^uc: 7 
 
 THE NEW DAY 
 
 An Arabian Play 
 
 'By 
 
 William T. Demarest 
 
 1918 
 
THE NEW DAY 
 
 An Arabian Play 
 
 William T. Demarest 
 
 WM. T. DEMAREST, MAMARONECK, NEW YORK 
 

 
 Copyright. 1918, by Wm. T. Demarest 
 
 For permission to produce this play 
 
 apply to Wm. T. Demarest 
 
 Mamaroneck, N. Y. 
 
 Ml 22 (918 
 
 ^CI.D 4989G 
 
 >V5) f 
 
THE NEW DAY 
 
 An Arabian Play in One Act and Two Scenes 
 By William T. Demarest 
 
 Cast of Characters: 
 Harith — A Bedouin Sheikh. 
 Faithala- — His Wife. 
 Musalla — His Daughter. 
 Suzanne — His Younger Daughter. 
 Tarafa — His Son. 
 Cecil Roberts — British Captain. 
 Tow, — British Private. 
 Hassein — King of Hasa. 
 
 Scene: A Bedouin camp in the Kingdom of Hasa, 
 Arabia. A suitable stage setting may be provided by 
 hanging the entire stage with drapery of a light, neutral 
 tint. The entrance of a tent may be formed by looping 
 back the drapery R. U., a few tall palms being grouped 
 nearby. One other entrance is required, L. U., which 
 may remain closed by the drapery except when char- 
 acters are passing through, when it can be held back. 
 A number of large cushions with bright colored covers 
 lie near the entrance to tent. 
 
 Lights : At the beginning of the play the light should 
 be yellow from L, gradually changing to reddish to give 
 the effect of sunset. At the beginning of the second 
 scene blue light should be thrown from R, to give the 
 effect of moonlight, with a red glow still showing from 
 L. Shortly after the entrance of the King (Scene 2), 
 the red light should die out, leaving the stage lighted 
 only by moonlight. Within the tent a dim red light 
 should be seen throughout the play. 
 
 Time: A few years hence. Late afternoon and early 
 evening. 
 
SCENE ONE 
 
 The curtain discloses Faithala seated on cushions at 
 the entrance to the tent, sewing on a piece of highly 
 colored embroidery. Occasionally she looks up from her 
 work and off L, as though expecting someone. There 
 should be a pause of about ten seconds after curtain rises 
 before the first speech. 
 
 MusALLA {off stage R) : 
 
 Is it not time my father had returned? 
 
 Faithala : 
 
 He said he would be gone at most five days 
 From his departure. Yet I see him not, 
 Although the fifth sun nears the desert sands. 
 {Shades her eyes with hands and looks to L.) 
 
 MusALLA {off stage R) : 
 
 Perhaps our King has bade him stay and help 
 To drive away the Turks. My brother too. 
 
 Faithala : 
 
 The Turks have all been driven out or killed. 
 That task is finished, and 'tis Allah's will 
 That they shall nevermore harass our land. 
 
 MuSALLA {enters R) : 
 
 Some say the Turkish tyrants still would rule 
 Except for aid the British soldiers gave. 
 
 {Seats herself facing audience, near Faithala) - 
 
 Faithala : 
 
 I've heard thy father say that it is so. 
 
 He and his tribesmen fought for many years 
 
 To free our land from Turkish greed and crime 
 
 With no avail, until the English came. 
 
 Sent here by Allah, to release our bonds. 
 
 Thus did we realize the dreams of years. 
 
MuSALLA {after a perceptible pause) : 
 
 I like the English ; when I was at school 
 I sometimes saw them — 
 
 Faithala (sharply interrupting) : 
 
 When? How saw you them? 
 Musalla (Innocently) : 
 
 I saw them from the window most of all ; 
 
 But one day there came one into the school ; 
 
 I liked him much. 
 
 Faithala (much concerned) : 
 
 Did you have talk with him? 
 I knew there would be danger in that school, 
 'Twas not my wish that you should go at all. 
 
 Musalla : 
 
 What danger, mother? I do know of none. 
 
 I spoke not to the officer, nor he 
 
 To me, although I heard him talking to 
 
 The teacher, and I liked his words and voice. 
 
 He was a very noble, handsome man — 
 
 I like to think of him. 
 
 Faithala (firmly) : 
 
 That thou must not. 
 The English are all unbelievers, we 
 Have naught to do with them, nor they with us. 
 
 Musalla : 
 
 You said that Allah sent them to our aid. 
 
 Faithala : 
 
 We may not judge the ways of God. To work 
 His will He chooseth many instruments ; 
 But infidels are not to be our friends. 
 
 (Again looks L with shaded eyes) 
 Thy father comes. Prepare his evening meal. 
 
 (Musalla rises and exit R. Faithala resumes sew- 
 ing, shoii'ing agitation. After a moment Suzanne 
 appears in tent entrance looking off L.) 
 
Suzanne: 
 
 Why don't they hurry? They are very slow. 
 
 Faithala : 
 
 Patience ; they'll soon be here. 
 
