ACT III
Scene 1—The Yard of the Prison
It is an angular space, carved out of the face of a lofty sandstone cliff, the top of which is out of sight. The three cells are cut in the cliff itself and are closed by heavy bronze doors. On the right, where the cliff leaves off, the yard is protected by a lofty wall built out of the massive blocks of stone. In this is a lofty but very narrow door. Beyond the wall nothing but sky is visible. The whole face of the cliff has been carved with elaborate hieroglyphics. In the pavement of the yard there is a movable stone, the entrance to an underground dungeon.
It is toward sunset, and during the scene the light changes, creeping up the face of the cliff, through all the marvelous gradations of an Eastern afterglow, and merging ultimately into soft but brilliant moonlight.
At the rise of the curtain a soldier is leaning on his spear, crooning a love-song. The door in the wall opens and enter the Captain of the Prison, Enenkhet—a stout, good-natured person. He leaves the door open.
Enenkhet. Is all well with the prisoners?
Soldier. Ay, captain. Though the Lord Serseru hath howled all day like a dog.
Enenkhet. Ha! The Lord Chief Baker hath a soured and discontented nature.
