ISHAK
Because I am your friend, and need you.
HASSAN
Oh, Ishak, singer of songs!
ISHAK
Prepare for travel.
HASSAN
I have no possessions.
ISHAK O pilgrim! O true pilgrim! I have dinars of gold: we will furnish ourselves at the gate, and change these silks of indolence for the camel-hair of toil. But have you not one thing in your house to take— no one single thing?
HASSAN
(With a great shudder) Within that door—nothing.
But I have one old carpet that still lies in my shop.
Its gentle flowers the negro has not defiled.
And yet I dare not seek it.
ISHAK I will bring it you. You shall stretch it out upon the desert when you say your evening prayer, and it will be a little meadow in the waste of sand.
HASSAN
(Seizing ISHAK on a sudden panic) Keep close to me: do not leave me!
The night is growing wild!
ISHAK
Hold to your reason! It is all stars and moon and crystal peace.
HASSAN The trees are moving without a wind…the flowers are talking… the stars are growing bigger….