 Suzanne (petulantly) : 
 
 I wish I might 
 See something of the world ; it's stupid here. 
 
 Faithala : 
 
 Thy father saith the world's a sorry place ; 
 That there's no rest nor peace within its bounds. 
 It's quiet here ; learn then to be content. 
 
 Suzanne (impatiently) : 
 
 But thou dost plan to send me to the school? 
 
 Faithala : 
 
 Perhaps; that's for thy father to decide. 
 
 Suzanne: 
 
 He said that I might go. 
 
 Faithala : 
 
 That was his mind, 
 But I have that to tell him that may change 
 His plan. Thou dost not need to go to school ; 
 I never went ; there were no schools for girls 
 When I was young, and yet my life's been blessed. 
 I have a husband kind, and lall I wish ; 
 Although I would 1 had another son. 
 
 Suzanne: 
 
 Do not thy daughters serve? Musalla says 
 That women rank in honor as do men 
 In other lands. I wonder why not here. 
 
 Harith (off stage L) : 
 
 Do thou care for the camels and the goods 
 Tarafa, I'll go forward to the tent. 
 (Harith enters L.) 
 
P^AITHALA (rising and going to meet him) : 
 Thankful I am that Allah sent thee back, 
 For 1 have longed and hoped for thy return. 
 Come, sit and rest. Musalla will bring food. 
 
 {Harith seats himself near tent. Faithala stands 
 near him.) 
 
 Harith : 
 
 I've had a long and weary journey, but 
 Thy greeting gives me rest. 
 
 {Enthusiastically) I saw our King... 
 
 Hasa is blessed by him; courteous, gentle, 
 Just and strong; a man to honor and revere. 
 A friend to all, the enemy of none. 
 Well doth the poet say that this our land's 
 A Kingdom ruled by one so wise, 
 So careful of the rights of man 
 
 To live and prosper there 5 
 He makes new laws, without disguise, 
 Annulling Turkish bribes and lies; 
 Casting injustice under ban ; 
 Striving by rules Mohammedan 
 To banish wrong and care. 
 Along the cities' narrow ways, 
 By sandy trails through deserts drear, 
 
 Man once more lifts his head. 
 In mosques each bows low as he prays. 
 Thankful that now have come the days 
 Of independence from the fear 
 That Turkish hands, with habits queer, 
 Shall steal his daily bread. 
 Faithala : 
 
 Thou always saidst that Hassein was a man 
 His followers could trust. Now he is King 
 Who always was thy friend. Allah is great. 
 
 {Suzanne has been drawing near to Harith as 
 though inz'iting attention. Harith now has her sit 
 beside him and puts his arm about her.) 
 
Harith : 
 
 How hath our desert flower fared w^hile we 
 Have been away? Hath she been lonely too? 
 
 Suzanne: 
 
 It seemed a long time since you went. I wish 
 That I might travel far across the sand 
 To see our King and the great city where 
 He dwells. 
 
 Harith : 
 
 The city's no fit place for thee 
 Or any desert flower; it lacks the space, 
 The freedom of the sands, and thou wouldst die 
 For want of air and light. The King himself 
 Would not have power to save thee from that fate. 
 
 Suzanne: 
 
 And yet the city must have many girls. 
 
 Harith : 
 
 It's true that thousands dwell there, but they're not 
 Like desert flowers. They know not how to live 
 For they were born to darkness and to crowds. 
 
 Faithala : 
 
 Suzanne hath told me that she longs for change. 
 Some discontent hath crept within her heart. 
 Perchance her sister tells her foolish tales 
 She learned at school. 
 
 Harith : 
 
 It may be so. 
 And yet I cannot think the trouble deep 
 Or serious ; perhaps it's jealousy 
 Or lonesomeness, because Tarafa's been 
 Abroad with me, while she needs bide at home ; 
 But here he comes. 
 
 (Enter Tarafa L, exit Faithala R.) 
 
Harith : 
 
 Do thou come hither, son, 
 And tell thy sister of thy wanderings. 
 Across the sands and to the holy town. 
 She hath been lonesome while thou wert away. 
 
 Suzanne (springs up and runs to Tarafa, embraces him) : 
 I have been very sad, for that I thought 
 You would have stayed to help the King drive forth 
 The wicked Turks. Musalla told me so. 
 
 Tarafa : 
 
 Had the King need of me I would have stayed. 
 
 Suzanne (playfully) : 
 
 But you are back, and we can race across 
 The sand and climb the date palms as we used 
 To do. Let's have a merry time right now 
 So that I may forget my lonesomeness. 
 
 Tarafa (pushing Suzanne azvay and speaking with dig- 
 nity) : 
 This is no time for men to play, and I 
 Am now a man. 
 
 Suzanne (laughing m^errily and pointing at Tarafa) : 
 Behold the aged man 
 Who five short days ago was but a boy. 
 Years must come quickly in the crowded town. 
 Thou art a man indeed ! Where is thy beard ? 
 
