ISHAK
(Aside) And never dyed his beard.
HERALD Hang Wung, the wisest philosopher in China, come hither to study the excellence of the habits of true believers. He is a hundred and ten years old….
ISHAK
(Aside) And perfectly blind.
HERALD Anastasius Johannes Georgius, ambassador of the infidel Empress Irene, mistress till God wills of Constaniniyeh and the lands of Rum, come here on a vain errand….
ISHAK
He understands no word, and believes we do honour to his name.
But the jest is thin, my Herald.
HERALD Abul Asal, the wandering dervish, come hither to remind kings that they are but dust.
ISHAK
"Where lies Nushiravan the Just?"
DERVISH
The rhyme helps reason. In the dust.
ISHAK
The platitudes of dervishes do not much disturb the beatitudes of kings.
HERALD Masrur, the Executioner, come hither to make several beggars the dusty equivalents of monarchs.