THE EQUINOX
deserved a beating, old scandal-manger!
And often thou hast
had it.
FATMA. It was
not
a
beating
that
thou didst earn,
princess.
Many a
time
I
have
fetched water from the
well by—
LAYLAH. Abdul Khan! take out this prating hag and beat
her soundly.
Fatma! this is the last time I leave thy lying
tongue
in
that
camel—lipped
old
face
of an unbelieving
Jinneeyah!
[The emam/z drags her om‘, streaming and sea/ding.
What news ?
What news?
LEDMIYA [at the window].
A horseman gallops from
Jerusalem.
LAYLAH Oh, quick, quick, quick, his tidings!
For pity’s
sake.
Would it were the winged horse of brass!
I am dis-
tracted.
Mind me not!
I can wait.
A queen must be able
to wait.
LEDMIYA. He is quite near now.
And in the distance is
a glint, and a faint shouting.
I think the battle is coming
here.
LAYLAH. Oh, we cannot have been beaten!
Sliman is so
strong and brave.
FATMA [re-enlerz'ng} All is lost!
All is lost!
Let us all
flee!
LAYLAH. Peace, parrot!
[Enter Messenger.
MESSENGER. Pardon, princess!
LAYLAH. Thy news, or thy head shall pay it.
MESSENGER. Glorious news!
Sidi Omar hath entered
Jerusalem, and sacked the House of the Knights Templars,
and the House of the Knights Hospitallers, and——
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