CAUZEE.  Then go and fetch it.

[Ali Cogia goes.]

CAUZEE (to the Merchant).  You thought the jar contained olives all this time?

MERCHANT.  Ali Cogia told me it contained olives at the first.  I will take oath that what I say is the truth.

CAUZEE.  We are not yet ready for your oath.

[ALI COGIA enters.  He pretends to set a jar before the Cauzee.]

CAUZEE.  Ali Cogia, is this jar the same you left with the Merchant?

ALI COGIA.  Sir, it is the same.

CAUZEE.  Merchant, do you confess this jar to be the same?

MERCHANT.  Sir, it is the same.

CAUZEE.  Officer, remove the cover.

(The Officer pretends to remove the cover.)

These are fine olives!  Let me taste them.

(Pretending to eat an olive.)

They are excellent!  But I cannot think that olives will keep seven years and be so good.  Therefore, Officer, bring in Olive Merchants, and let me hear what is their opinion.

OFFICER (announcing).  Forward, two Olive Merchants!

[Two BOYS present themselves].

CAUZEE.  Are you Olive Merchants?

BOYS (bowing).  Sir, we are.

CAUZEE.  Tell me how long olives will keep.

FIRST OLIVE MERCHANT.  Let us take what care we can, they will hardly be worth anything the third year.

SECOND OLIVE MERCHANT.  It is true, for then they will have neither taste nor color.

CAUZEE.  If it be so, look into that jar and tell me how long it is since those olives were put into it.

[Both Merchants pretend to examine and taste the olives.]

FIRST OLIVE MERCHANT.  These olives are new and good.

CAUZEE.  You are mistaken.  Ali Cogia says he put them into the jar seven years ago.

SECOND OLIVE MERCHANT.  Sir, they are of this year’s growth.  There is not a merchant in Bagdad that will not say the same.

CAUZEE.  Merchant, you stand accused.  You must return the thousand pieces of gold to Ali Cogia.

MERCHANT.  Sir, I protest—­

CAUZEE (interrupting).  Be silent!  You are a rogue.  Take him to prison,
Officer.

[All the children seize the Merchant and run from the court, laughing and shouting.]

CALIPH (rising).  I know now what will be a just trial.  I have learned it from the child Cauzee.  Do you think I could give a better sentence?

VIZIER.  I think not, if the case be as these children played it.

CALIPH.  Take care to bid Ali Cogia bring his jar of olives to-morrow.  And let two olive merchants attend.

VIZIER.  It shall be done, O Commander of true Believers!

CALIPH.  If the olives be indeed fresh, then the merchant will receive his punishment and Ali Cogia his thousand pieces of gold.