the arbour rises the lofty square tower of the House of Rimmon, which
casts a shadow from the moon across the garden. The background is a
wide, hilly landscape, with a high road passing over the mountains
toward the snow-clad summits of Mount Hermon in the distance. Enter by
the palace door, the lady TSARPI, robed in red and gold, and followed
by her maids, KHAMMA and NUBTA. She remains on the terrace: they go
down into the garden, looking about, and returning to her._

KHAMMA:
There's no one here; the garden is asleep.

NUBTA:
The flowers are nodding, all the birds abed,
And nothing wakes except the watchful stars!

KHAMMA:
The stars are sentinels discreet and mute:
How many things they know and never tell!

TSARPI: [_Impatiently._]
Unlike the stars, how many things you tell
And do not know! When comes your master home?

NUBTA:
Lady, his armour-bearer brought us word
An hour ago, the master will be here
At moonset, not before.

TSARPI:
He haunts the camp