CALIPH
I asked the question.
(Sheets of iron with a crash covering the apertures of the arches.
The four GUESTS are completely walled in.)
RAFI, BEGGARS AND WOMEN
(From behind the iron partitions with a shout) Answered!
JAFAR
This is a disastrous situation!
(The BEGGARS Tramp out to martial music.)
VOICES OF THE BEGGARS
(Retreating)
Today Haroun, the much-detested Caliph,
Will find Caliphate inopportune!
JAFAR
(Listening at the wall) They have all left the room.
At least we are alone. Let us shout, they may hear us from the street.
MASRUR
(Banging on the wall) Eyyah! Help, help, men of Bagdad!
The Caliph is in danger! The Caliph is in prison!…
Come up and save the Caliph, the Master of Men, the Shaker of the World!…
(Silence.)
CALIPH
There comes no answering cheer…