DERVISH
(Gloomily) A clay thing, a plaything, a shadow, the Caliph!
CALIPH The Divan is open. Let all mouths close but mine. Our justice today will be swift as a blow of the sword. In the Book of the Wisdom of Rulers I read: "Be sudden to uproot the tree of conspiracy for it scatters far its seed." Are you the Beggars?
BEGGARS
We are the beggars of Bagdad.
CALIPH
Thou, spokesman, come hither! Wherefore didst thou plot
against my throne and the safety of all Islam?
Didst thou not fear not only for thy life but for thy salvation?
BEGGAR
Master and Lord of the World, hast thou been poor, hast thou been hungry?
Dost thou know what dreams enter the gaunt heads of starving men
as they lie against the back of thy garden wall, and moan:
"Bread in God's name, bread in the name of God?"
CALIPH
Dost thou deny conspiracy?
BEGGAR
I conspired.
CALIPH
Is there one of you denieth conspiracy?
(Silence.)
Masrur, lead out the conspirators to death.