feel it is this portal
That leads thee out to pulsing, waking life--
Then in the name of God and of the stars
I give thee leave to go where'er thou wilt.

SOBEIDE (still on her knees).
What?

MERCHANT.
I do no more regard thee as my wife
Than any other maid who, for protection
From tempest or from robbers by the wayside,
Had entered for a space into my house,
And I renounce herewith my claim upon thee,
Just as I have no valid right to any,
Whom such a chance might cast beneath my roof.

SOBEIDE.
What sayest thou?

MERCHANT.
I say that thou art free
To pass out through this door, and where thou wilt.
Free as the wind, the butterfly, the water.

SOBEIDE (half standing).
To go?

MERCHANT.
To go.

SOBEIDE.
Where'er I will?

MERCHANT.
Where 'er

Thou wilt, and at what time thou wilt.

SOBEIDE (still half dazed, now at the door).
Now? Here?

MERCHANT.
Or now, or later. Here, or otherwhere.

SOBEIDE (doubtfully).
But to my parents only?

MERCHANT (in a more decided tone).
Where thou wilt.

SOBEIDE (laughing and Weeping at once).
This dost thou then? O never in a dream
I ventured such a thought, in maddest dreams
I ne'er had crept to thee upon my knees

[She falls on her knees before him.]

With this request, lest I should see thy laughter
Upon such madness ... yet thou doest it,
Thou doest it! O thou! Thou good, good man!

[He raises her gently, she stands bewildered.]

MERCHANT (turns away).
When wilt thou go?

SOBEIDE.
This very instant, now!
O be not angry, think not ill of me!
Consider: can I tarry in thy house,
A stranger's house this night? Must I not go
At once to him, since I belong to him?
How may his property this night inhabit
An alien house, as it were masterless?

MERCHANT (bitterly).
Already his?

SOBEIDE.
Why sir, a proper woman
Is never masterle