ACT IV
SCENE I
In the vaults of the palace, outside the cell of the KING OF THE BEGGARS.
Drop Scene.
(Enter HASSAN)
HASSAN Which way? Which way? I am lost in this dark passage. My voice rings around the arches. What's that noise? Is there an army coming? Or are all the prisoners stamping with wrath?…No….It is only someone walking….I wonder who! And if this stranger asks me my business what shall I say to him? Do I know what brought me to this dismal region?
ISHAK
(From the darkness) Who goes there? Who goes there? What dost thou here?
What is thy business?
HASSAN
Who calls? I am Hassan, inspecting the security of the imperial prisons.
Who art thou?
ISHAK Who am I? Ten books were written by Aflatun and twenty by Aristu to answer that mighty question, O Hassan of my heart.
HASSAN
Ishak! Come out of hiding, Ishak. What are you doing here?
ISHAK
I gather mushrooms, O inspector of the vaults of vice!