Chapter 24Scene 4

A house in Bassora. Doonya, Ameena.

DOONYA Comfort, dear mother, comfort.

AMEENA

Oh, what comfort? My Nureddene is doomed, Murad is gaoled, We in close hiding under the vile doom This tyrant King decrees.

DOONYA

I did not think God was so keen-eyed for our petty sins, When great offences and high criminals Walk smiling. But there’s comfort, mother, yet. My husband writes from prison. You shall hear.

(reads) “Doonya, I have written this by secret contrivance. Have comfort, dry thy mother’s tears. There is hope. The Caliph comes to Bassora and the King will release me for a need of his own. I have tidings of thy father; he is but two days journey from Bassora and I have sent him urgent and tremulous word to come, but no ill-news to break his heart. We have friends. Doonya, my beloved — ” That’s for me only.

AMEENA

Let me hear it.

DOONYA

It is Pure nonsense, — what a savage Turk would write.

AMEENA Therefore you kissed it?

DOONYA

Oh, you’re comforted! You’re smiling through your tears.

AMEENA

My husband comes. He will save all. I never quite believed God would forget his worth so soon.

DOONYA (to herself)

He comes, But for what fate? (aloud) True, mother, he’ll save all.

AMEENA How is Mymoona?

DOONYA

Better now. She suffered In our wild rapid flight. Balkis is with her. Let’s go to them.

AMEENA

My son will yet be saved.

Exeunt.