[The old slave has gone slowly down the
stairs.]
Ganem.
I will not hold thee. Yet the road—
How wilt thou find it? Still, thou foundst it once.
Sobeide.
The road, the self-same road!
(She shudders.) Yon aged man
Shall go with me. I have no fear, but still
I would not be alone: until the dawn—
[Ganem goes up stage to fetch the slave.]
Sobeide.
Meseems I wear a robe to which the pest
And horrid traces of wild drunkenness
And wilder nights are clinging, and I cannot
Put off the robe, but all my flesh goes too.
Now I must die, and all will then be well.
But speedily, before this shadow-thinking
About my father gathers blood again:
Else 'twill grow stronger, drag me back to life,
And I must travel onward in this body.
Ganem (slowly leads the old slave forward).
Give heed. This is rich Chorab's wife, the merchant.
Hast understood?
Old Slave (nods).
The rich one.
Ganem.
Aye, thou shalt
Escort her.
Old Slave.
What?
Ganem.
I say, thou art to lead her
Back to her house.