DAJA. Then go, thou German bear! Yet I must follow him. (_She follow him at a distance_.) ACT II. Scene I.--_The Sultan's Palace_. Saladin and Sittah (_playing at chess_). SITTAH. Where are your thoughts? How ill you play, dear brother! SALADIN. Not well in truth--and yet I thought---- SITTAH. Oh, yes! You're playing well for me; take back that move. SALADIN. Why? SITTAH. Don't you see you leave your knight exposed? SALADIN. Ay, true!--then so. SITTAH. And now I take your pawn. SALADIN. That's true again, dear Sittah! Well, then, check! SITTAH. That will not help you--I protect my king, And all is safe again. SALADIN. Well, out of this Dilemma 'tis not easy to escape. I cannot save the knight. SITTAH. I pass him by; I will not take him. SALADIN. Well, I owe you nothing; The place you gain is better than the piece. SITTAH. Perhaps. SALADIN. But reckon not without your host; You did not see that move. SITTAH. Not I, indeed; I did not think you weary of your queen. SALADIN. My queen! SITTAH. Well, well! I see that I to-day Shall win my thousand dinars and no more. SALADIN. Why so? SITTAH. Why so? Because designedly You lose the game! You vex me, Saladin! I find no pleasure in a game like this. And even when I lose, I come off well; For, to console me for the games you win, You force me to accept a double stake. SALADIN. In that case, then, it may be by design That you have sometimes lost. Is that the truth? SITTAH. At least your generosity's to blame That I improve so little in my play. SALADIN. But we forget the game; come, finish it. SITTAH. Well, 'tis my move; now, check to king and queen! SALADIN. Indeed! I did not see the double check. I lose my queen.