Etext by Dagny
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1770
C 2003
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CHARACTERS
HASSAN, a Turk living in Smyrna
ZAIDA, his wife
DORNAL, from Marseilles
AMELIE, promised to Dornal
KALED, a slave merchant
NEBI, a Turk
FATIMA, Zaida's slave
ANDRE, Dornal's servant
A SPANIARD
AN ITALIAN
AN OLD GEEZER, Turk, Slave
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The action takes place in Smyrna in a garden common to Hassan and Kaled, whose two houses face each other on the seashore.
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HASSAN: (alone) They say that past evil is only a thought; it's even better, it serves to make present happiness felt. It's two years since I was a slave amongst the Christians, in Marseilles and it was a year ago today that I married the prettiest girl in Smyrna. That makes a difference. Although a good Muslim, I have only one wife. My neighbors have two, four, five, six and what for? The Law permits it — fortunately it doesn't order it; the French are right to have only one; I don't know if they love her, but as for me I love mine a lot. But she's slow coming to take the cool air. I won't bother her. You mustn't bother women. They told me in France that brings bad luck. — Here she is. You are coming down very late, my dear Zaida.
ZAIDA: I was amused to see vessels entering the port from the height of my pavilion. I thought I observed more tumult than usual. Could it be our corsairs have taken some prize?
HASSAN: They haven't for a long time, and truly, I am not sorry about that. Since a Christian delivered me from slavery, and returned me to my dear Zaida, it is impossible for me to hate them.
ZAIDA: And why hate them? Because they do not know our holy Prophet? Aren't they enough to be pitied? Anyway, as for me, I love them; they must be good folks, they have only one wife, I think that's very nice.
HASSAN: (smiling) Yes, but in recompense —
ZAIDA: What?
HASSAN: Nothing. (aside) Why tell her that? That would be to destroy a very agreeable idea. (aloud) I took a vow to free one every year. If our people have made some slaves today, which is exactly the anniversary of my marriage, I would think that Heaven blessed my gratitude.
ZAIDA: How I love your liberator, without knowing him! I will never see him — I don't wish it at least.
HASSAN: His image is forever graven in my heart. What a soul — If you had seen — They repurchased some of our companions; I was lying on the ground; I was thinking of you and I was sighing; a Christian came forward and asked me the cause of my tears. I told him I was snatched from a Mistress I adored. I was ready to marry her, and I will die far from her, for lack of two hundred sequins. Hardly had I said these words, tears were rolling in his eyes. You have been separated from the one you love, said he? here, my friend, there are two hundred sequins, return to your home, be happy and do not hate Christians. I arose with exaltation; I fell at his feet, I embraced them; I pronounced your name with tears; I demanded his name to remit his money to him upon my return. Taking me by the hand he said to me: My friend; I was unaware that you could return them to me. I thought I had done an honest action. Allow it not to degenerate into a simple loan, an exchange of money. You will be unaware of my name. I remained confounded, and he accompanied me right to Chaloupe, where we separated with tears in our eyes.
ZAIDA: May heaven forever bless him; doubtless he will be happy with so tender a soul!
HASSAN: He was near to marrying a young person that he was going to seek in Malta.
ZAIDA: How she must love him!
(Enter Fatima, hurriedly.)
ZAIDA: Fatima, what are you coming to tell us? You seem out of breath.
FATIMA: The Christian slaves have just arrived. That Armenian, who you are annoyed to be the neighbor of and that you scorn so much, because he sells men, has bought a dozen of 'em, and has already sold several.
HASSAN: Now is the day in which I am going to fulfill my vow. I will be pleased to be a liberator in my turn.
ZAIDA: My dear Hassan, will it be a woman that you free?
HASSAN: (smiling) Why? That worries you; you fear that the example —
ZAIDA: No, I am without alarms. I hope that you won't ever give me such a cruel shame. You are not listening to me? Will it be a man?
HASSAN: No question.
ZAIDA: Why not a woman?
HASSAN: It was a man who freed me.
ZAIDA: It's a woman who you love.
HASSAN: Yes — But, Zaida, a little conscience. A poor man in slavery is indeed unfortunate; while a woman in Smyrna, in Constantinople, in Tunis or Algiers is never to be pitied. Beauty is always in her own country. Come on, it will be a man if you choose.
ZAIDA: So be it, since it is necessary.
HASSAN: Goodbye. I am hastening to find my purse, a good Muslim mustn't appear before an Armenian without cash, and especially before a miser like this one.
