The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-04-01

IL IL said that drama FOUND upon the
Rubaiyat of Omar khayyam. as rendered
into Englash by Fitzgerald. has been
written in the United States and will
shortly be given on the stage. Mr..
Punch" hastens TO present a rival YER
sion.
SCENE.--Courtyard of the deserted pa
lace OF Jamshyd, canopied ~ that I'M
Verted bowl commonly called tho sky.
To right, a tavern-not deserted. To
left, a potters house. At back, the
grave of Bahram, whence sound
OF snoring proceeds. A wild ass stamps
fitfully upon It, 1t is o'clock in the
morning, and the false dawn" shows
IN the sky. In the centre of the stage
stand a lion and lizard, eyeing each
other mistrustfully.
Lion-Look here. do you keep these
courts, or do 1?
1.izard (rescntfully)-1 don't know. I
believe VIC both keep them.
Lion (sarcastically)-Do you? Then l
venture TO differ from you.
Lizard-Perhaps you'd rather we took
turns?
Lion-oh. no. 1 wouldn't. / mean to
have this Job 10 myself.
He and the lizard close in mortal COM
bat. After a gallant struggle the latter
is killed. and the lion proceeds to eat
him. Suddenly a shadowy form issues
from back OF stage.
lion-Bahram, by Jovei Confound
that jack-ass (Bolts remains of lizard
and then bolts himself, pursued by shad-
owy foTmD
Wild Ass-They said I couldn't wake
him. But knew better. Hee-haw!
exit In triumph.)
sound of revelry becomes noticeable
from the tavern. A crowd gathers out
side. The voice OF Omar. rather tipsy,
is heard.
omar-when all the temple-hicl--is
prepared within, why mods the lousy wor-
shipper outside?
IA cock crows and the sun rises
Crowd shouting in unison)-Open then
the door. You know how little while we
have to stay And, once departed. good
ness only knows when We shall get back
again
Omar (opening the door and appearing
unsteadily on the threshoid)-You can't
come in. It's-his-full.
CLOSES door again.
Crowd-f say, what rot.
(Exeunt, depressed.
Nightingale 0ubilanty from tree)-
Wine! wine! Red wine!
Rose tfrom neighboring bush, much
shocked)-My dear, you know i have al
ways been total abstainer,
Nightingale-So you have. But every
morning brings a thousand roses. After
all. you're cheap. Jamshyd and like
our liquor. and plenty of H.
4aI... a., .ts~fA
I've heard he drank deep
Nightngsle-Of course he did. You
should have seen him when Hatim called
to supper! lie simply went for IT.
Rose (blushing crimson)-How dread
full,
Nightingale Ccontemptuously)-r dare
say. But you wouldn't be so red yourself
II some buried Caesar didn't fertilize
your roots. Why. even the hyacinth's
past isn't altogether creditable; and as
for grass. why. l could tell you things
about the grass that would scare the
soul out OF "A vegetable.
Rose (annoyed)--1'm not a vegetable.
Nightingale-Well, well. can't stay tn
argue with you. I've but little time 10
fiutter myself. (EXit on the wing
(Enter Omar from tavern. lie is by
this time magnihcently intoxicated. and
is leaning on the arm OF fascinating
SaE. lie has a jug OF wine i'm his hand)
Omar Crying To kiss her)-Ah. my be-
loved, hll the cup that clears today OF
past regrets and future fears Tomor-
row. Why tomorrow I may be-
Sah 0nterrupting)--I know what you're
going TO say. Tomorrow you'll be sober
But you won't ] know you. Go homel
Omar-Homel-hic. What do / want
with home2 4 book OF verses under
meath the bough. jug Of wine. a loaf OF
bread-no, no brcad-two Jugs OF wine
and thou-(puts arm around her waist)
beside me singing like bulbul.
tSings uproariously.
For tonight we'll merry be-
For tonight
Sakl--l'ie An old man like YOU
Omar-Oldl Thank goodness 7 am old
When was young J went 90 school and
heard tho sages Didn't learn mucn
here! They said / came like water ana
vent like wind. Horrid chilly Band Of |
Hops sort OF doctrine. l know better