Eznarza
Let it be the first day. The day we met by the well when the camels came to El-Lolith.
King
Our year lacked some few days. For my year began here. The camels were some days out.
Eznarza
You were riding a little wide of the caravan, upon the side of the sunset. Your camel was swinging on with easy strides. But you were tired.
King
You had come to the well for water. At first I could see your eyes, then the stars came out, and it grew dark and I only saw your shape, and there was a little light about your hair: I do not know if it was the light of the stars, I only knew that it shone.
Eznarza
And then you spoke to me about the camels.
King
Then I heard your voice. You did not say the things you would say now.
Eznarza
Of course I did not.
King
You did not say things in the same way even.
Eznarza
How the hours come dancing back.
King
No, no. Only their shadows. We went together then to holy Mecca. We dwelt alone in tents in the golden desert. We heard the wild free day sing songs in his freedom, we heard the beautiful night-wind. Nothing remains of our year but desolate shadows. Memory whips them and they will not dance.
[Eznarza does not answer.]
We made our farewells where the desert was. The city shall not hear them.
[Eznarza covers her face. The King rises softly and walks up the steps. Enter L. the Chamberlain and Zabra, only noticing each other.]
Chamberlain
He will come. He will come.
ZABRA
But it is noon now. Our fatness has left us. Our enemies mock at us. If he do not come God has forgotten us and our friends will pity us!
Chamberlain
If he is alive he will come.
[Enter Bel-Narb and Aoob.]
ZABRA
I fear that it is past noon.
Chamberlain
Then he is dead or robbers have waylaid him.
[Chamberlain and Zabra put dust on their heads.]
Bel-Narb
[To Aoob.]
God is just!
[To Chamberlain and Zabra.]
I am the King!
[The King's hand is on the door. When Bel-Narb says this he goes down the steps again and sits beside the gypsy. She raises her head from her hands and looks at him fixedly. He partially covers his face Arab fashion and watches Bel-Narb and the Chamberlain and Zabra.]
Chamberlain
Are you indeed the King?
Bel-Narb
I am the King.
Chamberlain
Your Majesty has altered much since a year ago.
Bel-Narb
Men alter in the desert. And alter much.
Aoob
Indeed, your Excellency, he is the King. When the King went into the desert disguised I fed his camel. Indeed he is the King.
ZABRA
He is the King. I know the King when I see him.
Chamberlain
You have seen the King seldom.
ZABRA
I have often seen the King.
Bel-Narb
Yes, we have often met, often and often.
Chamberlain
If some one could recognize your Majesty, some one besides this man who came with you, then we should all be certain.
Bel-Narb
There is no need of it. I am the King.
[The King rises and stretches out his hand palm downwards.]
King
In holy Mecca, in green-roofed Mecca of the many gates, we knew him for the King.
Bel-Narb
Yes, that is true. I saw this man in Mecca.
Chamberlain
[Bowing low.]
Pardon, your Majesty. The desert had altered you.
ZABRA
I knew your Majesty.
Aoob
As well as I do.
Bel-Narb
[Pointing to the King.]
Let this man be rewarded suitably. Give him some post in the palace.
Chamberlain
Yes, your Majesty.
King
I am a camel-driver and we go back to our camels.
Chamberlain
As you wish.
[Exeunt Bel-Narb, Aoob, Chamberlain and Zabra through door.]
Eznarza
You have done wisely, wisely, and the reward for wisdom is happiness.
King
They have their king now. But we will turn again to the tents of the Arabs.
Eznarza
They are foolish people.
King
They have found a foolish king.
Eznarza
It is a foolish man that would choose to dwell among walls.
King
Some are born kings, but this man has chosen to be one.
Eznarza
Come, let us leave them.
King
We will go back again.
Eznarza
Come back to the tents of my people.
King
We will dwell a little apart in a dear brown tent of our own.
Eznarza
We shall hear the sand again, whispering low to the dawn-wind.
King
We shall hear the nomads stirring in their camps far off because it is dawn.
Eznarza
The jackals will patter past us slipping back to the hills.
King
When at evening the sun is set we shall weep for no day that is gone.
Eznarza
I will raise up my head of a night-time against the sky, and the old, old unbought stars shall twinkle through my hair, and we shall not envy any of the diademmed queens of the world.
Curtain.