With whatsoe'er we do some night is mingled, And e'en our eye has something of its blackness. The glitter in the fabrics of our looms Is but the woof, the pattern, its true warp Is night. Aye, death is everywhere; and with our glances And with our words we cover him from sight, And like the children, when in merry playing They hide some toy, so we forget forthwith That we are hiding death from our own glances. Oh, if _we_ e'er have children, they must keep From knowing this for many, many years. Too soon I learned it. And the cruel pictures Are evermore in me: they perch within me Like turtle-doves in copses and come swarming Upon the least alarm. [She looks up.] But now Ganem will come. Oh, if my heart Would cease from holding all my blood compressed. I'm wearied unto death. Oh, I could sleep. [With forced liveliness.] Ganem will come, and then all will be well! [She breathes the scent of oil of roses and becomes aware of the precious objects.] How all this is perfumed, and how it sparkles! [With alarmed astonishment.] And there! Woe's me, this is the house of wealth, Deluded, foolish eyes, look here and here! [She rouses her memory feverishly.] And that old man was fain with strings of pearls To bind my arms and hands--why, they are rich! And "poor" was every second word he uttered. He lied then, lied not once but many times! I saw him smiling when he lied, I feel it, It chokes me here! [She tries to calm herself.] Oh, if he lied--but there are certain things That can constrain a spirit. And his father I have done much for my old father's sake-- His father this? That chokes me more than ever. Inglorious heart, he comes, and something, something Will be revealed, all this I then shall grasp, I then shall grasp-- [She hears steps, looks about her wildly, then cries in fear.] Come, leave me not alone! [GUeLISTANE and an old serving-woman come down the stairs and go to the presents by the table.] SOBEIDE (starting). Ganem, is it not thou? GUeLISTANE (in an undertone). Why, she is mad. [She lays one present after another on the servant's arms.]