The Equinox (Volume I, Number VI)

THE SCORPION the melee when we were thrown back on the reserve. The Knights of St John charged in line. It was rough-and- tumble fora few minutes, indeed it was. When I got out, their banners were swept far down the fighting line. There was a mess of varlets between us; before I could sweep them away the Knights had rolled over Sidi Omar and my brothers —the whole wing was destroyed. I rallied the right on the centre, and—why, mother, you‘re not listening! LAYLAH [ta/king his swam’]. This sword killed your father. Listen! Sidi Omar was not your father. Your father ravished me, a virgin and a princess, and left me only this for tokens [She takes the jewelled scorpion from her þraut,] I took it for hate and revenge; wherein I lied, for I loved him, and Ilove him. God has punished mylie, making you—the token of love—the minister of revenge So then—— be he avenged ! [She strihes Με neck of SLIMAN and he fel/'s dead. She 51072415 duþe/$ed. THE CHILD [coming/forward and pickingש%? the scorpion that SLIMAN had in his hand]. I thank thee, lady. My brother is avenged. [She dips Με scorpion in his blaoa' amifes/ehs it in her dress. LAYLAH [shortly]. Your brother lies there dead. THE CHILD. I am sorry, if he was my brother. He was a brave boy. He picked me up and threw me to a servant just as if I had been an old tabard. LAYLAH. Your father’s trick ! THE CHILD. I do not understand. LAYLAH. Understand this. Ihave slain my son because 95