 Tarafa (after rubbing his hand dubiously over his chin) : 
 Who told thee that a beard did make a man? 
 For manhood comes through life's experience; 
 From travel in the world; from seeing works 
 Of men ; from talking with one's noble King. 
 
 (During this speech Suzanne laughs at him. 
 Harith has been seated at the tent entrance watching 
 and listening with amusement. As he speaks the 
 \oung folks listen luith deference.) 
 
Harith : 
 
 That is not so. A boy becomes a man 
 
 As doth a swelling bud become a flower. 
 
 Today his life is set in boyhood's bounds, 
 
 Then manhood comes, born in a space of time 
 
 Unmeasurable. A little care or trust, 
 
 A duty laid on him, or honor giv'n. 
 
 Quickly unfolds the flower of his life 
 
 And boyhood disappears. But manhood true 
 
 Is never born of pride. A journey done; 
 
 A meeting had ; these never make a man 
 
 When years continue to disclose the boy. 
 
 Suzanne, thy brother hath no cares to stop 
 
 His play. Provoke him, then, to race with thee. 
 
 Suzanne: 
 
 Heed to our father's words, you foolish boy. 
 Pretend no more with me that you have come 
 To man's estate because you've been a score 
 Of miles across the sand. You dare not race 
 With me, because you've never caught me yet. 
 
 (Gives Tarafa a push, he chases her, both exit L. 
 Enter R Faithala and Musalla, the former bearing 
 a folded rug which she spreads on ground near cen- 
 ter of stage. Musalla bears a flat basket or tray 
 with dates, bananas, small cakes and a bowl of 
 cooked rice. She puts the tray with its contents in 
 center of rug and places a cushion R and L of it. 
 As these preparations are being made Faithala 
 speaks : 
 
 Faithala : 
 
 Thy food is ready; wilt thou come and eat? 
 
 Harith (rising from his seat by the tent and seating him- 
 self on the R cushion) : 
 A weary day is short, if at its close 
 Abundant fruit and grain invite the soul. 
 
 10 
 
Thrice happy he who finds when toil is done, 
 A home, a faithful wife, and children to 
 Make glad his ageing heart. 
 (Exit Musalla R.) 
 
 What of the days 
 That have been passed since last I supped at home? 
 Tell me the news. (Eats.) 
 
 Faithala : 
 
 There's little to be told 
 Save that we missed thy face. The days have passed 
 Slow-footed, but with peace and such content 
 As might be gained with thee away. Just now 
 I have been troubled by some thoughts expressed 
 By Musalla. 
 
 Harith : 
 
 Our loyal daughter? How 
 May aught she thinks or says disturb thy calm? 
 
 Faithala (kneels on ground near food, facing audience, 
 occasionally passing fruit to Harith as she speaks) : 
 She told me of an English officer 
 Who visited the school at Basrah, where 
 She learned to read and write. She looked on him 
 And found him pleasant in her sight, Christian 
 Although he is. Perchance no harm is done, 
 And yet, I fear the school is no good place 
 For Moslem maids, if stranger men may look 
 On them, unveiled and unabashed. Suzanne 
 Doth long to study at this school ; perhaps 
 This tale may change your plan to send her there. 
 
 Harith : 
 
 Tis not a pleasant tale, and yet, methinks. 
 That dreadful war, that time that tried men's souls, 
 Has made a change in thought as well as life. 
 And hopes of freedom from convention's bounds 
 
 11 
 
Have stirred the hearts of maids, who, once content 
 To fill that place in life the Prophet told, 
 Now seek to level barriers raised by race 
 And creed ; to find and tread forbidden paths. 
 
 (Laughter is heard off stage L.) 
 The children come ; we'll speak of this again. 
 
 (Enter L Suzanne and Tarafa, laughing and pant- 
 ing as though from, running.) 
 
 Suzanne: 
 
 He could not catch me though he ran as fast 
 As boy could run; until my breath gave out 
 And made me stop. 
 
 Tarafa : 
 
 Do not believe her words ; 
 I could have caught her any time I chose ; 
 I sware it by the Prophet's beard. 
 
 Suzanne: 
 
 'Tis well 
 You have the Prophet's beard to borrow when 
 You want to sware, your own would scarcely serve. 
 
 Tarafa (embracing Suzanne) : 
 
 She is a minx, a vixen, and a tease, 
 But I am glad that I can romp with her 
 And do not have to be a man. 
 
 Harith : 
 
 Come, eat, 
 My son, the daylight fades, and soon the moon 
 Will shed its silvery light across the sand. 
 Then must we sleep to gain that rest we need 
 To fit us for the morrow's work or play. 
 So moves along our lives. Tasks of today 
 Are parted but a little from the toil 
 Tomorrow brings. A little space for rest 
 
 12 
 
That xA.llah gives; for sleep that will renew 
 Our strength of arm and mind, and this is hfe, 
 Until our long rest comes, our work complete. 
 
