[He claps his hands, a slave comes. Exit
left, followed by slave. Gülistane comes
up the stairs, an old slave-woman behind
her. Ganem bends forward from a niche
above, spies Gülistane and comes down
the stairs.]
Ganem (takes her by the hand).
My dream, whence comest thou? So long I lay
To wait for thee.
[The old slave-woman mounts the stairs.]
Gülistane.
I? From my bath I come
And go now to my chamber.
Ganem.
How thou shinest
From bathing.
Gülistane.
It was flowing, glowing silver
Of moonlight.
Ganem.
Were I one of yonder trees,
I would cast off my foliage with a quiver,
And leap to thee! O were I master here!
Gülistane.
Aye, if thou wert! Thy father is quite well.
He bade me dine alone with him this evening.
Ganem.
Accursèd skill, that roused this blood again,
Which was already half coagulated.
I saw him speaking with thee just this morning.
What was it?
Gülistane.
I have told thee.