s to the left.]

WIFE.
No, here.

[Points to the right.]

Here down this winding path. It turns right there.
Wouldst overtake my lord? He's walking slowly:
When thou art at the crossways, thou wilt see him.
Thou canst not miss him.

SOBEIDE (more agitated).
I, the master?

WIFE.
Why yes, dost thou not seek him?

SOBEIDE.
Him?--Yes, yes,
Then--I'll--go--there.

[Her glance roves anxiously, suddenly is
fixed upon an invisible object at the left
rear.]

The tower, is it locked?

WIFE.
The tower?

SOBEIDE.
Yes, the steps to mount it.

WIFE.
No,
The tower's never locked, by day or night.
Dost thou not know?

SOBEIDE.
Oh yes.

WIFE.
Wilt thou go up it?

SOBEIDE (smiling painfully).
No, no, not now. Perhaps another time.

(Smiling with a friendly gesture.)

Go, then. Go, go.

(Alone.)

The tower, the tower!
And quick. He comes from there. Soon 'tis too late.

[She looks searchingly about her, walks
slowly at first to the left, then runs through
the shrubbery. The old slave, who has
watched her attentively, slowly follows her.]

GARDENER (through with his work).
Come here and help me, wife.

WIFE.
Yes, right away.

[They take up the barrow and carry it along
toward the right.]

MERCHANT (enters from the right.)
I loved her so! Ah, how this life of ours
Resembles dreams illusory. Today
I might have had her, here and always, I!
Possession is the whole: slow-growing power
That sifts down through the soul's unseen and hidden
Interstices, feeds thus the wondrous lamp
Within the spirit, and soon from such eyes
There bursts a mightier, sweeter gleam than moonlight.
Oh, I have loved her so! I fain would se