 (Tarafa seats himself on cushion opposite Harith 
 and begins to eat. Enter MusaUa with more fruit 
 in small basket. Faithala and Musalla- kneel on rug 
 facing audience. Faithala passes fruit to Harith, 
 ivhile Musalla does the same for Tarafa. Suzanne 
 seats herself on cushion at entrance to tent and ar- 
 ranges her hair, which has become disordered as she 
 ran.) 
 
 Tarafa : 
 
 The cakes are very good. 
 
 AlUSALLA : 
 
 Indeed they are ! 
 I know, for I did mix the meal myself, 
 And would have cooked them too, had not the sun 
 Sent forth such heat that I was glad to give 
 To Selim, our good slave, the privilege 
 Of finishing my task. He does not mind 
 The heat. 
 
 Faithala : 
 
 Why should he, who was born 
 Beneath the sun of Ethiopia? 
 
 Harith : 
 
 Thou dost forget, good wife, that Afric's sun 
 Is tempered by the forest's shade, just as 
 The burden of our troubles and our cares 
 Is lightened for us by the grace of God. 
 
 Captain R. {off stage L.) 
 
 It's nq. use to go further, Tom, we'll stop 
 Right here and find out where we are. 
 
 {All on stage jump to their feet, startled, looking 
 L.) 
 
 13 
 
Tarafa : 
 
 Who's that? 
 Harith (to women.) 
 
 Somebody comes ! Retire before you're seen. 
 (Women exit R.) 
 
 Tom (off stage L:) 
 
 Just as the Captain says, but I don't like 
 These desert beggars, who would stick a knife 
 Between your ribs to please their heathen god, 
 As quick as look at you. We'd best go on. 
 
 Tarafa : 
 
 Who can it be? 
 
 Harith : 
 
 Some Englishman astray. 
 
 Captain (off stage L:) 
 
 Nonsense : The Arab is not born who'd turn 
 A stranger from his tent in need of food 
 Or rest. You mix the Arabs and the Turks ; 
 You ought to know the difference by now. 
 
 Tom (off stage) : 
 
 Damned if they don't look just alike to me. 
 
 Captain (off stage :) 
 
 Look to the horses and I'll find our friends. 
 
 (Harith lualks slozuly L, folloived by Tarafa. 
 Enter Captain L, being met near entrance by Harith. 
 They bow ceremoniously.) 
 
 Harith : 
 
 I bid thee welcome and give Allah thanks 
 
 For that His will hath brought thee here in time 
 
 To share my evening meal. Be seated here. 
 
 (Indicates cushion Tarafa had occupied, and takes 
 his old place R. Tarafa gets another cushion from 
 
 14 
 
near entrance of tent and seats himself on it at 
 Harith's L, facing audience. Harith claps his 
 hands a<s Captain seats himself. Enter R Faithala 
 and Musalla, both veiled in oriental fashion, the 
 eyes exposed. Musalla starts when she sees Captain 
 and seems unable to keep from looking at him.) 
 
 Harith (to women:) 
 
 We have a guest. Bring all that he requires 
 Should there be insufficient here, and see 
 That food is sent forth to his servant^ who 
 Rests where their horses need his watchful eye. 
 
 (They eat, the women attending as before. Musalla 
 near Captain.) 
 
 Captain : 
 
 Your kindness overwhelms me, for you know 
 Not who I am, nor why nor whence I come. 
 I'm Cecil Roberts, Captain, as you see. 
 
 (Indicates uniform.) 
 
 Harith : 
 
 It is enough that evening finds you here 
 Where I may offer shelter and such fare 
 As we possess. 
 
 Captain : 
 
 I am not sure but that 
 We've met before, now that I see you close. 
 Were you not one of the supporters of 
 King Hassein, when we whipped the Turks and drove 
 Them north of Bagdad till they ran like sheep? 
 
 Harith : 
 
 I and my friends were there to do our part. 
 Which was a small one as compared with what 
 The English did. And you were in that fight? 
 
 13 
 
Captain : 
 
 A pain that grips my shoulder now and then 
 Reminds me of those days. 
 
 Harith (to women:) 
 
 Bring coffee here. 
 
 M us ALL A : 
 
 Suzanne prepares it and should have it here 
 By now. I'll see if I can hurry her. 
 
 {Exit R.) 
 Captain : 
 
 A lovely voice. I wonder if the veil 
 
 Conceals a face to match. These Arab maids 
 
 Have little chance to demonstrate their charms. 
 
 ( To Harith : ) 
 I often wonder why your women are 
 So closely guarded from the eyes of men. 
 Were you to visit at my home you'd find 
 My sisters comrades tO' young men, with 
 Never thought of wrong. When they wear veils it's 
 To enhance their charms, not to conceal them. 
 
 (During Captain's speech Musalla and Suaanne 
 enter R, the latter bearing a tray with small cups of 
 very black coffee. Both are veiled. Suzanne passes 
 cups to the three men. Musalla seats herself by 
 tent and watches Captain.) 
 
 Harith : 
 
 'Tis difficult to say what brings about 
 The laws and customs of a land. We think 
 Our women should be shielded from the gaze 
 Of any save their husbands, so they veil 
 Their faces from the sight of other men. 
 
