In the _fifth scene_, from which the crib is absent, the principal property is the throne and dais. This needs little comment. The dais came from a schoolroom; and the chair was a very tall armless one of yellowish wood. Two tall mahogany candlesticks stood on either side upon the dais. The book used by the boy was a large leather volume bound by strings.
Before treating these in detail, it is necessary to treat first the general principles that were followed.
1. That the drapery should be voluminous. 2. That the colours should be dark and soft. 3. That the dresses should be shaped after Eastern models. 4. That all such things as tinsel and spangles should be utterly eschewed.
Now the foundations of Eastern dress are the following:
1. The _Tunic_.—This is a long-sleeved garment resembling an alb. It may be of any colour, or white. In the case of young men and boys it is drawn through the girdle up to the knees.
2. The _Burnous_ or Mantle.—This is more difficult to describe; but it may be constructed by taking a large rectangular piece of stuff, about four feet deep by six feet wide. Imagine this spread out on the ground. Then take the top corners and fold them in about eighteen inches along the top edge, folding in at the same time the whole length of the stuff below. Sew along the top edge only to right and left, thus making supports for the shoulders. Then cut at either side, near the top, in the crease of the stuff, two wide arm-holes. Finally, fix about eighteen inches down the front, on the folded stuff, a strong hook and eye on either side.
The _Burnous_, then, is generally worn simply as a wide and voluminous cloak, fastened by the hook and eye; but in the case of one or two the arms may be put through the holes. It should be made of heavy stuff, and should hang loosely and even clumsily. It may be variegated with effect by long strips of stuff or some other colour attached down the front of the folded wings and straight over the shoulders down the back.
3. The _Girdle_.—This may be of rope in the case of the poor, and of rich stuffs in the case of the rich. When the girdle is wide weapons may be thrust into it.
4. The _Head-dress_.—This is of two kinds:
(1) The turban proper, made of voluminous thin material wound round the head and tucked into the top.