THE EQUINOX
LAYLAH. The equerry of Prince Slimanl
Out of the way,
girl
!
[She pus/1e: LEDMIYA roughly/”ram the window]
Booty!
He must be well and victorious!
Bring him in!
Now we shall know—good tidings! good tidings!
[Shepaces?שקand down .]/?!”שמשמ
/”?[6711631151 with
a young girl.
ACHMET. The duty of my Lord!
Good tidings from the
battle.
The spoils of my lord's spear!
He prays you to keep
her among the women until he return and place her in his
harem.
LAYLAH. A man!
He is a man!
I have borne a man-
child, a lion, a conqueror!
ACHME'I‘. Indeed, he has slain twenty Christians with his
own hand.
And still he is in the front of the battle.
He
laughed: “ To—day I am a man, I need thee no more; be my
Chamberlain and carry this toy to my mother.”
I think she
is a princess.
THE CHILD. My father is the Grand Master of the Temple,
and he is coming to cut all your heads off.
LAYLAH. Leave her with us!
Ride back on a fresh horse,
and bear aid to the prince.
[Exit ACHMET
LEDMIYA [at window]. There is a tumult in the courtyard,
and a great wailing.
[Wailing withaul.
LAYLAH. The sun will be set in an hour.
One hour more
of favour and protection for my boy, oh God of Battles!
THE CHILD. Our God is love!
He will protect me, I know.
LAYLAH. Imp! Be silent! How you startled me! And now
I look at you—what is it?
what is it?
You frighten me.
Take her away—there, with the pipe-slaves.
[FATMA takes Με chi/d dawn stage to the pipe-Slaves.
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