New-York tribune., 1901-03-24
THE MASQUE OF OMAR.
A DRAMATIC EXPERIMENT FOUNDED
Upon THE RUBAYAT.

From Punch
| Ii is said that drama founded uTOn the
Rubaiyat OF Omar Khayyam. rendered into
English l,v l1itycerald has been written i'm the
United States and Will shortly be given on the
stage. Mr. Punch hastens 10 present rival
SCENE.-Courtyard of the deserted palace Of
Jamshyd canOpied by that inverted bowl
commonly called the sky. TO right taN
ern-not deserted. To !eft potter's house
AT back. the grave OF Bahrdm. whence a
sound of snoring proceeds a wild ass
stamps htfuly upon ill., II is O'clock in
the morning, and the false dawn" shows
in the Sky. In the centre of the stage stand
a lion and a lizard, eying each other mis-
trustfully.
fi0n-Look here. do YOU keep these courts, or
do
Lizard Cresentfully1-I don't know. believe
We both keep them.
Lion tsarcastically)-DO you? Then I venture
TO differ from you.
Lizard-Perhaps you'd rather took turns?
Lion-Oh. no. wouldn't. / mean to have
this JOB myself.
He and the lizard close in mortal combat.
After a gallant struggle the latter is killed. and
the lion proceeds To eat him Suddenly
shadONy form issues from back OF stage.
Iion-BahraIn, 10y JoHe, ConfOund that jack
tBolts remains of lizard and then bolts
himself. pursued by shadowy form-)
Wild Ass-They said i couldn't wake him.
Bat 1 knew better Hee-haw. exit in tri-
umphD
IA sound of reyelry becomes noticeable from
the tavern. a crowd gathers outside. The voice
OF omar. rather tipSy. is heard.
Omar-When all the temple-hict-is prepared
within. why mods the lousy worshipper outside?
a cock crows and the sun rises.
Crowd shouting in unisonD-Open then the
door You know how little while have To
stay And once departed goodness only knows
when shall get back again
Omar fOpening the door and appearing
steadily the thresholdD-You can't come in.
ICloses door again.
Crowd saw, what rot,
TExuent depressed.
Nightingale (iubilantly from treep-Wine,
winei Red wine,
Rose tfrom neighhoring bush, much shocked
My Dear. you know j have always been
total ahstainer.
NightingaIe- So you have. But every morning
brings a thousand roses. After all you re
cheap. Jamshyd and ] like our liquor, and
plenty Of ii.
Rose tshaIking her head in disapprovaD-Tve
Nightineale-Of course he did You should
have seen him when Hatim called TO supper.
lie simply Hcnt for il,
Nightingale tcontemptuouslyD-I care say But
yOu wouldn't BE SO red yourself If some buried
Cesar didn't feIuliZe your roots. Why, even
the hyacinths past isn't altogether credtablr;
and as for grass why, could tell you things
about The grass that would scare the soul out
OF a vegetable
Rose 6amnoyed)-Tm not a vegetable
Nightingale-Well. well can't stay to argue
with you. I've but little time to iiutter my
self Exit on the wing
Q1nter Omar from tavern. lie is by this time
magnificently intoxicated, ana is leaning on the
arm OF fascinating Sak lie has a jug Of
wine i'm his handD
Omar drying 10 kiss berD-Ah. my beloved
in The cup that clears to-day OF past regrets
and future fears Tomorrow. Why to-mor-
row may be-
Sah Gnterrupting)-I know what you're GO
ing 10 say. Tomorrow you'll be sober. But
you won't. ! know you. 90 hOmci
Omar-HOme,-hic What do ! want with
home? book of verses underneath the bOugh
a jug OF wine. loaf Of bread-nO. no bread
Two Jugs Of wine-and thou fputs arm around
her waist beside singing like a bulbul
Sings uDrOariOuSly.
For tonight Wen merry be!
For tO-night-
SAkf-Fiei An old man like you,
Ornar-Oldi Thank goodness I old. when
was young I went to school and heard the
sages Didn't learn much therei They said
came like, water and went like wind. Horrid
chilly Band OF Hope sort of doctrine ! know
better now. Drinks from the jug in his hand.
SALf 6Hatching him anXiouslyD-Take care
You'll sDill il.
Omar-Ncver mind II won't be wasted All
goes 10 quench some poor begSaTs thirst down
thcre 0Joints belOWD Dare say he needs it-hlc.
SAkl (shoc ckei)-IiOw can you talk so!
omar (crowing argumentatiye in his cups)-
i must abure the balm OF life. musti i must
give up wine for fear of.hic-. What Is IT
I'm to fear? Gout, 4 suppose. Not i!
Takes another drink
Sad drying to take jug from him)-There,
there, that's enough.
omar Cfast losing Conference in ms extreme
intoxication)-I want To talk 10 you about Ihes
nt.nUy4