all! And folly
It were to scorn the common, when our life
Is made up of the common through and through.

[Exit to the right with vigorous strides.]

WIFE (to the gardener).
What did he say to thee?

GARDENER. Oh, nothing, nothing.

[SOBEIDE and the camel-driver appear at the
latticed gate.]

WIFE.
I'll tell thee something.
[Draws near him.]
Look, look there!
The bride! That is our master's bride!
And see how pale and overwrought.

GARDENER.
Pay heed
To thine affairs.

WIFE.
Look there, she has no veil,
And see who's with her. Look. Why, that is none
Of master's servants, is it?

GARDENER.
I don't know.

[SOBEIDE puts her arm, through the lattice,
seeking the lock.]

WIFE.
She wants to enter. Hast thou not the key!

GARDENER (looking up).
Aye, that I have, and since she is the mistress,
She must be served before she opes her lips.

[He goes to the gate and unlocks it. SOBEIDE
enters, the old slave behind her. The
gardener locks the gate. SOBEIDE walks
forward with absent look, the old slave
following. The gardener walks past her,
takes off his straw hat, and is about to return
to his work. The wife stands a few paces
to the rear, parts the bushes curiously.]

SOBEIDE.
Pray tell me, is the pond not here at hand,
The big one, with the willows on its banks?

GARDENER (pointing to the right).
Down there it lies, my mistress, thou canst see it.
But shall I guide thee?

SOBEIDE (with a vehement gesture).
No, no, leave me, go!

[She is about to go off toward the right; the
old slave catches her dress and holds her
back. She turns. OLD SLAVE holds out his
hand like a beggar, but withdraws it at
once in embarrassment.]

SOBEIDE.
What?

OLD SLAVE.
Thou art at home, I'm going back again.

SOBEIDE.
Oh yes, and I hav