 Captain : 
 
 It is a pity, for I know their charm ; 
 
 At least I saw some young girls in a school 
 
 16 
 
Who had no cause to hide their faces from 
 The sight of men. One in particular I 
 Think of now and many times have thought of 
 Since I saw her there at Basrah. 
 (Musalla much agitated.) 
 
 Tom (off stage L:) 
 
 Captain ! 
 
 Captain : 
 
 What is it Tom? 
 
 Tom (off stage:) 
 
 The bay mare acts as though 
 She'd had too long a run. Come look at her. 
 
 Captain : 
 
 I'll come at once, (rising.) 
 
 (To Harith:) 
 
 You'll pardon me, I trust, 
 A soldier's horse is the best friend he has. 
 
 Harith : 
 
 The man who cares not for his horse deserves 
 No better than that none should care for him;. 
 Look to your friend, but quickly come again 
 For that I like your talk and company. 
 
 (Exit Captain.) 
 
 CURTAIN. 
 End of Scene 1. 
 
 17 
 
SCENE TWO 
 
 Scene: Same as in Scene 1, the light has changed, 
 a red glow from L with blue light showing from R, 
 simulating moonlight. 
 
 {Curtain discloses Harith seated as before. The 
 remainder of the food has been removed. Musalla 
 is seated at tent entrance as before.) 
 
 Harith ( musingly : ) 
 
 I sometimes think our fathers made mistake, 
 Thinking of women as the slaves of men 
 And nothing more. The times are changing and 
 No longer can we live our lives alone, 
 Untouched by customs from the West and North. 
 Each race depends on others for its life. 
 For freedom from oppression and deceit. 
 No race is strong enough to stand alone, 
 E'en so must customs universal grow. 
 
 {During Harith's speech Musalla has clasped her 
 hands and bowed her head upon them, shaken by 
 emotion. As Harith ceases, she rises and goes 
 slowly to him., finally throwing herself to the ground 
 at his feet.) 
 
 Harith {surprised) : 
 
 What's wrong with thee, my daughter, that thou 
 
 shouldst, 
 Thus humbly come to me. If a request thou hast. 
 This is no way to bring it to my ears. 
 Better that thou shouldst stand erect, as one 
 Who doth expect to find my answer kind 
 And fatherly. 
 
 {Caresses her head with his hand.) 
 {Captain enters R as Harith speaks, stopping as 
 he seeS; attitude of Musalla and Harith, doubtful 
 whether or not to advance and disclose himself. He 
 is surprised and perplexed as Musalla speaks.) 
 
 18 
 
M us ALL A : 
 
 Alas, I've that to ask, 
 My father, that doth make me fear the words 
 That thou shalt speak when thou hast heard my 
 
 mind. 
 My posture shows how much I fear thy wrath. 
 
 Harith : 
 
 Speak on ; I never have been vexed with thee, 
 But when thou hast been wrong in word or deed 
 I've tried to lead thee in a better path. 
 
 Musalla : 
 
 Thou hast been ever kind and good to me 
 Else would I never dare to seek thee now. 
 I am a woman grown, and love hath touched 
 My heart. I come to ask that thou shouldst sell 
 Me to that man whose image fills my mind. 
 
 Harith (startled and shocked) : 
 
 Our maids do not select the men they wed; 
 How canst thou ask that I should let thee choose? 
 
 Musalla : 
 
 My heart will not permit me to refrain. 
 
 Harith : 
 
 Who is the man? 
 
 Musalla : 
 
 'Tis he to whom I heard 
 Thee say not long ago that thou didst like 
 His company. 
 
 Harith (becoming angry) : 
 
 Thou meanst the Englishman? 
 But him thou canst not think of since before 
 This day thou never knew of him nor saw 
 His face. 
 
 19 
 
MUSALLA : 
 
 I saw him once before 
 Nor ever can forget the moment sweet 
 When he did look on me with his kind eyes. 
 
 Harith {very angry and rising quickly to his feet) : 
 So that is why he came; to seek thee out. 
 He shall repent of this, and likewise learn 
 That Moslem maids are not for Christian men. 
 
 MuSALLA {beseechingly) : 
 
 Nay, father, thou art wrong 
 
 Captain {stepping forward and interrupting) : 
 
 I am perplexed 
 And know not what to think of this I've heard. 
 I never saw your daughter, honored Sheiky 
 Except as I have seen her here, with you. 
 Some madness must have seized her since I came. 
 
 Harith : 
 
 How is this, daughter, who doth tell the truth? 
 
 MuSALLA : 
 
 We both speak truth, and I am much ashamed 
 For that he heard my words to thee, yet did 
 Not know that I am she he smiled at in 
 The mission school so -many months ago. 
 'Twas then he saw my face ; today 'tis veiled. 
 {Harith looks from Mnsalla to Captain perplexed.) 
 
 Captain : 
 
 There was a maid within a school 
 
 Whom I should seek, did I know where to look. 
 
 {Pauses an instant, and then, exultingly) 
 'Tis she ! I know now why my pulse leaped 
 When her sweet voice I heard, and met her eyes. 
 
