O merchants, tell me but this one thing: Do you dwell in fine houses
in the port of Basra?

JAFAR
We have no mean abodes.

RAFI
Are your apartment spacious and well furnished?

JAFAR
Well enough.

RAFI
Then tell me further, have you soft carpets on the floors of those rooms?

JAFAR
There are carpets.

RAFI
Great, rich, soft carpets from Persia and Afghanistan?

JAFAR
Yes.

RAFI
It is a pity. Soft carpets make soft the sole of the foot.
And they who have soft feet should ever keep them on the road of meekness.

MASRUR
(Drawing his sword) Dost thou dare threaten us, bismillah!