The interior of the room is blazing with lights, but empty.
The architecture of the room is curious on account of the wide,
low arches which cut off a square in the centre. The furniture
of the room is in rich, rather vulgar Oriental taste.


CALIPH
Ishak, Ishak, we are waiting and waiting.

JAFAR
Ishak! Ishak! Perhaps he is faint.

CALIPH
Faint!

JAFAR
Let me go down and see what he is doing. I think I hear him talking.

CALIPH
He is talking to shadows. He has one of his evil fits tonight.
Do not trouble your head or mine about him. He presumes on our friendship,
and forgets the respect due to us. Am I to be kept waiting like a Jew
in a court of justice, I the Master...

JAFAR
(Quickly) We are not in Basra, Sir. But see, the rope has tightened.
(To MASRUR.) Haul, thou whose soul is white.

RAFI
(Helping with ropes to CALIPH who stands idle) God restore to you