonnade at back,
showing courtyard._

Executioner (Mansur). Executioner very discontented.
His Scribe (Afife), Young Sultan means to curtail Executioner's
an old man prerogatives.
[Kafur his Sworder,-- Executioner was old Sultan's favorite.
added when play was Scribe and Executioner plan to assassinate
written. This first Sultan.
sceneis enlarged in They need a clever man.
play by a letter from Whom shall they get?
the Caliph. See play.]

_Hajji is brought by the Guard, followed by Shopkeeper and a Crowd,
in which is the Guide of Scene 1._

_Hajji. Hajji accused by Shopkeeper I.
Executioner. Shopkeeper II bearing No. I witness.
Scribe. Hajji protests.
Guide. Meant to pay--Excitement of new clothes made
Shopkeeper I. him forget.
Shopkeeper II. Produces money.
Crowd._ Where did he get his money?
Sheikh of desert.
They all laugh.
Sheikh of desert does not give money.
Sheikhs are outlaws, robbers.
Not allowed in town.
Hajji says he is in town.
Notices Guide (_Nasir_) in crowd.
Appeals to Guide--
Guide says it is true that Sheikh is in town.
Then, says Executioner, Sheikh must be taken
before Sultan.
All Curds banished by old Sultan.
Sultan has an audience this afternoon.
Sheikh an exile (by old Sultan).
Executioner cannot allow the word of the
deceased monarch to be disregarded.
Sends Guide off to show the Guard the
caravansary at which Sheikh is stopping.
Hajji interrupts.
One word.
He asks Guide did he, the Sheikh, not throw
Hajji a purse.
Guide repeating Hajji's words (Scene 1)
"I saw no purse."
All laugh.
Guide off with the Guard.

[Afterwards, "his hand Executioner orders Hajji to have his ears cut
cut off," as this is off.
the law of the Koran. Hajji discourses on Fate, Kismet.
Change made when Is very witty.
writing play.] Executioner becomes interested in Hajji's
brilliancy.
Hajji is pardoned suddenly by Executioner.
Executioner does more.
He takes Hajji into his household
Into his personal guard.
A sword is sent for.
Hajji kneels in gratitude at the Executioner's
feet.
"His servant always."
The sword is brought in.
Executioner takes it and hands it to Hajji.
"Rise, Hajji, and learn to use this sword in
my service."
Hajji rises.
He begs he may begin his career by an act of
clemency.
Executioner grants permission.
Hajji makes the Shopkeepers kneel, forgives
them for daring to accuse a servant of the
Executioner's of stealing--tickles their
beards with his sword and orders them to
pay a fine to the Executioner.
They leave more dead than alive.
Hajji turns to Executioner.
_H._ "Have I begun well?"
_E._ "The beginning is nothing. Go now and
the Captain will instruct you in your duties."
_H._ (_with enormous swagger_) "Captain?"
He goes out, the rest following him.

_The Scribe. Is amazed at Executioner's clemency.
Executioner._ _E._ "Don't you see why I have pardoned him?"
_S._ "No, Master."
_E._ "This man shall do the deed."
_S._ "The deed?"
_E._ "Murder the Sultan for me."
_S._ "I see."

(_They both turn and look after Hajji who is seen traversing
the courtyard at the back and twirling his moustaches, the
servants all bowing low to him._)

_Curtain_