(Exit Hassan.)
ZAIDA: My husband has some plan, my dear Fatima, he's preparing a celebration for me, I am pretending not to perceive it as that is customary. I want the surprise, too. I hear some uproar, it's surely Kaled with his slaves; I do not wish to see these wretches, it makes me feel too much. Follow me, and faithfully execute my orders.
(Exit Zaida and Fatima.)
(Enter Kaled, Dornal, Amelie, Andre, A Spaniard, and an Italian enchained.)
KALED: Never was I so strongly pressed to sell my merchandise. It's plainly to be seen it's been a long while since slaves were taken. Necessarily, because we're at peace; that was very unfortunate.
DORNAL: O despair! The eve of marriage, my dear Amelie!
KALED: (looking about him) What's this? They say there are countries where slavery is unknown. — Bad country!! Would I have made a fortune there? I've already done a fine business today, I got rid of that old slave who was pulling from his pockets old leather medals, all rusted, which he attentively looked at. Those types make an improvised sham. I've been taken in by it before. I am not troubled to be freed of that French doctor. Let's go in; forward. Who's this coming; it's Nebi? He seems to be furious. Could he be unhappy with his purchase?
(Enter Nebi.)
NEBI: Kaled, I am coming to declare to you that you must decide to take back your slave, to return my money to me, or to appear before the Cadi.
KALED: Why's that? Which slave are you talking about? Is it this worker or this merchant? I consent to take them back.
NEBI: It's really a question of that. You pretend not to know; I am talking about your French Doctor. Give me my money back or come to the Cadi.
KALED: What's it all about? What has he done?
NEBI: What's he done? I've got a young Spanish girl in my seraglio, actually she's my favorite: she's ill; do you know what he prescribed for her?
KALED: My word, no.
NEBI: Her native air. That doesn't work very well for me.
KALED: Eh! Native air. When I go into my country, I feel well.
NEBI: Some doctor! Apparently his patients are not cured except at five hundred leagues from him? The ignoramus! he did well to avoid my wrath; he fled into my gardens; but my slaves are pursuing him and are going to bring him to you. My money, my money!
KALED: Your money! Oh! the sale is good. It will stand.
NEBI: It will stand! No, by Mohammed. I will obtain justice this time. You were informed of the need I had of a doctor. It was really despite myself that I had recourse to you. You think that this will happen like last year when you sold me that savant.
KALED: What savant?
NEBI: Yes, yes! that savant who doesn't know how to distinguish maize from wheat, and who made me lose five hundred sequins by having me sow my land with a new method from his country.
KALED: Well! is that my fault? Why do you sow your lands according to savants? Do they know anything? Don't you have laborers? All you have to do is nourish them and make them work. Look at him with his savants.
NEBI: And this other one you sold me for his weight in gold, who is always saying whose son he is; whose son is he? And who is the father and the grandfather and the great grandfather? He called that, I believe, being a genealogist. He didn't want to make me the descendant of the Grand Vizier Ibrahim.
KALED: See what great harm! What harm does that do you? It's worth as much to be descended from one Ibrahim as another.
NEBI: True, I know that well enough; — but the price
KALED: Well! The price: I sold him to you dear? Apparently, he cost me as much also. That was a long time ago. Then I wasn't swimming in my commerce. Could I divine that those who cost me most, are the most useless?
NEBI: Nice reason! Does it seem true? Is it possible there's a country stupid enough — A swindler's excuse, swindler's excuse. I'm not surprised if you made a fortune.
KALED: Swindler's excuse! Fortunes! Truly, yes, fortunes! Does he think it's all profit? And bad bargains are ruining me! Aren't there a hundred professions in which they understand nothing? And when I bought that German Baron, that I've never been able to get rid of, and who's still there eating my bread! And that rich Englishman who was traveling to Spain, for whom I refused five hundred sequins, and who killed himself the next morning right in front of me and who carried off my money, doesn't it make your heart bleed? And this doctor as he calls himself, do you think I profited on him? And at the last fair in Tunis wasn't I stupid enough to purchase a Procurer and three Abbes, that I have not only not deigned to expose on the square, and who are still in my home along with the German Baron —
NEBI: Cursed infidel; you think to impose on me with these noises! but the Cadi will do me justice.
KALED: I am not afraid of you; the Cadi is a just man, intelligent, who supports commerce, who knows very well the value of slaves is going to fall because the value of these folks is worth less and less daily.
