The Dramatic Works of G. E. Lessing - LightNovelsOnl.com
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Grudge you? When-- You know too well----
SITTAH (_making signs to him_).
Oh, hus.h.!.+ Al-Hafi, hus.h.!.+
AL-HAFI (_still examining the board_).
Don't grudge it to yourself.
SITTAH.
Al-Hafi, hus.h.!.+
AL-HAFI.
And were the white men yours?
You gave the check?
SITTAH.
'Tis well he does not hear.
AL-HAFI.
The move is his.
SITTAH (_approaching nearer_).
Then promise me that I shall have the money.
AL-HAFI (_still intent upon the board_).
You shall receive it as you've always done.
SITTAH.
How! are you mad?
AL-HAFI.
The game's not over yet.
You have not lost it, Saladin.
SALADIN (_paying no attention_).
Oh, yes; Pay down the money.
AL-HAFI.
Pay! here stands the queen.
SALADIN (_still heedless_).
She's of no use; she's lost.
SITTAH.
Do say that I May send and fetch the gold.
AL-HAFI (_still studying the game_).
Oh, yes! of course.
But though the queen be lost, you are not mate.
SALADIN (_das.h.i.+ng down the board_).
I say I am. I will be mate.
AL-HAFI.
If so, Small pains, small gains, say I. So got, so spent.
SALADIN.
What is he muttering there?
SITTAH (_to_ Saladin, _making a sign meanwhile to_ Al-Hafi).
You know him well.
He likes entreaties--loves to be implored.
Who knows if he be not a little jealous?
SALADIN.
Well, not of thee--not of my sister, surely.
What do I hear? Al-Hafi, are you jealous?
AL-HAFI.
Perhaps I am. I wish I had her head, Or that I were as good as she.
SITTAH.
My brother, He always pays me fairly, and to-day He'll do the same. Let him alone. Now go!
Al-Hafi! go! I'll have the money----
AL-HAFI.
