ain at the right is plashing gently: behind it is an arbour
covered with vines. Near the centre of the garden stands a small,
hideous image of the god Rimmon. Beyond the arbour rises the lofty
square tower of the House of Rimmon, which casts a shadow from the
moon across the garden. The background is a wide, hilly landscape,
with the snow-clad summit of Mount Herman in the distance. Enter
by the palace door, the lady TSARPI, robed in red and gold, and
followed by her maids, KHAMMA and NUBTA. She remains on the
terrace: they go down into the garden, looking about, and
returning to her._

KHAMMA:
There's no one here; the garden is asleep.

NUBTA:
The flowers are nodding, all the birds abed,--
Nothing awake except the watchful stars!

KHAMMA:
The stars are sentinels discreet and mute:
How many things they know and never tell!

TSARPI: [Impatiently.]
Unlike the stars, how many things you tell
And do not know! When comes your master home?

NUBTA:
Lady, his armour-bearer brought us word,--
At moonset, not before.

TSARPI:
He haunts the camp
And leaves me much alone; yet I can pass
The time of absence not unhappily,
If I but know the time of his return.
An hour of moonlight yet! Khamma, my mirror!
These curls are ill arranged, this veil too low,--
So,--that is better, careless maids! Withdraw,--
But bring me word if Naaman appears!

KHAMMA:
Mistress, have no concern; for when we hear
The clatter of his horse along the street,
We'll run this way and lead your dancers down
With song and laughter,--you shall know in time.

[Exeunt KHAMMA and NUBTA laughing, TSARPI descends
the steps.]

TSARPI:
My guest is late; but he will surely come!
The man who burns to drain the cup of love,
The priest whose greed of glory never fails,
Both, both have need of me, and he will come.
And I,--what do I need? Why everything
That helps my beauty to a higher throne;
All that a priest can promise, all a man
Can give, and all a god bestow, I need:
This may a woman win, and this will I.

[Enter REZON quietly from the shadow of the trees.
He stands behind TSARPI and listens, smiling,
to her last words. Then he drops his mantle of
leopard-skin, and lifts his high priest's rod of
bronze, shaped at one end like a star.]

REZO