peaceably awaiting their deliverance, the lamp still burning.)

CHIEF OF POLICE
My royal master!

CAPTAIN OF MILITARY
August Lord.

CHIEF AND CAPTAIN
(Together) I have saved thee, Master.

(Each attempts to seize the CALIPH.)

CHIEF OF POLICE
Honourable Police!...

CAPTAIN OF MILITARY
Honourable Military!...

CHIEF OF POLICE
It has been the high privilege of this grovelling slave to rescue
the Lamp of the World! I shall carry him down.

CAPTAIN OF MILITARY
Permit me to observe, O fire-spitting Battle Cleaver,
that I was the first up this ladder, and though I tremble to obscure
the Sun's Brilliance with my dirty little hand,
yet it is I who have the prior claim.

(MASRUR pushes them aside, and assists the CALIPH down the ladder.