Scene 4 Hall in Executioner’s House (Large Set). A Colonnade at Back, Showing Courtyard
Executioner (Mansur).
His Scribe (Afife), an old man
[Kafur his Sworder,—added when play was written. This first scene is enlarged in play by a letter from the Caliph. See play.] Executioner very discontented.
Young Sultan means to curtail Executioner’s prerogatives.
Executioner was old Sultan’s favorite.
Scribe and Executioner plan to assassinate Sultan.
They need a clever man.
Whom shall they get?
Hajji is brought by the Guard, followed by Shopkeeper and a Crowd, in which is the Guide of Scene 1.
Hajji.
Executioner.
Scribe.
Guide.
Shopkeeper I.
Shopkeeper II.
Crowd. Hajji accused by Shopkeeper I.
Shopkeeper II bearing No. I witness.
Hajji protests.
Meant to pay—Excitement of new clothes made him forget.
Produces money.
Where did he get his money?
Sheikh of desert.
They all laugh.
Sheikh of desert does not give money.
Sheikhs are outlaws, robbers.
Not allowed in town.
Hajji says he is in town.
Notices Guide (Nasir) in crowd.
Appeals to Guide—
Guide says it is true that Sheikh is in town.
Then, says Executioner, Sheikh must be taken before Sultan.
All Cûrds banished by old Sultan.
Sultan has an audience this afternoon.
Sheikh an exile (by old Sultan).
Executioner cannot allow the word of the deceased monarch to be disregarded.
Sends Guide off to show the Guard the caravansary at which Sheikh is stopping.
Hajji interrupts.
One word.
He asks Guide did he, the Sheikh, not throw Hajji a purse.
Guide repeating Hajji’s words (Scene 1)
“I saw no purse.”
All laugh.
Guide off with the Guard.
[Afterwards, “his hand cut off,” as this is the law of the Koran. Change made when writing play.] Executioner orders Hajji to have his ears cut off.
Hajji discourses on Fate, Kismet.
Is very witty.
Executioner becomes interested in Hajji’s brilliancy.
Hajji is pardoned suddenly by Executioner.
Executioner does more.
He takes Hajji into his household
Into his personal guard.
A sword is sent for.
Hajji kneels in gratitude at the Executioner’s feet.
“His servant always.”
The sword is brought in.
Executioner takes it and hands it to Hajji.
“Rise, Hajji, and learn to use this sword in my service.”
Hajji rises.
He begs he may begin his career by an act of clemency.
Executioner grants permission.
Hajji makes the Shopkeepers kneel, forgives them for daring to accuse a servant of the Executioner’s of stealing—tickles their beards with his sword and orders them to pay a fine to the Executioner.
They leave more dead than alive.
Hajji turns to Executioner.
H. “Have I begun well?”
E. “The beginning is nothing. Go now and the Captain will instruct you in your duties.”
H. (with enormous swagger) “Captain?”
He goes out, the rest following him.
The Scribe.
Executioner. Is amazed at Executioner’s clemency.
E. “Don’t you see why I have pardoned him?”
S. “No, Master.”
E. “This man shall do the deed.”
S. “The deed?”
E. “Murder the Sultan for me.”
S. “I see.”
(They both turn and look after Hajji who is seen traversing the courtyard at the back and twirling his moustaches, the servants all bowing low to him.)
Curtain