Tamai. This is the place.
Potiphar. It is sacred.
Heru My lord Potiphar, bid us not abide here; here the gods move.
Ani. The girl led us hither to a trap.
Potiphar [To Tamai] What is thy reward if thou liest?
Tamai. Death.
Potiphar. Lingering and terrible.
Tamai. I lie not.
Potiphar. Get ye behind the tomb. Heat the blinding-irons; red-hot—red-hot. I will lie among the palms. When I come forth, come forth also. Begone.
Potiphar [Strides agitatedly to and fro. Then he stops before Tamai] I know thou liest. Why should she seek the lord Joseph's death?
Tamai. Because she loveth him
Potiphar. Thou liest! Thou liest! He sought her love and she
Tamai. He sought not her love. She sought his love, and he scorned her. Therefore she seeketh his death.
Potiphar [Violently] Girl! I could put my hands about thy throat and press the life out of thee, for thou speakest my fear! Ha! I thank the gods that I shall know the truth tonight.
Tamai [At his feet] Oh, my lord, use her mercifully! I know how love has made her suffer. Save my lord Joseph, but use Zuleika mercifully.
Potiphar. Fool! Do I not suffer? Have I not loved her? She hath made a mock of me—unless thou lie!
