that beauty is hollow as a drum? Why do you not say that it is sold?

ISHAK
All this disillusionment because a fair lady flung you a rose!

HASSAN
Last night I baked sugar and she flung me water:
this morning I bake gold and she flings me a rose.
Empty, empty, I tell you, friend, all the blue sky.

ISHAK
Come, forget her and come away. I will instruct you in the pleasures
of the court.

HASSAN
Forget, forget? O rose of morning and O rose of evening,
vainly for me shall you fade on domes of ebony or azure.
This rose has faded, and this rose is bitter, and this rose
is nothing but the world.





CURTAIN