NEBI: Ah, so that's the way it is! once, twice, will you take back your doctor?
KALED: My word, no.
NEBI: Well! we are going to see.
KALED: Right!
(Exit Nebi.)
KALED: (to slaves) Well, the rest of you, you see how much trouble it is to sell you? What a devil of a man! He put me beside myself. There's no likelihood that purchasers will be coming to me today: let's go inside. What's that I hear? Is it a customer?
(Enter An Old Turkish Geezer.)
KALED: Fine! it's nothing. He's a slave here already.
OLD GEEZER: Hello, neighbor; are you stopping here?
KALED: Don't hold me up, you won't buy anything.
OLD GEEZER: I won't buy anything? Oh? you are going to see.
KALED: What's he mean?
DORNAL: (aside) I am trembling.
OLD GEEZER: Have you really got women? It's a woman I want.
KALED: What a character at your age.
OLD GEEZER: Eh! he only has one.
KALED: Still, she's not for you.
OLD GEEZER: Why's that?
KALED: I've refused her to richer folks.
OLD GEEZER: You will sell her to me.
KALED: Sure, sure.
DORNAL: Would it be possible! What! This wretch!
OLD GEEZER: How much is she worth?
KALED: Four hundred sequins.
OLD GEEZER: Four hundred sequins! That's really expensive.
KALED: Oh, hell, she's a Frenchie: they sell easily; everybody want's one.
OLD GEEZER: Let's have a look at her.
KALED: Oh! she is fine.
OLD GEEZER: She's lowering her eyes. She's weeping. That touches me. Still, she's a Christian, that is singular. Three hundred sequins.
KALED: Not a penny less.
OLD GEEZER: Here they are —
KALED: Take her.
DORNAL: Stop — O my dear Amelie! — Stop!
KALED: You are not going to prevent me from making a sale? Truly, I won't have enough trouble getting rid of you. You French, the husbands of this country won't buy you. You are always prowling around the seraglios, risking everything for everything.
DORNAL: Old man, you do not appear completely insensitive, let yourself be touched. Perhaps you have a wife, children?
OLD GEEZER: Me? No.
DORNAL: By whatever you hold most dear, do not separate us! She's my wife.
OLD GEEZER: His wife! that is very different; but truly, Kaled, if she's his wife, you are getting the best of me.
DORNAL: By all that's merciful, at least buy me with her.
OLD GEEZER: Alas! my friend, I would really like to, but I have need of only a woman.
DORNAL: I will serve you faithfully.
OLD GEEZER: You will serve me! I am a slave.
KALED: Are you listening to them?
ANDRE: My poor masters.
AMELIE: O my friend, what a fate!
DORNAL: Don't buy her. Perhaps some rich man will buy us together.
OLD GEEZER: That's really the worst thing that could happen to you. He would make you her guardian.
DORNAL: (to Kaled) Cannot you delay a few days?
KALED: Delay! Plainly you know nothing about business. Can I do it? I find my profit, I am taking it.
DORNAL: Oh heaven! — could he — But what could I say to soften up such a man? What a profession! what souls! to traffick with his like!
KALED: What does he mean? Don't you sell Negroes? Well, as for me, I am selling you —Isn't it the same thing? There's nothing but a difference between black and white —
OLD GEEZER: Truly, I haven't the courage.
KALED: Come on, you, you're not going to cry, too? I'm keeping your money, take your merchandise away, if you like. It's getting late.
AMELIE: Goodbye my dear Dornal!
DORNAL: Dear Amelie!
AMELIE: I will not survive it!
KALED: That's no concern of mine any longer.
DORNAL: I will die of it.
KALED: Take it easy there, you, I beg you; that's not my account. You are not going to do like the Englishman? (pushing back Dornal)
DORNAL: Ah God! must I be enchained!
ANDRE: O my dear mistress!
(The Old Geezer takes Amelie away.)
KALED: There I'm quits now. I am really lucky to have a hard heart, I would have succumbed else. My word, without his cash, he would never have taken her away, I felt myself moved so greatly. The devil, if I were to soften up, I would have lost four hundred sequins. One, two — there are more than four. Oh! I would really have put it off, I would really have put it off.
(Enter Hassan.)
HASSAN: (to Kaled) Well! neighbor, how goes business?
KALED: Very ill, the weather is bad. (aside) Always have to complain.
