SITTAH. Let's see! Can it be helped? SALADIN. No, take the queen--I have no luck with her. SITTAH. Only with her? SALADIN. Remove her from the board, I shall not miss her. Now I am right again. SITTAH. I know from lessons which yourself have taught How courteously we should behave to queens. (_Offering to restore the piece_.) SALADIN. Take her or not, I shall not move her more. SITTAH. Why need I take her? Check, and check! SALADIN. Go on. SITTAH. Check, check, and check again! SALADIN. 'Tis checkmate now. SITTAH. Hold!--no, not yet. You may advance the knight, And ward the danger. But 'twill be the same. SALADIN. You are the winner, and Al-Hafi pays. Let him be called, Sittah! You were not wrong. My thoughts were wandering--were not in the game, But who gives us so oft these shapeless bits Of wood? which speak of naught--suggest no thought. Was it with Iman that I've played--Well, well, Ill-luck is ever wont to seek excuse. Not the unmeaning squares or shapeless men Have made me heedless; your dexterity, Your calm, sharp eye, dear Sittah! SITTAH. What of that? Is that to blunt the sting of your defeat? Enough--your thoughts were wandering more than mine. SALADIN. Than yours? What subject could engage your thoughts? SITTAH. Far different cares than those which trouble you. But, Saladin, say, when shall we again Resume this pleasant pastime? SALADIN. Dearest Sittah, This interruption will but whet our zeal. Your thoughts are on the war: well, let it come-- 'Twas not my arm that first unsheathed the sword; I would have willingly prolonged the truce, And willingly have knit a tender bond, For Sittah's sake, with Richard's noble brother. SITTAH. How pleased you are, can you but praise your Richard. SALADIN. If Richard's sister had but been bestowed Upon our brother Melek, what a house Had then been ours! the best, the happiest The earth could boast. You know I am not slow To praise myself: I'm worthy of my friends. What men these unions would have given us! SITTAH.