But with grievous howling
I will arouse this house to shame and wrath
And lamentation ...
(She lies groaning.)
... I have loved thee so,
And so thou tramplest on me!
[An old slave appears in the background,
putting out the lights; he picks up a fallen
fruit and eats it.]
Ganem (claps his hands in sudden anger).
Come, take her out! Here is a shrieking woman,
I scarcely know her, says she weeps for me.
Her father fain would wed her to the merchant,
The wealthy one, but she perverts the whole,
And says her husband is a similar pander,
But he's no more than fool, for aught I see.
(He steps close to her, mockingly sympathetic.)
O ye, too credulous by far. But then,
Your nature's more to blame than skill of ours.
No, get thee up. I will no more torment thee.
Sobeide (raises herself up. Her voice is hard).
Then naught was true, and back of all is naught.
From this I cannot cleanse myself again:
What came into my soul today, remaineth.
Another might dispel it: I'm too weary.
(Stands up.)
Away! I know my course, but now away
From here!