 {Steps impulsively toward Mnsalla with extended 
 arms.) 
 
 20 
 
Harith {stepping between them) : 
 
 Enough ! You are an honorable man 
 Or else you would not wear the uniform 
 That shows your country and your rank. I do 
 Believe your words, yet must we all forget 
 This madness that hath stirred our souls today. 
 Daughter, I sorrow for thee and regret 
 The day I placed thee where thy mother's care 
 Was absent from thee. Go thou now to her. 
 {Musalla goes sloivly to R, weeping.) 
 
 Captain : 
 
 You say I am an honorable man, 
 
 Then you cannot refuse to grant me leave 
 
 To plead my cause. I want to wed the maid — 
 
 Harith (interrupting) : 
 
 It may not be. So words of thine can change 
 The fact ; it needs no further argument. 
 We Arabs do not think or feel as you. 
 She will forget you, and you'll think no more 
 Of her. 
 
 Captain : 
 
 You know not what it is to love ! 
 
 Harith : 
 
 I know far better than do you. Your love 
 Is but the madness of a passing hour. 
 The love we know endures ; it's founded on 
 The faith and customs of our race. 
 (Enter King Hassein L.) 
 
 Harith (prostrating hiiuself) : 
 
 The King! 
 
 King: 
 
 Arise, my friend, forget I am thy King, 
 
 Remember only that I come tonight 
 
 To seek for shelter that I know thou'lt give 
 
 21 
 
To any wanderer who comes in need. 
 Far from his throne a King is but a man. 
 Happy that land which has a man for King! 
 Who fits his throne, nor finds his dignity 
 Supplied by fawning courtiers who make 
 Him think he's great, though he a weakhng be. 
 
 Harith : 
 
 This land indeed hath for its King a man ! 
 AJl that I have is thine. I would 'twere more. 
 My home is honored by the presence of 
 My King! 
 
 King: 
 
 A home has room for but one King. 
 Here thou art he, and I am but thy guest. 
 Another guest thou hast, do thou present him. 
 
 Harith : 
 
 'Tis Captain Roberts of the British force. 
 
 King: 
 
 One of that army brave that helped to rid 
 
 Us of the Turk. I'm glad our paths met here. 
 
 But as I came toward this place I thought 
 
 I heard some words that passed between you two 
 
 Not altogether friendly, but my ears 
 
 Perhaps did play me false. I hope they did. 
 
 (Harith and Captain look at each other dismayed.) 
 
 Captain : 
 
 There was no quarrel, sir. 
 
 Harith : 
 
 We but discussed 
 A difference of view. 
 
 King: 
 
 Let's seat ourselves 
 And hear the point. While here I am no King, 
 Yet may I sit as magistrate. 
 
 22 
 
{Musalla, who has been lingering near tent en- 
 trance, places cushions and the three men seat them- 
 selves C.) 
 
 Harith : 
 
 I'll let 
 The Captain state the case, knowing that thou, 
 An Arab and a Moslem, will be sure 
 To side with me. 
 
 Captain : 
 
 Be not so sure, for this 
 Is not a matter of a race or creed. 
 But of two human hearts. 
 
 King : 
 
 I pray you tell 
 The tale. When I have learned the facts, I may 
 Be glad to hear your arguments. Speak on! 
 
 Harith (to Captain) : 
 Proceed. 
 
 Captain : 
 
 A Christian man, good Magistrate, 
 Finds that he loves a Moslem maid, and she 
 Confesses that her heart is lost to him. 
 Her father steps between. Does he do right? 
 
 King: 
 
 A bald and lifeless tale that is no tale. 
 Let's have the circumstances and the cast. 
 (To Harith): 
 I'd have you call your wife and daughters here, 
 For I can see that this may be a case 
 Wherein a women's jury may assist. 
 
 Harith (to Musalla) : 
 
 Go bid thy mother and Suzanne to come, 
 It is the King's command. 
 
 23 
 
King : 
 
 Nay, nay, good maid, 
 The King's not here, I'm just thy father's friend. 
 
 (Exit Musalla R. Enter Tarafa L, sees King 
 and prostrates himself.) 
 
 King {to Harith) : 
 
 Thy son doth too much honor to thy guest. 
 What would he do were he to meet the King? 
 (laughs) 
 
 (To Tarafa) : 
 Arise, my boy, thy manners are too good 
 For desert sands ; save them until the King 
 Shall send for thee to dwell at court with him. 
 
 Tarafa (rising) : 
 
 Thou art the King, 
 
 King: 
 
 Not here, I'm but Hassein. 
 
 (Enter the three women, veiled. The King rises 
 to greet them, to the astonishment of Harith. All 
 
 rise.) 
 
 King: 
 
 Good friends, we welcome you to hear a tale 
 Wherein there lies some question I am asked 
 To solve. Attend then closely to the words 
 Our friend who serves another King shall speak, 
 For I may ask thy judgment ere I give 
 Mine own. But first I ask that you remove 
 Your veils, for this is like a court of law 
 Where none may hide his face. 
 