HASSAN: Now there are these poor wretches! I cannot free them all. I am really annoyed by that. Let's try at least to place our good deed well. It's a duty like that, it's a duty. (to the Spaniard) You, from what country are you from? Speak. You seem very haughty — will you speak?
SPANIARD: I'm a Spanish gentleman.
HASSAN: Spanish! brave folks! A bit proud from what they tell me in France. Your condition?
SPANIARD: I already told you: gentleman.
HASSAN: Gentleman, I don't know what that is. What do you do?
SPANIARD: Nothing.
HASSAN: So much the worse for you, my friend, you are really going to be bored. (to Kaled) You didn't make a very good purchases there.
KALED: Apparently, I've been taken again? Gentleman, he's doubtless like what the German Baron says. It's your fault, too, why are you going to say you are Gentleman; I will never get rid of you.
HASSAN: (to the Italian) And you, who are you with your black jacket? your country?
ITALIAN: I am from Padua.
HASSAN: Padua! I don't know that country. Your profession?
ITALIAN: Man of the law.
HASSAN: Fine! But what is your particular function?
ITALIAN: To meddle in other people's affairs for money; to make the most desperate often succeed, or at least to make them last ten years, fifteen years, twenty years.
HASSAN: Nice job! And tell me, do you perform this fine service without discrimination to both those who are right and those who are in the wrong?
ITALIAN: No question! Justice is for everyone.
HASSAN: And they permit this in Padua?
ITALIAN: Assuredly.
HASSAN: What a funny place Padua is! Things go well for you, I suspect. (to Andre) And you, who are you?
ANDRE: Less than nothing. I am a poor man.
HASSAN: You are poor? Don't you do anything?
ANDRE: Alas! I am the son of a peasant. I've been one myself.
KALED: Good! It's certain those are the ones I wish to avoid.
ANDRE: I ended by attaching my self to the service of a good master, but he is more unfortunate than I.
HASSAN: That may indeed be. Perhaps he doesn't work the earth. But, is this French clothing you are wearing?
ANDRE: I am also.
HASSAN: You are French! Nice folk the French; they don't hate anyone. You are French, my friend; it suffices, it's you I will free.
ANDRE: Generous Muslim; if it's a Frenchman that you wish to free, choose someone else besides me. I have neither father, nor mother, nor women, nor children I'm accustomed to misfortune. I'm not the one most to be pitied. Free my poor master.
HASSAN: Your Master! What's this I hear? what generosity! why! These French! But what is it they are all doing like that? — And where is your master?
ANDRE: (pointing out Dornal to him) There he is: in the abyss of his despair.
HASSAN: Then let him speak! he's hiding himself, he's turning away from being seen. He's keeping his silence. (Hassan advances and considers him despite himself) What do I see! Is it possible! I am not deceiving myself. It's him, it's himself. It's my liberator. (he embraces him with exaltation)
DORNAL: O happiness! o meeting unforeseen.
KALED: How they are embracing each other. He loves him; great!—he will pay for it.
HASSAN: I'm not coming back for it. My friend! my benefactor!
KALED: Plague! A friend, a benefactor! that ought to really sell, that really ought to sell.
HASSAN: But tell me then, how does it happen — by what luck — What am I saying? My head is spinning. What! it's toward yourself that I can acquit myself? I made a vow to free a Christian slave every year. I was coming to fulfill my vow, and it's you —
DORNAL: O! my friend, learn all my misfortune.
HASSAN: Misfortune! there's no more of that for you. (turning towards Kaled) Kaled, how much do I owe you to take him?
KALED: Five hundred sequins.
HASSAN: Five hundred sequins. Kaled, I am not haggling over my friend. Here.
DORNAL: What generosity!
HASSAN: (to Kaled) I owe you my fortune, for you could ask it of me.
KALED: What a fool I am! nice lesson!
HASSAN: Leave us alone, I beg you, so I can rejoice in the embraces of my benefactor.
KALED: Oh! that is just, that is fair. He's really yours, let's go, the rest of you, follow me.
ANDRE: (to Dornal) Goodbye, my dear master.
DORNAL: (to Hassan) What are you saying? can you think — My dear friend, this poor wretch, you've seen if he is attached to me, if he is faithful, if he has a tender heart.
HASSAN: No doubt, not doubt, he must be repurchased.
KALED: What a man! how he produces gold! If I were to profit by this opportunity to free my German Baron — But he wouldn't.
