lks upon smooth or rough stones.

LISA. When one walks in calfskin boots--yes; but not when one goes
barefooted!

PEHR. Moreover, the community isn't worth a straw; the whole thing is
only a sham! _The common good, the common good_--one never talks of
anything else. What, then, is the common good? It strikes me as being an
agreement between a few private individuals.

LISA. It should be everyone's good, but it isn't. Make it so, and it
will be so.

PEHR. I want to--oh, I want to do it, but I haven't the power!

LISA. Then get it, Pehr, and let's see if I have made a mistake.

PEHR. [Breaks irons and comes down stage.] You shall see, Lisa, that I
will do something big when I have the power.

LISA. Why something big? Something good would be better.

PEHR. But you must always be by my side, Lisa. What was it that the bird
in the wood sang?

LISA. That I will tell you next time.

PEHR. No, now!

LISA. He said: "I love you!"

PEHR. Won't you love me, Lisa?

LISA. Yes, when you love me.

PEHR. But I do!

LISA. No, you do not; so far you love only yourself. Out again, Pehr,
and learn something! There are not many wishes left to you; the greatest
but most dangerous one is ahead of you--Power! That is the highest thing
a frail mortal can attain. But woe to him who misuses it! He is the
world's greatest criminal, for he makes a caricature of Our Blessed
Lord! Farewell, King! thy crown awaits thee! [Disappears.]

PEHR. Oh, my queen!

CURTAIN.

ACT FOUR

SCENE ONE.

Interior of a palace in Oriental style. To right a throne, before it a
table, with royal regalia; to left a divan, pillows arranged on floor in
a semi-circle.

At rise of curtain The Ameer discovered lying on floor writing on a
paper scroll.

[Enter Chamberlain of the Caliph.]

CHAMBERLAIN. Is that the young Caliph's genealogical chart?

AMEER. Yes, Chamberlain.

CHAMBERLAIN. It certainly looks very imposing. Whom leave you given him
as progenitor?

AMEER. Caliph Omar, of course.

CHAMBERLAIN. I think that Haroun-al-Raschid would have been better.

AMEER. He was certainly more popular--but in that case our gracious
sovereign would not be related to the ancient house.

CHAMBERLAIN. Very true. Will you be ready soon? We expect him at any
moment.

AMEER. Has your Excellency seen the new caliph?

CHAMBERLAIN. Yes; he looks like all the rest--It is only the
genealogical tree that separates him from us.

AMEER. Yes, the gene