 Harith (protesting) : 
 
 It is the law 
 Of the Koran that women should be veiled. 
 
 24 
 
King: 
 
 The Prophet wrote for men, and in a day 
 
 When women were their slaves. That day is past. 
 
 Just for a moment think I am your King 
 
 And heed to my command. Remove the veils! 
 
 (Suzanne snatches veil from her laughing face. 
 Musalla removes hers more sld\zdy, looking at Cap- 
 tain, zvho moves forward the better to see her face. 
 Faithala very slowly takes hers off, looking at Harith 
 as though expecting displeasure.) 
 
 Harith {resigned) : 
 
 One can but bow before the will of God, 
 
 Who sometimes shows His wisdom in strange ways. 
 
 King: 
 
 And now we'll all be seated, while we let 
 The Captain tell his tale. 
 
 Faithala {drazving back) : 
 
 It is not right. 
 That women should be seated with the men. 
 My daughters and myself will stand and hear. 
 
 King (smiling) : 
 
 A woman veiled must stand, but with the veil 
 
 She takes off subjugation to the man. 
 
 Is no more his inferior, becomes 
 
 His equal and his friend ; no longer slave. 
 
 I pray you join us here. 
 
 (points to cushions and seats himself.) 
 
 (Susanne drops quickly to a seat. Harith and 
 Tarafa more slozvly but without hesitation. Musalla 
 looks at Captain, zvho smiles assent, but himself 
 remains standing. Musalla seats herself. Faithala 
 also, but more slowly, shaking her head dubiously.) 
 
 25 
 
King (to Captain, when all are seated:) 
 
 We're ready now. 
 
 Captain : 
 
 I wish that someone else could take my place, 
 
 For I am sure that so much is at stake 
 
 I'll not be able to do justice to 
 
 My tale. Some months ago, perhaps a year, 
 
 I went to Biasrah and there visited 
 
 A friend who keeps a school for Moslem girls. 
 
 King: 
 
 I know much to the credit of that place. 
 
 Captain : 
 
 While there I saw a class of girls at work; 
 I looked about the room and saw among 
 The many maids one who was more than fair. 
 Her eyes met mine, not once but many times. 
 And when I left the place I carried forth 
 A constant vision of that face and of 
 The eyes that looked so clearly into mine. 
 Had this been England I'd have found some way 
 To meet this girl. Instead I tried to drive 
 The vision and the mem'ry from my heart. 
 
 King (to Haritli) : 
 
 This is a man whom I could trust and love. 
 
 Captain : 
 
 Today my orders sent me from Shaabar 
 
 To ride across the desert to Riadh. 
 
 I lost my way, and as the sun grew low 
 
 Sought shelter and direction in this place 
 
 Where I've been treated as an honored guest. 
 
 (bozus to Harith) 
 
 King: 
 
 Our host is known throughout the land as one 
 Who hath a warm heart and an open door. 
 
 26 
 
Captain : 
 
 Without design I overheard the words 
 
 Which passed between Musalla and Harith, 
 
 Wherein she asked her father to bestow 
 
 Her hand on one she loved. I had no thought 
 
 That I was anyway concerned, until 
 
 I heard the maid say to her father that 
 
 I was the one she loved. The rest you know ; 
 
 That she it is I've dreamed of ever since 
 
 I saw her at the school. God has been good 
 
 To lead me to her, and I cannot think 
 
 But that He wills that she should be my wife. 
 
 Harith dissents, and says it cannot be. 
 
 King (to Harith) : 
 
 This question lieth closer to thy heart 
 Than I had thought. 
 
 (To Captain) 
 
 We thank you for your tale ; 
 'Twas well and simply told. And now we'll hear 
 Harith relate his thoughts. 'Tis plainly seen 
 This problem hath disturbed him and distressed. 
 (Captain sits. Harith rises.) 
 
 Harith : 
 
 I can make no addition to the facts 
 
 Our friend has stated ; I believe them true. 
 
 With you, my King, I often have conversed 
 
 About the changes that have come upon 
 
 Our land ; Thou knowest that I welcome them. 
 
 But this that touches close my family, 
 
 My life, I cannot view as one apart. 
 
 Perhaps you'll say my heart commands my head. 
 
 King: 
 
 We know thy justice and thy judgment, good 
 Harith ; thy heart is noble, and thy mind 
 The clearest that is found in all our realm. 
 
 37 
 
Harith : 
 
 The times have changed ; though yet the changes most 
 
 Affect the superficial things of hfe. 
 
 Religion finds its home within the depths 
 
 Of human souls. A man may change his cloak, 
 
 Donning a new one of a different hue 
 
 Without a thought of change within his heart. 
 
 King (to Faiihala) : 
 
 He speaketh wisdom as he always doth. 
 
