SALADIN. To Sittah pay a thousand dinars. HAFI. Pay? And not receive—that’s something less than nothing. To Sittah and again to Sittah—and Once more for loss at chess? Is this your game? SITTAH. Dost grudge me my good fortune? HAFI (_examining the board_). Grudge! you know— SITTAH (_making signs to Hafi_). Hush, Hafi, hush! HAFI. And were the white men yours? You gave the check? SITTAH. ’Tis well he does not hear. HAFI. And he to move? SITTAH (_approaching Hafi_). Say then aloud that I Shall have my money. HAFI (_still considering the game_). Yes, yes! you shall have it— As you have always had it. SITTAH. Are you crazy? HAFI. The game is not decided; Saladin, You have not lost. SALADIN (_scarcely hearkening_). Well, well!—pay, pay. HAFI. Pay, pay— There stands your queen. SALADIN (_still walking about_). It boots not, she is useless. SITTAH (_low to Hafi_). Do say that I may send and fetch the gold. HAFI. Aye, aye, as usual—But although the queen Be useless, you are by no means check-mate. SALADIN (_dashes down the board_). I am. I will then— HAFI. So! small pains, small gains; As got, so spent. SALADIN (_to Sittah_). What is he muttering there? SITTAH (_to Saladin_, _winking meanwhile to Hafi_). You know him well, and his unyielding way. He chooses to be prayed to—maybe he’s envious— SALADIN. No, not of thee, not of my sister, surely. What do I hear, Al-Hafi, are you envious? HAFI. Perhaps. I’d rather have her head than mine, Or her heart either. SITTAH. Ne’ertheless, my brother, He pays me right, and will again to-day. Let him alone. There, go away, Al-Hafi; I’ll send and fetch my dinars. HAFI. No, I will not; I will not act this farce a moment longer: He shall, must know it. SALADIN. Who? what? SITTAH. O Al-Hafi, Is this thy promise, this thy keeping word? HAFI. How could I think it was to go so far? SALADIN. Well, what am I to know?