HASSAN: Wait, Kaled —
KALED: (looking at the sequins) In truth, neighbor, this does not suffice!
HASSAN: What! a hundred sequins does not suffice! A servant —
KALED: Eh! why — a servant. — After all, he's a man like any other.
HASSAN: Right! Now there's a moral.
KALED: And then, a faithful valet, who has a tender heart, who works, who ploughs the ground, who is not a gentleman — in conscience.
HASSAN: (giving him some sequins) Come on, leave us alone. What are you waiting for? what is it you want?
KALED: Neighbor, it's because I have in my home a poor unfortunate, a brave man, who is on bread and water for the last three years, it's heartbreaking, he's called a German Baron, you who are so good, you really ought —
HASSAN: I cannot free the whole world.
KALED: Half ruined.
HASSAN: That is impossible!
KALED: Just as I was saying, that man will stay with me forever. Oh, if ever I get taken like that again — Come on, Man of the Law, Gentleman, go back in there, go to sleep, I have to eat.
(Exit Kaled and the others.)
HASSAN: My dear friend! let me present my wife to you! Do you know I am married? It's to you that I owe it. And you, this young person you were going to seek in Malta?
DORNAL: I lost her.
HASSAN: What are you saying?
DORNAL: I was taking her to Marseilles to marry her, she was captured with me.
HASSAN: Well! is it this Armenian who bought her?
DORNAL: Yes.
HASSAN: Then let's run quickly —
DORNAL: There's no longer time; the barbarian sold her.
HASSAN: To whom?
DORNAL: I don't know. A slave of some rich man tore her from my arms.
HASSAN: Ah, unlucky! She is perhaps for some Pasha. Is she beautiful?
DORNAL: She is so beautiful!
(Zaida enters.)
ZAIDA: My friend! you left me a really long time alone. And your Christian slave?
HASSAN: My slave? he's my friend, he's my liberator, that I am presenting to you. I have had the good fortune to free him in my turn.
ZAIDA: Stranger, I owe the happiness of my life to you.
(Fatima enters.)
FATIMA: Is it time? Shall I enter?
ZAIDA: Yes, you may —
HASSAN: What is this mystery?
ZAIDA: My friend, you suspected me of jealousy just now. I am going to prove to you my trust. I availed myself of your good deeds to purchase a Christian slave. I was coming to present her to you so that she may receive her liberty from your hands.
(Fatima gestures and brings in a Christian slave dressed as a Muslim with a veil over her face.)
ZAIDA: Here she is; behold the most interesting spectacle. Beauty in sorrow.
HASSAN: (goes to her and raises her veil) How touching and beautiful she is!
DORNAL: Amelie! Heaven! (he flies into her arms)
AMELIE: (joyfully) What do I see? My dear Dornal!
DORNAL: My dear Amelie, you are free! I am also. You are near your benefactress, near my liberator. (he jumps on Hassan's neck, and then wants to embrace Zaida who recoils modestly)
HASSAN: (to Dornal) Embrace! embrace! that exaltation is honest. (to Zaida who remains confused) My dear friend, that's the custom in France.
AMELIE: (to Zaida) Madame, I owe you everything! Would I could give you my life!
ZAIDA: It's for me to render you thanks. You only owe me your liberty, and I owe to your husband the freedom of mine.
AMELIE: What! It's he —
HASSAN: Oh! this is incredible! By the way, you are not yet married?
DORNAL: Actually, no, we will be in our turn. One of her aunts was accompanying us, she died on the crossing.
HASSAN: Quick quick, a Cadi, a Cadi — Ah, why, on that subject, they cannot — it's this dress which deceived me.
DORNAL: My dear little Muslim lady, when will we be on Christian territory? Ah! my God, our poor companions in misfortune?
HASSAN: If I were rich enough — But after all, the Man of the Law and that other fellow, ought not to cost much, right.
DORNAL: Ah! my God, no. We will get them at a bargain price.
FATIMA: Ah, that's quite true. I just met the Armenian, all he asks is to sell them for what he paid.
DORNAL: Beside, as for me I am rich, and I intend —
HASSAN: Let's go, we will free them! (to Fatima) Go, find them, let them share our joy, let them be happy, and let them pardon us for wearing a doliman instead of a close fitting suit.
(Fatima brings in the Armenian, followed by slaves. They form a ballet, and express their gratitude to Zaida, Hassan and Dornal.)
CURTAIN