 Harith : 
 
 But when he tries to change his faith, there stirs 
 Within him some convulsion of the soul. 
 And he becomes a different man, or else 
 He is no man at all. In married life 
 There should be found no difference of thought 
 Affecting matters of the heart or soul; 
 Therefore I hold that happiness cannot 
 Result from union where two faiths are found. 
 There also is the difference in race, 
 Which of itself should be enough to keep 
 My daughter from this man ; and so I find 
 My duty plain ; to hold her with me here. 
 
 (seats himself.) 
 
 King: 
 
 We'll give our English friend a chance to meet 
 This noble argument if he doth choose. 
 
 Captain : 
 
 It is a question of this maiden's heart 
 Against the customs of a race and creed. 
 No further word is needed. You decide. 
 
 King: 
 
 Let us first listen while the women speak. 
 Suzanne shall tell us what she thinks of this. 
 
 28 
 
Suzanne : 
 
 Must I get up as though to make a speech? 
 
 (laughs) 
 
 King: 
 
 Thy will is ours. We wait upon thy word. 
 
 Suzanne (rising) : 
 
 Then I'll stand up. I've sat here long enough. 
 
 Harith : 
 
 Remember that thou speakest to the King. 
 
 Suzanne (smiling and bozving to King) : 
 You're such a nice old man that I forgot. 
 
 King: 
 
 That is a compliment indeed, my child, 
 But what is thy decision in this case? 
 
 Suzanne: 
 
 I think it's not worth worrying about. 
 You're just a lot of men making a fuss 
 About a matter you know nothing of. 
 When I'm a woman grown, I'll marry whom 
 I please, and so would Musalla if she 
 Had pluck enough. I hope Tarafa takes 
 An English wife. I like their clothes and I 
 Could copy hers. That's all I have to say. 
 
 (drops quickly to seat.) 
 
 King (patting her on the shoulder) : 
 
 Here's the new woman we hear talk about. 
 But now we'll hear the thoughts of Musalla. 
 
 Musalla (remaining seated) : 
 
 My thoughts are far too precious to express 
 In words. My love overwhelms me and I pray 
 
 S9 
 
You all to pity me, for I shall die 
 
 Of love, unless you let me go with him. 
 
 (stretches arms toward Captain) 
 
 King: 
 
 Thou hast our pity, gentle Musalla, 
 Each one of us hopes for thy happiness. 
 We try to find the way 'twere best attained. 
 Now we attend the while your mother speaks. 
 
 Faithala (hesitatingly) : 
 
 I am not one to speak before the King. 
 
 King: 
 
 This is a court; I am a magistrate. 
 
 Faithala : 
 
 I cannot think that happiness is found 
 
 Other than I have found it with my lord. 
 
 My daughter would do well to heed his words. 
 
 King (rising. As he rises all stand) : 
 The jury disagrees. I must decide. 
 Harith, wilt thou abide by my decree? 
 
 Harith : 
 
 I will, good King. 
 
 King: 
 
 And thou, my English friend? 
 
 Captain : 
 
 I know your wisdom and your right to speak ; 
 And though I cannot promise that I'll be 
 Content, I, too, shall honor your decree. 
 
 King (takes Musalla by the right hand and extends his 
 left hand to Captain) : 
 They say a King can do no wrong. I know 
 
 30 
 
This King is doing right when he decides 
 That you shall wed. 
 
 {Pauses and looks around at the others. Harith 
 raises his arms toward heaven for a moment, then 
 bows his head.) 
 
 'Tis not for me to say 
 When this shall be. Musalla hopes it may 
 Be very soon, after we have returned 
 From Riadh where the Captain rides with me 
 Tomorrow. 
 
 {places Musalla's hand in Captain's) 
 
 Now embrace thy bride. 
 
 {they embrace) 
 Captain : 
 
 My love! 
 Musalla : 
 
 Oh, this is ibliss of which I long have dreamed. 
 
 Captain : 
 
 I'll come to take you with me just as soon 
 As my good horse can bring me from Riadh. 
 
 {King is down stage C. Musalla and Captain R, 
 Harith and FaithaLa up Stage C. Suzanne and 
 Tarafa R, Suzanne teasing Tarafa.) 
 
 King {to Captain) : 
 
 Thou shalt be happy with thy Arab wife, 
 
 For thou hast found that love knows neither race 
 
 Nor creed. Your hearts have found a common 
 
 speech, 
 The universal language of the soul. 
 
 {To Harith) 
 Old friend, Harith, thou never wouldst permit 
 Thy daughter to be wedded to a Turk ; 
 And yet the Turk and Arab have one faith. 
 Herein thy logic failed. 
 
 31 
 
(To Suzanne) 
 
 My good Suzanne 
 I am too wise a man to prophesy 
 What circumstances shall attend thy life, 
 But I may venture this, that it shall be 
 Purer and sweeter for that thou can'st laugh. 
 
 {To audience) 
 The world's at one in this new day. The walls 
 Of thought and habit that have kept apart 
 The nations, disappear. The people blend 
 Into one race ; the brotherhood of man 
 Now rules the earth, where once was rivalry 
 And greed. It is the plan and will of God. 
 
 CURTAIN. 
 
 32 
 
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
 
 017 400 985 5 «