Six One-Act Plays Part 1

Six One-Act Plays.

by Margaret Scott Oliver.

The Hand of the Prophet

_From between the parted curtains two desert men in white costumes, with red sashes and turbans appear. They wear scimiters in their sashes, and are smoking very long cigarettes. They bow to one another, and walk to the two sides of the stage, where they remain until first curtain, then go behind. This is repeated before and after each part of the play._

_Scene--A room in the home of Halima. Music and laughter are heard, and as the curtain is drawn, a slave girl is seen finis.h.i.+ng a wild dance. As she sinks exhausted to the floor there are applause and sounds of approval, in which the merchant Kodama leads. He is seated beside his bride, Halima, on a dais. In the room are slaves, attendants and members of the two families. The wedding celebration is in progress, and all are in festal mood and dress. Rose petals are strewn on the floor, platters heaped with fruits are at the front and side of the stage, and incense is burning in two braziers._

KODAMA--Thy slave dances with the grace of a startled gazelle. Command her again before night comes. I am pleased with her!

HALIMA--I am glad she is fair in thine eyes, my husband. She knows many magic dances that will delight thee.... But the wedding feast has continued four days, my lord, and thy kinsman from the desert not appeared.

KODAMA--Four days more shall the feasting last. There is yet time.

HALIMA--I am eager for the jewels, and cloths of gold he was to bring.

Thou didst promise my father--

KODAMA--Enough, enough! Art thou a child that patience is not in thee?

Before the feast has ended he will come. I weary of these murmurings.

HALIMA--(_Claps hands._) Music for my lord.

(_Slave sings. As the song ends a slave appears before Kodama._)

SLAVE TO KODAMA--The young Sheykh Sindibad is here.

(_Sindibad appears L. with some men from his caravan, and a young slave, who is carrying three bundles tied in silken cloths. He walks airily to the dais._)

KODAMA--Sindibad!

(_Sindibad and Kodama embrace. Halima, with a coquettish gesture, puts her veil before her face._)

SINDIBAD--Let forgiveness for my tardiness be granted, cousin, when thou seest what I have brought. Many treasures have I found thy lady, before whom I prostrate myself.

(_Sindibad kneels and kisses Halima's hand and then his own. His slave boy quickly opens the bundles, and the contents are eagerly examined._)

KODAMA--I had thought to see thee sooner; the wedding is four days old.

SINDIBAD--I had thought to come sooner, but there was a maiden.... Never have I seen such stars as were her eyes, and her lips, the blood of pomegranate.

KODAMA--Thou wast ever led easily by starry eyes.

HALIMA--(_Holding out scarf._) See, it is a wondrous cloth, with threads of gold and silver.

SINDIBAD--Thy loveliness will enhance its beauties a thousand times.

HALIMA--My loveliness did not tempt thee to hasten.

SINDIBAD--I have never seen thy face, and there was a maiden....

KODAMA--There was a maiden. Have done with thy raving! (_To Halima._) Let thy slave dance!

HALIMA--Dance!

(_As the slave dances, all watch eagerly save Sindibad, who gazes at Halima._)

SINDIBAD--Thy voice is soothing as the sound of water in the heart of the desert. Let me see thy face.

HALIMA--Look at these fabrics rather.

SINDIBAD--Nay, but an instant, while they watch the dancer, unveil, and let me see thy face.

HALIMA--I may not.

SINDIBAD--It is not forbidden. I am thy husband's kinsman. Let me see thy face!

(_Halima drops veil. Sindibad prostrates himself._)

SINDIBAD--I am thy slave forever, oh fairer than the day at dawn.

HALIMA--Arise! they will see thee!

SINDIBAD--And thou hast married the merchant Kodama! Awah! Awah!

HALIMA--Arise! Arise!

KODAMA--Why cryest thou awah? This is not a time for wailing. Dost lament for the maiden of the desert?

SINDIBAD--Her image has changed ... as sand upon the desert's face.

(_CURTAIN_)

_Scene--The same. Kodama and Halima are seated on the dais as before.

Two slave girls are in the room. Kodama's slave enters C. and stands before Kodama._

SLAVE TO KODAMA--The merchant from Baghdad awaits. Shall I bring him to have audience here?

KODAMA--I will speak with him in the myrtle court. Keep watch over my wife and the women. (_Exit C._)

(_Sindibad enters L. as a slave comes from R. The slave is carrying coffee, and reaches Halima as Sindibad approaches._)

SINDIBAD--I drink to thine amber eyes.

HALIMA--Thou must not.