Aye, persecute.
Observe then, I henceforward will not see,
Not hear you, nor be minded of a deed
Over and over, which I did unthinking,
And which, when thought about, I wonder at.
I wish not to repent it; but, remember,
Should the like accident occur again,
’Twill be your fault if I proceed more coolly,
Ask a few questions, and let burn what’s burning.
DAYA
My God forbid!
TEMPLAR
From this day forth, good woman,
Do me at least the favour not to know me:
I beg it of you; and don’t send the father.
A Jew’s a Jew, and I am rude and bearish.
The image of the maid is quite erased
Out of my soul—if it was ever there—
DAYA
But yours remains with her.
TEMPLAR
Why so—what then—
Wherefore give harbour to it?—
DAYA
Who knows wherefore?
Men are not always what they seem to be.
TEMPLAR
They’re seldom better than they seem to be.
DAYA
Ben’t in this hurry.
TEMPLAR
Pray, forbear to make
These palm-trees odious. I have loved to walk here.
DAYA
Farewell then, bear. Yet I must track the savage.
ACT II
Scene.—The Sultan’s Palace.—An outer room of Sittah’s apartment
Saladin and Sittah, playing chess
SITTAH
Wherefore so absent, brother? How you play!
SALADIN
Not well? I thought—
SITTAH
Yes; very well for me,
Take back that move.
SALADIN
Why?
SITTAH
Don’t you see the knight
Becomes exposed?
SALADIN
’Tis true: then so.
SITTAH
And so
I take the pawn.
SALADIN
That’s true again. Then, check!
SITTAH
That cannot help you. When my king is castled
All will be safe.