(Enter 2 GUARDS)
ISHAK
(To the GUARD) Ho, soldier, whither?
Ist GUARD (Saluting) To the cell of the King of the Beggars, my masters, to relieve the Guard.
ISHAK
What, will you stand inside the cell?
Ist GUARD
Inside, O my masters.
ISHAK A shame, I say, a shame to spy on a pair of lovers. Will they fly off through the keyhole?
Ist GUARD
We know the ways of prisoners, O my masters. Masrur is disappointed
when we bring him corpses to be whipped.
(To 2nd GUARD) Is he not disappointed, Mohamed?
2nd GUARD (In deep, lugubrious and respectful tones) Oh, sir, he is bitterly disappointed.
ISHAK Well, it is your fault, my fine fellows, if you leave daggers and ropes lying about in your prisoners' cells.
Ist GUARD
Ah, you do not know the artfulness of prisoners, my masters.
They will bang their heads against the wall, or they will eat their straw.
(To 2nd GUARD) Do they not eat their straw, Mohamed?