Suleyman comes up
to Askar and sings
Music plays
|
| |
What is your malady,
why do you ponder in thoughts? (2)
What are you thinking
of, what is your care, my friend? (2)
Don’t be ashamed,
young man. Tell about your grief to me! (2)
What is the torment
that is alarming you, my friend (2)
There is nî such
disease, not to be treated in the world (2)
Leave away grief
try to enjoy your life, my dear friend! (2)
Haven’t you heard,
my friend, our forefather's would say: (2)
Who has à desire
for him, can be found à way. (2) |
| SULEYMAN: |
Old chap, what has happened that you are sitting so buttoned
up? |
| ASKAR: |
It’s à very suitable time that you have come, Suleyman!
They say that you are à wise man. I’d like to
know what you could advise. |
| SULEYMAN: |
Well, well, don’t you believe that I’m wise? |
| ASKAR: |
I do believe! But if you give me your advice, I’ll believe
more. |
| SULEYMAN: |
Now tell me by and by what has happened? |
| ASKAR: |
You want to know what has happened; Well, Suleyman, I’m
thinking, what will be the end of it? The time
flies and days pass bó; the world... |
|
Suleyman interrupts him
|
| SULEYMAN: |
Stop, now I understand what you want. |
| ASKAR: |
What do I want? |
| SULEYMAN: |
Of course, you want to have à wife. |
|
All are surprised
|
| ASKAR: |
(in amazement) Oh, how did you know it? |
| SULEYMAN: |
I see it from
the expression of your face. It’s not difficult
to know it. (Hå turns to Jahan) Is it
so, or not, aunt Jahan? |
| JAHAN: |
May I fall à prey to you, of course. You are right. |
| SULEYMAN: |
(to Vali) Is it so or not, Vali? |
| VALI: |
Yes, bay, of course, it’s so! |
| SULEYMAN: |
(to Askar) Do you see now that I’m wise? |
| ASKAR: |
I understood half of it. My friend, there is one more
problem. If you can guess it, then I’ll know
that you are absolutely wise. |
| SULEYMAN: |
Say one by one, I’m listening. |
| ASKAR: |
Look here, Suleyman, I think to have à wife is like to
buy goods. As goods can be good or bad... |
| SULEYMAN: |
Stop, now I understand what you want. |
| ASKAR: |
What do I want? |
| SULEYMAN: |
You want to see the girl first, then to marry. |
|
All are surprised again
|
| ASKAR: |
How did you know
it, à balam*? |
| SULEYMAN: |
As soon as you uttered the word. It’s not surprising
to know it... (Hå asks Jahan) Is it so,
or not, aunt? |
| JAHAN: |
May I sacrifice myself for you, of course it is so. |
| SULEYMAN: |
Is it so, or not
Vali? |
| VALI: |
Certainly. It’s so bay! |
| SULEYMAN: |
(to Askar) You see now that I’m wise from top
to toe, am I not? |
| ASKAR: |
But it is not enough. If you can solve one more case,
then I’ll believe completely. |
| SULEYMAN: |
Tell one by one. We are listening. |
| ASKAR: |
Well, clever fellow, where and how can I see the girl,
if I want to know her à little bit? |
| SULEYMAN: |
There is nothing easier than that. Change your clothes.
Put on old ones. Put à roll î1 chintz under
your arm. Take an arshin in your hand. Go from
house to house and sell Arshin mali! Choose
one of the beauties, then send me to ask marriage,
arid that’s all. |
