mantle of leopard-skin, and lifts his high-priest's rod of bronze,
shaped at one end like a star, at the other like a thunderbolt._]

REZON:
Tsarpi!

TSARPI:
The mistress of the house of Naaman
Salutes the keeper of the House of Rimmon.

[_She bows low before him._]

REZON:
Rimmon receives you with his star of peace;

[_He lowers the star-point of the rod, which glows for a moment with
rosy light above her head._]

And I, his chosen minister, kneel down
Before your regal beauty, and implore
The welcome of the woman for the man.

TSARPI: [_Giving him her hand, but holding off his embrace._]
Thus Tsarpi welcomes Rezon! Nay, no more!
Till I have heard what errand brings you here
By night, within the garden of the man
Who hates you most and fears you least in all Damascus.

REZON: [_Rising, and speaking angrily._]
Trust me, I repay his scorn