I am not here
To give you counsel. Home with you, I tell you.

DEBTOR.
I wanted to, my heart detains me here,
This heart that swells with pain. Go home? To me
The very door of my own house is hateful.
I cannot enter, but some creditor
Would block my way.

SHALNASS.
Well, what a fool you were.
Go home and join your lovely wife, be off!
Go home! Bring offspring into life. Then starve!

[He claps his hands. The Armenian slave
comes up the stairs. SHALNASSAR whispers
with him, without heeding the other.]

DEBTOR.
Not fifty florins have I in the world.
You spoke of servants? Aye, one withered crone
To carry water, that is all. And she
How long? No wretch abandoned, fed with alms,
Feels misery like mine: for I have known
The sweets of wealth. Through every night I slept,
Contentment round my head, and sweet was morning.
But hush! she loves me still, and so my failure
Is bright and golden. O, she is my wife!

SHALNASS.
I beg you, go, the lamps will have to burn
So long as you are standing round. Go with him.
Here are the keys.

Debtor (overcoming his fear).
A word, good Shalnassar!
I had not wished to beg you for reprieve.

SHALNASS.
What? Does my deafness cause me some illusion?

DEBTOR.
No, really.

SHALNASS.
But?

DEBTOR.
But for another loan.

SHALNASS (furious).
What do You want?

DEBTOR.
Not what I want, but must.
Thou never hast beheld her, thou must see her!
My heavy heart gives o'er its sullen beating
And leaps with joy, whene'er I look upon her.

(With growing agitation.)

All this must yet be altered. Her fair limbs
Are for the cult of tenderness created,
Not for the savage claws of desperation.
She cannot go a-begging, with such hair.
Her mouth is proud as it is sweet. O, fate
Is trying to outwit me--but I scorn it--
If thou couldst see her, old man--

SHALNASS.
I _will_ se